Microsoft and Dassault Systèmes will work to integrate
Microsoft's Office applications with Dassault Systèmes' 3D design
software.
The partners intend to link Dassault Systèmes' design and
manufacturing applications more closely with Microsoft's
collaborative Office systems, using XML and Microsoft's .net
platform.
Establishing such links will, for example, enable manufacturing
companies to quickly evaluate the repercussions of changes to a
design on costs and production schedules, the companies said.
The integration will reduce the boundaries between engineering
departments and the factory floor, speeding product development and
reducing production costs, according to Bill Gates, Microsoft's
chairman and chief software architect.
Under the agreement the two will share information about their
future product development and marketing plans. The five-year
duration of the deal was chosen because that was the period over
which the companies could clearly foresee advantages in sharing
such information, Gates said.
Bernard Charlès, president and chief executive officer of
Dassault Systèmes, also wants to work with Microsoft to lead
development of a standard for describing 3D designs using XML -
which they will then open up to the rest of the industry.
"It's for whoever wants to join the club. It's not just a
partnership between us two," he said.
Dassault Systèmes' products include Catia, Delmia and SolidWorks
design, simulation and manufacturing planning software; the
applications run on Windows or Unix systems.
The company will continue work on the Unix versions, although
Windows is where it will concentrate its efforts to integrate
office productivity and design tools, Charlès said. Windows, not
Unix, is the standard when it comes to making information available
throughout the company, he said.
Charlès consulted IBM, Dassault Systèmes' biggest distributor,
about the deal.
"It's OK from their side because they know we want to offer the
best for our customers," he said.
Peter Sayer writes for IDG News Service