IBM and Dassault Systèmes Reinforce Partnership through Enhanced Technology Integration

Alliance delivers superior integration of Dassault Systèmes PLM Solutions and IBM middleware for easier and more powerful product development

Paris, France – March 8, 2004 – IBM and Dassault Systèmes (Nasdaq: DASTY; Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) today announced plans to further integrate Dassault Systèmes Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions and IBM middleware. Building upon the success of their 23-year strong partnership, the companies will further integrate IBM software products, such as IBM WebSphere* and IBM Lotus Instant Messaging and Web Conferencing with the Dassault Systèmes’ suite of product development and data management applications CATIA, DELMIA, ENOVIA and SMARTEAM.

The objective of the initiative is to facilitate integration of client PLM platforms with their other business application software and legacy systems, and to create OnDemand workplaces where non-engineers can access product information in real-time. By leveraging the technology strengths of both companies, the PLM offering from IBM and Dassault Systèmes will deliver greater value to manufacturing clients.

“The alignment of IBM and Dassault Systèmes’ technology directly addresses our manufacturing clients’ needs to have a streamlined, integrated and cost-effective IT platform that facilitates the sharing and management of product information and drives product innovation, crucial to the industry,” said William Reedy, vice president of Business Development, IBM Software group. “This strengthened alliance with Dassault Systèmes reflects our commitment to the manufacturing industry to deliver innovative solutions that foster success.”

The enhanced integration will be phased in gradually, beginning with V5R13 of the companies’ PLM offering. Specific examples include integration of Web services and WebSphere functionalities in ENOVIA and SMARTEAM. This includes:

• PLM integration services using Web services running on the WebSphere Application Server to provide best-in-class integration capabilities and openness. These Web Services can be used by client organizations to integrate ENOVIA applications with their other systems and applications via Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) middleware such as WebSphere Business Integration or Websphere Business Integration Foundation.
• Major components of the ENOVIA LCA family of products to leverage the industry- leading J2EE-compliant WebSphere Application Server products to further enhance the deployability, availability, performance, capacity and scalability of the applications.
• ENOVIA LCA family of products intended for use by non-engineers incorporated into customizable and open OnDemand workspaces delivered through the WebSphere Portal family of products.
• Integrated Lotus Sametime capabilities within the CATIA and ENOVIA DMU suite of applications to deliver best in class peer-to-peer and extended enterprise real-time collaboration and review capabilities.
• SMARTEAM-WebSphere integration allowing easy upgrade to a larger and more robust IBM WebSphere Business Integration platform as the customer's enterprise PLM strategy and needs grow over time.

 

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“Through our alliance with IBM, we reinforce the role of the PLM community and CAA developers in the planning and development stages of IBM technology,” said Dominique Florack, executive vice president of Research & Development, Dassault Systèmes. “The enhanced integration of our solutions with IBM middleware underscores Dassault Systèmes’ commitment to support open IT standards.”

IBM PLM Solutions, with core applications developed by Dassault Systèmes, improve the efficiency of product development processes and a company’s ability to use product-related information. By better managing the entire product development process, manufacturing companies can improve productivity, innovate and grow their business.

IBM PLM Solutions are available worldwide through IBM PLM, IBM Business Consulting Services and IBM Business Partners. IBM Software Group products are available from IBM Software Group and IBM Business Partners.