MSC.Software Becomes First Dassault Systèmes’Certified Education Partner in the Americas

Certified partner label designates PLM education expertise in Dassault Systèmes’skills initiative

Miami, Florida, USA - April 26, 2004 - Dassault Systèmes (Nasdaq: DASTY; Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), the world’s leading developer of product lifecycle management (PLM) solutions, today announced that MSC.Software (NYSE: MNS) has achieved the highest quality and performance requirements for its PLM education and training division, and has been awarded the first Certified Education Partner (CEP) designation in the Americas.

The CEP label is the highest qualification that can be reached by a member of Dassault Systèmes’ Education Partner Program which is a made up of a growing network of more than 90 companies with 800 teachers in 32 countries. Partners provide education and training on Dassault Systèmes’ CATIA, ENOVIA, and SMARTEAM PLM solutions.

MSC.Software demonstrated excellence in deploying Dassault Systèmes’ learning solutions, and went through a formal certification process to receive the label just five months after its creation.

“MSC.Software continues to be a very strong partner of Dassault Systèmes, especially as it relates to training and educating engineers in PLM,” said Frank Perna, chairman and CEO, MSC.Software. “Product development organizations are continually looking for ways to increase productivity and efficiency and one of the simplest ways to do that is to get more from investments in PLM. There is an enormous market opportunity for training services and this new designation from Dassault Systèmes is an excellent validation of the quality of our training staff and the classes we provide.”

“The Certified Education Partner label is awarded to education providers with proven track records in helping companies to maximize return on their investment in Dassault Systèmes’ PLM solutions with world-class learning solutions,” said Philippe Forestier, executive vice president Alliances, Marketing, and Communications, Dassault Systèmes. “I am very pleased to welcome MSC.Software as our first CEP in America to reach this status.”

To fulfill one of the Certified Partner requirements, MSC.Software instructors passed tests to become “Certified Instructors”, a new specialization in Dassault Systèmes’ worldwide certification program. The Instructor certification process ensures that trainers have acquired and continuously maintain the skills, knowledge and ability to coach students on how to maximize the benefits of PLM solutions.

For details about Dassault Systèmes’ education program, visit https://plm.3ds.com/education.

For more information about MSC.Software’s training and the MSC.Institute of Technology, visit www.mscsoftware.com/support/msc_institute.