INDUSTRY

Integration Expected to Accelerate Development of JT-Enabled Applications: UGS Corp., a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services, and Tech Soft 3D (TS3D) a leading provider of graphics components to the computer-aided design, manufacturing and engineering analysis (CAD/CAM/CAE) software industry, today announced they have completed an integration of TS3D's HOOPS 3D Application Framework (HOOPS/3dAF) software with the software development toolkit (SDK) for UGS' JT data format, the manufacturing industry's most widely used 3D format for product visualization, collaboration and data exchange. "The integration being announced today will provide significant benefits to HOOPS/3dAF users," said Ron Fritz, managing partner for TS3D. "By joining the JT Open Program, Tech Soft 3D is offering existing HOOPS developers the ability to quickly extend their applications to create and consume JT with minimal impact to their existing code." The JT/HOOPS integration code will be made available for no charge to all HOOPS licensees. Interested developers may obtain the JT SDK by joining UGS' JT Open program, a worldwide community, consisting of leading manufacturers, PLM suppliers and academic institutions, which supports and promotes the JT standard. "Eliminating the artificial barriers to openness and data interoperability is key to the success of our customers and the PLM industry, and remains a central focus of UGS' open business model," said Mark Matousek, JT Open Program manager, UGS. "Today's announcement with Tech Soft 3D builds on that strategy by providing our respective user communities with open tools that promote seamless collaboration and facilitate innovation." TS3D representatives will introduce and demonstrate the JT/HOOPS integration during the JT Open Program's Management Review Board Meeting to be held in Lincoln, UK October 23 & 24, 2006.