Key Business and Corporate Highlights
DS announced today that it plans to repurchase up to 2 million shares over the second half of 2008, subject to market conditions. At the Annual Shareholders meeting on May 22, 2008, shareholders approved the resolution authorizing the Board of Directors of Dassault Systèmes to implement a new share repurchase program in order to replace the program previously authorized. During the 2008 first quarter, DS repurchased 961,986 shares under the previous authorization.
On July 21st, DS completed the previously announced acquisition of Engineous Software, a market leader in process automation, integration and optimization. The acquisition is intended to extend SIMULIA’s leadership in providing Simulation Lifecycle Management solutions on the V6 IP collaboration platform.
On July 1st, DS spun off Dassault Systèmes Solutions France (DSF), its PLM sales division dedicated primarily to small and medium businesses in France, Belgium and Luxembourg, to become Keonys, a Dassault Systèmes Value Added Reseller. As part of Dassault Systèmes’ plan launched in 2006 to build a PLM indirect sales channel, the creation of Keonys is consistent with the continuous strengthening of this channel comprised of a network of PLM resellers in more than 60 countries.
On May 29th, DS introduced Version 6 (V6), a next generation PLM 2.0 platform and solution set. This sixth generation version was conceived in tight collaboration with industry leaders and leverages the success of DS brands and its V5 PLM. This first release of Dassault Systèmes’ Version 6, V6R2009, covers business processes designed to serve all of the Company’s 11 target industries.
On May 20th, DS announced major advances in the new Abaqus release for SIMULIA. Abaqus 6.8 provides new and improved capabilities in core areas, including modeling and results visualization, structural analysis, composites failure, general contact, computing performance, and multiphysics.
Other Business Highlights
- On June 25th, Ford Motor Company awarded a global training program to the DS services organization.
- On June 9-10th, DS hosted Asia’s largest PLM user conference.
- On June 4th, DS announced the availability of its new PLM solution developed specifically for the life sciences industry. ENOVIA Life Science Accelerator for Engineering DesignTM developed on the new DS V6 platform automates product design and regulatory deliverables for medical device companies.
- On May 22nd, DS inaugurated its Global Virtual Campus for students and educators – campus.3ds.com. This new community website has been introduced to facilitate 3D and PLM software learning and exchanges to help with the educational development of future engineers.
Other Corporate Information
On July 29, 2008, the Board of Directors of Dassault Systèmes approved the voluntary delisting of its American Depositary Shares (ADS) from Nasdaq and its voluntary deregistration with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Following the delisting of Dassault Systèmes’ ADS and deregistration, Dassault Systèmes’ shares will remain listed on Euronext.
As a result, Dassault Systèmes intends to file a Form 25 with the SEC in October 2008 to effect the delisting. The delisting will be effective ten days after this filing. Dassault Systèmes intends to file a Form 15F with the SEC to deregister and terminate its reporting obligations under the Exchange Act as soon as practicable following the effectiveness of the delisting from Nasdaq. The deregistration will become effective 90 days after the filing of the Form 15F. The Company does not plan to publish a Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.
Dassault Systèmes also intends to maintain its American Depository Receipt (ADR) program, which will enable investors to retain their ADRs and facilitate trading on the U.S. Over-The-Counter (OTC) market.
Dassault Systèmes will continue to publish its financial reports, statements and press releases in English as well as information for investors on its website ( www.3ds.com) pursuant to section 12g3-2(b) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act.
The Company intends to continue reporting and publishing quarterly
unaudited financial information in U.S. GAAP for the third and fourth
quarter 2008 reporting periods in addition to reporting and filing IFRS
quarterly financial information as required by the French securities
regulation. Starting with fiscal year 2009, DS will solely report and
publish its financial information in accordance with IFRS.