Also at Hanover Fair, the world's leading trade show for industrial automation, the companies announced their collaboration with Malaysian automobile manufacturer Proton Holdings Berhad (Proton) in support of Proton's globalization plan.

As PLM projects become more sophisticated, a growing number of companies require a single prime contractor to take full responsibility of the deployment and financial transaction. The agreement expands the existing relationship between Siemens PLM Software and HP, enabling clients to source PLM software products, hardware and services directly from HP, thereby freeing up resources to focus on the core business.

"Manufacturers need to improve the management of their product life cycles, while cutting costs and increasing quality control," said Sandeep Johri, vice president, Enterprise Business Strategy and Industries, HP. "With HP and Siemens PLM Software, companies can redirect technology expenditures from infrastructure and application maintenance to attracting customers in new markets, combating growing supply-chain complexities or adhering to new compliance requirements."

The agreement allows HP to expand its ability to directly sell PLM products and services globally, in addition to designing, developing and deploying complete Siemens PLM Software solutions for enterprise businesses around the world. Joint clients will benefit from a comprehensive range of software and professional services, including consulting and implementation, systems integration and application hosting as well as financing options.

"Siemens PLM Software is thrilled to announce our joint customer, Proton Holdings Berhad, as we announce the expansion of our exemplary relationship with HP to drive further value for our global clients," said Paul Vogel, executive vice president, Global Sales and Services, Siemens PLM Software. "Siemens PLM Software remains focused on not only developing innovative solutions for our clients, but on creating partnerships that help streamline clients' access to those technologies. With our new agreement and HP's presence in key target markets and industries, we can help deliver a comprehensive range of PLM solutions that help clients turn more ideas into successful products."

Proton works with HP and Siemens PLM Software

Proton is teaming with HP to implement Siemens PLM Software's Teamcenter? software, which will integrate Proton's product life cycle processes from all related departments such as management, sales and marketing, engineering, sourcing, manufacturing and service.

"As we move on to our business expansion program reaching out to international markets, an integrated and seamless product development solution is crucial to ensure efficiency and productivity of our regional operations," said Dato' Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir, group managing director, Proton Holdings Berhad. "The implementation of the PLM solution in our organization will provide the necessary support to manage our products, processes and services from initial concept, through design, launch, production and use, to end of life of vehicle."

The PLM solution also will help Proton to reduce its product costs, enabling it to reuse parts from its previous platform, delivering timely information to sourcing groups for better cost savings, and enabling costs to be managed early in the new product introduction process.