The UK's first centre of excellence in product lifecycle
management (PLM) is to be established at the Technium Auto project
at Swansea University.
Technium Auto is providing Welsh automotive sector small and
medium-sized enterprises with access to sophisticated software
products, and is sponsored by IBM, the Welsh Assembly and the Welsh
Development Agency.
PLM is a set of capabilities that enables an enterprise to
efficiently innovate and manage its products and related services
throughout the entire business lifecycle, from conception through
to recycling or disposal.
The new centre will provide small and medium-sized Welsh
businesses with an opportunity to use IBM PLM software and IBM
eServer systems. In addition, IBM will offer education, research
and training consultancy.
The agreement forms part of the £9m Technium Auto project, which
is the latest addition to the pan-Wales network of Technium centres
that are designed to attract and create high quality employment and
business opportunities to the principality.
Andrew Davies, minister for economic development and transport,
said, “Whilst Wales has a strong automotive component sector, the
automotive industry is highly competitive, with issues affecting
car manufacturers having a direct impact on supply chain
companies.
"The availability and use of this sophisticated software will
not only help SMEs to maintain their vital contribution to the
automotive supply chain, but also enable them to move quickly to
manage change and maximise the opportunities of securing new work,"
he said.
Swansea University is also now hosting the first centre of
advanced studies in PLM as part of the deal.
Students will be able to learn how PLM can help companies meet
their business challenges and take this expertise into industry.
Students will be able to improve their skills on Catia V5,
Smarteam and Enovia systems, all leading IBM PLM products which
were developed by Dassault Systèmes.