University of Michigan Adds Solid Edge from EDS to Complete its Offering of CAD Tools
Ease of use allows instructors to focus on teaching students mechanical engineering instead of CAD skills
Industry-exclusive interoperability with high-end Unigraphics and I-deas software grows with student needs, university curriculum and the requirements of future employers
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PLANO, Texas - EDS reported today that the University of Michigan's College of Engineering has added Solid Edge� to complete the computer-aided design (CAD) software needs of its students. Solid Edge, a mid-range CAD system noted for its ease of use, will be used in conjunction with two other powerful EDS CAD applications (Unigraphics� and I-deas�), allowing students to expand their skills throughout their academic and professional careers.
EDS PLM Solutions can now offer a strong link between the design process and engineering curriculum with unmatched association between the premium and mid-range systems. The University of Michigan is one of the first in the nation to provide and implement scalable software at the freshman level that will provide the building blocks for higher levels of engineering as students advance to senior-level classes. The combination provides a fully associated solution set that takes the students from basic design through finite element analysis and manufacturing.
This academic year, a total of 350 incoming students received their own copy of Solid Edge CAD software to load onto their personal computers, kicking off a fully integrated engineering design and analysis program that is the first of its kind for a major university.
EDS has provided the University of Michigan, College of Engineering with Solid Edge licenses valued at $2.5 million to help initiate a program in which students in their early years can learn mechanical CAD quickly, with easy-to-use, Windows-native software. As the first CAD system to gain Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office compatibility, Solid Edge redefined mechanical CAD.
Solid Edge allows students to work outside the classroom, and enables their projects to be integrated at higher levels in their junior, senior, and graduate level classes.
University officials said the addition Solid Edge to the Unigraphics and I-deas suite of products puts the University of Michigan and the College of Engineering at the forefront of preparing its students for the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) practices employers will expect of them following graduation.
"This user-friendly software enables the students to learn CAD with very little supervision, which allows instructors to focus on teaching engineering, instead of spending half of a semester teaching basic CAD skills," said Donald Geister, director of the Wilson Student Team Project Center. "This elevates the level of learning tremendously," Geister said. "By giving the freshman Solid Edge, it provides the opportunity to bridge a gap which historically existed between the engineering curriculum and learning how to use the CAD tools," said Suman Das, assistant professor of mechanical engineering.
About EDS
EDS, the leading global services company, provides strategy, implementation, business transformation and operational solutions for clients managing the business and technology complexities of the digital economy. EDS brings together the world's best technologies to address critical client business imperatives. It helps clients eliminate boundaries, collaborate in new ways, establish their customers' trust and continuously seek improvement. EDS, with its management consulting subsidiary, A.T. Kearney, serves the world's leading companies and governments in 60 countries. EDS reported revenues of $21.5 billion in 2001. The company's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: EDS) and the London Stock Exchange.
