Rather than focusing on ECF’s “lifelike experience” theme, I’d like to share a few things that stood out for little ole me. 

1.  Bernard Charlès announced that Nokia has just signed on for our V6 software.  Then a Nokia representative joined him onstage and handed him a phone.  Bernard said, “I know what you’re going to ask now: when is 3DVIA running on Nokia?”   I don’t have the answer, but later in the press conference the mobility theme resurfaced regarding 3DS partner mobility platforms.  Bernard answered, “Apple is not very open but it always works because it’s simple.”  Hmm, perhaps there’s a hint in there.  If mobility is advantageous today, tomorrow it will be unavoidable.  And we all know Apple isn’t the only game out there.  I’ll be following this thread. 

2.  There was an industry newbie onstage this year, Meyn from the protein sector.  Here’s a little zoom:

Meyn designs and builds complete production lines for the poultry industry.  So what?  Well, let me throw some stats your way that will shed a different light:

• In processing capabilities, the industry standard is 9,000 chickens per hour.  Meyn’s production lines are capable of processing 12,000 per hour and are aiming to up this to 16,000. 

I’m surprised by the demand, but then again the only people I know that don’t eat chicken are vegetarian.  As Meyn maneuvers to reach this goal, they’re expanding their product line to include meat and fish processing lines, plus they’re expanding operations internationally. 

Meyn CIO Steef Klein sees his role to be less about technology than strategy.  He recognizes that in order to reach their ambitious goals, Meyn must develop and work with new partners, supported by PLM 2.0.  Says Klein,

“PLM is one of the most important strategic choices you can make, because it’s about information and interaction.  ERP is just transaction.”   

“Collaborative product innovation is all about inter and intra company collaboration.”

“People need visualization, they do not need text.” 

“If you don’t use one PLM vendor, integration is very difficult and perhaps not possible.”

Meyn walks the walk by using a gamut of Dassault Systèmes products, including Exalead.  They’re even showing a CATIA V6 version of their latest creation, the rapid filleting machine composed of over 25 thousand parts, to potential buyers and partners to “sell them faster and better.”   

3.  Bernard also clarified Dassault Systèmes branding.  In fact as I look at the below photo again, I notice that the word “brand” isn’t showing.  Instead Bernard calls what we used to call brands: applications, a platform and services.  A seemingly innocent detail, but our execs are mostly engineers and really into details.  I do not think this is innocent and will let you imagine the implications. 

 

A second point about branding is that Bernard showed us a slide featuring 3DS instead of Dassault Systèmes.  This has been in discussion internally for awhile.  Would you like me to interview Bernard or Lionel from branding to reach deeper into the reasoning? 

There’s tons more to say, but this is what pops out for me this afternoon.  What about you?  As the 3D Perspectives’ comment link reads, “Leave a comment, gorgeous!”

Best,

Kate