ACADEMIA

UGS announced plans to publish a reference to the latest version of the JT data format (JT), the widely adopted 3D data format used throughout the global manufacturing industry to enable product visualization, collaboration and data sharing, thus enabling easy access to JT for the millions of end users and software suppliers who benefit from the technology. The governing body of the JT Open Program - a global community of leading manufacturers, PLM suppliers and academic institutions around the world - unanimously agreed to recommend UGS take immediate action to publish JT to more quickly promote its ongoing development, proliferation and support. "When we formed the JT Open Program in November 2003, UGS made a commitment to our customers to publish JT when certain conditions were met," said Chuck Grindstaff, executive vice president of Products, UGS. "Now on the 10th anniversary of the introduction of JT, the JT Open Management Review Board (MRB) has unanimously agreed that JT's current high level of industry adoption and JT's technical maturity justifies immediate action be taken to publish it. This is the next logical step in the evolution of JT as the pervasive 3D data standard in PLM and further validates UGS' unparalleled commitment to provide open software solutions for the global manufacturing industry." Open standard enhances customer value Manufacturers around the world work in heterogeneous PLM environments consisting of a variety of product lifecycle software applications. JT serves as a common language to share 3D product data and increase productivity in this environment. Its rapid adoption has prompted several leading software vendors to 'JT-enable' their applications in order to support and add value to the interoperability, collaboration and product visualization made possible by JT. By publishing a reference to the JT file format, UGS is facilitating broader adoption of the format and ensuring its long-term viability as an industry standard. This action elevates the industry's confidence in deploying JT for all its PLM business processes including digital representations of 3D product models and drawings, as well as product-related publishing, visualization, data archival and supplier collaboration. "We are proud to be enabling value creation throughout the global manufacturing industry," added Grindstaff. "By making the industry's leading visualization, collaboration and interoperability format available to the world, UGS is not only demonstrating its commitment to the industries we serve but also the high degree of confidence we have in our technology leadership." UGS plans to have the JT reference ready to publish during the fourth quarter of 2006. More details are planned to be announced later this year. JT Open Program leads the way As the JT Open Program grows and creates benefits for its members, the organization will remain strong and continue to demonstrate its leadership and influence in the PLM community. In addition to determining the timing of today's announcement, JT Open members also have a strong voice in the future development and direction of JT. Access to the JT Open Software Development Toolkit and royalty-free distribution of JT-enabled applications among JT Open members also remain powerful benefits to JT Open membership. Additional information about JT Open can be found at its Web site.