PLM software is enabling Australian organisations to participate in major international projects, including engineering new automobiles, aircraft components, safer mines, seabed gas fields and warships.
Australian companies and local offices of global corporations can contribute leading edge engineering solutions working in real time with their overseas colleagues and business partners using state-of-the-art PLM software tools to design, test and manufacture products.
A new 2010 version of the powerful Dassault Systèmes (DS) PLM platform extends the reach of previous versions beyond on-premises solutions to connect international users within companies, or with external suppliers and other online communities. This enables users to create and share their IP and 3D experiences using common internet tools, while providing the control required in industrial companies.
The DS PLM V6R2010x package was launched in Australia through a seminar series led by France-based DS Executive Vice President Etienne Droit (pictured here) – an internationally recognised upgrade developer of the company’s leading edge design software CATIA and development leader of the company’s global Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software.
Droit is also head of the international account management team for Toyota, Honda and Airbus, and is manager of the Asia Pacific region for DS. While in Australia, he announced significant expansion to the DS Australia New Zealand operations.
To lead the local DS team in servicing the company’s 7000+ Australia and New Zealand licence holders, Gilles Cruanes has been appointed Managing Director of DS ANZ. He has an MBA and 20 years management experience in DS operations in Europe, Asia and South America.
“Since the development of the first version of Dassault Systèmes 3D design software CATIA in the early 1980s, digital innovation moved to digital mock-up capability in the 1990s, and to complete PLM in the 2000s,” said Gilles Cruanes.
“This fast moving digital capability has enabled an integrated global approach to product development, simulated testing and lifecycle management to bring goods and services to market faster at lower cost.
“The DS software package is now a vital enabler in keeping Australian organisations in the global engineering game. For example, DS software is used by Toyota as the engineering platform for the global Toyota Camry program. This means Toyota engineers in Australia can work in real time with colleagues in Japan and in the USA to develop new products and production systems,” he said.
Chris Evans has been appointed Solidworks software brand manager for the in the ANZ region. Further support for DS ANZ licencees includes seven specialised partners and resellers.
DS PLM software is applied across most Australian industries from apparel to warship production. Without this technology, Australian engineering could not continue to contribute to global projects.
The DS portfolio consists of CATIA, for integrated collaborative design and engineering across disciplines; SolidWorks, for mechanical design in 3D; SIMULIA, for virtual product simulation; DELMIA, for enabling manufacturers to virtually experience their entire production system; ENOVIA, for allowing global collaborative engineering product development; and 3DVIA, for companies to communicate across the enterprise and directly with consumers using 3D as a universal language.
This technology helps to keep Australia’s innovative engineers engaged in international projects, such as:
• Automotive – Improving production productivity and safety with digital production processes.
• Aviation – Reducing time-to-market using 3D design technologies in large passenger aircraft development in Australia.
• Construction – Reducing costs with simulation systems in Western Australian sub-sea pipeline project.
• Defence – Reducing maintenance costs with configuration management applications and integrated logistics support for the Australian Submarines and Air Warfare Destroyer projects.
• Manufacturing – Integrating Australian engineering teams in global product development projects.
• Mining – Avoiding fatalities with virtual event simulation training for mine safety.
DS also recently announced the purchase of internet search company Exalead for €135 million. Globally, more than 100 million people rely on Exalead for information search, access and reporting, including Deloitte Australia and other major multinational companies.