IBM and Dassault Systemes Preview CATIA Version 5 For Windows NT and UNIX Environments
Charlotte, N.C (March 16, 1998) – IBM* and Dassault Systemes today previewed the next generation of the CATIA** Solutions product line that will offer customers a wide range of easy to use, scaleable computer-aided design, manufacturing and engineering (CAD/CAM/CAE) solutions with a choice of native Windows NT*** or UNIX*** environments.
The next generation — CATIA Version 5** — is interoperable with and complements the existing product portfolio of CATIA Version 4. The new product suite is being demonstrated publicly for the first time this week in North America (National Design Engineering Show, Chicago) and Europe (Micad, Paris and Cebit, Hannover). Availability of the first release is scheduled to be announced in the third quarter of 1998.
This preview announcement is to help customers plan for future implementations of CATIA Solutions. It is a guide to understanding the joint strategic direction of Dassault Systemes, developer of CATIA products, and IBM, which provides worldwide marketing, sales, services, and support for CATIA products and customers.
CATIA Version 5 will address a diverse range of user requirements from the simplest designs to the most complex processes for companies of all sizes working in small teams or across the extended enterprise. When combined with IBM’s e-business solutions and comprehensive service and support, CATIA Version 5 will benefit customers striving to create innovative products, streamline the product development process, reduce cycle times and get new products to market faster.
The new product suite is the first major CAD/CAM/CAE system to fully use next generation technologies and leading-edge industry standards — such as C++, Object Oriented Programming, STEP and OpenGL. CATIA Version 5 will deliver a single system scaleable architecture across UNIX and Windows NT platforms, a feature pioneered in CATIA Version 4. It will run on UNIX hardware platforms supported by IBM, Hewlett Packard, Silicon Graphics and Sun, and on Windows NT platforms (Intel and Digital Equipment/Alpha based).
An innovative and intuitive user interface in CATIA Version 5 helps unleash designer creativity. CATIA Version 5 builds on the powerful modelling concepts used in Version 4 for industry leading solid and shape design. It enables the capture and reuse of design intent, process specifications and intelligence. CATIA Version 5 provides the user the means to move the entire product development process beyond the capabilities of traditional parametric or variational approaches. The results are accelerated design cycles, improved reaction times and increased productivity.
Vision for the Digital Enterprise
The IBM and Dassault Systemes vision is to support world class business processes by delivering an environment for digital simulation and communication in all aspects of engineering and design. This includes product concept and definition through manufacturing and plant operations to maintenance and field operations.
To deliver this vision, IBM and Dassault Systemes will provide a complete range of integrated enterprise solutions to customers built on applications, systems and services. At the heart of these solutions are applications to address e-business, product definition and product data management that are fully supported with services from system support and implementation, through training in world class methodologies, up through complete business transformation consulting. These solutions are equally applicable to small workgroups or globally extended enterprises.
Over 10,000 existing customers world-wide benefit from these solutions. These companies are able to satisfy customer and market requirements more quickly while improving quality and reducing costs.
Future Directions of CATIA Version 4 and 5
The CATIA Version 5 portfolio of applications will be introduced over time to further expand CATIA Version 4’s depth and breadth of solutions in the areas of mechanical design, shape design and styling, manufacturing, analysis and simulation, equipment and systems engineering, plant design and shipbuilding.
CATIA Version 4 will continue to be enhanced and marketed. It remains the best CAD/CAM/CAE solution for customers demanding the full functional depth and breadth of coverage across the entire product development process.
Existing customers can complement their CATIA Version 4 installations with CATIA Version 5 function and native Windows NT or UNIX platform flexibility. CATIA interoperability ensures CATIA Version 5 can be used alongside Version 4 in existing installations and supplier chains within the extended enterprise.
New customers needing a CAD/CAM/CAE solution that meets their needs of today, as well as their requirements for future growth, will find the flexibility and scaleability offered in the CATIA product family especially appealing.
Integration with CATIA Network Computing and the recently announced ENOVIA PDM II product lines provides customers with the most comprehensive solution set in the industry to achieve the vision of the digital enterprise.
CATIA Version 5 will be available in English, French, German and Japanese. Additional languages are being evaluated. The product is Year 2000 ready.
CATIA Solutions are developed by Dassault Systemes and marketed, sold and supported by IBM. CATIA addresses the CAD/CAM/CAE process-centric market, enabling customers to create and simulate the entire product life cycle from concept to operation. Customers and their requirements drive the development and direction of CATIA. As leaders in their respective industries, CATIA Solutions customers demand the most exacting capabilities, leading solutions and premier support and service.
Source: IBM