Siemens AG said Tuesday it extended a software licensing contract with consumer products conglomerate Procter & Gamble Co.

Siemens did not disclose financial terms of the contract extension. The company said Procter & Gamble has used Siemens’ software since the 1980s.

The programs under the contract are used for plant engineering and product development management.

Source:http://www.cnbc.com/id/45575224

Siemens Energy today announced that it has acquired San Mateo, Calif.-based eMeter and that its meter data software will be integrated into Siemens product line. Financial terms were not disclosed, and the deal is expected to close later this month.

eMeter’s software is designed to collect data from two-way meters and feed it into utilities’ back-end business systems. The venture capital-backed company is headed by former Oracle executive and Veritas CEO Gary Bloom.

By collecting data such as customer power consumption every 15 minutes, utilities can automatically read meters and get a better understanding of demand trends. Energy usage information can also be presented to consumers through a dashboard or dedicated device to help consumers lower utility bills.

One of the challenges for utilities is that water, gas, and electricity meters create masses of data that has to be collected over different networks and then integrated into systems. Tying meter data into billing applications, for example, helps utilities streamline their operations.
eMeter is also building analysis software that processes reams of data two-way meters and other grid equipment for business reports and analytical applications. The company this year introduced a cloud version of its EnergyIP meter data management software with Verizon.

Siemens Energy, which was an investor in eMeter, said that eMeter’s software will be an integral piece to its product line aimed at utilities. “Ever-increasing demand for solutions to improve the effectiveness of the smart grid for cities and utilities makes this acquisition even more important. eMeter is renowned for its superior software and services capabilities that enable electric, gas and water utilities to realize the full benefits of the smart grid,” Jan Mrosik, CEO of the Smart Grid division of the Siemens Infrastructure & Cities Sector said in a statement.

Analysts predict that the increase in data from networked meter will create strong demand for back-end software in the next few years. eMeter’s meter data management software competes with analytical software from Oracle and SAP.

Source:http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-57336647-54/siemens-buys-emeters-smart-grid-big-data-software/

Siemens (Munich, Germany) reports that it has acquired VISTAGY Inc. (Waltham, Mass., USA), a supplier of specialized engineering software and services with emphasis on designing and manufacturing structures made of advanced composite materials. An agreement to this effect was signed in early November. VISTAGY will become a part of Siemens’ Industry Automation business group., a division of the Siemens Industry Sector. The parties agreed not to disclose the terms of the acquisition. The transaction is subject to customary approvals, and is expected to close before the end of 2011.

Siemens says the acquisition is part of its effort to add industry-specific engineering software to its industrial software portfolio for Product Lifecycle Management (PLM). With the acquisition of VISTAGY, Siemens says it will become the only company worldwide to support the whole value creation for carbon fiber components with its software tools – from product definition and development to manufacturing and service.

“Advanced software solutions tailored to specific industry requirements are vital for companies to achieve the next level of performance in their products. This type of industry focus will be the differentiating factor for success in the industry software market,” said Anton S. Huber, CEO of the Siemens Industry Automation Division. “The planned integration of our PLM Software business with VISTAGY’s universally acknowledged expertise in industry-specific software, such as composites, will make us the partner of choice in this market today and well into the future.”

About 300 customers worldwide are applying VISTAGY’s software products for a variety of applications, ranging from composites engineering and design and manufacture of complex assemblies and large aerostructures to design and manufacture of transportation seat systems and interior components. Siemens PLM Software is a global supplier of software and services with the capability to optimize the entire lifecycle of products and radically reduce their time-to-market.

“Vistagy has spent the last 20 years supporting the engineering and production work of its customers by providing robust solutions and excellent service,” said Steve Luby, VISTAGY’s president and CEO. “We have been working successfully in partnership with Siemens PLM Software for a long time. And now we are looking forward to becoming a part of Siemens’ comprehensive offerings and to significantly expand our current customer base.”

Source:http://www.compositesworld.com/news/siemens-acquires-composites-software-firm-vistagy