NEW YORK, NY -- IBM and Dassault Systemes today announce that DaimlerChrysler has started deployment of IBM Product Lifecycle Management solutions, notably CATIA V5 and CAA applications developed by Dassault Systemes for vehicle interior design and vehicle packaging. DaimlerChrysler has already reported efficiency and productivity gains for product conceptual design and packaging studies through its Knowledge Engineering initiatives and software technologies offered by IBM and Dassault Systemes' Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions. "We are very pleased that DaimlerChrysler has started the deployment of our CATIA V5 and ENOVIA V5 solutions," said Bruno Latchague, executive vice president of Research and Development, Dassault Systemes. "Our 3D PLM solutions will help DaimlerChrysler make a quantum leap in innovative product design while reducing cycle times, streamlining manufacturing and cutting production costs. This will unleash creativity and leverage the knowledge and innovation of designers and engineers." Using CATIA V5 Knowledgeware and Product Structure capability associated with ENOVIA V5 for Data Management, DaimlerChrysler's Technical Computer Center (TCC) is developing knowledge-driven applications for Interior, Chassis, Powertrain and Body-In-White domains, and a set of new tools for quick conceptual design and packaging studies. TCC supports all Chrysler Group engineering activities using advanced computing technologies. Since 1996, TCC has led the Chrysler Group's major partnership with Dassault Systemes. The companies have been instrumental in DaimlerChrysler's corporate Research and Technology's strategic Knowledge Engineering initiatives. "The Knowledge Engineering approach gives us the opportunity to integrate highly efficient design, engineering and manufacturing technologies into the product creation process and the management of the product life cycle," explained Hugh Cumming, Department Manager of Knowledge Engineering, Modeling and Management of TCC, "With CATIA V5 knowledge infrastructure and parametric design functionality, KDCIS allows engineers to conduct quick design modification and validation, which leads to significant time and cost savings." "We will continue to use CATIA V5 and ENOVIA V5 functionality to develop new tools for vehicle design and engineering work," added Dr. Yun Lu, Project Lead of DaimlerChrysler's Knowledge Driven Concept Interior Systems (KDCIS) program. The first PLM production use system at the Chrysler Group, KDCIS is a knowledge-driven design framework which integrates interior concept design, occupant safety analysis, vehicle packaging and ergonomic studies, as well as design and engineering rules and guidelines into early design and engineering stages. Vehicle packages, including design concept and packaging studies, are automatically updated with design changes, such as the changes in occupant location or floor plan definition. KDCIS is the most advanced tool available to designers and engineers conducting feasibility studies of multiple design proposals and aids in choosing the most appropriate proposal much more rapidly than ever before. Ken Socks, Manager of Advance Body/Exterior/Interior Systems and Core Technology and a user of KDCIS, commented, "In just a few minutes, we can now create complex packaging studies which used to take weeks. The time saved can be re-directed to investigating additional design alternatives and innovation." For more information visit www.ibm.com or http://www.dsweb.com