Microsoft's Virtual Earth platform combined with Dassault Systemes' technology will enable a more immersive and realistic 3-D environment.

REDMOND, Wash. and PARIS, June 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Corp. and Dassault Systemes (DS), a world leader in 3-D and product lifecycle management solutions, today announced the extension of their alliance, committing to add advanced new features to Microsoft's Virtual Earth(TM) platform. Combining Microsoft's geolocalization technology with DS's proven 3-D modeling and realistic visualization know-how, this alliance will enable consumers to add an entirely new level of realism within Virtual Earth, providing an unrestricted freedom for creativity and innovation.

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"Together, our technologies will allow for a fusion of the real and virtual worlds that unleashes our imagined world and bridges it with the one we live in," said Bernard Charles, president and CEO, Dassault Systemes. "Our lifelike 3-D modeling solution will provide a robust dimension to Microsoft's powerful, immersive online mapping and visualization experience."

"Our alliance with Dassault Systemes represents a significant commitment to delivering an ever-increasing level of realism within the Virtual Earth platform," said Stephen Lawler, general manager of Virtual Earth at Microsoft.

This strategic alliance will leverage DS's exact 3-D modeling technologies, which are based on its CATIA world-class 3-D modeling capabilities. These capabilities will seamlessly integrate with Virtual Earth, facilitating design reuse and modifications for quicker design ramp-ups and innovations.

More information about the Microsoft-Dassault Systemes alliance can be found at http://www.3ds-microsoft.com.

About Dassault Systemes

As a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, Dassault Systemes (NASDAQ: DASTY) brings value to more than 100,000 customers in 80 countries. A pioneer in the 3D software market since 1981, Dassault Systemes develops and markets PLM application software and services that support industrial processes and provide a 3D vision of the entire lifecycle of products from conception to maintenance. The Dassault Systemes portfolio consists of CATIA for designing the virtual product - SolidWorks for 3D mechanical design - DELMIA for virtual production - SIMULIA for virtual testing and ENOVIA for global collaborative lifecycle management, including ENOVIA VPLM, ENOVIA MatrixOne and ENOVIA SmarTeam. Dassault Systemes is listed on the Nasdaq (DASTY) and Euronext Paris (#13065, DSY.PA) stock exchanges. For more information, visit http://www.3ds.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/