Boeing, IBM, and Dassault Systèmes (DS) have announced that Boeing has selected DS' full V5 PLM product suite to be used as the development platform for the 7E7 dreamliner program. This will include use of CATIA, ENOVIA, SMARTEAM, and DELMIA products and services.
Boeing stated that they intend to use the DS products across their extended supply chain and will request that suppliers also utilize DS V5 products in order to standardize use of specifications, engineering rules, operational parameters, and simulation results. This is intended to enable Boeing to create a Global Collaboration Environment (GCE) for the 7E7 development program and implement a virtual product development platform to improve collaboration, innovation, product quality, time-to-market, and return-on-investment. In addition, IBM's DB2 Universal Database will be used to provide a secure data repository for Boeing's internal teams and external development partners throughout the development cycle of the aircraft.
Boeing and DS also announced a strategic relationship to extend their PLM initiative to better support the aerospace industry. They plan to collaborate in the development of special and unique technologies and processes, which will provide a “next generation” of support for aircraft product design and management.
These are major announcements both for Dassault Systèmes and for the PLM industry. They strengthen DS' presence in the aerospace industry and will provide DS the opportunity to expand into the companies that participate in Boeing's GCE. This investment from Boeing to support expanded developments, both technologies and processes, demonstrates the importance they feel that PLM has for their future success. For the industry it is another validation that PLM is critical to success in today's global manufacturing environment.
