CATIA Innovation Enables Gnatus to Revolutionize the Dental Equipment Industry…How About You?

Gnatus announced that it has selected CATIA Version 5 (V5) and TeamPDM from IBM and Dassault Systèmes to build its new product lifecycle management (PLM) environment for increased quality and value of dental equipment for its customers.

Gnatus, a leading supplier of complex engineered dental equipment and components, had grown to the point where its current computer-aided-design (CAD) solution lacked the scalability to be integrated across multiple departments. To enable further advancement, they sought after a solution that could help streamline their systems and processes and increase productivity, as well as support market expansion for their products, both immediately and into the future.

After a five-month evaluation, Gnatus selected CATIA and TeamPDM for its fitting and simulation capabilities, field support and maintenance, and its advanced knowledgeware capabilities. Gnatus now expects to see major advancements in product design management, as well as in the quality and performance of its products.

Gnatus' PLM environment will provide a large reduction in their invisible costs, including a decrease in the technical operational interaction between digital and real mockup, less design errors, a reduction in the costs related to technical assistance, and better utilization and evaluation of raw materials used in the product.

"CATIA and Team PDM's ease-of-use, data compatibility and seamless flow of data throughout the organization made these solutions very attractive to us," emphasized Carlos Rodrigues, IT Manager, Gnatus. "In addition, our product lifecycle management environment gives us the capability to see major cost reductions, increased product development and the opportunity to use the Internet to integrate with our worldwide partners."

Gnatus will use its PLM environment and the Internet to interface with suppliers, as well as their technicians in the field, from assembly to maintenance. Gnatus will link their enterprise resource planning system, from Datasul Inc., an Atlanta-based software company, to CATIA in an effort to create a more collaborative environment.

In six months, the CATIA V5 and TeamPDM system was up and running on IBM IntelliStation's Windows2000 and NT.

Come to the COE Spring 2002 conference to hear more details about how Gnatus did it.

About Gnatus
Gnatus (http://www.gnatus.com.br) is a leading supplier of highly engineered dental equipment and components. It is based in Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. Gnatus produces Dental units, Dental chairs, Water units, x-ray equipment, scalers, compressors, auto-clave, amalgamators and more.

Mr. João Padula Nomeline, started the company in 1976. The name Gnatus is derived from "gnathos" that means "jaw" in Greek. Today GNATUS exports to over 75 different countries in Europe, America, Asia, Africa, Middle East and Oceania.

Become a Leader in CATIA Technology in the Field of Manufacturing Processes!

There is an opportunity for your active participation in the CATIA Operators Exchange as the Chairman of the Manufacturing Process Interest Committee. This position is available for candidates from COE member companies that have expertise and are currently working under the broad topic of manufacturing processes. The chairman's responsibilities are to work within the COE Manufacturing Division to develop and execute national conference programs and activities. This is an excellent way to represent your company interests, actively contribute to the leading product lifecycle management user's group, and further develop your technology management skills. Interested candidates should respond to the COE Manufacturing Division Manager - Dr. David Aber using daber@us.ibm.com.

Come to the COE Spring 2002 conference to become learn about the state-of-the-art of CATIA technology as it applies to manufacturing. Share with your peers other enterprise's experiences.