Managing Automation - January 2009 - (Page 13) Quote of the seller of Delmia software, while also offering Delmia-based implementation and training services to customers in the automotive, food processing, logistics, mining, mineral, metals, and oil and gas sectors. The engineers and project managers in the Industrial Solutions Group, which specializes in custom implementation of automation control, MES, and SCADA systems, already have a foot in the door. The group installs such systems at manufacturing sites across the United States and often uses the Delmia software as part of the process. John Boville, who oversees marketing for Schneider North America’s automotive segment, said the appeal of purchasing Delmia software from Schneider is in the services that come with it. Engineers in the Industrial Solutions Group, he said, will use their expertise to help customers, including OEM manufacturers and manufacturing line integrators, build libraries within the Delmia software that will govern the machine elements they plan to maneuver in the virtual world. “The other piece of it,” Boville said, “will be to help [customers] on the first few projects — provide them training, guidance, consultancy services, things like that.” Dan McGinn, director of engineering and projects at the Industrial Solutions Group, described the Delmia pact as a small step toward the digital factory of the future. “It’s a heckuva lot easier to move an object around on a screen than it is on the factory floor,” McGinn said. That type of virtual commissioning, as enabled by Delmia, can save manufacturers time and money they would otherwise spend to install a new machine, test and debug it, and reinstall it. The reseller pact is not exclusive, but, for now, Delmia is the only software tool the Industrial Solutions Group resells. The alliance stems from a joint venture called Dextus that was formed in 2004 between parent companies Schneider and Dassault, under which Schneider agreed to resell Delmia software, mostly in the companies’ home territory of Europe. As for the Industrial Solutions Group’s strong roots in an automotive industry, which many fear is on the ropes, McGinn and Boville remain cautious but eager. “It’s anybody’s guess as to what, short term, this [automotive] market’s going to look like,” McGinn said. “We’re certainly not abandoning it, but, yes, we’re working” in other sectors as well. Although Delmia has made significant inroads in the aerospace industry, the Schneider unit will not focus its reselling there, preferring to follow its core competencies. “It’s best to play where you know you can add value and you’ve got expertise,” Boville said. — Chris Chiappinelli MONTH “It’s sad, but the vendors are doing what the banks should be doing.” — Ray Wang, research vice president of Forrester Research, on vendors’ strategy of’ extending cut-rate financing to customers. STUDY REVEALS GAP BETWEEN PLM PROVIDERS, BUYERS For the Continued from page 10 M anufacturers’ lack of a standard view of product lifecycle management technology, coupled with widely varying levels of implementation, is standing in the way of widespread adoption of PLM as a strategy for improved business decision making. So said a recent study by research firm Manufacturing Insights, an IDC company. More important, the study uncovered a significant chasm between PLM providers and the buyer community when it comes to defining PLM’s role. “There is a gap between what companies say are their top business goals and cost improvement initiatives and the role PLM tools serve in meeting those goals,” said study co-author Joe Barkai, practice director for Manufacturing Insights’ product lifecycle strategies research service. What makes this finding particularly interesting, Barkai said, is that these goals, including improving quality, time to market, and asset reuse, are often targeted by PLM vendors in their marketing efforts. But PLM tools, MI finds, remain underutilized in these areas. “Some of the tenets of PLM are being challenged by what the industry is telling us,” he said. Part of the problem, Barkai said, is that many companies lack the requisite internal processes needed to reap the promised benefits of PLM. “Obviously, it makes sense to reuse parts you already have in inventory or a design you already went through,” Barkai said. But MI finds that many PLM tools lack the functionality that could help companies identify reuse opportunities, thereby leading to faster time to market and a reduction in costs and inventories. “Many companies maintain bloated inventories just because it’s easier for them to source a new part than to search internal databases to see what they already have,” Barkai said. “Most PLM tools currently do not support the type of granular search functionality needed to identify existing parts and designs.” The research firm believes the importance of reuse — of both assets and knowledge — will continue to accelerate, especially in light of the current economic malaise, so vendors would do well to pay special attention to this area. Record DEACOM’s Integrated Accounting and ERP Software System. Del Monte, a producer of food and pet products, implemented i2 sales and operations planning products. IBM and Dassault Systèmes are providing collaborative 3D design and manufacturing applications and services to European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co. (EADS). Pioneer Corp.’s Mobile Entertainment Business Group selected Kinaxis’ on-demand RapidResponse collaborative demand-supply planning tool. Snecma, SAFRAN Group, an aircraft and space engine manufacturer, ordered Siemens PLM Software’s Teamcenter digital lifecycle management product. FINANCIALS Autodesk recorded revenue of $607 million in the third quarter, up 13% from a year ago. GAAP per-share earnings rose 20% to $0.45. Initiate Systems, Inc. completed a $31 million round of financing, with an additional $5 million in equity financing from new investors BlueCross BlueShield Venture Partners and Sandbox Industries. Rollstream, a provider of enterprise community management software, secured $6 million in Series B funding. M&AS MicroMain Corp., a provider of asset and facility management software and services, acquired the EAM and CMMS software applications of Aleier, formerly CaverMorehead. Euroimpianti SpA bought the assets of C&D Robotics, Inc. The combined company will be C&D Skilled Robotics, Inc. PA R T N E R S H I P S Hitachi, Ltd. is an SAP AG global services partner. InnerWireless and AeroScout entered a partnership to deliver WiFi-based visibility products to customers. iRise has made its visualization software accessible from within the IBM Rational Requirements Composer product. 13 January 2009
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