AVIC Information Technology Opens Competency Center in China for Dassault Systèmes PLM Solutions

AVICIT PLM Competency Center to address growing Chinese Product Lifecycle Management market

Beijing, China and Paris, France – April 21, 2004 – Dassault Systèmes (Nasdaq: DASTY; Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) and AVIC Information Technology (AVICIT), a member of China Aviation Industry Corporation 1 (AVIC 1) and a leading solution provider for enterprise IT development in China, today announced the opening of the AVICIT Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Competency Center in China.

Created to meet increasing Chinese demand for PLM solutions, the AVICIT PLM Competency Center will provide demonstrations, training, technical support, and software application customization of Dassault Systèmes PLM Solutions.

The PLM Competency Center will support the full range of Dassault Systèmes’ PLM Solutions, including CATIA for virtual product development, ENOVIA and SMARTEAM for life cycle management, collaboration, and decision support, and DELMIA for the engineering of lean manufacturing processes.

Dassault Systèmes and AVICIT also announced today the signing of a Version 5 (V5) Development Service Provider agreement. Through the agreement, Dassault Systèmes will assist AVICIT to fulfill its software customization service activity.

The Service Provider agreement complements and reinforces AVICIT’s Business partnership with IBM China. AVICIT became an IBM Business Partner for the sale and marketing of Dassault Systèmes PLM Solutions in China in 2003.

“AVICIT is one of the leading PLM solution service providers in China and the PLM Competency Center is an important milestone for our PLM business development,” said Zhou Guoqiang, president, AVICIT. “We will provide domestic and global customers with leading-edge PLM software solutions, best practices, and consulting services to satisfy their requirements and promote PLM technology.”

“As Dassault Systèmes largest customer in China and an investor in AVICIT, we sincerely support the cooperation between Dassault Systèmes and AVICIT,” said Yang Yuzhong, executive vice president, AVIC 1. “This partnership creates a multiple win-win situation and sets the stage for a successful, long-term relationship with Dassault Systèmes.”

“Dassault Systèmes is the leading PLM partner for the aerospace industry in China,” said Li Zican, vice leader, Technical Development Department, AVIC 2. “We are looking forward to aero-specific PLM solutions, best practices, and technology consulting service from the PLM Competency Center.”

“We are delighted to welcome AVICIT as the first Dassault Systèmes’ V5 Development Service Provider in China,” Francis Bernard, executive committee advisor, Dassault Systèmes. “The PLM Competency Center underscores Dassault Systèmes’ commitment to the Chinese market and will soon provide AVICIT with opportunities to participate in China’s most technically advanced projects, with support from Dassault Systèmes. It will create strong PLM references and further strengthen AVICIT’s position in the growing PLM market in China.”