SDRC and Asera Announce Strategic Alliance
CINCINNATI & BELMONT, Calif.--May 30, 2001--SDRC| -- | Filed by Structural Dynamics Research Corporation pursuant to "Rule 14a-12" under the Securities Act of 1933 |
| -- | Subject Company: Structural Dynamics Research Corporation Commission File No.: 33-16541 |
Providing extended/enhanced capabilities for best-in-class
collaborative product knowledge management and
eBusiness integration
SDRC and Asera Inc. today announced a multi-phase strategic alliance to integrate SDRC's I-DEAS(R) mechanical design automation and SDRC's TeamCenter(TM) collaborative product management solutions, including specific functionality from Metaphase(R) and Accelis(TM), with Asera's eBusiness Operating System. The alliance will enable expanded collaborative commerce across product design, configuration, order management, supply chain management, and product service and support addressing the needs of enterprises and private exchanges in industries such as automotive, aerospace, high tech, and industrial machinery. The two companies will be initiating a combined go-to-market sales and marketing strategy targeting key customers and prospects in these industries.
In support of this strategic alliance, SDRC and Asera will initially build a set of adapters between the Asera Platform and SDRC's Accelis products -- allowing SDRC customers the ability to manage the access, distribution and presentation of product information in a collaborative web environment using Asera's robust security, entitlement and personalization capabilities. SDRC and Asera will continue to jointly develop a software integration module, with the initial pilot prototype scheduled for availability this summer.
Customers leveraging the Asera platform will have the ability to seamlessly integrate real-time product knowledge into their enterprise eBusiness environments. Architected to provide tighter integration and deeper collaboration, the Asera Solution will enable global manufacturers to recognize greater results from collaboration, streamline efficiencies in the supply chain, and reduce costs.
"The ability to rapidly integrate best-in-class software to support both internal and external collaboration through customized business processes is a key requirement for successful eBusiness operations," said Rohit Desouza, president of Asera Technologies. "For true competitive advantage, global manufacturers need seamless access to premium solutions to support their collaborative product development environments. Bringing together SDRC's best-in-class solutions with Asera's eBusiness Operating System will enable both software companies to deliver a robust technology that supports customer requirements for product knowledge management, collaboration and business integration."
Initially, this alliance addresses the needs of two scenarios:
-- In a multi-company environment, SDRC's solutions, powered by
Asera's eBusiness Operating System, will provide a platform
with standard resources for product data management and data
integration. This is particularly beneficial in supply chain
integration initiatives.
-- Within an enterprise environment, SDRC's solutions, powered by
Asera's eBusiness Operating System, will enable numerous
inter-departmental capabilities, greatly increasing the output
from cross functional project teams.
"SDRC continues to augment its offerings with strategic alliances that meet the needs of our customers," said Bill Carrelli, vice president, market and business development, SDRC. "Asera offers the ability to integrate best-in-class software coupled with high performance implementation and an evolving multi-architecture environment that greatly increases software functionality and enhances the customer's experience."
About Asera, Inc. -- www.asera.com
Asera provides Global 2000 and emerging-growth companies with adaptive eBusiness solutions(TM). Asera is powered by an adaptable software platform architected for rapid integration, personalized delivery and change. The powerful combination of Asera's platform, best-in-class suite of software applications and service delivery allows companies to customize and activate their eBusiness processes, pay for only what they use, and remain insulated from the cost and complexity of technology change. Based in Silicon Valley, Asera also has offices in the UK and Germany.
About SDRC -- www.sdrc.com
SDRC (Structural Dynamics Research Corporation) provides complete software solutions for product design and collaborative product management. With headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, SDRC employs more than 2,500 people worldwide, with 64 offices in 18 countries throughout North America, Europe, and Asia/Pacific. For more information, contact SDRC at 1-800-848-7372.
Note to Editors: SDRC, I-DEAS and Metaphase are registered trademarks, and Accelis is a trademark of Structural Dynamics Research Corporation. All other trademarks or registered trademarks belong to their respective holders.
Additional Information and Where to Find It: It is expected that SDRC will file a proxy statement with the SEC in connection with the Merger, and that SDRC will mail a Proxy Statement to its shareholders containing information about the Merger. Investors and security holders are urged to read the Proxy Statement carefully when it is available. The Proxy Statement will contain important information about SDRC, EDS, the Merger, the persons soliciting proxies relating to the Merger, their interests in the Merger and related matters. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of these documents through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Free copies of the Proxy Statement and these other documents may also be obtained from SDRC by directing a request through the Investors Relations portion of SDRC's website at http://www.SDRC.com or by mail to SDRC, 2000 Eastman Drive, Milford, Ohio 45150, attention: Investor Relations, telephone: (513) 576-2400.
In addition to the Proxy Statement, SDRC and EDS file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any reports, statements or other information filed by SDRC or EDS at the SEC public reference rooms at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 or at any of the SEC's other public reference rooms in New York, New York and Chicago, Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. SDRC's and EDS' filings with the SEC are also available to the public from commercial document-retrieval services and at the Web site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.
Participants in Solicitation: SDRC, its directors, executive officers and certain other members of management and employees may be soliciting proxies from SDRC shareholders in favor of the Merger. Information concerning the participants in the solicitation is set forth in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed by SDRC on May 24, 2001.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain matters discussed in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties which could cause the actual results to differ materially from those projected, including the timely availability and acceptance of new products, global economic uncertainties, the impact of competitive products and pricing, the management of growth, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's most recent reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q. In addition, the completion of the merger and related transactions with EDS is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary conditions that involve future developments.