Siemens Adopts JT Data Format
2 Mar, 2008Decision marks company's first global standardization of its PLM technology since acquiring UGS in 2007.
Siemens PLM Software, formerly UGS, announced that Siemens CIO Global Forum, the governing body at Siemens, has approved the 3D JT data format for the long-term data retention of product information throughout its global enterprise. The company reportedly selected JT over all other relevant data formats after a comprehensive evaluation.
Developed by UGS before that company was acquired by Siemens in May 2007, the JT data format serves as a common 3D language for enabling product visualization and information sharing between PLM software applications. The functionality makes it possible to view and share product data, manufacturing information, and interactive images in real time, and throughout all phases of the product lifecycle.
The decision marks Siemens' first global standardization of its product lifecycle management (PLM) software technology since the company acquired Siemens PLM Software. "Siemens, like all leading global corporations, utilizes technology and services from many providers," said Tony Affuso, chairman and CEO of Siemens PLM Software. "While Siemens has clearly committed to PLM industry leadership with our solutions, we understand that its internal needs will always be driven by the Siemens business strategy and requirements as well as its culture of technology openness. Therefore, while the JT evaluation took place well before our acquisition, we are particularly gratified by this decision because it serves as the latest validation of the superiority of our JT technology."
Siemens is composed of a variety of self-governed business units that produce a diverse set of products for multiple industries. The company reportedly needed a common and flexible format that was compatible with all its various 3D systems so that product data could be retained and retrieved over time. The company states that the ability to facilitate the potential consolidation of its product-development software applications in the future was a significant consideration as well.
"Long-term data retention is of vital importance to Siemens, so we needed to ensure the common format we selected was a widely adopted, open, and published standard that could precisely represent the extensive range of our product geometry and specifications, yet still employ a reasonably small file size for speed and efficiency," said Reinhold Achatz, head of Siemens Corporate Research and Technologies. "After several years of experience with all of the primary 3D formats, we conducted a thorough evaluation of each one based on a wide variety of critical criteria. JT emerged as the clear choice over all others due in part to its superior versatility and its de facto standard status in key industries we serve. JT's robust and flexible capabilities can address the broadest spectrum of needs for not only Siemens but also for any manufacturing organization."
