Dassault Systèmes set to purchase IBM PLM

The partnership with IBM goes all the way back to 1981, but Dassault believes its customers now want a full product portfolio from a single organisation, able to simplify and integrate. Dassault Systèmes CEO Bernard Charlès also comments that IBM has been diligently marketing and selling Catia and Enovia, but only occasionally selling Simulia and "no SolidWorks at all". "The adoption and integration of PLM and 3D collaboration by a growing number of enterprises require deep industry knowledge," says Charlès. "The planned integration of the IBM sales force and related business operations represents the largest investment in our corporate history. "We are putting our customers and partners first, creating a globally efficient sales organization to bring the value of V6 PLM applications to every enterprise in every industry… Looking forward, the wide adoption of 3D lifelike experience and PLM will require the combination of direct sales, our network of partners and online communities." IBM PLM offices will ultimately be rebranded to the Dassault livery, while customer contacts will be unified, bringing them closer to the technology authors – something that Charlès sees as increasingly important as next generation PLM emerges. The arrangement between Dassault and IBM has always been non exclusive, and while Dassault will continue to be an IBM Global Solution Partner, its competitors PTC and Siemens also enjoy that same status.