Dassault Systèmes is a European company that produces software products for the mechanical engineering industry, medicine, high-tech, and other industries. Among its clients are such companies as Boeing, Airbus, Renault–Nissan, and ExxonMobil, to name but a few.
Dassault has its offices in 40 countries, including Russia, where it works in close collaboration with the Bee Pitron company, which has been on the Russian high-tech manufacturing market for 25 years. According to Igor Volkov, the CEO of Bee Pitron, one of the results of this collaboration are projects aimed at supporting Russian universities, including ITMO University.
“In the era of global digitization, it’s not enough to make 3D models and drawings,” shares Igor Volkov. “Just about everything we use is packed with electronics and is controlled by special software. And this process will only accelerate in the years to come: in the 4.0 industry, car parts will be connected not only physically, but also virtually with the use of IT systems. Many companies find it hard to develop such complex products all on their own. That’s why economic cooperation is becoming more and more popular in Europe and the USA. The main advantage of this approach is that it allows specialists in different fields to work together even when living in different countries. This is how the idea of a common communication platform was born, which would allow specialists from all over the world to work on joint projects. This is like Facebook with projects instead of posts and pictures.”
Among the main products that Dassault Systèmes and Bee Pitron offer is the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, which unites various programs for 3D modeling such as CATIA (a multi-platform software suite for computer-aided design, manufacturing, and engineering, PLM and 3D), SIMULIA (virtual engineering analysis tools), DYMOLA (virtual testing tools), and 3DEXCITE (virtual marketing and creation of presentation materials). The 3DEXPERIENCE platform provides access to all these applications.
“As a company CEO, I face the same problems as Dassault’s representatives have mentioned,” shares Egor Gurwitz, a participant of the seminar and the author of the project of the 3D SLA industrial printer. “However, the Dassault Systèmes company has long gone beyond 3D modeling. When they call themselves one of the world leaders in the field of digital solutions, I stand by every word. I really enjoyed the seminar but at the same time, I’m upset that there are so many startups at ITMO University who would benefit immensely from this seminar but they ignored it.
Dassault Systèmes’ product is not a cheap one, but the French company invites young entrepreneurs to participate in their Dassault Systèmes Incubator Collaboration Program, which provides startupers with an opportunity to use the company’s software products for free for their own needs for five years in a format of collaboration.
According to the company’s staff, the Dassault Systèmes Incubator Collaboration Program is an open innovative entrepreneurship network. Apart from access to the company’s software, participants also get an opportunity to establish useful connections with the company’s industrial partners, as well as the company’s support in bringing their products into the international market. For Dassault, this program is an opportunity to communicate with talented engineers, train their mentors and launch projects for the 3DEXPERIENCE startup laboratory. More information about the program is available on the company’s website.
ITMO University plans to further develop its partnership with Dassault Systèmes. Apart from providing technical support, the university and the French company plan to launch joint acceleration projects.
“Dassault is responsible for technical solutions, while we form a team and teach them all the necessary business competencies,” explains Alexander Ostroukhov, the head of ITMO University’s Corporate Center. “As a result of this cooperation, we get a team ready to launch their own startup, attract investments and participate in events hosted by ITMO University as a real company. For Bee Pitron and Dassault it’s not about money, but about teaching new specialists to use their products.”
