NEWS BRIEFS

Valmet, SWEDEN — IBM, Dassault Systemes, and Albert-Battaglin Consulting Group announced the creation of the Sharing Knowledge Innovation and Leadership (SKIL) consortium. This unique, worldwide initiative brings together leading users of CATIA Version 5 (V5) from companies of all sizes and in all industries to share and leverage experience and skills in the adoption of the product’s knowledgeware capabilities. Nine companies and one university will participate in SKIL: Alstom Power, Audi, DaimlerChrysler, Honeywell, Krebs Engineering, Lignum Technical-Homag, PSA, Valeo Essuyage, Valmet, and the University of Darmstadt.

As a key element in IBM’s Product Lifecycle Management solutions, CATIA V5 knowledgeware provides users with a diverse set of knowledge management tools that enable them to capture, distribute and reuse information at a variety of levels. The ease of use of CATIA Version 5 knowledgeware tools enables any CATIA-proficient engineer to begin to apply them without extensive training or specific skills. The unprecedented accessibility of Knowledge Engineering tools and techniques allow the exploration of innovative and competitive approaches, this requires the development of new methods and techniques to maximise the benefits to be gained. The SKIL project aims to help define the best ways to leverage this unique technology through the creation of a forum for exchange and collaboration.

By participating in this consortium the members hope to accelerate the adoption Knowledgeware within their organizations and realize the potential of improvements in lead times, product quality and cost reduction, which can be delivered.

The SKIL project is already in full operation: The first introduction meeting took place in Suresnes, France the 5th & 6th, June 2000 and it is followed by the second meeting in Fort Lauderdale, USA lasting from September 20th to 22nd, 2000.

The initial phase of this project will run to the end of 2000 after which the intention is to establish SKIL as a specific user community within the wider CATIA user world with possibilities for expansion to include additional organizations.

Albert-Battaglin Consulting Group facilitates the exchange and coordinates the resources required to support this initiative, guiding participants in identification and management of their Knowledgeware projects. In addition, it provides an active communication channel for communications among SKIL participants, including a collaborative Web portal, organizing regular technical review meetings teleconferences and quarterly international meetings.

Said Martin Jetter, Jr., general manager, IBM Product Lifecycle Management solutions, “As a forum for sharing Knowledgeware experiences, SKIL will help participants to discover best work practices and methodologies and speed their implementation. This will ultimately benefit all companies using CATIA Version 5 that want to leverage Knowledgeware to increase their competitiveness by integrating product development into their business processes.”

Explained Bernard Charles, president, Dassault Systemes, “To optimize our customers’ product and manufacturing processes, Dassault Systemes offers solutions for the storage and management of their corporate know-how.” Our technological partnership with Invention Machine combined with our PLM solution, ENOVIA, provides our customers with the best tools to support their technical challenges and their needs for innovation.”

Said David Albert, president, Albert-Battaglin Consulting Group, “We see the effective reuse of corporate Knowledge as an important strategic business element. All companies participating in SKIL are excited about the opportunity that this collaborative effort is providing.”

CATIA Solutions is a leading CAD/CAM/CAE software. Dassault Systemes develops CATIA, and IBM’s Product Lifecycle Management business unit and IBM Business Partners worldwide market, sell and support it. Invention Machine Corporation’s mission is to be the worldwide leader in software and services for innovation in product and process development. Invention Machine Corporation enables scientists and engineers to create and manage knowledge in order to develop new products and processes more quickly. Invention Machine Corporation’s revolutionary software tools provide users with the knowledge and ability to stimulate the rapid production of high-quality, well-designed products and processes.

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