PLM software to aid global collaboration

An IBM Product Lifecycle Management Solutions product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jun 2, 2006

Kovovyroba Hoffmann has chosen PLM solutions from IBM and Dassault Systemes to foster innovative collaboration with global automotive OEMs.

Kovovyroba Hoffmann, a leading automotive supplier based in the Czech Republic, has chosen PLM solutions from IBM and Dassault Systemes to foster innovative collaboration with global automotive OEMs and achieve higher quality, faster time to market and overall costs savings.

Kovovyroba Hoffmann is leading the way by leveraging the collaborative power of PLM in a global industry where more than 65% of a vehicle's value is created in the supply chain and by automotive suppliers who are true "innovation engines".

In IBM's latest survey, CEOs across several industries worldwide confirmed that most of their company's new ideas and innovations are being sourced from external partners.

In the study, the ability to collaborate with external partners, regardless of their location, has shown a big correlation with improving a company's financial results.

Kovovyroba Hoffmann, a key supplier to global OEMs, is a Czech company that produces and supplies prototype mould and die tools, automotive parts, data-control models and subassembly prototypes.

A strategic objective of Kovovyroba Hoffmann is to extend its design and production capacity in order to improve its competitiveness in the prototype production of small series and to achieve a competitive advantage in foreign markets.

Marek Hoffmann, CEO of Kovovyroba Hoffmann explains: "Thanks to our PLM solutions, we can improve collaboration with our clients and increase the profitability of our accounts, engage in a greater number of business opportunities and be an even more effective innovation partner to our clients".

The company's strategic objectives are to extend design and production capacity to improve its competitive positioning in small-series prototype production and to win more business in foreign markets.

Kovovyroba Hoffmann chose to optimise key company processes by implementing PLM supply chain collaboration solutions from IBM, including Enovia Smarteam for collaboration management and Catia V5 for 3D product design.

Herve Rolland, Vice-President PLM Solutions, IBM Europe, explains: "Automotive is a highly competitive industry, with suppliers focused on becoming innovation partners to OEMs not only by offering high quality execution but also by demonstrating seemless and controlled processes aligned with the processes and toolsets of their customers and prospects".

"Our PLM solutions deliver a key competitive advantage to automotive suppliers".

Denis Senpere, General Manager PLM North Europe for Dassault Systemes adds: "Kovovyroba Hoffmann's decision reflects the business benefits derived from our integrated PLM solutions, which are proven enablers for more innovation, more quality and flexibility".

"As well, it perfectly illustrates how new ways of collaboration can bring benefits to the whole automotive industry".

Thanks to the use of IBM and DS PLM solutions, Kovovyroba Hoffman's employees can prepare their prototypes and production within efficiently controlled processes, smoothly supporting numerous changes, and quickly approving decisions, with immediate communication to all related company departments, such as sales and marketing, purchasing, and manufacturing.

Through Enovia Smarteam's workflow and data management, digital product information is made automatically available, reducing internal iterations and increasing value-based exchanges with the OEMs.