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Source: just-auto.com editorial team

IBM and Dassault Systemes have been selected by Ford to supply and integrate their Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, including CATIA(R) V5 and ENOVIAVPM(TM) software, into the company's design and manufacturing processes worldwide.

The move is seen as significant as it will help Ford to standardise and simplify the product design process, cutting costs and reducing time to market. IBM says that the PLM software ties together Ford's design, development, supply chain, manufacturing and service aftersales processes.

The long-term contract calls for the installation of CATIA V5 and ENOVIAVPM developed by Dassault Systemes, as well as process and methodology con*****tion from IBM and Dassault Systemes. Financial terms were not disclosed.


Land Rover and Volvo Cars already use IBM PLM solutions. Ford will integrate these solutions into its next generation C3P (PLM) systems environment across the company.

"Ford's selection of IBM and Dassault Systemes' technology demonstrates the power of our full PLM portfolio to help companies improve their product creation processes and better integrate the complex series of steps that advanced manufacturing requires," said Ed Petrozelli, General Manager, IBM Global Product Lifecycle Management. "This is why PLM is one of the cornerstone applications in IBM's strategy to help enterprises like Ford become true 'on demand' businesses."

"Ford's decision for CATIA and ENOVIAVPM solutions will give Ford the agility required to respond dynamically to changing customer demand," said Bernard Charles, president and CEO, Dassault Systemes. "V5 provides an enterprise-wide collaborative development environment that fosters innovation, shortens development cycles and increases flexibility."

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*Retired.