Microsoft and Unigraphics Solutions Collaborate on Real-Time Design Collaboration Tool

Microsoft Corp. and Unigraphics Solutions Inc. have jointly announced a collaboration to deliver DesignKNet, a tool suite intended to help enterprise-class manufacturers and ASPs develop design collaboration portals. DesignKNet combines Microsoft's Windows 2000 operating system and Exchange 2000 with Unigraphics' product life-cycle software products, enabling real-time collaboration between global designers and internal departments, as well as between OEMs and their engineering and manufacturing supply chain.

Key Takeaways:

• DesignKNet reduces design-cycle time, minimizes rework costs, enables innovation and product improvement, and improves procurement efficiency.
• The solution combines the reliable, scalable collaboration platform of Windows 2000 and Exchange 2000 with industry-proven capabilities of Unigraphics' product life-cycle software products.
• DesignKNet facilitates real-time collaboration between multiple users, allowing them to see the impact of design changes in real-time using native Unigraphics software.
• The solution uses "thin" commands to quickly update each system to the current state, enabling effective connection, collaboration, and correction.
• UGS and Microsoft have agreed on an aggressive joint sales and marketing effort to bring DesignKNet to the UGS customer base, including joint selling with Microsoft's 1,500 industry-focused field sales people and a worldwide web marketing campaign.
• DesignKNet will be implemented immediately by ConneXwave, a Singapore-based ASP provider, to provide companies in Asia with collaborative commerce solutions.

Statistics:

• 25 years of experience in providing software solutions to engineering and manufacturing companies for Unigraphics Solutions.
• Over 1,500 industry-focused field sales people at Microsoft.
• DesignKNet will be implemented immediately by ConneXwave, a Singapore-based ASP provider.
• Microsoft has been the worldwide leader in software, services, and Internet technologies for personal and business computing since 1975.
• 25 years of experience in providing solutions to engineering and manufacturing companies for Unigraphics Solutions.

Sources:

• Microsoft Corp. and Unigraphics Solutions Inc. press release, July 19 /PRNewswire/
• "Microsoft and Unigraphics Solutions Collaborate on Real-Time Design Collaboration Tool" press release
• Unigraphics Solutions Inc. press release
• Microsoft Corp. press release
• ConneXwave press release
• UGS and Microsoft joint statement.