Munich based Siemens have announced their plans to expand its industrial software portfolio through a definitive agreement to acquire UGS Corp. The purchase price amounts to US $3.5 billion, including assumption of existing debt. The activities of UGS are to be assigned to the Siemens Automation and Drives Group (A&D). A&D will thus become the first supplier for the manufacturing industries to provide an end-to-end software and hardware portfolio encompassing the complete lifecycle of products and production facilities.

Klaus Kleinfeld, President and CEO of Siemens said, “With the acquisition of UGS, we combine its competence in the sector of digital factories with our leading know-how in industrial automation. This combination makes our customers’ processes faster, better and more cost efficient. With the unique combination, we underscore our position as a trendsetter in automation systems and bring this business into a new dimension,”

Tony Affuso, chairman, CEO and president of UGS added, "The combination of Siemens and UGS is a clear game-changer in the global PLM industry due to our shared vision of ‘Totally Integrated Automation’. Our customers win through the backing of the long-term security of their system investments provided by one of the world’s largest and most successful and innovative companies. In addition, we are able to provide added value to Siemens’ customers by virtue of being the most practiced PLM provider in open systems, which eases integration with the Siemens technology already in place in all of our key markets.”

Full Story: http://tinyurl.com/2532fl

3Dconnexion Unveils New Products, New Software
and New Prices.

3Dconnexion have extended their range of 3D Navigation Devices with the introduction of two new products: SpaceNavigator and SpaceExplorer.

The SpaceNavigator, an entry-level 3D navigation device with two programmable buttons is ideal for professionals, students and enthusiasts alike. This entry level device with a small desktop footprint starts at just £49.00 for the home use Personal Edition and rises to just £69.00 for the Professional Edition.

 The SpaceExplorer, is a fully featured mid-range device, offering natural and intuitive control of 3D objects and environments at a favourable price point. The SpaceExplorer is pre-programmed with commands from leading applications including Solid Edge and is priced at just £199.00

To coincide with this launch 3D Connexion have reduced the prices of the Space Pilot (top left in main image) to £275.00 and the Space Traveler (Bottom right in main image) to just £127.00

For any more information about any of these devices and the chance to evaluate one for free* and  see how your productivity could be enhanced call SOLID Applications now.

*Evaluation only available on SpacePilot and SpaceNavigator

Tips from the Helpdesk

With thanks to the users of the Solid Edge Newsgroup for the following little known tips.

1. When working in an assembly the 'Part Library Tab' will display the contents of whatever folder you point it at. A quick method of changing the current location to your working folder (the location where the currently active Assembly is saved) is to place your cursor over the Parts Library, hold down the 'CTRL' key and hit '.' (full stop). This will immediately jump the Parts Library to your working folder.
    
2. Ever wondered where you saved the document you currently have open? This tip could help. Select 'Open' from the file menu and you should see the folder where your file is currently saved, to understand the full path to this location In the 'file name' dialog box type '.' (full stop) and hit enter. This will return the full path to the current folder in the 'file name' field.
    
3. To move a toolbar icon from one toolbar to another simply hold down the 'ALT' key then click and drag the icon from-to the required location. Adding a 'CTRL' to the 'ALT' will duplicate the icon on the second toolbar.

Are you up to date?

Solid Edge V19: Update 3 released 23rd January 2007
Solid Edge V18: Update 10 released 5th January 2007
Solid Edge V17: Update 14 released 30th May 2006

Copyright 2006 SOLID Applications Ltd. All rights reserved

The statements in this newsletter that are not historical statements, including statements regarding expected benefits of the product, adoption by customers, continued innovation and other statements identified by forward looking terms such as "may," "will," "expect," "plan," "anticipate" or "project," are forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements, including, among others, risks relating to developments in the PLM industry, competition, failure to innovate and intellectual property. SAL disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.