Siemens has entered into an agreement to acquire Sheffield, United Kingdom-based Lightwork Design, a computer software and technology licensing company specialising in 3D rendering software development and virtual reality (VR) experience generation. With the addition of Lightwork Design, Siemens PLM Software will provide customers with enhanced 3D data visualization, high-end rendering and VR capabilities via its comprehensive suite of 3D product lifecycle management (PLM) applications.
In addition, the acquisition expands Siemens' ‘open business' strategy with a commitment to continue to provide software toolkits for 3D data pre-processing for visualization, rendering and virtual reality, helping continue Siemens' market-leading position in technology licensing to independent software vendors. The offerings of Lightwork Design will be combined with Siemens‘ existing PLM Components business, which includes Parasolid® software, D-Cubed™ software and Kineo™ software, where more than 240 companies integrate Siemens PLM Software technology into 350 commercial applications for the benefit of six million end-users.
"With this acquisition, we increase the accuracy of the digital twin by adding advanced visualization, rendering and virtual reality technology into all phases of the virtual product development process," said Tony Hemmelgarn, CEO, Siemens PLM Software. "The visualization and virtual reality space is continually changing and growing, and Lightwork Design has the advanced 3D data visualization, rendering and virtual reality technology required to help keep us in the forefront of the marketplace."
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