Headlines in Battle

From this morning's UGS press release headline, we learn that:

* "Ford and UGS Establish Commercial Innovation and Software Marketing Alliance"

Later in the press release, we read that "UGS is the first PLM commercial software company to work with the Ford Innovation Acceleration Center [created by Ford Global Technologies, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford]" -- meaning UGS is the first but not the only.

Less than 3 hours later, Dassault Systemes sends out a press release with this headline:

* "Ford standardizes on CATIA for new vehicle development."

Reading more, we learn this is an extension to an existing contract. CATIA was formerly used only for body-in-white development of the recent Fusion/Milan/Zephyr vehicle; with this updated contract, CATIA will be used to design the chassis, electrical systems, and interior of new vehicles (not existing ones).

Both press release attempt to link Ford's "innovation" with their software products. Problem is, other than the Mustang and the GT, Ford's latest batch of vehicles are seen a yawners.

Comments

[Evan Yares]

"Ford standardizes on CATIA for new vehicle development"?

Doesn't this seem to be misleading?

[Tony Tanzillo]

Linking customer innovations to CADD products was something that was pioneered by Autodesk's outgoing CEO.

Of course, that is just how they spin the fact that customers have been forced to alter their designs, soley to accomodate the limitations of their design software.