PLM Perspective
PLM Perspective - The Route to Finding Your Hidden Wealth
In this issue of PLM Perspective, I'd like to spend some time talking about intellectual capital and how PLM can increase its value in a company. But first let me touch on another valuable company asset - its brand. In the case of UGS, we were formed from a cadre of industry-leading companies, yet our research shows that among these names, UGS remains the most widely recognized in the PLM industry and carries the strongest equity that we can build on going forward. That's what influenced us to incorporate it in our identity when we learned we would be separating from EDS. For the same reason, we have decided that once the sale to our new private equity sponsors does close, we will move to the abbreviated UGS as our new go-to-market brand since that is how we are commonly referred to in the marketplace already. While this brand reflects our legacy of strength, it is not a return to the UGS of old whose primary product was Unigraphics. It represents a new era for us where we can leverage the collective knowledge of all the innovative companies that have come together under this brand and move forward with new purpose. To emphasize our broad focus, we will also begin using a new tagline with the brand: The PLM Company. You'll see this change in our corporate materials soon. In the meantime we are looking forward to this simpler approach and our new status as an independent business.
While our brand is critical, the heart, soul and true value of our company is, always, our people. The intellectual capital that UGS PLM Solutions' 4,700-person-strong global workforce brings to bear on the PLM industry each and every day is what ultimately enables our clients to transform their process of innovation. I'm very proud of our people's achievements and contributions.
You no doubt have employees who apply a wealth of knowledge and creative thinking to their work as well. The question is, how much time do they spend on routine tasks or inefficient processes that could be better spent on breakthrough innovation? And if that employee departs, how do you retain the value they brought to your organization?
PLM Success
Designing for Comfort and Safety
Part of Osaka Gas Co. Ltd.'s "2010 Vision" was to find methods to create a more comfortable way of life for its customers. Around the same time this initiative was created, Japan established a national initiative for greater awareness of ergonomics during building construction and renovation. To support its vision and the government's national initiative, Osaka Gas began development in 1999 of "CUPS" (Comfort, Usability, Performance, Safety), a design support system that addresses human behavior relative to function and comfort throughout a home or commercial living and work space. This project created the need for highly advanced human simulations - so advanced that even blood pressure and pulse could be considered. Osaka Gas found the technology they needed in E-factory Jack.
Royal Australian Navy Recruits a Configuration Management Solution
On May 5, 1998, a fire aboard the Royal Australian Navy fuel tanker HMAS Westralia claimed the lives of four of its crew. A commissioned study into the tragedy identified numerous areas in which improvement was necessary in the way the Navy approached product lifecycle management. It cited the need to acquire a dedicated Navy-wide configuration system that would provide the impetus to rectify the deficiencies in the change management process that contributed to the Westralia incident. The Navy's efforts to do this have been enhanced by the addition of Teamcenter Aerospace and Defense as the Navy-wide configuration management tool.
Product News
I-deas 11 NX Series - Now Shipping to Customers Worldwide
I-deas 11 NX Series is now shipping to customers around the world and represents a key milestone as we move toward a single, advanced product development solution in support of our strategy for NX.
I-deas 11 NX Series provides measurable productivity gains to I-deas customers across all core vertical industries; and, at the same time delivers continuing NX capabilities and value to our customers.
Teamcenter Product Presentation Highlights at PLM World
For customers planning to attend PLM World in Anaheim, Calif., (May 17-21, 2004), the conference offers a rich agenda of Teamcenter product sessions. The primary tracks include tracks dedicated to Teamcenter Engineering, Teamcenter Enterprise, as well as a track looking at the other integrated Teamcenter portfolio solutions, including collaboration, requirements management, systems engineering, and project management.
Follow this link to find presentation abstracts for some of the sessions by Teamcenter product management. Be sure to visit www.plmworld.org for the complete agenda, presentation abstracts and speaker biographies.
If you like what you see, it's not too late to register for PLM World - just go to www.plmworld.org for details. Join the more than 1,000 people in attendance at the PLM industry's premier event!
Digital Manufacturing as an Enterprise Strategy
E-factory is a flexible manufacturing engineering management solution that dramatically increases a company's profitability by improving the way products are built. If you haven't yet had the opportunity to learn about E-factory digital manufacturing solutions, now is the time.
UGS' E-factory team is launching an extensive series of regional and global events and weekly webinars. Find out more about these opportunities here.
Events
Special Events
UGS Education Services Providing 45 Free Training Sessions at PLM World 2004
Don't wait to register for attendance at this year's PLM World Conference in Anaheim, CA, May 17-21. Continuing the tradition of providing tremendous educational value to attendees of this conference, UGS Education Services will once again be providing attendees with dozens of free training sessions, with topics including Unigraphics NX, I-deas NX Series, and Teamcenter. Stop by our booth display on the third level, located near the conference registration desk. We'll have management and technical experts available Monday through Friday during conference hours to discuss your training needs and demonstrate our industry-leading suite of blended training solutions. Also, make sure you drop your business card into the drawing bowl at our booth- we'll be holding four drawings during the week for awesome gifts!
We'll also be hosting the Family Movie Night on Sunday evening once again, providing a free night of family-oriented entertainment and snacks. This year's feature will be Secondhand Lions, starring Michael Caine, Robert Duval and Haley Joel Osment (Rated PG). For more information on this conference and all of the scheduled activities and learning opportunities, visit the conference Web site at event.plmworld.org.
Solid Edge User Summit
The 2004 Solid Edge User Summit, titled "Mastering the Edge," will take place in Orlando Florida, June 2-4. This year's event will include educational workshops, expanded hands-on training, new tips and techniques, user presentations, business sessions, Voyager Partner booths, development roundtables, keynotes, social events and the chance to share experiences with hundreds of fellow Solid Edge users. Registration, through a secure online site, is now open. You'll find all the details on registration, hotels and a call for presentations here. The site will be continually updated as details of the agenda are added.
E-factory Global Symposium
The second annual E-factory global symposium will be held June 16-17 at the Conference & Event Center in Dearborn, Michigan. The conference includes user presentations, technical demonstrations and a special track for executives on implementing Digital Manufacturing as an enterprise strategy.
For more information contact al.hufstetler@ugsplm.com
E-factory "'Wide Open" Webinars
This series of weekly webinars provide an opportunity to learn about the capabilities of the E-factory portfolio of products.
e-Breviate User Group
May 18-20 in Anaheim California . For information, contact keith.clay@ebreviate.com
China Users Conference to Convene in Shanghai
This year's China Users Conference will be held in Shanghai, China on May 27th and 28th. The conference begins with general sessions featuring the UGS executive team at Shanghai Center on the morning of May 27th. Following lunch, the venue will move to the Shanghai Exhibition Center, for breakout sessions. Afternoon sessions on May 27th will focus on product information and morning sessions on May 28th will target specific industries. Please visit www.ugsplm.com.cn for further information.
DMS (Design Engineering & Manufacturing Solutions Expo / Conference) 2004
UGS will participate in DMS in Tokyo , Japan on June 16-18. Please visit www.dms-tokyo.jp/english/ for more information.
More Events
For a full list of local events where you can see UGS in action, check our online list of seminars and trade shows for events in your area.
