General Motors migrates CAD system to EDS

General Motors is migrating its global computer-aided design system to Electronic Data Systems' Unigraphics NX.

Unigraphics NX is EDS's updated product lifecycle management (PLM) software package, which is designed to help manufacturers reduce complexity in product development. 

GM's upgrade will be implemented throughout its 16 engineering centres around the world, including those in China, Japan, Sweden, Canada, Brazil, Austria and Italy. 

The Unigraphics NX suite will allow GM and its extended enterprise to integrate the complete product-engineering life cycle, from initial concept to final production. 

"Over the past couple of years, GM, like others, has moved from focusing on CAD/CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) to focusing on the entire PLM suite," said GM global product development information officer Kirk Gutmann. "What we're doing is a major upgrade of the PLM tools." 

Gutmann added that Unigraphics NX would help GM improve productivity and speed as well as the design quality of its vehicles, although he did not disclose the cost of the migration.