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Keylex Builds Virtual Factory for Process Innovation With PLM Solutions From IBM and Dassault Systemes

Posted on: Wednesday, 19 July 2006, 12:00 CDT

IBM and Dassault Systemes (DS) (NASDAQ: DASTY) (Euronext Paris: #13065) (PARIS: DSY) announced today that Keylex Corporation, an automotive parts manufacturer, has recently deployed their Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions to streamline product development processes and accelerate time-to-market.

"To meet demands for shorter product development times from our major automotive OEM customers, we need to build a virtual factory capable of increasing the operational efficiency of design and simulation," said Yoshiaki Yamaji, Senior Managing Director, Keylex. "We plan to promote knowledge sharing and improve efficiency by adopting CATIA as our unified company-wide CAD platform."

By building a virtual factory, Keylex aims to reduce production start-up time. In January 2005, with the support of Argo Graphics, an IBM Business Partner, and after comprehensive evaluation and competitive benchmarking, Keylex deployed CATIA V5, developed by Dassault Systemes and belonging to IBM's PLM solution portfolio. Keylex chose the solution because of the range of possible simulations, and its adaptability to varied customer situations. In May 2005, Keylex deployed the DELMIA 3D digital manufacturing solution from Dassault Systemes, which is easily integrated with CATIA V5. For jigs and fixtures, and assembly line building, synchronization of 3D design and assembly data on CATIA V5 and DELMIA is a recognized advantage in the automotive industry.

Keylex has already achieved improved efficiency by standardizing the components for jigs and tools, and know-how for design, through CATIA V5's design templates. Design preparation time is expected to decrease by about 15%, and the speed of modeling work is expected to increase by about 35%, over the company's existing mid-range CAD application. The synergy between CATIA V5 and DELMIA means that robot instructions and jig designs can be displayed on one screen, improving productivity and facilitating equipment design evaluations. A productivity evaluation tool based on CATIA V5 allows Keylex to evaluate the production technology requirements of automakers' product models in the early stages of vehicle development, increasing productivity.

Keylex intends to use CATIA V5 and DELMIA to create a virtual environment facilitating simulations of other aspects of its business, including distribution, and a high-precision simulation linked to welding technology. Keylex also plans to improve its process management of design-related data with ENOVIA SmarTeam, and its infrastructure for collaboration with automakers.

About Keylex

Keylex Corporation is an automobile parts manufacturer whose main products are automotive body shells. The company also offers fuel systems, truck cabins, door panels and hoods, dies for presswork, and jigs for assembly lines. Keylex has six domestic production sites in Japan, including the one at its head office. It also has three subsidiaries in Japan and one in China, and an investing company in the U.S. Visit the web site: http://www2.keylex.co.jp/

About IBM

To learn more about IBM and PLM, visit: www.ibm.com/solutions/plm

About Dassault Systemes

As a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, the Dassault Systemes group brings value to more than 90,000 customers in 80 countries. A pioneer in the 3D software market since 1981, Dassault Systemes develops and markets PLM application software and services that support industrial processes and provide a 3D vision of the entire lifecycle of products from conception to maintenance. The Dassault Systemes portfolio consists of CATIA for designing the virtual product -- SolidWorks for 3D mechanical design -- DELMIA for virtual production -- SIMULIA for virtual testing and ENOVIA for global collaborative lifecycle management, including ENOVIA VPLM, ENOVIA MatrixOne and ENOVIA SmarTeam. Dassault Systemes is listed on the Nasdaq (DASTY) and Euronext Paris (#13065, DSY.PA) stock exchanges. For more information, visit http://www.3ds.com

CATIA, DELMIA, ENOVIA, SIMULIA and SolidWorks are registered trademarks of Dassault Systemes or its subsidiaries in the US and/or other countries.

 Keylex Press Contact: Jiro Kakubo +81 82 822 2141 j.kakubo@keylex.co.jp  IBM Press Contact: Zohra Dali +33 6 71 92 71 87 zohradali@fr.ibm.com  Dassault Systèmes Press Contacts: Mikiko Igarashi (AP) +81-3-5442-4138 mikiko_igarashi@ds-jp.com  Anthony Maréchal +33 1 55 49 84 21 anthony_marechal@ds-fr.com  Derek Lane (Americas) +1(818) 673-2243 derek_lane@ds-us.com  Financial Dynamics Nelly Dimey: +33 1 47 03 68 19 Pierre Mas: +33 1 47 03 68 14 Nelly.Dimey@fd.com / pierre.mas@fd.com

SOURCE: IBM

Source: MARKET WIRE

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