Dear Valued MICROCADAM End User:
Like many companies both inside and outside the CAD market arena, MICROCADAM, Inc. (MI) has struggled with the challenges of rapidly accelerating technology, global competition and changing demands of the marketplace. As a result of economic considerations, MI is undergoing a major restructuring that involves a sizable downsizing of its staff. As a consequence of reduced technical resources, MI regrets to formally inform you that the Helix Design System is being withdrawn from the Marketplace in the Americas and Europe. The Helix product line consists of the following individual products:
| Helix Drafting Helix Parametrics Helix 2D IGES Helix Data Transfer Helix Data Exchange |
Helix Modeling Helix 3D IGES & STL Helix STEP Helix Capture |
Helix Raster Drafting Helix Raster Engineering Helix Raster Engineering Plus Helix LDX Helix Drafting Viewer |
And the following bundled Products:
| Helix Engineering Helix Modeling Helix Drafting Helix Parts Helix Parametrics Helix 2D IGES |
Helix Parametric Drafting Helix Drafting Helix Parts Helix Parametrics Helix 2D IGES |
Helix Designer Helix Modeling Helix 3D IGES & STL Helix Drafting Helix Parts Helix 2D IGES |
There will be a final release of Helix Drafting called V5 scheduled for General Availability for the Americas and Europe at the end of June 2000. This release will be automatically shipped to end users current on AMS (Annual Maintenance Subscription) as of that date. Further, for these end users there will be technical support and maintenance of the Helix Design System product line for a period of one year, ending on June 30, 2001. This will be true for these end users regardless of the anniversary date of their AMS. Existing end users may order additional seats of Helix without AMS until June 30, 2001 with the full understanding that there will be no further enhancement releases of the product.
For the Americas and Europe MI has entered into an alliance with Dassault Systemes (DS) and IBM. DS and IBM will put in place an attractive program to assist MI end users who wish to migrate to one of DS’s CATIA-CADAM solutions. DS will house certain MI functions in their facility at Woodland Hills, CA nearby to MI’s current corporate headquarters. The three companies will work together to provide a seamless growth path.
Although MI and IBM/DS have frequently competed for your business, there is a great deal of synergy between the companies. As most of you know, the CATIA-CADAM Drafting (CCD) product is descendent from the same Mainframe CADAM product as MICRO CADAM, now renamed Helix Design System. In addition DS owns and maintains Mainframe CADAM product line. As a result of serving the CADAM community for a decade, DS truly understand the needs of our installed base.
For Helix Drafting users in the Americas and Europe, Dassault Systemes V5 solutions represent powerful, user-friendly solutions. The CATIA V5 product family includes numerous state of the art products including an easy to use, feature rich new drafting product named V5 Interactive Drafting. Dassault Systemes legacy drafting product, CCD, may be employed by MICRO CADAM and Helix users to assist in a transition to the V5 product portfolio. For Helix end users already using 3D, CATIA V5 solutions represents an easy and natural migration path. CATIA is an industry leader offering a highly competitive suite of products. These products are available from IBM and IBM Business Partners.
For more details on migration promotions, expect a communication from IBM or an IBM business partner in the very near future.
Dassault Systemes S.A. is the premier global software developer for the CAD/CAM/CAE/PDM II market, providing companies with e-business solutions to implement their digital enterprise, thus creating and simulating the entire product life cycle from initial concept to product in service. The company’s customer base comprises over 13,000 CATIA-CADAM customers.
IBM is the leader in creating, developing and manufacturing the world's most advanced business technologies, including computer systems, software, networking systems, storage devices and microelectronics. IBM translates theses advanced technologies into value for its customers through its professional solutions and services businesses worldwide. IBM is the leader in helping manufacturers gain a competitive advantage by offering them consulting and e-business services and solutions. Customers use IBM solutions for such activities as computer aided design, manufacturing and engineering, product data management, virtual product development and Web based collaboration.
Sincerely yours,
Jack Horgan
Senior Vice President