PLM Perspective - November/December 2004
PLM and Strategic Sourcing - Expanding PLM into "Design-to-Source"
On November 12, UGS announced its fifth consecutive quarter of strong revenue growth with overall revenue up 18 percent over the same period a year earlier. It is interesting to note that demand was particularly high in the collaborative development segment of the market where our revenue grew 32% over the same period a year earlier. This area of the market includes not only product data management (PDM), but a host of mission critical technologies that enable collaborative work processes and the integration of applications across an enterprise. Growth in this sector is accelerating as more and more companies adopt PLM at an enterprise level to fuel their own growth and to conquer the competitive imperative to become more innovative in the way products and processes are developed and managed. It is also driven by new developments in PLM technology and applications that address expanding needs and broader markets, providing solutions that support business practices not typically thought of as product development processes.
For example, tremendous savings can be realized when product development and purchasing are able to work in a collaborative environment. According to Tim Minahan, Vice President of Supply Chain Research, for The Aberdeen Group, "Early procurement team involvement in the engineering process improves quality and cycle times by 10 to 20 percent."
UGS, working in partnership with AT Kearney Procurement Solutions, has developed Teamcenter Sourcing to address this opportunity. Together we have found that companies that implement a collaborative environment for product development and procurement have been able to gain:
- 10% to 20% quality improvement and cycle time reduction
- 10%+ quick bottom line savings early in the project
- 40% first year to 70% second year cycle-time reduction
UGS, a proud sponsor of Hendrick Motor Sports, expresses its sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Hendrick Motors Sports on the tragic loss of Ricky Hendrick, John Hendrick, Kimberley Hendrick, Jennifer Hendrick, Dick Tracy, Joe Jackson, Liz Morrison, Jeff Turner, Randy Dorton, and Scott Lathram on Sunday, October 24, 2004.
Student Project Uses Solid Edge to Help Disabled Children
Children with severe physical limitations are now able to be more independent thanks to the work of engineering students at Saginaw Valley State University. The students used Solid Edge, which they learned through online tutorials, to create a robotic device that helps disabled children feed themselves. The students not only mastered the complex design, but produced a device that cost one-third of existing systems, weighed less and made less noise. They've found great satisfaction in both the process and the impact their work is making on others' lives.
Ensaldo Energia Reduces Costs, Improves Quality and Increases Productivity Globally
Ansaldo Energia is one of the global leaders in the field of energy generation. Following a period of expansion and acquisition the company found itself dealing with a variety of information systems and a host of different procedures within the expanded organization, both for internal processes as well as for dealing with suppliers. Standardizing and integrating the different processes and systems became critical to competing effectively in the power generation arena. After a careful evaluation of PLM technology, Ansaldo Energia selected Teamcenter to become the digital enterprise backbone for information sharing and process management, resulting in more efficient operation, faster deliveries, lower development costs and improved quality.
UGS Crosses Under the Checkered Flag with Andretti Green Racing
UGS sponsored driver, Tony Kanaan of Andretti Green Racing, recently won the 2004 Indy Racing League (IRL) Championship. And, in addition, Kanaan accomplished an open-wheel racing first - he completed every lap of every race during the 2004 season. That's an astonishing 3,305 laps. Also of note is that Kanaan's teammate, Dan Wheldon, placed in the standings, with Dario Franchitti finishing sixth and Bryan Herta ninth - all four drivers in the top ten standings in the 2004 IRL league. Andretti Green Racing is constantly fine-tuning eight Indy cars to the requirements of the four different drivers and many different tracks. Many modifications involve parts that must be fabricated in days.
Andretti Green has found that the winning combination of drivers, cars, and support crew can also be dramatically improved with the addition of advanced technology - NX digital product development software.
"NX allows our engineering group to make improvements in car design for performance and reliability, and cuts down the amount of time it takes to accomplish those things," said Michael Andretti, CEO, Andretti Green Racing. "It provides us with tools to create optimal designs, which ultimately gives us an edge over the competition. And in the IndyCar Series, we have to look for any advantage we can find."
Teamcenter Engineering Now Available on Microsoft SQL Server 2000
Recently, UGS announced the release of Teamcenter on Microsoft SQL Server 2000. With this announcement, now both Teamcenter Engineering and Teamcenter Enterprise clients have a choice of database platform for Teamcenter's product knowledge management and collaboration solutions. Teamcenter is the only PLM solution capable of any size deployment - from small to medium to large-scale enterprise -- to provide a choice of database platform to its clients.
NX 3 Draws Strong Market Interest
Since the launch of NX 3 on September 15, an estimated 10,000 UGS clients and other visitors at over 100 venues worldwide have attended sessions that detail the new capabilities and enhancements in UGS' latest release of its digital product development solution.
David Cohn, publisher and editor-in-chief of Engineering Automation Report and CADCAMNet (two publications from leading industry analyst and consulting firm Cyon Research) has profiled key NX 3 enhancements in a two-part series for CADCAMNet. The first article, titled "NX 3 - The culmination of a 3-Year Migration," was profiled in last month's PLM Perspective. The second, "NX 3 Provides Enhancements Across the Board" completes the sequence.
JT Open Technical Review Board Holds Inaugural Meeting
The JT Open Program is an innovative global initiative that supports the use of JT - the world's most widely-used data format for product visualization, collaboration and data sharing within the PLM industry.
The JT Open Technical Review Board (TRB) was formed in order to provide the program with the technical guidance and expertise necessary to guide JT development and maintain its industry leading position. At the initial TRB meeting, attended by members Alias, DaimlerChrysler, Caterpillar, GM, Ford, Opticore, PTC, Renault, Theorem, UGS and Visteon, Dr. Reinhold Klass, manager EDM System Integration, DaimlerChrysler, was elected as the board's first chairperson. For more information about the program and its members visit the JT Open web site at www.jtopen.com.
Special Events
UGS Announces the Availability of NX 3 Training Courses and Job Aides
In support of the release of NX 3, UGS announces the rollout of training solutions for NX 3 clients. Learn more about two of the many courses that are available now, along with a tremendous new job aide for existing
I-deas users who are transitioning to NX 3.
E-factory Webinars
Learn new ways to make your manufacturing operations a competitive advantage. UGS is continuing its series of educational webinars that show companies how they can improve their competitiveness with E-factory digital manufacturing solutions.
To learn more or register for a webinar, visit the E-factory online events site.
Defense Logistics 2004
UGS is a primary sponsor of this event and company executives will provide keynote addresses on the impact of PLM technology across defense logistics.
More Events
For a full list of local events where you can see UGS' solutions in action, check our online list of seminars and trade shows for events in your area.
More Information for Technical Users
Many UGS technology users like to receive technical tips and in-depth product information in addition to business and strategy news. If this information is of interest to you, you have a current maintenance contract and you have not yet subscribed to our technical newsletter, GTAC Quarterly, you can find out more.
New Offering Designed to Accelerate 3D Visual Collaboration Adoption Based on the Pervasive 3D JT Format and PLM XML, UGS' JT2Go Viewer and JT Plug-Ins for Microsoft® Office Enable Global Collaboration Down to Every Desktop
JT, the Dominant Data Format for Product Visualization, Collaboration and Data Sharing Within the PLM Industry, Delivers a Lightweight Format for Sharing Detailed 3D Product and Manufacturing Information Throughout the Product Lifecycle
UGS Reports 3rd Quarter Revenue of US$253.8 Million or 18 Percent Growth
Performance Marks Fifth Consecutive Quarter of Revenue Growth for Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Industry Leader
Company Widens Lead in High-Growth Collaborative Product Development Management (cPDm) Segment of PLM Market
UGS and Design Visionaries to Provide NX™ Digital Product Development Solutions
As a New Partner in the Global UGS Partner Program, Design Visionaries to Leverage Reputation and Positioning in the Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Design Markets of Northern California in Promoting and Distributing UGS' NX Solutions
www.ugs.com Passes 1 Million Visitor Mark
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Leader Web Site Enjoys Record Traffic and Average Visitor Length-of-Stay in October
More Than 270 Users Pack Solid Edge® Mid-West User Group Meeting
Japan's Landmark Technology Corporation Joins Fast Growing JT Open Initiative
New Member Extends Strong Momentum for Innovative Initiative Uniting Global Manufacturers and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Industry Leaders Behind Common Data Format for Visual Collaboration and Interoperability
Doshisha University Selects UGS' NX™ Nastran for Structural and Vibration Analysis Research
Simulation Solutions from UGS Contribute to Joint Industry, Government and Academia Project
PLM Industry Leaders and Global Manufacturers Elect Daimlerchrysler Executive as First Chairperson of JT Open TRB
Based on Teamcenter® software, HP servers and combined services, "PLM Appliances" are designed to reduce time-to-value and provide rapid global deployment of consistent, adaptive product lifecycle management solutions
UGS Releases Full PLM Solution Built on the Microsoft Platform
Teamcenter and NX Solutions Extend Microsoft's Program for Collaborative Product Development to Provide Broader PLM Support for Manufacturers on the Microsoft Platform
UGS Announces Teamcenter® Support for Microsoft SQL Server 2000
Choice of IT Platform Offers Flexibility And Brings Down Overall Cost-Of-Ownership Of PLM, Opening The Door To Businesses Of All Sizes
UGS Simplifies Vitra's Design to Support Value Chain
Leading Furniture Maker Invests in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Software and Services from UGS
Corrada Implements UGS Solution to Increase Productivity and Competitiveness
Agreement Includes the Implementation of UGS' NX™ Solutions
AMF Standardizes on UGS' Solid Edge® for 3D Design
Grant Provided by UGS' Global Opportunities in PLM (GO PLM) Program Enables Students to Experience State-of-the-Art Technology Used by Potential Employers
Williams Medical Supplies Utilises UGS' Solid Edge® CAD Software to Deliver Innovative Designs
Howard University to Receive $70.6 Million From PACE
Contribution Represents the Largest in the University's History
Solid Edge® Version 16 Enhances Mold Tooling Application
New Capabilities Include Custom Plates - Based on Existing Standards - With no Size Limit
MCAD Review: Solid Edge 16 (Cadserver)
NX3: Unigraphics Meets I-deas (Cadserver)
General Motors bundled PLM is plug in and go (Manufacturing Computer Solutions)
Putting Process into the Product (Desktop Engineering)
Howard Gets $70 Million Gift (New York Times)
Microsoft and its ISVs Put Product Data in Offices (MSI)
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