Nissan Diesel Develops Vehicle Configuration Management System with PLM Solutions from IBM and Dassault Systèmes

Leading Japanese truck manufacturer cuts cycle time for vehicle layout

Nissan Diesel’s vehicle configuration management system is based on ENOVIA, an IBM PLM Solution developed by Dassault Systèmes, for product data and lifecycle management and decision support. Nissan Diesel deployed ENOVIA’s Digital Mock-up (DMU) Navigator in 2000 to seamlessly manage and connect truck component data as the vehicle passes through its development lifecycle (from design to manufacturing). By simulating manufacturing processes using DMU Navigator, Nissan Diesel can detect errors in the early stages of production planning.

Truck development involves more components and more complex assembly combinations than development of passenger cars. Nissan Diesel considered it crucial to establish a system to efficiently manage its vehicle configurations, and its configuration management system has shortened the cycle time required to create a vehicle layout by 90%.

“Building a system capable of managing the amount data involved in the layout of an entire truck requires a considerable amount of time and energy,” said Osamu Mitsuhashi, manager, information systems planning, Nissan Diesel. “Thanks to this system, powered by PLM Solutions from IBM and Dassault Systèmes, the communication between our design and production technology divisions has improved. We expect our vehicle configuration management system, based on PLM solutions, to save development costs.”

“One of the biggest challenges for truck manufacturers is keeping complex product data organized,” said Scott Hopkins, general manager, IBM PLM. “Nissan Diesel is using ENOVIA DMU Navigator to manage truck components so that engineers can focus on innovation rather than continuously searching for parts.”

“ENOVIA DMU Navigator is the backbone of Nissan Diesel’s vehicle configuration management system, which enables the company to manage the highly complex process of developing trucks,” said Christian Nardin, managing director, Dassault Systèmes Asia. “Nissan Diesel has leveraged the power of ENOVIA to link product data and processes so that each development team member can access and share comprehensive and up-to-date versions of product information across its entire development cycle.”

About Dassault Systèmess
As world leader in PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) solutions, the Dassault Systèmes group brings value to more than 70,000 customers in 80 countries. A pioneer in the 3D software market since 1981, Dassault Systèmes develops and markets PLM application software and services that support industrial processes and provide a 3D vision of the entire life cycle of products from conception to maintenance. Its offering includes integrated PLM solutions for product development (CATIA®, DELMIA®, ENOVIA®, SMARTEAM®), mainstream product design tools (SolidWorks), and 3D components (ACIS®) from Spatial Corp. Dassault Systèmes is listed on the Nasdaq (DASTY) and Euronext Paris (#13065, DSY.PA) stock exchanges. For more information, visit www.3ds.com

About Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Ltd
Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Ltd., established in 1950, is a trucks and buses manufacturer. Nissan Diesel has developed and marketed a wide range of light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles as well as buses and bus chassis, engines, vehicle components, and special-purpose vehicles. Nissan Diesel has steadily expanded and reinforced its worldwide sales as well as its parts supply, service, and communication networks. Today, the company has ties with distributors in nearly 60 countries around the world with 3,166 employees. For further information, please visit the Nissan Diesel Motor website at: http://www.nissandiesel.co.jp/