JT Open - Siemens PLM Software - #3

The Siemens development process for JT Open Toolkit ensures that all previously created JT data is supported. As new information is added to the JT data stream, Siemens will make certain that older applications are not impacted by the appearance of new data in the JT file. By facilitating compatibility between JT Open releases, the need to rebuild existing applications will be minimized; most releases will be plug-and-play compatible, requiring no integration effort.

JT Open members are entitled to submit enhancement requests for the JT Open Toolkit either through the JT Open program itself or by directly contacting Siemens Customer Services. Members who already employ other Siemens products will be able to work with their ongoing Customer Services contacts to communicate their JT Open interests. However, members can interact with other JT Open participants to collectively express their interest in particular toolkit enhancements.

Siemens will support the JT Open Toolkit via the Siemens Customer Services organization, as well as through its JT Open representatives. Siemens maintains a comprehensive problem and issue tracking system plus a knowledge repository of frequently asked questions (FAQs), previously reported/resolved issues, and tips and techniques.

The members-only section in JT Open's website presents information about implementation techniques, provides details about JT Open Toolkit enhancement plans, and describes additional forums that are available for answering technical questions.

JT Open vendor members may use the toolkit to add JT read/write capability to their current and future applications and market those applications to JT Open corporate members. No royalty is owed to Siemens under these conditions.

In addition to being able to purchase applications from vendor members, JT Open corporate members may use the toolkit to add JT read/write to their own internally developed software and deploy these applications within their organization.

Both vendor members and corporate members pay an initial membership fee, plus an annual maintenance fee - both of which are scaled on the basis of the company's annual revenue. No royalty fees are paid to Siemens for each seat of a JT Open Toolkit-enabled application sold or deployed within a JT Open program member's organization. Vendor members may sell their JT-enabled applications outside of the JT Open program. However, in this instance, a royalty will be applied with these sales.

A documented process involving JT Open's Management Review Board and Technical Review Board is in place to gather consolidated input from JT Open members about program governance and toolkit enhancements.

Two governing boards are responsible for coordinating the activities of the JT Open program.The Management Review Board represents the business and management interests of the JT Open member community, while the Technical Review Board represents the community's technical interests. Both boards are chartered with making recommendations regarding the JT Open program's:

• Operations and activities

• Processes for member interaction

• Enhancement and improvement

• Sales and marketing activities