CIMdata Survey Confirms That the Digital Manufacturing Technology is a Key Component in PLM, by Providing OEM's the Tools to Achieve Real Savings

Digital manufacturing is an emerging software technology that has become a key component of Product Lifecycle Management or PLM. It is an initiative to define and optimize manufacturing processes, manage manufacturing process information, and support effective collaboration among engineering disciplines by using full digital product and plant definition. DELMIA, as a key component of the Dassault Systemes' 3D PLM solution (CATIA, ENOVIA, DELMIA, SMARTEAM), is a prime example of a world leader who is providing the technology to assist companies to define, validate and deploy manufacturing systems with optimal success.

This CIMdata white paper is based on research conducted on the value of digital manufacturing, containing information obtained on real benefits achieved from successful implementations of DELMIA solutions at companies in the automotive, aerospace, and shipbuilding industries in the United States, Europe, and Japan.

Many companies state they are achieving or exceeding both their initial objectives and the benefits expected from digital manufacturing. Overall, users are very satisfied with the DELMIA offerings. In some cases, the digital manufacturing technology is helping OEM's complete tasks that could not otherwise be accomplished. For example, one user stated that, "Elements of a spacecraft that we produce could not have been completed without digital manufacturing software." Cost or time associated with a specific task is being reduced dramatically. "Due to digital manufacturing and implementation of standards, we cut production time by 40 percent and overall production costs by 13 percent."

Experience shows that users can expect annual returns of 5 to 10 times their annual investment. One respondent stated, "annual savings of $50 million to $100 million can be achieved with an investment of $5 million in software and a 50 person development group" In one case, the U.S. Navy publicly reported in the LPD17 project that the use of DELMIA modeling and simulation solutions and other innovations used during design by Bath Iron Works contributed to over $370 million in total cost of ownership savings on a surface ship program.

On average, organizations using digital manufacturing technologies can reduce lead time to market by 30 percent, the number of design changes by 65 percent, and time spent in the manufacturing planning process by 40 percent. Production throughput can be increased by 15 percent, and overall production costs can be cut by 13 percent.

It is clear that DELMIA solutions are solid, and organizations are achieving substantial benefits and return on investment. As a result, CIMdata believes that digital manufacturing is a component for PLM and a required technology for manufacturers seeking to establish a leadership position in the highly competitive worldwide manufacturing marketplace.

For a complete copy of the CIMdata "The benefits of Digital Manufacturing" whitepaper, please send an email to info@delmia.com. Please include a subject line titled "CIMData Whitepaper".