Visual Collaboration in the Real World (cont.)
In reality, a one-size-fits-all set of PLM solutions wouldn't exactly enable companies to implement tailored, open systems that address their unique requirements and give them a competitive edge. Replacing all your existing software wouldn't recognize the immense value of the data and training invested in your current heterogeneous systems. But what if you could achieve the type of product data standardization and streamlined collaboration described above using your existing systems?
The PLM market has figured out a way to do just that while living in the real world of highly competitive multi-vendor PLM systems. The technology is JT and, as the world's most widely used data format for 3D digital product visualization and collaboration, JT has spawned a global organization of manufacturers and PLM vendors - known as JT Open - to further its use within the enterprise and within supply chain processes.
What is JT?
JT is a well-established open data format that enables any company, anywhere, to easily and seamlessly share product information by "JT-enabling" their existing product development and product lifecycle management (PLM) applications. The JT format has stood the test of time and earned its place as a de facto industry standard due to its reliability, flexibility, ease-of-use and rich functionality. Since its introduction more than eight years ago, the JT format has proliferated all over the world into a wide variety of industries.
This proliferation has been due to JT's unique ability to work with all major computer-aided-design (CAD) systems to extract just the right amount of product information necessary for a given task. For example, the JT format can enable the creation of extremely lightweight 3D images of product data used in real time visual collaboration or it can scale up to precise geometric representations that include all the manufacturing information needed to actually produce the product. In other words, JT-enabled applications can be used to streamline and enhance communication during design reviews or to bring manufacturing into the development cycle earlier to eliminate costly manufacturing errors.
JT-enabled applications also significantly enhance a manufacturer's ability to collaborate outside of the company's firewall without regard to what CAD system is used or even if the user has ever heard of CAD. You see, in addition to being used by companies all over the world, JT is being used by people outside of the engineering and manufacturing departments - people in the purchasing or marketing departments as well as customers. As a result, JT not only lets you speed your product to market by enhancing collaboration with all members of your extended enterprise, but it also provides a means to increase your company's sales by enabling more effective communication with your customers and your suppliers in real time.
Strong support and a bright future
It is because of this tremendous potential that just over a year ago UGS and several other PLM industry leaders announced the formation of JT Open, a global initiative driven by leading manufacturers, PLM vendors and prestigious universities to promote, support and expand the use and richness of the JT format. Now after only one year in operation JT Open members include UGS, GM, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, Mazda, Renault, Visteon, Caterpillar, 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, current JT Open advocates include HP, Intel, Microsoft, SAP, Tecnomatix and Elysium.
Recently - on the heels of the one year anniversary of JT Open - UGS took further action to support the goals and objectives of the JT Open members, by announcing a no-charge viewer called JT2Go that is based on the pervasive JT format. JT2Go makes 3D collaboration available to every desktop and will dramatically enhance and accelerate an organization's ability to effectively collaborate throughout the product lifecycle process.
In the past, sharing JT files was a luxury enjoyed by UGS customers who were connected to the "JT Pipeline". Now JT files created by JT Open members or output by any of the increasing number of JT enabled applications can be sent to anyone in the world without the need to purchase additional software. Recipients can instantly review the information after downloading and installing the small JT2Go application. The readily available JT viewer ensures that the best suppliers can engage in processes across enterprise boundaries regardless of their CAD system of choice. Our support of JT Open and the introduction of JT2Go reflects our "open" business philosophy and commitment to helping our clients build on the value of their existing PLM investments. More information about JT2Go is available at www.jt2go.ugs.com.
So after you get past all the impressive technology associated with JT, JT Open and JT2Go, what it all boils down to is a PLM industry program driven by its members that enables global, 3D visual collaboration without worrying about incompatible formats. You no longer need to merely imagine developing your product in an environment where engineering, manufacturing, procurement and marketing all have easy, up-to-the-minute access to product information using the best-in-class tools to support their particular requirements; where this information is specific to their individual needs and is available at their fingertips at any time and at anyplace around the world. It's no longer wishful thinking... you can make this same information available to your suppliers, business partners and customers without recreating a single piece of information in a secure environment that would speed up the development and sales process. And best of all you can stop wondering "wouldn't it be great" to do all this, because the answer is yes - it would be, it is... and you can!
