IBM and CAD-CAM Data, an IBM Business Partner, have announced that Zastava Automobili, one of the largest automakers in the Balkans, has chosen IBM Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions to streamline the development of its cars and improve its positioning in the highly competitive European market.
      A long-term customer of IBM, Zastava, based in Kragujevac, Serbia, is facing the same challenges as other players in the industry: the need to deliver the highest quality automobiles faster while complying with global industry standards. CADCAM Data, an IBM Business Partner, will help Zastava tackle those challenges and migrate to CATIA V5, the world's leading 3D product-development application and use SMARTEAM, a leading collaborative product data and lifecycle management solution. CATIA V5 and SMARTEAM are IBM PLM solutions, developed by Dassault Systemes. CAD-CAM Data will implement the total PLM solution, including IBM IntelliStation workstations, training and consultancy services.
      With CATIA V5 and SMARTEAM, Zastava will optimize data management and collaboration between business, engineering and manufacturing departments. Using CATIA V5, the automaker expects to reduce product development time by
up to 40% while improving product quality and facilitating integration with
overseas OEM partners and suppliers.
       Zastava will use the full CATIA V5-based architecture, capitalize on Digital Mockup (DMU) capabilities and fully exploit the power of relational design. Its design team will optimize processes and capture and reuse the company’s knowledge for the benefit of future vehicle programs. Zastava also has chosen a
tailored solution from IBM Global Financing to finance the project over its life-time while quickly reaping the business benefits of PLM. CAD-CAM Data is an IBM Business Partner selling CATIA.
      “Standardizing our product development platform on CATIA V5 means that we will be using the same tools as the most prestigious and innovative brands on the market. Our implementation requirements are simplified and our designers can
become more productive as fast as possible,” says Mr. Zoran Bogdanovic, director of Zastava's Research and Development center. “We have a strategy to collaborate with our suppliers based on full 3D digital representation. Now we have the best tool on the market to achieve that and one that is recognized as the
industry de facto standard.”
      He adds, “We are financing the project with IBM Global Financing, so that we pay over the lifetime of the solution, rather than paying everything up front when budgets are tight. It made business sense because their proposition was the best on the market and tailored directly to our needs. For IT projects, IBM Global
Financing is much better than a traditional bank.”
      “CAD-CAM Data has been closely cooperating with Zastava Automobili for more than three years, on preparation of the current project. Zastava's decision to
implement IBM PLM solutions, based on CATIA V5 and SMARTEAM, is an acknowledgement that IBM PLM solutions can definitely provide automotive companies with tangible business benefits. Zastava will be in a better position to provide its customers with innovative and affordable cars,” says Pera Dragicevic,
General Manager of CAD-CAM Data.

About Zastava
Zastava Automobili has a 50-year history of vehicle production and is one of the largest vehicle manufacturers in the Balkans. Its core activities focus upon the
development, production and sale of passenger cars and associated components, and it has the ability to produce 60,000 small and medium segment cars per year with petrol engines of less than 1.6 l capacity. In addition, Zastava also provides
specialists for scientific and research activities and consultants for the development of products from initial concept though to manufacture, and for developing tooling and associated processes. So far, Zastava has produced over 4,000,000 cars under the license of FIAT and exported over 700,000 units to 74 countries. For more information, visit http://www.zastava.net.

About CAD-CAM Data
CAD-CAM Data, established as a CAD/CAM/CAE consulting, education and professional service provider, is an IBM Business Partner and leading provider of CATIA solutions to the region of Serbia and Montenegro, Bosnia and Hercegovina, and Macedonia marketplace. The company employs proficient and skilled CATIA certified engineers, and according to their knowledge and experience of engineering processes, they can guarantee the effective use of PLM solutions to their customers. The main goal is to enable customers to deliver better products, of a higher quality, in a shorter time and at lower cost. For more information, visit
http://www.cad-cam-data.com.