UGS launches open environment

Product lifecycle management (PLM) software developer UGS last month launched “a new digital manufacturing backbone [that] provides an open environment for third-party applications.” Its Open Manufacturing Backbone (OMB) is based on UGS’ Teamcenter Manufacturing, digital production simulation system. Process, resource, plant and product data all reside in a single integrated data manager so that different applications can work with one another. UGS says it’s currently working with several application providers, including now wholly-owned Tecnomatix, on implementations of OMB. It expects to announce additional application provider agreements “in the coming weeks.” The company is also developing its own additional modules to add to its existing resource classification, part manufacturing planning, facility layout and performance validation applications and viewers. “Providing true value in digital manufacturing starts with having a robust technology backbone, and our vision was to extend Teamcenter’s PLM market-leading capabilities into the manufacturing space as our foundation,” says Tony Affuso, chairman, CEO and president of UGS.