Microsoft and Dassault Systèmes strengthen strategic alliance

Microsoft and Dassault Systèmes (DS) are partnering globally to develop and provide the latter’s product lifecycle management (V5 PLM) and 3D design systems on the Microsoft platform. It’s being portrayed as a very significant strategic alliance by both parties. All of Dassault’s Catia, Delmia, Enovia, Smarteam and SolidWorks will be integrated with Microsoft .Net, SQL Server, BizTalk Server, SharePoint Portal Server, the upcoming Windows Longhorn and Windows XP 64-bit Edition. The pair will also “explore opportunities” to work together to encourage market adoption of XML and web services for 3D engineering development and design collaboration – also working with other PLM software vendors and 3D CAD providers to advance interoperability. They also intend to look at integrating products for manufacturing, focusing on Delmia’s digital simulation and automation systems for factory monitoring and control. But the initial thrust is driving for lower cost, easier to use, better and pre-integrated solutions for Dassault CAD/CAM and PLM software on increasingly requested Microsoft platforms. John Squire, vice president of world-wide marketing, says it’s also about “developing more timely solutions – by working very closely with Microsoft’s development team.” He insists that Dassault remains platform-agnostic – also continuing its long term relationship with IBM Websphere and Unix/Linux. But he adds: “The Microsoft side is growing: we’re being driven by market demand.” In short, the alliance enables a far broader set of customers to realise the benefits of 3D collaboration and PLM. And that’s reflected in the level of commitment on both sides. Charles Johnson, world-wide director for manufacturing with Microsoft’s Industry Solutions Group, says that it amounts to a lot more than an exchange of individuals and some collaboration. “It’s a publicly stated route map and commitment. Everyone wants to take advantage of .Net, but you want to do that in sync. Customers don’t want to wait for integration. And with the gathering momentum in PLM tools, increasingly among SMEs, he sees great significance not only for the companies concerned, but for the manufacturing community. He’s not wrong: working together at a level Micorosft has previously reserved for Invensys, AspenTech and ABB (although the technology alliance list is very long) can only accelerate the already growing trend of company-wide CAD data sharing and PLM adoption. John Moore, senior consultant with analyst ARC Advisory Group, says: “Microsoft has been very aggressive in the PLM market, urging PLM ISVs to adopt its .Net platform and products. With this move, as well as many others announced previously by other PLM suppliers, it looks like Microsoft has all but sealed-up this software sector.”