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April 2008 - ITI TranscenData Unveils STEPcenter Enterprise Server

April 3rd, 2008

MILFORD, OH; March 26, 2008 - ITI TranscenData, the Product Data Interoperability division of International Technegroup Incorporated, announces the release of the STEPcenter Enterprise Server, a software application that automates the translation, validation and distribution of STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product Model) data.

"The STEP file format continues to mature, and as a result, our clients see it as a viable option for storing and exchanging 3D CAD data," explains ITI TranscenData President, Don Hemmelgarn. "We merged the STEP-centric elements of our DEXcenter and CADIQ technologies and developed some additional functionality, such as third-party translator integration, distributed processing, data security, and translation validation. The result is a pre-packaged solution, built on mature technologies that solve many of the problems associated with STEP data exchange."

PLM Integration and Data Security

STEPcenter is a secure, open, SOA-compliant architecture that offers multiple integration paths, including paths for PLM and archival systems. 

"STEPcenter supports a bi-directional process of retrieving CAD data from the PLM system, uploading it to an archival system, and vice versa," cites STEPcenter architect, John Gray. "The application also supports distributed processing, load balancing, and multiple layers of data security, including the ITAR-compliant components that are important to our aerospace and defense clients."

Supporting the Multi-Vendor Translator Environment

In addition to natively supporting CATIA V4, CATIA V5, NX, Pro/ENGINEER, I-deas NX and SolidWorks, STEPcenter can also integrate multiple translation technologies, not just those of ITI.

According to Jamie Flerlage, Regional Director for ITI TranscenData, "Many of our clients are global OEMs that own dozens of translators. Some of these translators we developed, others were developed by our competitors or the CAD vendors. With the added functionality in STEPcenter, we can integrate almost any CAD translator into the process and invoke multiple translation paths for multiple vendors, all within a single environment."

"Self-Validating" STEP File Output

In addition to translator consolidation and batch-based processing, STEPcenter validates native CAD-to-STEP translations. This capability is built upon ITI's CADIQ validation solution and enhanced specifically for STEP validation.

According to Doug Cheney, Manager, CADIQ Product Development and Interoperability Consulting, "Once the translation completes, STEPcenter will append a complete set of validation properties to the STEP file. These native mass properties and geometric reference points enable the STEP file to be "self-validating," since any STEP import translator can use them to validate that the imported CAD model is geometrically equivalent to the native CAD model. This is particularly helpful not only in validating the translation from the native system to the STEP format, but also in scenarios where you need to assure that the model can be opened ten, twenty, even fifty years from now."

ITI TranscenData's History in STEP

Since the late 1980's, ITI TranscenData has aided the industry's adoption of STEP. The company has been involved with the non-profit STEP consortium, PDES Inc., since its inception in 1988, and is an active member within the ProSTEP iVIP Association.

ITI TranscenData led the first production implementation of STEP, at McDonnell Douglas, beginning with the C-17 program. Additionally, the company is a provider of STEP development tools for Siemens PLM, Autodesk, PTC and number of other vendors. Additional contributions to the STEP community include the development of validation tools for STEP, defining 3D GD&T requirements, definitions, and tools, and the on-going expansion of CADIQ technology for 3D GD&T functional validation.

"Our primary lines of business still center around consultative solutions for 2D/3D multi-CAD environments and PLM integration," concludes Don Hemmelgarn, "but as the STEP standard gains more momentum, we plan to stay ahead of the curve with niche offerings like STEPcenter."

For more information, please visit the STEPcenter Solution Page

About ITI TranscenData

ITI TranscenData is the product data interoperability business within International TechneGroup Incorporated (ITI). ITI TranscenData provides interoperability solutions that enable companies to effectively exchange, reuse, integrate and share engineering product data among diverse software applications used throughout a manufacturing enterprise and its supply chain. ITI TranscenData solutions are aimed directly at reducing and eliminating non-value-added time and costs associated with reusing product data. ITI TranscenData solutions are distributed worldwide through a combination of direct sales, resellers, and strategic vendor/OEM partners. Included among ITI TranscenData’s customers are ABB, Airbus, BAE Systems, Boeing, EADS, Ford, Honeywell, Lego, Lockheed Martin, MAHLE Powertrain, Pratt & Whitney, Raytheon, Renault, Rockwell Collins, Rolls Royce, Samsung Electronics, Siemens Automotive, Snecma, Spirit AeroSystems, Thales, ThyssenKrupp, US Air Force, US Army, Xerox and others.

www.transcendata.com

For further information, please use the ITI TranscenData Contact Page or the below information:

ITI TranscenData Americas and Corporate

Tel: +1-888-783-9199

ITI TranscenData Europe, Middle East and Africa

Tel: +44 (0) 1954-234300

ITI TranscenData Asia-Pacific

Tel: +1-888-783-9199