Siemens Snatches Another Software Company, Kineo CAM

Oct. 8, 2012
Kineo CAM, Whose Computer-Aided Motion Software Is Already Part of Siemens PLM Software Products, Will Become Part of the PLM Software Business Unit

The Siemens Industry Automation Division has added to its already lengthy list of software company acquisitions, making French company Kineo CAM its ninth such purchase in six years, further strengthening its position in the industrial software market.

Kineo CAM’s computer-aided motion software solutions are already components of Siemens PLM software products, optimizing motion, collision avoidance and path planning. Through the acquisition, Siemens will be able to further enhance the computer-aided motion capabilities of its software. At the close of the deal, Kineo CAM will be assigned to the PLM Software Business Unit at Siemens.

For 12 years, Kineo CAM has been developing software solutions for applications in various industries such as automotive, aerospace and shipbuilding by optimizing robotic movements and path planning for the assembly and disassembly of parts. For example, in the automotive industry, the software enables manufacturers to better plan how to install an item, such as a car seat or a dashboard, and how to disassemble it again for maintenance. In other use cases, the software modules help to optimize motion and path planning for robotic movements.

“By acquiring Kineo CAM, we add another advanced technology to our PLM portfolio,” said Chuck Grindstaff, CEO and president of Siemens’ PLM Software Business Unit. “Kineo CAM provides key components that are already leveraged in our core products, NX, Teamcenter and Tecnomatix. In addition, we will be gaining a team of world-class specialists into our Open Tools team. These experts will continue to partner with Siemens’ PLM product groups as well as other companies that have standardized on the technology.”

Kineo CAM software products are delivered as application software to end users and as software libraries to CAD and CAM software vendors and OEMs of advanced robotic systems. The two companies plan to continue with all the current Kineo CAM product lines.

“Being part of such a global organization, which operates in the same markets as we do today, will ensure a stronger proximity with our current customers and a larger audience for our software technology,” said Laurent Maniscalco, Kineo CAM’s CEO. “Enjoying excellent and long relationships with Siemens PLM teams, we are confident of a smooth and efficient integration process that will benefit our customers and our team.”

The other software companies that the Siemens Industry Automation Division has acquired since 2007 are UGS, Innotec, Elan Software Systems, Active Tecnologia em Sistemas de Automação, Vistagy, IBS, Perfect Costing Solutions and VRcontext International.