Through its Business Systems Modernization project, Bell Helicopter is consolidating its technology systems and upgrading outdated software in order to increase its manufacturing capacity, reduce time-to-market and enhance collaboration with business partners. Looking for maximum efficiency and ROI, Bell Helicopter chose Dassault Systèmes’ V6 for its flexible PLM backbone and the large degree of out-of-the-box, specialized functionality for the aerospace industry. The project will eventually be deployed to 6,000 users in the Texas cities of Fort Worth and Amarillo, as well as Mirabel, Quebec, Canada.

“We sought a PLM solution that could facilitate collaboration across the extended supply chain, reduce unnecessary costs during the design and production process and increase innovation,” said Bennie Peek, CIO, Bell Helicopter. “This partnership with Dassault Systèmes enables us to meet increased global demand for our aircraft and create a single version of the truth for our product data.”

Bell Helicopter plans to leverage Dassault Systèmes’ ENOVIA solution portfolio to consolidate data into one system, which will manage the engineering bill-of-materials (BOM) and allow for full traceability across business disciplines - from contracts and requirements to the final product. Dassault Systèmes’ DELMIA solution portfolio will be used for machining and ergonomics, 3DVIA for illustrated planning and work instructions, CATIA for product authoring and SIMULIA’s simulation lifecycle management solution for enterprise wide management of engineering simulation data and processes.

“Manufacturers in fast-paced industries are increasingly realizing the value of a full, pervasive PLM infrastructure, and V6 is unmatched in the breadth of functionality and collaborative options it provides,” said Al Bunshaft, managing director, Americas, Dassault Systèmes. “Bell Helicopter will benefit from a single platform for intellectual property management, improved internal and external collaboration, increased reuse and full traceability.”