BAE SYSTEMS and EPM Technology join forces for NOK 120 million IT deal

The goal of the Visual-iSE software is to contribute to a drastic reduction in both the time and money required for product development processes. In the specification phase Visual-iSE will make it easier to simulate and analyse requirements for new structures. "Technologies such as Visual-iSE play an important role in supporting BAE SYSTEMS's main objectives of 100% programme adherence, 50% reduction in design life-cycle time and 30% reduction in design cost. The research results BAE SYSTEMS are investing in this project originate from a three-year research project (Convex) that involved the British Ministry of Trade and Industry and leading British universities, among others. These research results have an estimated value of around NOK 30 million.

The European consortium behind the Eurofighter has used EPM Technology's Express Data Manager software for a year and a half. The software is used to send and share product data and material information such as CAD/CAM/PDM and other data between the manufac-turers of the advanced fighter aircraft. Eurofighter is Europe's largest defence industry co-operation project, and the various parts of the aircraft are manufactured in four different countries.

BAE SYSTEMS has also used EPMT's software this last year for the development of new technology in the field of integrated systems engineering. Now the companies are establishing a common development project to design a new end-user tool for engineers, Visual-iSE, which will be owned and marketed by EPMT. The goal is to complete the development of a commercial product in the course of 12 months. The value of this one-year project is NOK 8 million. BAE SYSTEMS is also investing the results from several years of research in this project. The Norwegian Industrial and Regional Development Fund (SND) will be supporting this project with funding of NOK 2 million. The finished product will have a great potential for success in the aircraft, car and process industries throughout the world. It is expected that the product will give EPMT at least NOK 120 million in increased sales over the next three years. The long-term potential is significantly greater.
"This co-operation project is a major recognition of our competence and re-presents a unique business opportunity. The sale of Visual-iSE, which is only one of many different end-user applications, will increase our operations many times over", says Marketing Director Kjell A. Bengtsson of EPM Technology.

Taken at the signing of the Visual-iSE contract, from left to right: Dominic Diston, Jon Sorenson, Mark Taylor, Hans Karsten Dahl, Lambert Dopping-Hepenstal, Kjell Bengtsson, Brian Lodge and Martin Elbourne. BAE SYSTEMS was formed in November 1999 following the merger of British Aerospace and Marconi Electronic Systems.

"We are very satisfied with the agreement with EPM Technology concerning deliveries to Eurofighter. The contract with BAE SYSTEMS is of great importance. Normally the four participating countries use the same processes, software and services. The suppliers of such products to one of the companies will find corresponding business opportunities in the other partner companies", says Director Andrew Lewis of Eurofighter International.

EPM will provide a Visualisation of integrated Systems Engineering that will:

• Simplify the Development of Complex System Products.
• Support a Virtual Product Model of an entire aircraft.
• Satisfy the needs of Large Engineering Teams by using Advanced Database and Internet Technologies.
• Unified Working Environment Engin-eering Process Management Intern-ational Standards for Data Exchange.