IBM and Dassault Systemes Launch CATIA Version 5 For Windows NT and UNIX Environments

Business Wire, Oct 12, 1998

CHARLOTTE, N.C. and PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 12, 1998--

Re-Engineered Solution Meets all User Needs for Any Size Company;

Helps Ensure Maximum Collaboration in the Digital Enterprise

IBM(a) and Dassault Systemes today announced CATIA Version 5(b), a re-engineered, next generation computer-aided design, manufacturing and engineering solution for both native Microsoft Windows NT(c) and UNIX(c) platforms.

With CATIA Version 5, customers get a platform-independent solution that addresses the needs of any size company across the extended enterprise. With the same data, functions, delivery, environment and support across all hardware platforms, Version 5 helps ensure maximum collaboration among all participants in the design and engineering process.

CATIA Version 5 delivers breakthrough applications, which are scaleable to all levels of design complexity and CAD/CAM experience. Occasional users, with limited training, will find the Windows interface makes them rapidly productive. Dedicated, sophisticated users can use highly optimized knowledge and process-based applications. With CATIA Version 5, customers can start at any level and grow as their business requires. Customers will find CATIA Version 5 easy to install and learn, as fun and natural to use as if the shapes and models were physically in their hands.

Customers can capture and re-use engineering knowledge and leverage it to implement generative, rule-based product development processes. As a result, CATIA Version 5 acts as an expert advisor, guiding customers through product development tasks and warning of possible mistakes or conflicts.

Its innovative applications are built using leading-edge standards, methodologies and capabilities, such as C (c), Java(c), CORBA(c), object-oriented programming, STEP and direct visualizations. Its native OLE(c) and Internet/intranet Web compliance facilitates e-business digital integration within the office and throughout the extended enterprise.

Existing CATIA Version 4 customers benefit from compatibility with CATIA Version 5 allowing both systems to work together. This highly flexible approach provides a natural progression for existing customers, allowing them to plan their implementation to suit business needs. CATIA Version 5 product portfolio will be introduced over time, like Version 4 whose phased introduction was highly successful. Meanwhile, CATIA Version 4 will continue to be sold, supported and enhanced to provide significant increases in capability to maintain it as the best CAD/CAM/CAE solution for the UNIX environment until surpassed by CATIA Version 5.

"Together with CATIA Solutions Version 4, CATIA on the Web and the ENOVIA Product Development Management (PDM II) product lines, CATIA Version 5 is positioned as the leading 'process-centric' system to support customers' end-to-end needs," explained Bernard Charles, president of Dassault Systemes. "CATIA Version 5 is a milestone in the continuing evolution of our vision for the digital enterprise to deliver e-business solutions where all aspects of the product development process can be simulated and communicated digitally through engineering and non-engineering populations within the enterprise, including suppliers."

Customer/Consultant Reaction is Positive and Strong

A spokesperson for the Michelin Tire Company said: "We plan to use the CATIA technological platform to renovate our current CAD/CAM/CAE applications in-depth, based on a heterogeneous set of programs and specific applications developed in-house. We are depending on CATIA's functions and on the openness of its architecture and the ongoing relationship with Dassault Systemes and IBM to provide the tire/design/simulation/manufacturing process with state-of-the-art tools using all the power of parameterization and associativity, enabling us to progress towards virtual prototyping and simultaneous engineering."

Ulrich Sendler, a European CAD/CAM industry analyst, adds: "CATIA Version 5 implements new generation technologies that most competing companies are still evaluating."

Availability

Starting today, IBM and Dassault Systemes are making CATIA Version 5 available to a selected number of customers around the world in a variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, and machinery. This advanced program will ensure the first set of customers can implement these new applications efficiently with the required level of support. Following successful implementation, IBM and Dassault Systemes will announce general availability ordering information, terms and conditions and prices.

"The real issue customers face is operating in a world where NT and UNIX are used by different companies in the product development pipeline. They need to integrate product data from different environments, plus office and other applications. The advanced program will help ensure this integration is efficient," said Frank Lerchenmueller, vice-president of IBM's worldwide Engineering Solutions unit. "The launch of CATIA Version 5 with its platform independence means IBM is the only vendor that offers CAD/CAM/CAE customers a full choice of e-business solutions, service and support and a proven track-record to put it together and make customers more competitive."