Dassault Systèmes#Passion for Innovation Program

Dassault Systèmes (also known as 3DS) grew out of the aerospace industry's search for more sophisticated drafting tools to streamline the development process and aid in the increasing complexity of aviation design. Dassault Systèmes spun out in 1981 (as part of Dassault Group) to develop and market their 3D surface design software CATI, later renamed CATIA. That same year, Dassault Systèmes signed a sales and marketing agreement with IBM, allowing IBM to resell the CATIA CAD software.{{cite web |url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/dassault-syst%C3%A8mes-s-a-history/ |title=Dassault Systèmes S.A. History |access-date= July 9, 2022 | website=fundinguniverse.com}}

In the 1990s, Dassault Systèmes' software was used to develop seven out of every ten new airplanes and four out of every ten new cars worldwide. Major players in the aviation and automotive industries, including Honda, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Boeing, were able to design and mock-up their products in CATIA rather than using CAD programs and physical prototypes. The Boeing 777, the Falcon 2000 business jet, and the Rafale jet fighter were designed using CATIA.

Dassault Systèmes launched an initial public offering (IPO) on both the Paris Bourse and Nasdaq in 1996.{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Richard |date=23 February 1998 |title=Taking Flight |url=https://www.barrons.com/articles/SB888036583666118000 |work=Barron's |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240323042710/https://www.barrons.com/amp/articles/SB888036583666118000 |archive-date=23 March 2024 |url-status=live}} Following its success, the next year, the company acquired SolidWorks and Deneb Robotics, which later became part of the DELMIA brand, and additional software to build toward product lifecycle management (PLM). The SolidWorks acquisition strengthened Dassault Systèmes' 2D drafting capacity and provided entry into the Microsoft market, while other acquisitions added digital manufacturing software to the product lineup. These acquisitions paved the way for Dassault Systèmes to introduce a total manufacturing system with their subsidiary brand, DELMIA, in 1998. The new offering enabled access to data across the spectrum of manufacturing processes, while remaining independent of the CAD environment.

By the end of 1998, the CAD software industry vendors were devising strategies to become internet-enabled. The main focus was to enable the viewing of 3D models in web browsers and build interfaces to product data management (PDM) systems. Dassault Systèmes was one of the leaders in enabling these functions for its users. The company benefited from their experience integrating CAD software across networks for the Boeing 777 project, and had already made moves toward internet-enabled CAD software in 1996 with CATIA Conferencing Groupware; which enabled review and annotation of models using the internet. The introduction of ENOVIA further marked their industry-leading place by providing internet-enabled PDM and 3D product lifecycle management. Dassault Systèmes' acquisitions continued into 1999, when two CAD software vendors were purchased: Matra Datavision and Smart Solutions. Also in 1999, Dassault Systèmes released CATIA Version 5, which was the first version to be fully implemented in the Microsoft Windows environment.{{cite web |url=http://cadazz.com/cad-software-history-1998-1999.htm |title=CAD software history, 1998-99 |access-date= July 17, 2022 | website=cadazz.com}}

As the demand for digital and virtual experiences increased in 2000, Dassault Systèmes launched DELMIA, which provides digital manufacturing tools for virtual planning, simulating, and modeling of production processes.{{cite web |url=https://www.technia.us/blog/what-is-delmia/ |title=What is DELMIA? |access-date= July 17, 2022 | website=technia.us|date=30 July 2021 }}

The mid-2000s heralded a series of acquisitions for Dassault Systèmes to improve their product offerings and expand their market reach, and Dassault Systèmes launched new software and tools. In 2005, Dassault Systèmes sought to improve the quality of 3D interactions and simulations. First they acquired Abaqus, a US-based company specializing in software that allows engineers to simulate and observe the performance of components in products.{{cite web |url=https://www.ft.com/content/087eb1c4-c6a2-11d9-a700-00000e2511c8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/087eb1c4-c6a2-11d9-a700-00000e2511c8 |archive-date=2022-12-10 |url-access=subscription |title=Dassault Systemes counts on Abaqus acquisition |access-date= July 17, 2022 | website=ft.com}}

Then they acquired Virtools, software that enables companies to create 3D applications.{{cite web |url=https://mergr.com/dassault-systemes-sa-acquires-virtools-s.a |title=Dassault Systemes SA Acquires Virtools S.A. |access-date= July 17, 2022 | website=mergr.com}} The following year, the company extended its market reach into high-tech, consumer products, and medical devices through the acquisition of MatrixOne, which would be linked with ENOVIA.{{cite web |url=https://www.cadalyst.com/collaboration/product-lifecycle-management/news/dassault-systamp232mes-acquire-matrixone-11553 |title=Dassault Systemes SA Acquires Virtools S.A. |access-date= July 17, 2022 | website=cadalyst.com}} In 2007, subsidiary brand 3DVIA was launched to create a social network and content community for 3D artists and modelers.

As the 2000s progressed, Dassault Systèmes began to enter online applications and build toward more online applications for product data management, collaboration, realistic simulation and more. Examples of this strategy include the purchase or launch of brands such as EXALEAD for information intelligence, NETVIBES for business analytics, 3DEXCITE for marketing, and GEOVIA for modeling the planet. In 2012, the company launched the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to connect its software applications.

CATIA under the 3DEXPERIENCE platform enables users to go beyond physical product definition to model any product in the context of its real-life behavior. Systems, architects, engineers, designers and all contributors collaborate on fit, form, function, and customer experience.{{cite web |title=CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE Software for Product Design |url=https://www.adaptivecorp.com/products/dassault-systemes/catia/ |access-date=July 31, 2022 |website=adaptivecorp.com}}

Dassault Systèmes also began to offer its version of digital twins, which the company calls virtual twin experiences and are powered by the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Virtual twins help companies visualize, model and simulate an entire environment to explore how a product or process will behave when assembled, operated or subjected to a range of events.

To expand their capabilities and industries served through the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, Dassault Systèmes completed additional acquisitions, including:

• Dynasim AB (2006){{cite web|url=https://www.3ds.com/newsroom/press-releases/dassault-systemes-presents-catia-systems |title=Dassault Systèmes Presents CATIA Systems |website=3ds.com |date=27 June 2006}}
• Simpoe S.A.S. (2013){{cite web |url=https://mergr.com/dassault-systemes-sa-acquires-simpoe-sas |title=Dassault Systemes SA Acquires SIMPOE SAS |access-date= August 8, 2022 | website=mergr.com}}
• Realtime Technology (2014){{cite web |url=https://www.automationmag.com/dassault-systemes-completes-acquisition-of-realtime-technology-4046/ |title=Dassault Systèmes completes acquisition of Realtime Technology |access-date=August 8, 2022 | website=automationmag.com|date=14 January 2014 }}
• Accelrys (2014){{cite web |url=https://cen.acs.org/articles/92/i5/Accelrys-Acquired-French-Software-Firm.html |title=Accelrys Acquired By French Software Firm |access-date= August 8, 2022 | website=cen.acs.org}}
• Quintiq (2014){{cite web |url=https://www.llrpartners.com/quintiq-acquisition-named-deal-of-the-year/ |title=Quintiq Acquisition Named Deal of the Year |access-date= August 8, 2022 | website=llrpartners.com|date=15 May 2015 }}
• CST (2016){{cite web |url=https://www.cimdata.com/zh/industry-summary-articles/item/6958-dassault-systemes-completes-cstacquisition |title=Dassault Systèmes Completes CST Acquisition |access-date= August 8, 2022 | website=cimdata.com}}
• Outscale (majority stake, 2016){{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2017-06-20/dassault-syst-mes-acquires-majority-stake-in-outscale |title=Dassault Systèmes Acquires Majority Stake in Outscale |access-date= August 8, 2022 | newspaper=Bloomberg|date=20 June 2017 }}
• Centric (majority stake, 2018){{cite web |url=https://www.cimdata.com/zh/resources/complimentary-reports-research/commentaries/item/10348-dassault-systemes-acquires-majority-stake-in-centric-software-highlight |title=Dassault Systèmes Acquires Majority Stake in Centric Software (Highlight) |access-date= August 8, 2022 | website=cimdata.com}}
• IQMS (2018){{cite web |url=https://diginomica.com/exclusive-iqms-ceo-gary-nemmers-on-why-iqms-was-acquired-by-dassault-systemes-and-whats-next |title=Exclusive - IQMS' CEO on why IQMS was acquired by Dassault Systèmes - and what's next |access-date= August 8, 2022 | website=diginomica.com|date=18 December 2018 }}
• Medidata Solutions (2019){{cite web |url=https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/medidata-acquired-dassault-syst-mes-58-billion |title=Medidata acquired by Dassault Systèmes for $5.8 billion |access-date= August 8, 2022 | website=healthcareitnews.com|date=13 June 2019 }}
• Argosim{{Cite web|url=https://www.lemondeinformatique.fr/actualites/lire-dassault-systemes-acquiert-le-francais-argosim-74570.html|title=Dassault Systèmes acquiert le Français Argosim - Le Monde Informatique|website=LeMondeInformatique|date=7 March 2019 }}

Throughout the decade, Dassault Systèmes advanced into the life sciences and healthcare industry, including launching the Living Heart Project{{cite journal |last1=Baillargeon |first1=Brian |last2=Rebelo |first2=Nuno |last3=Fox |first3=David D. |last4=Taylor |first4=Robert L. |last5=Kuhl |first5=Ellen |year=2014 |title=The Living Heart Project: A robust and integrative simulator for human heart function |journal=European Journal of Mechanics - A/Solids |volume=48 |pages=38–47 |bibcode=2014EJMS...48...38B |doi=10.1016/j.euromechsol.2014.04.001 |pmc=4175454 |pmid=25267880}} for simulating heart function in 2014 and acquiring subsidiary brand MEDIDATA for managing clinical trials, in 2019.

In 2020, Dassault Systèmes expanded its focus from “Things to Life” by applying what they have learned over the past four decades and applying it to the human body. By developing a virtual twin experience of the human body, they can model, search, test and treat a human body as precisely, safely and effectively as cars, buildings or airplanes and customize the care of each individual.{{Cite web |title=Dassault Systèmes Opens Up New Horizons: 3DEXPERIENCE from Things to Life |url=https://www.biospace.com/article/dassault-systemes-opens-up-new-horizons-3dexperience-from-things-to-life/ |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=BioSpace |language=en-US}}

To expand the capabilities served through the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, Dassault Systèmes completed additional acquisitions, including:

• NuoDB (2020){{cite press release |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211121005087/en/Dassault-Syst%C3%A8mes-Enters-the-SP-Dow-Jones-Sustainability-World-Index |title=Dassault Systèmes Enters the S&P Dow Jones Sustainability World Index |access-date=January 16, 2023 |website=businesswire.com |date=22 November 2021}}
• Proxem (2020){{cite web |title=Dassault Systèmes Revitalizes 3DEXPERIENCE Platform With Acquisition Of Proxem |url=https://www.thesoftwarereport.com/dassault-systemes-revitalizes-3dexperience-platform-with-acquisition-of-proxem/ |access-date=January 16, 2023 |website=thesoftwarereport.com|date=12 August 2020 }}
• Diota (2022){{cite web |title=Acquisitions by Dassault Systems |url=https://tracxn.com/d/acquisitions/acquisitionsbyDassault-Systems |access-date=January 16, 2023 |website=tracxn.com}}

In late 2022, Dassault Systèmes, along with French companies Docaposte, Bouygues Telecom and Banque des Territoires, announced plans to create Numspot, a joint effort to build a European sovereign cloud service for the financial, health and public sectors that would rely on the infrastructure of 3DS Outscale.{{cn|date=February 2023}}

In 2022, the company named Philippine de T'Serclaes as its chief sustainability officer.{{cite web |url=https://www.complianceweek.com/grc-appointments/dassault-systemes-names-chief-sustainability-officer/32374.article#:~:text=French%20software%20corporation%20Dassault%20Syst%C3%A8mes,its%20portfolio%20and%20business%20deployment. |title=Dassault Systemes names chief sustainability officer |access-date= January 16, 2023 | website=complianceweek.com}}

Dassault Systèmes' currently supported roster of brands and industries served ({{asof|2024|05|lc=y}}):

Dassault Systèmes is led by Chief Executive Officer Pascal Daloz. He succeeded Bernard Charlès on January 1, 2024.{{cite news |title=Dassault Systemes Targets Significant Mid-Term Growth; Names Pascal Daloz CEO |last1=Petroni |first1=Giulia |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/dassault-systemes-targets-significant-mid-term-growth-names-pascal-daloz-ceo-3cd2e08a |work=Wall Street Journal |date=June 9, 2023 |access-date=February 13, 2025}} Charlès, who had held the position since 1995,{{cite news |title=Meet Bernard Charles: Dassault Systèmes CEO, strategist and chief scientist rolled into one |last1=Sharma |first1=Gaurav |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/meet-bernard-charles-dassault-systems-ceo-strategist-chief-scientist-rolled-into-one-1622114 |work=International Business Times |date=May 18, 2017 |access-date=February 13, 2025}} remains the chairman of the board.

As of 2024, public shares accounted for more than 50 percent of Dassault Systèmes' ownership. Other major shareholders included Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault, Charles Edelstenne, Bernard Charlès and Pascal Daloz.{{Cite press release |title=Dassault Systèmes 2024 Annual Report |date=18 March 2025 |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/03/18/3044804/0/en/Dassault-Syst%C3%A8mes-Filing-of-the-2024-Universal-Registration-Document.html}}

Dassault Systèmes has 25,000 employees across 184 global offices: 41% are based in Europe; 32% in Asia-Oceania; and 27% in the Americas. Geographic headquarters are located in Paris (Vélizy-Villacoublay, France), Shanghai, and Boston (Waltham, Massachusetts). As of December 31, 2024, approximately 41% of employees worked in R&D.{{cite web |title=2024 Universal Registration Document |last1= |first1= |url=https://investor.3ds.com/static-files/f4610f80-970f-4a88-ab8e-0df492444765 |work=Dassault Systèmes |date=March 18, 2025 |access-date=April 16, 2025}}

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