EADS PHENIX Program Brings New Approach To Global Product Development: 3D Collaborative Design and Manufacturing Solutions Play Key Role
VELIZY, FRANCE and ARMONK, NEW YORK – 26 Nov 2008: IBM (NYSE: IBM) and Dassault Systèmes (DS) (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) today announced EADS’ commitment to IBM and Dassault Systèmes’ product lifecycle management (PLM), for 3D collaborative design and manufacturing applications and services. EADS, a global leader in aerospace, defense and related services, is streamlining product design and manufacturing processes through the use of collaboration tools to make key product information more easily accessible to suppliers and partners worldwide.
Aerospace and defense companies face new global manufacturing challenges as they extend their network of partners and suppliers around the globe. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like EADS are developing more sophisticated products that rely on deeper integration between the mechanical, electrical and software components of product development. For example, components of an aircraft are made in different locations, making an OEM’s ability to share reliable data and design plans with global suppliers key.
To address these challenges, European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co., or EADS, launched a worldwide program named PHENIX, which stands for PLM Harmonization ENhanced Integration and eXcellence. Partnering with IBM and Dassault Systèmes, EADS’ goal is to integrate Dassault Systèmes’ tools such as product design (CATIA), digital manufacturing (DELMIA) and collaborative solutions (ENOVIA-VPM) into EADS’ PLM processes as key enablers for excellence and harmonization.
The IBM Dassault Systèmes applications are currently deployed across EADS, a company known for its Airbus commercial aircraft, special mission and military aircraft, satellite launchers and space services and platforms for missile systems. These applications contribute strongly to support engineering and manufacturing industrial processes from end-to-end.
With its PLM platform, EADS is addressing key industry challenges by:
- Deploying a ‘3D Master Reference,’ digital mock-up approach to help streamline industrial product development programs by increasing collaboration across multiple divisions and tapping into the collective knowledge of international teams.
- Turning complex 3D design and manufacturing processes into tested and repeatable models to achieve optimal results in manufacturing through the integration of 3D and simulation technologies.
- Predicting product behaviors using virtual group validation and resolution techniques that support speedy decision-making and help shrink product design cycle times.
- Creating an easy flow of key design and data information to promote the correct interpretation of product definitions, reducing costly design mistakes in the early stages of product development.
“We share IBM and Dassault Systèmes’ PLM vision of using 3D technologies to effectively communicate and collaborate on new product development,” said Jean-Yves Mondon, EADS vice-president and head of the PHENIX program.
“This collaboration reflects the strength of our long-term partnership with EADS,” said Etienne Droit, executive vice president, Dassault Systèmes. “New PLM technologies from Dassault Systèmes, such as PLM 2.0 and DS V6 solutions, will offer EADS the capacity to extend the strategic value it has placed on collaborative innovation. With new online product creation and life-like simulation tools, companies will simplify PLM platforms and reduce technology costs.”
“IBM has the expertise and resources to help companies become more globally integrated,” said Albert Bunshaft, vice president, IBM Product Lifecycle Management Solutions. “As EADS gives partners and suppliers more responsibility for deploying products in new markets and consumer tastes become very local to a region of the world, the use of defined PLM business practices will become paramount for managing on-going market change.”
IBM and Dassault Systèmes have experience in translating complex 3D design and manufacturing processes into tested and repeatable models for successful product development and manufacturing. Whether it is building the largest passenger aircraft in the world or delivering technology used in the International Space Program, IBM and Dassault Systèmes are teaming up to contribute to the transformation of PLM processes into initiatives for product excellence around the globe.
For more information about IBM please visit www.ibm.com and www.ibm.com/solutions/plm.
For Dassault Systèmes please visit http://www.3ds.com.