---

Volkswagen Selects EAI's Open Virtual Factory(TM) Solution

28 December 1999

Volkswagen Selects EAI's Open Virtual Factory(TM) Solution

            EAI's ERGOPlan(R) Allows Seamless Production Planning

    AMES, Iowa, Dec. 28 --
Engineering Animation, Inc. , today announced that Volkswagen AG
has deployed EAI's ERGOPlan, one of EAI's Open Virtual Factory solutions, for
use in production planning.  ERGOPlan, a process engineering solution, is used
in Volkswagen's assembly planning to improve communication and overall
operational efficiency.
    EAI's Open Virtual Factory enables multiple software applications to build
a platform-neutral environment and provides Volkswagen with the capability to
seamlessly integrate information throughout the manufacturing engineering
process. Open Virtual Factory generates comprehensive digital models for
complete production scenarios and for online assembly control models by
refining rough data structure throughout the product development and
production process.
    "Open Virtual Factory was selected as the basis of Volkswagen's method for
integrating stand alone IT-solutions into one seamless system," said Raimund
Menges, EAI's vice president and general manager of European operations.  "By
creating one seamless environment, our solutions preserve proven functionality
and eliminate fault-prone transferring and the restructuring of large data
files."
    In addition, Open Virtual Factory provides Volkswagen with 3D layout
planning and visualization of 3D assembly layout.  The combined capabilities
result in improved data planning quality, a seamless flow of information and
the creation of production planning standards.
    "Volkswagen's adoption of Open Virtual Factory furthers our position as
leaders in the computer-aided planning and integrated product and process
engineering area," continued Menges.  "Our solutions are enabling Volkswagen
to shorten the planning phase for new production lines and cut time-to-
market."

    About Volkswagen
    Volkswagen is the largest automobile producer in Europe and ranks third in
the world.  The company is a global player, with 42 production facilities in
eleven different European countries and eight countries in America, Asia and
Africa.  Volkswagen offers its products in more than 150 countries and holds a
market share of more than eleven percent in the world car market.  In Western
Europe, almost one in every five car originates from the Volkswagen Group,
which consists of nine independent brands from six European countries: Audi,
Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Rolls Royce, Seat, Skoda, VW Commercial
Vehicles and Volkswagen Passenger Cars.  About 300,000 employees produce more
than 20,000 vehicles around the globe everyday.

    About EAI
    Engineering Animation, Inc. is the leader in Internet-enabled visual
process management, collaboration, analysis and communication solutions for
extended manufacturing enterprises. EAI's VisEPM(TM) solutions, which include
e-Vis.com(TM) ( http://www.e-vis.com ), Open Enterprise Visualization(TM) and
Open Virtual Factory, help manufacturing companies drive down costs while
improving business practices, efficiency, quality and time-to-market.  The
Company maintains its corporate headquarters and technology center in Ames,
Iowa, and has offices worldwide.
    For more information, visit EAI at http://www.eai.com or call
515-296-9908.