Dassault Systemes Signs Agreement to Acquire Matra Datavision’s Subsidiary

To purchase EUCLID STYLER, EUCLID MACHINIST, STRIM and STRIMFLOW technology and associated expertise

Paris, France, February 24, 1999 -- Dassault Systemes S.A. and Matra Datavision today announced that they have signed a definitive agreement whereby Dassault Systemes will acquire Matra Datavision’s EUCLID(d) STYLER, EUCLID MACHINIST, STRIM(d) and STRIMFLOW(d) technologies and associated expertise for FF 200 million. The company announced the proposed acquisition on December 8, 1998.

Pursuant to this agreement, Dassault Systemes will acquire a Matra Datavision subsidiary that owns the software products and will have access to the full license of Matra Datavision CAS.CADE(d) technology. This enables Dassault Systemes to expand its offerings, specifically in surface and free-form modeling, numerical control machining (NC) and plastic injection simulation. Completion of the transaction is subject to closing conditions, including authorization from the regulatory authorities.

As previously disclosed, Dassault Systemes, Matra Datavision and IBM(a) will form an innovative cooperation unique in the industry. It will capitalize on the excellence of each company by offering customers an enriched range of CAD/CAM/CAE and PDM II solutions, providing them with enhanced support and services worldwide, and by significantly extending development, marketing and sales teams.

As part of the deal, Matra Datavision is focussing on engineering solutions and services providing support for the CATIA, CATweb, ENOVIA and DENEB products lines of Dassault Systemes and exclusive migration pathways from EUCLID 3 to CATIA. More specifically, Matra Datavision will continue providing its demonstrated expertise in areas such as Business Process Re-engineering. The company will protect its customer investments, notably by maintaining EUCLID 3(d), and by continued marketing and support of CAS.CADE and other products complementary to the CATIA(b) and ENOVIA(c) product lines. The immediate availability of an extended range of Dassault Systemes Solutions provides Matra Datavision customers with an evolutionary path toward next-generation solutions, specifically CATIA.

Under this agreement, Matra Datavision is appointed an IBM International Business Partner to market, sell and support CATIA, CATweb, and ENOVIA as well as IBM's e-business Solutions. Matra Datavision will also be in charge of marketing, selling and supporting the DENEB Solutions.