Altair Corp. broadened its relationship with Siemens PLM Software to enable closer collaboration in the exchange of data among product lifecycle management (PLM) teams who employ Altair computer-aided engineering (CAE) tools in analyzing product designs and materials. As part of the expanded relationship Altair will now offer direct connections to Siemens' Teamcenter portfolio, the world's most widely used digital lifecycle management software, JT data format, a lightweight ISO standard data format that makes it possible to view and share digital 3D product information in real-time throughout all phases of the product's lifecycle, and Fibersim(TM) portfolio of software for composites engineering.

The first new development stemming from this expansion is the integration between Teamcenter and Altair's HyperWorks CAE software platform. Teamcenter brings document processes into the PLM environment, synchronizing them with product development processes and product changes. The new functionality in the HyperWorks collaboration tools allows users to either connect to Teamcenter directly from within HyperMesh and the HyperWorks Desktop user interface or work seamlessly by launching Hypermesh from within Teamcenter through the PLM XML interface.

This connection provides HyperWorks users with access to information shared via Teamcenter and enables out-of-the-box and active collaboration among teammates on CAE projects without leaving the familiar HyperWorks environment. The connection enables users to search and retrieve data directly from the Teamcenter repository. Computer-aided design (CAD) and bill of materials (BOM) files can be retrieved and loaded directly into HyperMesh and HyperWorks Desktop.

This is the first such enterprise connection using the HyperWorks Collaboration Tools and its underlying connectivity technologies.