Autoweb Joins Rapidly Expanding JT Open Initiative

Autoweb Joins Rapidly Expanding JT Open Initiative

Autoweb Helps Solidify JT as the Leading 3D Data Format in the Global Automotive Industry; JT Poised for Further Expansion in Multiple Industries

PLANO, Texas, Feb. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- UGS, a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services, today announced Autoweb Communications, Inc., the global leader in business-to-business data exchange for the automotive industry, has joined the rapidly expanding JT Open initiative building on the strong momentum established since the initiative's launch in November 2003.

Autoweb joins an expanding list of global manufacturers already participating in JT Open, an initiative organized by UGS at the request of its customers in order to establish the widely-used 3D JT data format as the common standard for sharing product and manufacturing information in the PLM industry. Also announced today in a separate press release, Autoweb has teamed with UGS to extend its data exchange services and provide a new collaboration offering based on UGS' Teamcenter(R) software, the de facto standard for PLM, and the 3D JT format (http://www.ugs.com/autoweb ).

"We established a close working relationship with UGS because of the robust functionality of its PLM solutions as well as the overwhelming adoption of Teamcenter and JT within the global automotive industry," said Nino DiCosmo, Autoweb chairman, president and CEO. "By joining JT Open, we are further demonstrating our commitment to this open 3D data format and taking an active role in its future development and proliferation."

An open 3D data format for all industries

As the leading application service provider to automotive OEMs and suppliers, Autoweb helps solidify JT as the dominant 3D data format in the global automotive industry. This momentum, as well as Autoweb's ability to serve other industries such as aerospace, positions JT for further expansion.

"Autoweb's membership in JT Open is significant not only to the automotive industry but to all industries interested in maximizing the benefits of their product lifecycles through effective collaboration and data sharing," said Bruce Feldt, UGS vice president of Open Tools. "By establishing open standards such as the 3D JT data format, the PLM industry can significantly reduce the added product development time and expense caused by incompatible data formats."

About JT and JT Open

JT Open is an initiative driven by global leaders that view PLM as a competitive advantage and have adopted the 3D JT data format as a standard. JT is a common 3D data format for enabling product visualization and information sharing between PLM software applications. The robust functionality and lightweight nature of JT technology makes it possible to view and share product data, manufacturing information and interactive images worldwide, in real-time and throughout all phases of the product lifecycle.

Membership in JT Open is available to any and all end user corporations, independent software vendors (ISVs), academic institutions and non-profit industry organizations. Current JT Open members include UGS, General Motors, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, Mazda, Renault, Visteon, Caterpillar, Autoweb, Bentley, PTC, Alias, Theorem, Opticore, Polyplan, Landmark and Actify as well as academic members Brigham Young University, Technical University Darmstadt, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the University of Michigan.

In addition, many other companies that derive indirect value from the initiative participate as JT Open advocates. JT Open advocates include HP, Intel, Microsoft, SAP, Tecnomatix and Elysium.

Additional information about JT Open can be found at http://www.jtopen.com/ .

About Autoweb

Autoweb is a leading global provider of data exchange services connecting the engineering supply chain via a secure, reliable, traceable communication medium. With supply chain integration of 2,500+ companies with over 8,000 users operating in more than 30 countries Autoweb increases the secure sharing of proprietary information throughout the global manufacturing community. Headquartered in Rochester Hills, MI, the company is a wholly owned subsidiary of NTT Communications. For more information on Autoweb products and services, visit http://www.autoweb.net/ .

About UGS

UGS is a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services with nearly 4 million licensed seats and 42,000 clients worldwide. The company promotes openness and standardization and works collaboratively with its clients in creating enterprise solutions enabling them to transform their process of innovation and thus begin to capture the value of PLM. For more information on UGS products and services, visit http://www.ugs.com/ .

Note to editors: UGS and Teamcenter are trademarks or registered trademark of UGS Corp. or its subsidiaries in the United States and in other countries. All other trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks belong to their respective holders. Autoweb is a trademark or registered trademark of Autoweb Communications, Inc. in the United States.

Forward Looking Statement

The statements in this news release that are not historical statements are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond UGS' control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. The company has included a discussion of pertinent risk factors in the final offering memorandum relating to our 10% Senior Subordinated Notes, a copy of which discussion of risk factors is available from the company. The company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT:
Jim Phelan - UGS JT Open
314-264-8216
jimp@ugs.com


Source: UGS

CONTACT: Jim Phelan of UGS JT Open, +1-314-264-8216, or jimp@ugs.com

Web site: http://www.ugs.com/
http://www.ugs.com/autoweb
http://www.jtopen.com/
http://www.autoweb.net/


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