IBM and Dassault Systèmes expand PLM software partnership

Broadly, IBM will be selling Dassault’s expanded portfolio of software, while Dassault takes on management of the PLM resellers. In brief detail, it means that IBM will in future sell a broader range of Dassault software, including Enovia PLM, MatrixOne PLM and Delmia simulation, as well as the existing Catia, Enovia VPLM and SmarTeam PLM. The pair say that IBM will now be able to expand its coverage for selected large customers, and in particular the growing high tech, semi-conductor and utilities users. Meanwhile, Dassault Systèmes is taking over responsibility for the PLM VARs, continuing the process started late in 2005, with completion due by early 2008. Which perhaps explains the news earlier this month that IBM SMB (initially at least) is now working with Dassault arch-rival UGS (mow moving into Siemens ownerhsip) to provide PLM software to manufacturing SMEs. IBM and UGS are already jointly marketing UGS software (Pro/Engineer, Teamcenter etc) to IBM’s business partners – including Teamcenter Express, the mid-market configuration – throughout the US, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and China. Philippe Boulay, channel director for Dassault Systèmes in UK and S Africa, believes IBM will have issues managing the clear disparity between its IBM PLM and IBM SMB wings, but insists it’s nothing new. “IBM is a world-wide company and IBM Global Services has been working with companies like PTC and Matrix One – which we have now bought – for a number of years. So it’s surprising but not very new.” Meanwhile, Boulay says he’s pleased about the other story – Siemens’ acquisition of UGS. “For us it’s a good event because this acquisition shows that Dassault’s long term strategy is good… We have a long terms strategy and our improving partnership with IBM proves that, with a more efficient and lean structure for customers.”