UGS Ships Puzzler of a Press Release

"Microsoft and UGS Announce Strategic Alliance" is the headline, but the content is a real puzzler. I've asked UGS for clarification. While waiting for their response, here are the parts that puzzle me:

The alliance will help UGS deliver a version of the full suite of its PLM technology currently used by more than two million users ... on the Microsoft platform.

I take this to mean that some of UGS's software currently does not run on Windows?

By optimizing for the Microsoft platform...

Does this mean that versions of UGS's software for Linux will be sub-optimal?

Microsoft will work with UGS in its development of PLM software...

I don't see where the press release explains how Microsoft will be doing that, other than to mention later on some marketing activities. From reading the press release, it seems to me that all the work is being done on the UGS side for Microsoft's plan to lock CAD users to the Windows operating system:

Here's what UGS is doing for Microsoft:

Teamcenter software ... and UGS Velocity Series [includes Solid Edge] portfolio, which currently run on both the Windows client and Windows Server platforms, will be enhanced for the Microsoft platform...

Like I said, it's a puzzler. Perhaps the key is in the repeated use of the phrase "the Microsoft platform"

I expect a press release now from Dassault Systems re-announcing that they and Microsoft reaffirm their commitment to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in order to bring 3D to the masses.

Update

I spoke with Chris Kelly, UGS vp of partner programs, and here is what it means:

This announcement means that UGS is optimizing the Windows version of its software for the the "Microsoft platform." Instead of just working with Windows, TeamCenter, et al now also work with .Net, bizTalk, SQL Server, etc.

Mr Kelly insists that UGS customers still have a choice: they can run on Linux, they can mix and match (such as use Oracle and J2EE and .Net), they can run Windows.

What this means is that developers from UGS and Microsoft will spend a few days checking out each other's roadmaps [plans for future products and upgrades], and then see what tweaks are needed in the code from UGS and Microsoft to make each other's software run better.

He was pleased to announce that simulation software indicated that TeamCenter ran the best among all competitors during Microsoft benchmarking. SQL Server 2005 was able to handle the effects of 5000 simultaneous users, yet the CPU was loaded to just 15%. Competitors topped out at 1000 users, as did TeamCenter when running on the older SQL 2000. This was an example of how tweaking software by UGS and Microsoft makes both run better.

Comments

Sounds to me like a bitter and twisted Dassault Fan!