Dassault Systèmes (DS, www.3ds.com), a Paris-based supplier of 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, and U.S.-based IBM (www.ibm.com) announced on April 1 the completion of the transaction by which Dassault has acquired IBM PLM’s sales and client support operations, encompassing DS’s PLM software application portfolio. With this deal, Dassault Systèmes has integrated the IBM PLM organization that was engaged in marketing, selling and supporting Dassault Systèmes PLM software. The $600 million transaction includes customer contracts and related assets.
According to the companies' release, "This transaction helps fuel IBM’s focus on PLM integration through middleware, business transformation and application services and dynamic infrastructure, and Dassault Systèmes PLM clients will benefit from a strong, unified go-to-market model encompassing the entire DS portfolio and providing a complete PLM value proposition under one umbrella. Fully integrated R&D (research and development), sales and support teams will bring DS closer to its customers. This move will streamline customer engagement, improving their overall experience."
Management changes
Al Bunshaft, formerly global vice president of IBM PLM, has been appointed managing director of Dassault Systèmes’ Americas organization. Bunshaft joins Dassault Systèmes after more than 25 years of developing and delivering enterprise solutions for IBM and its customers. In his new position, Bunshaft will be responsible for the structure, management and evolution of American business operations for Dassault Systèmes.
“This is an amazing and exciting time for IBM and DS,” said Bunshaft. “Both companies are convinced, now more than ever, of the fundamental value PLM brings to product design, development and a product's lifetime performance. By tapping into DS's new 3D and PLM collaborative technologies and IBM's expertise in enterprise integration and services, companies will find it easier to incorporate PLM into a core set of applications required for business success."
As global vice president of IBM PLM, Bunshaft led the company’s strategic partnership with Dassault Systèmes. He played a critical role in leading a number of major automotive and aerospace manufacturers through the transition from physical to digital design. He was instrumental in the development of the first automobile designed through an all-digital process.
Tom Emmrich, who has been managing DS Americas operation since 2006, will take on the role of senior vice president, worldwide Services, Dassault Systèmes’. He will be responsible for building the processes, methodologies and partner ecosystem for deployment of DS software offerings and penetration into new industries.
Partners still
In addition to the Dassault acquisition of IBM PLM’s sales and client support operations, IBM and Dassault Systèmes have decided to extend their long-standing relationship and initiate a Global Alliance partnership. Under this agreement both IBM and DS will continue to jointly invest in developing, deploying and supporting client PLM environments, delivering solutions to their clients worldwide. Both companies are dedicated to strengthening and extending their cooperation in the areas of professional services, cloud computing, middleware, flexible financing, hardware, and sales and distribution.
Tom Hawk, general manager, Global Industrial Sector, IBM, embraces this new level of the companies’ partnership: “IBM is looking forward to jointly partnering with Dassault Systèmes to support client PLM requirements in the future.”
