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CIMdata Highlight
Aras, a mindshare leader in the enterprise product lifecycle management (PLM) software market, recently announced that they had acquired a controlling interest in XPLM, a Dresden, Germany based provider of PLM integration connectors and related services. XPLM is well-known to CIMdata and is considered to be a very capable supplier delivering integration solutions to many of the leading companies within the PLM marketplace and other enterprise solution markets.
XPLM provides a broad and capable suite of integrations that are deployed in PLM implementations including MCAD, ECAD, CAE, MBSE, ALM, PDM, ERP, quality assurance, and other systems to manage core digital thread data. XPLM has connectors for the front-end of the lifecycle including requirements management and CRM.
The deal size was not disclosed.
According to Aras, XPLM will remain a separate business with no changes to XPLM’s staff or business model. XPLM will operate as a completely independent company and treat Aras no different than any other customer or partner. Aras stated that their interest in investing in XPLM was to support their strategic intention to further accelerate innovation in open connectivity solutions to provide best-in-class multi-CAD and PLM related integration technology. Aras stated that they will continue to license XPLM technology to all solution providers, including competitors, and ensure a level playing field for all. Aras also stated that there will be no change in how XPLM products are sold or delivered to the market, ensuring neutrality for other Aras integration partners as well. This operating model is common in the PLM industry today and is similar to the approach Siemens Digital Industries Software takes with its development and delivery of the Parasolid modeling kernel.
CIMdata is pleased to see that Aras is continuing to invest in openness that benefits the entire PLM economy including end user customers, ISV partners, and competitors alike. This investment will also help XPLM continue to innovate in its integration technologies for the broader market into the future. While most customers are aware of their MCAD integrations, XPLM provides many more capabilities to create and manage digital threads, an area of deep focus for both Aras and global manufacturing enterprises. Finally, it is important to note that XPLM’s solutions are used within the PLM marketplace and by many Aras customers to create and manage their digital threads, so it makes sense for Aras to invest in the future of this critical technology.
