Microsoft and Dassault Systemes Expand Alliance Into Virtual Earth


REDMOND, Washington and PARIS, June 26 /PRNewswire/ --

- Microsoft's Virtual Earth platform combined with Dassault Systemes' 
technology  will enable a more immersive and realistic 3-D environment

REDMOND, Washington and PARIS, June 26 /PRNewswire/ --

Microsoft Corp and Dassault Systemes (DS), a world leader in 3-D and
product lifecycle management solutions, today announced the extension of
their alliance, committing to add advanced new features to Microsoft's
Virtual Earth(TM) platform. Combining Microsoft's geolocalisation technology
with DS's proven 3-D modeling and realistic visualisation know-how, this
alliance will enable consumers to add an entirely new level of realism within
Virtual Earth, providing an unrestricted freedom for creativity and
innovation.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )

"Together, our technologies will allow for a fusion of the real and
virtual worlds that unleashes our imagined world and bridges it with the one
we live in," said Bernard Charles, president and CEO, Dassault Systemes. "Our
lifelike 3-D modeling solution will provide a robust dimension to Microsoft's
powerful, immersive online mapping and visualisation experience."

"Our alliance with Dassault Systemes represents a significant commitment
to delivering an ever-increasing level of realism within the Virtual Earth
platform," said Stephen Lawler, general manager of Virtual Earth at
Microsoft.

This strategic alliance will leverage DS's exact 3-D modeling
technologies, which are based on its CATIA world-class 3-D modeling
capabilities. These capabilities will seamlessly integrate with Virtual
Earth, facilitating design reuse and modifications for quicker design
ramp-ups and innovations.

More information about the Microsoft-Dassault Systemes alliance can be
found at http://www.3ds-microsoft.com.

About Dassault Systemes

As a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions,
Dassault Systemes (Nasdaq: DASTY; Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) brings
value to more than 100,000 customers in 80 countries. A pioneer in the 3D
software market since 1981, Dassault Systemes develops and markets PLM
application software and services that support industrial processes and
provide a 3D vision of the entire lifecycle of products from conception to
maintenance. The Dassault Systemes portfolio consists of CATIA for designing
the virtual product -- SolidWorks for 3D mechanical design -- DELMIA for
virtual production -- SIMULIA for virtual testing and ENOVIA for global
collaborative lifecycle management, including ENOVIA VPLM, ENOVIA MatrixOne
and ENOVIA SmarTeam. Dassault Systemes is listed on the Nasdaq (DASTY) and
Euronext Paris (#13065, DSY.PA) stock exchanges. For more information, visit
http://www.3ds.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise
their full potential.

About Microsoft EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa)

Microsoft has operated in EMEA since 1982. In the region Microsoft
employs more than 12,000 people in 60 subsidiaries, delivering products and
services in 138 countries and territories.

Web site: http://www.microsoft.com
              http://www.3ds.com/home

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