Francis Bernard (engineer)
Francis Bernard | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1940 Hanoi, French Indochina |
| Occupation | Engineer |
| Years active | 1960s–1995 |
| Known for | Pioneering CAD/CAM innovations at Dassault Aviation; co-founder and former CEO of Dassault Systèmes |
Francis Bernard (born in 1940) is a French engineer recognized for pioneering CAD/CAM innovations at Dassault Aviation during the 1970s, which ultimately resulted in the development of the CATIA 3D software. In 1981, he co-established Dassault Systèmes to promote this technology on a global scale.
Early life and education
Bernard was born in Hanoi, part of French Indochina at the time. His father worked as an engineer in the coal mining sector of northern Vietnam. After completing his primary education in Haiphong and Dalat, his family relocated to Paris in 1952. He pursued studies at Lycée Janson-de-Sailly before enrolling at the Institut Supérieur de l'Aéronautique et de l'Espace (Supaero) in 1965, where he specialized in aerospace engineering.
Upon finishing his military obligations, Bernard joined Dassault Aviation’s technical division led by Jean Cabrière. There, he contributed to the Advanced Design Department under Pierre Bohn, concentrating on theoretical aerodynamics and soon turning his efforts toward developing computer-aided design (CAD) and manufacturing (CAM) software solutions.
Early CAD initiatives at Dassault Aviation: From GEOVA to DRAPO (1967–1981)
Bernard initially created computational tools aimed at aerodynamic optimization for military aircraft such as the Alpha Jet and successors of the Mirage III, alongside civilian models like the Dassault Mercure and Dassault Falcon. Heading a team of five to six engineers, he crafted 3D CAD applications for accurately defining wind tunnel models and generating numerical control programs for machining structural components.
His principal endeavor was GEOVA (Génération et Exploitation par Ordinateur des Volumes d’Avions), which consolidated several software modules around a centralized database to avoid fragmented development. Between 1967 and 1977, Bernard enhanced GEOVA into an extensive 3D CAD platform that incorporated emerging technologies such as interactive graphic terminals and interfacing capabilities with computer numerical control (CNC) machinery.
These internally developed tools met specific, pressing demands within Dassault Aviation during a period dominated by mainframe computers and punched card inputs. The software required specialized expertise for operation, with Bernard’s team overseeing both development and execution while design departments submitted computational tasks.
The emergence of CATIA
Although 3D modeling was effective for wind tunnel models and surface refinement, design offices primarily relied on 2D methods throughout the 1970s. At that time, CAD systems were mainly designed for draftsmen. In 1974, Dassault Aviation acquired a license for CADAM ('Computer Augmented Design And Manufacturing'), Lockheed’s interactive drawing software intended to replace manual drafting boards. Francis Bernard developed interfaces linking GEOVA with CADAM and enhanced CADAM by adding 2.5D functionalities to support modeling and machining wing ribs and fuselage frames on 5-axis CNC machines. This combination of GEOVA’s 3D capabilities with CADAM’s 2.5D features was named DRAPO (Définition et Réalisation d’Avions par Ordinateur).
By 1977, aiming to resolve integration issues and enhance usability, Bernard spearheaded a full redevelopment of GEOVA. Backed by Jean Cabrière and Pierre Bohn, he crafted a new system architecture that unified all functions with interactive graphical interfaces accessible to non-experts. This initiative produced CATI (Computer-Aided Tridimensionnal Interactive application), which later evolved into CATIA (Computer-Aided Three-dimensional Interactive Application).
Establishment of Dassault Systèmes
Dassault Systèmes was created in 1981 to bring CATIA to market—a pioneering decision since no other aircraft manufacturer had openly sold its 3D design software. This move involved the risk of competitors gaining access to Dassault’s cutting-edge technology. Unlike Lockheed’s earlier promotion of CADAM’s 2D solutions, CATIA introduced a significant breakthrough in business innovation.
Initially staffed by fewer than 20 employees and serving only Dassault Aviation, Dassault Systèmes confronted strong American rivals such as CADAM, ComputerVision, and CALMA, all with larger teams. On the French front, Datavision offered the Euclid software, which expanded internationally before IBM acquired it in 2002. At inception, ownership was divided with Benno-Claude Vallières (CEO of Dassault Aviation) holding 10%, Charles Edelstenne (general secretary at Dassault Aviation) another 10%, and the Dassault family controlling the remaining 80%. Edelstenne assumed the role of board chairman while Bernard was appointed CEO.
Collaboration with IBM
From its inception, the alliance with IBM played a vital role in Dassault Systèmes' achievements. IBM was responsible for marketing CATIA, and gaining entry into IBM’s product catalogue demanded considerable effort. The qualification process began in 1980 amid intense competition. IBM sought a complementary product to CADAM, particularly focusing on 3D capabilities. Following extensive evaluation by IBM’s technical team at Dassault’s CADCAM center, CATIA was chosen over competitors from Northrop and Nissan.
To satisfy IBM’s criteria, Bernard and his team adapted CATIA’s interface and appearance to align with CADAM, already listed in IBM’s catalogue, ensuring cohesion and complementarity between products. This strategy eventually led Dassault Systèmes to acquire CADAM from IBM in 1991, two years after IBM had itself purchased it. In exchange, IBM acquired a 10% equity stake in Dassault Systèmes, which also became IBM’s exclusive partner for CAD/CAM solutions.
Expansion of the Company
During its inaugural year, Dassault Systèmes secured prominent clients such as Honda, Mercedes, BMW, SNECMA, and Grumman Aerospace. The support of IBM's sales network was crucial in winning over Boeing, following an extensive pre-sale campaign led by Bernard that highlighted the software’s business advantages.
The company experienced rapid growth, expanding from a workforce of 20 to over 500 within eight years. By its tenth anniversary in 1991, staff numbers exceeded 800, serving approximately 2,500 customers—comprising roughly 40% automotive clients, 30% aeronautics, and 30% other sectors—and by 1993 the customer base had grown to nearly 8,000 with subsidiaries established in both the U.S. and Japan.
CATIA consistently evolved to incorporate new features driven by customer requirements and advances in hardware and software integration while maintaining system coherence.
In 1988, Bernard launched Dassault Data Services (DDS) to penetrate the IT professional services sector. DDS concentrated on training programs, consulting services, and software integration closely linked to Dassault Systèmes’ offerings. Presently, Dassault Systèmes holds a 95% ownership stake in DDS.
Versioning of Software
Bernard implemented a product strategy centered on major releases supplemented by incremental updates, inspired by IBM’s methodology. This approach succeeded due to strong internal alignment, entrepreneurial agility, and confidence in technological leadership. CATIA’s principal innovation lay in its advanced 3D capabilities that outperformed CADAM. By 1984, drafting functions were integrated allowing independent use. CATIA V2 (1985) merged drafting with solid modeling and robotics features, becoming a leader in aeronautical applications. By 1988, Version 3 incorporated architecture/engineering/construction (AEC) functionalities and operated on IBM UNIX RS/6000 workstations, securing dominance within automotive industries.
- 1981: The initial CATIA Version 1 ran on MVS, providing tools for three-dimensional shape design, multi-axis machining processes, a CADAM interface, and kinematics modeling tailored for aircraft components.
- 1984: CATIA V2 expanded compatibility to VM systems while adding two-dimensional drawing capabilities, composite structure management, and features designed for automotive manufacturing.
- 1988: CATIA V3 introduced support for IBM UNIX workstations alongside MVS mainframes. The proliferation of workstations from vendors such as Sun and Hewlett Packard fueled demand. The debut of the Digital mockup (DMU) enhanced visualization of assemblies and evolved into a comprehensive company-wide repository that replaced physical prototypes during the 1990s.
- 1993: CATIA V4 achieved independence from reliance on IBM hardware by extending support to workstations from Hewlett Packard, Sun, and Silicon Graphics. This transition aligned Dassault Systèmes with industry trends favoring multi-platform compatibility. The introduction of parametric design enabled dynamic updates across dimensions in parts and drawings—transforming CAD functionality while responding to innovations like PTC’s Pro/Engineer software.
Retirement
By 1995, Dassault Systèmes had successfully adapted to significant technological transformations: throughout the 1980s and 1990s, computer hardware advanced considerably; industrial companies increasingly adopted workstations and local area networks, reducing reliance on mainframes. The firm expanded its product range across various sectors, incorporated multiple new features such as configuration management, and entered emerging markets including Russia, India, China, South Africa, Taiwan, Korea, Australia, and Israel. Concurrently, CATIA was undergoing a complete redevelopment (V5), while a strategic initiative to align with Microsoft platforms was in progress. With a workforce of 1,000 employees and subsidiaries established in the United States, Germany, and Japan, Dassault Systèmes reinforced its position as an industry frontrunner with the goal of deploying solutions on all industrial PCs. Between 1994 and 1995, the company experienced a 40% increase in net profit alongside a 10% growth in revenue.
After serving as CEO for 14 years, Bernard stepped down in 1995, transferring leadership to Bernard Charlès. Bernard’s engineering expertise evolved into a broad executive role encompassing development, marketing, sales, partnerships with IBM, human resources, and financial management. He anticipated the transformative potential of 3D technology early on and spearheaded the evolution of CATIA into a digital platform that revolutionized design and manufacturing processes.
Honours and distinctions
Bernard has been honored with several prestigious awards acknowledging his contributions to engineering and industry:
- General Nicolau Award (2003) from the International Academy for Production Engineering
- Grand Prize from the Academy of Air and Space (1997)
- Chaptal Prize (1998) awarded by the National Industry Incentive Society
- Aviation Week & Space Technology IT/Electronics Award (1998)
External links
- Dassault Systèmes history
- Dassault Systemes: The French success story in the software industry by Francis Bernard (2006)