Interesting article about GM's CAD tools...

[proexpert]

This is an interesting article about the general's use of 23 different CAD (computer aided design) systems and their recent consolidation to use just one.

http://www.informationweek.com/story/IWK20020531S0008

[IceSabre]

Yes very interesting!
I think they may have misquoted a few people as a couple of parts sound a little fishy. The quote about how GM is the only manufacturer that views their models as solid images as opposed to wireframes is kinda crazy. Surely they have the ability to render it solid and just choose not to most of the time for speed... Of course I have never worked inside a car manufacturers shop, but a teacher I had did and said the technology there was realtime 3d solid renders.... and that was 10 years ago.

7000 systems is probably a little white lie as well.... they probably counted every single executable in every system they could find everywhere....

nevertheless very interesting for a view into the new methodology that they are hooking up... can't wait to see the sales guys coping with 23 different new models in one year talk about an inventory/sales nightmare.

[Speedy-Gonzalez]

Actually, that is what I do. I work for EDS PLM Solutions (formerly Unigraphics and SDRC) and I am a Project Manager installing Teamcenter (formerly iMAN) at large sites. AM General (Hummer) is one of my current projects.

We are very proud of our solutions of Unigraphics CAD software, Teamcenter, and Solid Edge software. We are one of the leaders in the industry, if not the leader.