Tecnomatix solidly poised inside PLM's big tent

While considered a small player by analysts, Tecnomatix Technologies' 12-year strategy of global alliances and acquisitions has moved it to a position of strength in the manufacturing process planning space with software that, in addition to its core competency, integrates product development and manufacturing execution.

The way this works is that Tecnomatix's main eMPower offerings configure a virtual manufacturing process. But through integration with solutions from vendors like SAP, UGS, and for factory automation, the offerings are part of a wider product life-cycle management (PLM) and manufacturing execution solution (MES).

The publicly held company is one of four main players in what's known as the computer-aided manufacturing process planning and management (MPPM) market, considered part of the PLM space, according to Framingham, Mass.-based IDC Research. UGS PLM, an ally, is using Tecnomatix's software. Dassault's Delmia division and PLM vendor PTC are competitors. IDC expects MPPM revenues to explode during the next two years—to $694 million in 2006 from $367 million in 2003.

Tecnomatix's 2003 acquisition of USDATA, an execution system and supervisory control vendor, laid the foundation for a new division called shop floor—as its entrée to process industries—to complement its mechanical (automotive and aerospace) and electronics industry solutions.

"We now have a new division that opens the door to the process industry," explains Shaun Ennis, a Tecnomatix manager. "This means we have a process-driven design application that can tell a process company what it's capable of and what kind of products it can produce—on-time and profitably."