Boeing arms itself with IBM and Dassault Systèmes Technologies

Boeing arms itself with IBM and Dassault Systèmes Technologies

Keywords: IBM, Dassault Systèmes, Boeing, Airbus, Computer software, Information technology

IBM and Dassault Systèmes, in conjunction with Boeing Corporation,recently announced that they are deploying an e-business product development solution that gives the aircraft manufacturer first-strike advantage in its efforts to win the joint strike fighter (JSF) contract.

The initial project began 12 months ago, and includes the implementation of new IBM servers, workstations and DB2 Universal Database, along with CATIA computer-aided design solutions and ENOVIA product lifecycle management solutions from Dassault Systèmes. The consulting and implementation portion of the project was conducted simultaneously, and included training for Boeing designers, engineers and manufacturing personnel.

CATIA and ENOVIAVPM running on IBM RS/6000 servers and workstations, we are informed, produced the infrastructure Boeing required to deploy a more efficient e-business environment for the JSF program. This enabled the company to simultaneously develop the different JSF design variants required for the US Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, and the UK Royal Navy.

Jim O'Neill, air vehicle director, Boeing JSF, told AEAT that: "The integration processes between CATIA and ENOVIAVPM allowed us to rapidly mature our JSF designs." He went on to say, "These capabilities, along with our integrated one-team approach, result in a highly mature aircraft that meets all of our customers' requirements."

In the past 12 months Boeing reports that it has demonstrated to the US Government the highly effective product data management capabilities of ENOVIAVPM that drive commonality across the multi-mission fighter, which is essential to the success of the JSF program. Within the next few months, Boeing also reports that it intends to upgrade the JSF product development solution to squeeze out even more costs and time savings. The solution upgrade will, it believes, make the JSF program more efficient by integrating the design, build and support processes on the Dassault Systèmes VS architecture, which is based on state-of-the-art technologies and standards, including STEP, Java,CORBA and OLE.

"We have always preferred to optimise our solutions around the requirements of innovative, visionary companies like Boeing", commented Joel Lemke, CEO, ENOVIA Corp. "Boeing's engineers and our application and process consultants are working together to develop the best solutions for Boeing,answering their needs for today and for the future."

Along with the design technology, Boeing turned to consultants at IBM and Dassault Systèmes. IBM's global security and privacy consulting practice is helping to develop the security policies, architecture and assessment methods for the supporting information systems of the JSF program. IBM's security consultants are assisting the JSF team to help ensure that information systems that process critical JSF mission data provide appropriate protection of the data and meet the rigorous security certification requirements of the US Government.

IBM and Dassault Systèmes consultants are also working with Boeing to re-engineer development processes and end-user methodologies in preparation for the next phase of the JSF program called Engineering and Manufacturing Development.

"By laying the foundation of product lifecycle management now, Boeing is building a strong competitive advantage in its bid to secure the JSF contract. IBM will support Boeing every step of the way with our experience and expertise in consulting and solutions for the aerospace industry", said Martin Jetter Jr, general manager, Global Product Lifecycle Management, IBM.

IBM and Dassault Systèmes have also informed us that Airbus has signed a memorandum of agreement under which Airbus will purchase a total of 2,500 seats of CATIA with ENOVIA Solutions over a seven-year period. Initially, Airbus will use these IBM product lifecycle management solutions for the design,development and manufacture of the A3XX, double-deck 555-seat passenger plane,and the A400M military aircraft. The agreement also includes IBM Global Services for training, implementation and support, including migration of legacy CAD data.

After an extensive and competitive technical evaluation, Airbus are reported to have selected CATIA and ENOVIA Solutions for their complete process integration capabilities across the extended enterprise. These solutions will,it is stated, help Airbus set the standard for best-in-class aircraft development and through-life support, to achieve lower operating costs for aircraft in service for the world's major airlines.

In creating the A3XX, Airbus engineers will use the combined e-business capabilities of CATIA and ENOVIA Solutions to develop the aircraft 100 percent digitally. Airbus will use CATIA for product creation and simulation. The company will also use ENOVIAVPM and ENOVIA Portal to enable its engineers and development partners throughout the world to collaborate at Internet speed. Airbus and IBM will integrate with these e-business solutions with the existing PDM and SAP R/3 applications to provide total life cycle support.

Explained Martin Jetter, general manager, IBM Product Lifecycle Management,"Our expertise in integrating industry-leading e-business solutions,combined with our role as a key partner with the world's top 12 commercial aircraft manufacturers, makes IBM uniquely positioned to take Airbus Industrie to a higher level of competitiveness."

Details available from: IBM. Tel: +44 (0)1926 465787; E-mail: john-read@uk.ibm.com