Leading Aquaculture Group Akva Selects Integrated Dassault Systèmes and Microsoft Solution

ENOVIA coupled with Microsoft Dynamics AX and SQL to optimize Akva’s worldwide business processes. Return on investment expected within 12 month

Paris, March 11 2009 – Dassault Systèmes (DS) (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, today announced that Norway’s global aquaculture enterprise, Akva Group, will integrate Dassault Systèmes ENOVIA solution with its existing Microsoft Dynamics AX  solution. Akva designs, manufactures and services aquaculture systems for land and water based fish farms around the world. The ENOVIA technology will enable Akva Group to synchronize collaborative business practices, business management and expansion across its worldwide facilities.

Implemented by Technia, Dassault Systèmes’ Norwegian business partner, Akva will deploy several ENOVIA products including DesignerEngineering and Program Centrals to manage key business processes, including materials compliance and global IP management. These PLM functionalities in conjunction with Akva’s installed mechanical design system, SolidWorks, and the Group’s Microsoft Dynamics AX ERP system will operate on a Microsoft SQL Server.

Akva Group Chief Operating Officer, Jone Gjerde said, ”ENOVIA PLM provides an enterprise wide collaboration platform for our global business and R+D resource, allowing developers from all over the world to work together within a single unified repository for IP retention, change management, quality and release processes. Newly acquired businesses will speedily accord with Akva compliance standards following the introduction of ENOVIA methodologies.”

Mr. Gjerde who previously experienced implementing Global PLM at ABB, added, “Dassault Systèmes ENOVIA was selected by Akva because of its advanced functionality, speedy ‘out of the box’ configuration, installation and implementation procedures. We expect its very competitive pricing to produce financial payback within 12 months.”

In a bid to sustain world demand for healthy low fat protein without depleting wild fish stocks, and indeed aiding their recovery, fish farms are becoming ever larger and more productive. Akva is the fish-farmers’ one-stop-shop for everything from advanced biomass calculators and Doppler feed sensors, to huge sea lion proof enclosures, ships equipped to clean nets and bring food, and the software and electronics that secure maximum yield.

Mr. Gjerde concluded, “The benefit to Akva of ENOVIA PLM, coupled with Microsoft ERP technology is that it facilitates seamless unification and synchronicity with common business standards across our expanding global enterprise. This positions Akva to capitalize on the increasing demand for aquaculture and fish farms while being extremely efficiently organized and informed.”