UGS, a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services, today announced the addition of six new members to the JT Open initiative, building on the strong momentum established since its initial launch in November 2003. Four new corporate members -- automakers DaimlerChrysler and Renault, along with auto supplier Visteon and heavy equipment manufacturer Caterpillar -- join an expanding list of global manufacturers already participating in JT Open. PLM software providers Theorem Solutions and Opticore have also signed-on, adding to the growing set of JT Open vendor members. UGS made the announcement in conjunction with its analyst/media briefing event being held July 14-15 in New York. The briefing is the first such event UGS has held since announcing on May 27 the closing of its sale by EDS to three private equity firms and its launch of operations as an independent software company under the UGS brand. "The momentum and energy behind JT Open is encouraging," said Ed Miller, president of CIMdata. "Companies considering a PLM initiative need to adopt a clear strategy for interoperability or they will risk compromising their company's competitiveness. UGS' PLM Open business model has gained significant industry visibility, and represents UGS' strategy for helping companies leverage multiple technology investments to structure their collaborative product development environment." New JT Open members As the newest corporate members of JT Open, DaimlerChrysler, Renault, Visteon and Caterpillar join a growing group of global manufacturers seeking to remove technology barriers in their product development processes. * "It is critical to the success of the automotive industry that we eliminate all impediments to productivity caused by incompatible technologies," said Ulrich Ray, Director Development MB Passenger Cars-Information Technology, IT-Processes and Standardization for DaimlerChrysler. "Open solutions based on generally accepted data formats will benefit all manufacturers and the JT Open initiative is helping to further this common objective." * "We applaud the JT Open initiative for promoting the concept of open technology to facilitate enhanced communication and collaboration in the global manufacturing industry," said Francois Pistre, IT executive for Renault. "We look forward to working with all of the JT Open members to improve open communication throughout our collective product lifecycle processes." * "Becoming a JT Open member makes good business sense for any manufacturer in the automotive industry," said Lorie Buckingham, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Visteon. "As the first major automotive supplier to join JT Open we are looking forward to working with the other members to help define collaborative processes around JT and to gain business value from its use." "The addition of these prestigious industry leaders to the already impressive list of companies participating in JT Open is further validation of the business value of this innovative initiative," said Bruce Feldt, vice president of Open Tools for UGS. "JT Open's growing momentum also serves as evidence that its unique industry partnership model can successfully unite diverse manufacturers and suppliers around an open forum for the benefit of the PLM industry."