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Dassault Systemes

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FY2018 Annual Report · Dassault Systemes
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NOUS
WE
ARE
SOMMES
THERE
LÀ

2018 
Financial report

CONTENTS

1

2

3

4

General 
Person Responsible 

Presentation of the Group 

1.1  Profile of Dassault Systèmes 

1.2  Financial Summary: A Long History 

of Sustainable Growth 

1.3  History 

1.4  Group Organization 

1.5  Business Activities 

1.6  Research and development 

1.7  Risk factors 

Social, societal and environmental 
responsibility 

2.1  Social responsibility 

2.2  Societal responsibility 

2.3  Environmental Responsibility 

2.4  Business Ethics and Vigilance Plan 

2.5   Reporting methodology 

2.6 

Independent Verifier’s Report on Consolidated Non-
financial Statement Presented in the Management 
Report 

2.7  Statutory Auditors’ Attestation on the information 
relating to the Dassault Systèmes SE’s total amount 
paid for sponsorship 

Financial review and prospects 

3.1  Operating and Financial Review 

3.2  Financial Objectives 

3.3 

Interim and Other Financial Information 

Financial statements 

4.1  Consolidated Financial Statements 

4.2  Parent company financial statements 

4.3  Legal and Arbitration Proceedings 

2
3

5

6

7

9

14

15

29

31

39

41

48

53

58

61

64

67

69

70

85

86

87

88

135

166

5

6

7

Corporate governance 

5.1  The Board’s Corporate Governance Report 

5.2 

Internal Control Procedures and Risk Management 

5.3  Transactions in Dassault Systèmes shares 
by the Management of the Company 

5.4  Statutory Auditors 

5.5  Declarations regarding the administrative Bodies 

and Senior Management 

167

168

203

207

210

210

Information about 
Dassault Systèmes SE, the share capital 
and the ownership structure 

211

6.1 

Information about Dassault Systèmes SE 

6.2 

Information about the Share Capital 

6.3 

Information about the Shareholders 

6.4  Stock Market Information 

General Meeting 

7.1  Presentation of the resolutions proposed by the 
Board of Directors to the General Meeting on 
May 23, 2019 

212

216

219

224

225

226

7.2  Text of the draft resolutions proposed by the Board 

of Directors to the General Meeting on May 23, 2019 

233

Cross-reference tables 

243

ANNUAL REPORT 2018
ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT

This document is an English-language translation of Dassault Systèmes’ Document de référence (Annual Report), which was filed with 
the AMF (French Financial Markets Authority) on March  26 , 2019, in accordance with Articles 212-13 of the AMF General Regulation.

Only the French version of the Document de référence is legally binding.

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018 1

GENERAL

This Annual Report also includes:

 › the annual financial report to be prepared and published by 
every listed company within four months of the end of its 
fiscal year, pursuant to Article L. 451-1-2 of the Monetary 
and Financial Code and Article 222-3 of the French Financial 
Markets Authority (“AMF”) General Regulation; and

 › the annual management report of Dassault Systèmes SE’s 
Board  of  Directors,  which  must  be  provided  to  the 
General  Meeting  of  Shareholders  approving  the  financial 
statements  for  each  completed  fiscal  year,  pursuant  to 
Articles L. 225-100 et seq. of the French Commercial Code.

The  index  set  forth  on  pages  243   and  244   provides  cross-
references to the relevant portions of these two reports.

All references to “euro” or to the symbol “€” refer to the legal 
currency of the French Republic and certain countries of the 
European Union. All references to the “U.S. dollar” or to the 
symbol “$” refer to the legal currency of the United States.

As  used  herein,  “Dassault  Systèmes”,  the  “Company”  or  the 
“Group” refers to Dassault Systèmes SE and all the companies 
included in the scope of consolidation.

“Dassault  Systèmes  SE”  refers  only  to  the  European  parent 
company of the Group, which is governed by French law.

In  compliance  with  Article  28  of  European  Regulation 
no. 809/2004 of the Commission, the following information 
is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report:

 › the consolidated financial statements on pages 108 to 147 
(inclusive),  the  parent  company  financial  statements  on 
pages 153 to 174 (inclusive), and the related audit reports 
on  pages  148  to  152  and  175  to  179  (inclusive)  of  the 
Annual Report (Document de référence) for the year 2017 
filed  with  the  AMF  on  March  21,  2018,  under  no.  D.18-
0157;

 › the financial information on pages 89 to 106 (inclusive) of 
the  Annual  Report  (Document de référence)  for  the  year 
2017  filed  with  the  AMF  on  March  21,  2018,  under  no. 
D.18-0157;

 › the consolidated financial statements on pages 92 to 130 
(inclusive),  the  parent  company  financial  statements  on 
pages 133 to 155 (inclusive), and the related audit reports on 
pages 131 to 132 and 156 to 159 (inclusive) of the Annual 
Report  (Document de référence)  for  the  year  2016  filed 
with the AMF on March 22, 2017, under no. D.17- 0207;

 › the  financial  information  on  pages  78  to  90  (inclusive)  of 
the  Annual  Report  (Document de référence)  for  the  year 
2016  filed  with  the  AMF  on  March  22,  2017,  under  no. 
D.17-0207.

The portions of these documents which are not incorporated 
herein  are  either  not  relevant  for  current  investors,  or  are 
covered in another section of this Annual Report.

2 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

PERSON RESPONSIBLE

Person Responsible for the Annual Report

Bernard Charlès – Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Certification by the Person Responsible 
for the Annual Report

I have received a completion letter (lettre de fin de travaux) from 
the  auditors  stating  that  they  have  verified  the  information 
regarding the financial situation and the financial statements 
included  in  this  Annual  Report  and  that  they  have  read  this 
document in its entirety. 

Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Bernard Charlès

Vélizy-Villacoublay, March 26 , 2019.

I  hereby  certify,  after  having  taken  all  reasonable  measures 
for this purpose, that the information contained in this Annual 
Report  (Document  de  référence)  is,  to  my  knowledge,  in 
accordance  with  the  facts  and  that  no  information  liable  to 
affect its significance has been omitted.

I  certify  that,  to  my  knowledge,  the  financial  statements 
have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting 
standards  and  give  a  faithful  representation  of  the  assets, 
financial  situation  and  results  of  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  and 
all the companies included in the scope of consolidation, and 
that the “management report”, the content of which is cross-
referenced  in  a  table  at  page  244 ,  included  in  this  Annual 
Report,  presents  a  faithful  representation  of  the  business 
trends, results and financial situation of Dassault Systèmes SE 
and all the companies included in the scope of consolidation 
as well as a description of the principal risks and uncertainties 
which they face.

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018 3

4 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

1

PRESENTATION 
OF THE GROUP

CONTENTS

1.1  Profile of Dassault Systèmes 

6

1.5  Business Activities 

1.2  Financial Summary: A Long 

History of Sustainable Growth 

1.3  History 

1.3.1  History and Development of the Company 

1.3.2  Investments 

1.4  Group Organization 

1.4.1  Dassault Systèmes SE’s Position within the Group 

1.4.2  Principal Subsidiaries of the Company 

7

9

9

12

14

14

14

1.5.1  Dassault Systèmes 

1.5.2  Dassault Systèmes’ Offering 

1.5.3  Material Contracts 

1.6  Research and development 

1.6.1  Overview 

1.6.2  Intellectual Property 

1.7  Risk factors 

1.7.1  Risks Related to the Company’s Business 

1.7.2  Financial and Market Risks 

1.7.3  Insurance 

15

15

19

28

29

29

30

31

31

37

38

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

5

1 Presentation of the Group

Profi le of Dassault Systèmes

1.1  Profile of Dassault Systèmes

Company profile

The purpose of Dassault Systèmes  is to provide business and people with 3DEXPERIENCE universes to imagine sustainable 
innovations capable of harmonizing product, nature and life.

We are a global leader in sustainable innovation. We provide 
a digital experience platform that allows customers to create 
innovative new products and services, and ultimately address 
the major challenges facing the world today: cities for people; 
energy and resources for the long term; food and personalized 
healthcare;  how  to  supply  and  produce;  and  inspirational 
education and research. We believe that there is a new world 
to  imagine,  create  and  build  by  combining  science,  art  and 
technology.  This  led  us,  in  2012,  to  define  our  new  horizon 
which we call 3DEXPERIENCE.

Indeed, achieving a more sustainable future is only possible 
by  leveraging  the  virtual  world.  At  Dassault  Systèmes  we 
believe  that  virtual  worlds  extend  and  improve  the  real 
world.

The  solutions  of  Dassault  Systèmes  transform  the  way 
products  are  designed,  simulated,  produced,  marketed  and 
supported,  leveraging  the  virtual  world  to  improve  the  real 
world.  Dassault  Systèmes  has  been  transforming  the  world 
of  industry  since  1981 .  We  have  helped  industrials  disrupt 
how  products  are  designed  and  made,  and  rethink  their 

6 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

1

1

Presentation of the Group
Financial Summary: A Long History of Sustainable Growth

whole  creation  and  production  systems  -  with  3D  design, 
with  3D  digital  mock-up  (DMU),  with  3D  Product  Lifecycle 
Management (PLM) and now with 3DEXPERIENCE.

We  want  to  be  the  catalyst  and  enabler  of  the  real  Industry 
Renaissance of the 21st century. Combining the real and the 
virtual  leads  to  new  ways  of  seeing  the  world,  of  inventing, 
learning, producing and doing business.

Our purpose is at the core of who we are and why people are 
joining Dassault Systèmes.

Dassault  Systèmes  is  a  science-based,  innovation-driven, 
long-term-oriented  company.  The 
business-minded  and 
Group’s  17,000  employees  and  contractors  are  driven  by 
this ambition. This also translates into a high level of market 
confidence and trust among our 250,000 enterprise customers 
in more than 140 countries. We are a European company with 
a global presence and market reach.

To  fulfill  this  ambition,  our  strategy  is  to  focus  on  Social 
Industry  Experiences.  These  three  words  encapsulate  the 
conditions to create sustainable innovations.

Social  is  about  collaborative  innovation  and  bringing  3D  to 
consumers.  It  is  centered  on  online,  mobile  and  ease  of  use. 
Industry  is  about  offering  what  customers  value  the  most, 
that is to say creating the knowledge and know-how needed 
to  match  closely  the  needs  of  the  industries  we  address. 
Experiences  is  about  enabling  businesses  to  move  from 
product to experience.

We roll out our strategy by calling on our Strategic Operational 
Elements: Brands, Industries, Channels & Geos.

Dassault Systèmes’ Brands create great user experiences and 
build vibrant user communities. Our Industries develop Solution 

Experiences, industry-focused offerings which deliver specific 
value to companies and users in a particular industry. And our 
distribution system fosters customer and partner experiences. 
It is comprised  of twelve  Geos and three  Channels: one direct 
channel, Business Transformation, and two indirect channels - 
Value Solutions and Professional Solutions.

What  we  sell  is  Dassault  Systèmes’  3DEXPERIENCE,  it  is 
a  business  experience  platform.  It  catalyzes  and  enables 
innovation  by  allowing  businesses  to  connect  the  dots 
within and outside a company, from upstream thinking, to 
design,  engineering,  manufacturing,  sales  &  marketing  all 
the way to ownership.

The  3DEXPERIENCE  platform  is  a  game-changer  in  added 
value creation for organizations because it is the only platform 
that’s both a system of operations to run their business and 
a business model to transform their business. As a system of 
operations,  the  3DEXPERIENCE  platform  enables  businesses 
to  improve  their  operational  excellence  by  providing  digital 
continuity from the idea of a new product or rather of a new 
experience  through  its  design,  its  simulation,  through  the 
project management that drives to the market delivery on time 
and  within  budget  and  ultimately  through  sales,  ownership 
and usage support. As a business model, it allows businesses 
to  set  up  the  most  innovative  value  networks  to  deliver  the 
sustainable business outcome they expect.

The  3DEXPERIENCE  platform  is  structured  in  four   quadrants 
encompassing  our  twelve  b rands.  Our  3DEXPERIENCE 
portfolio is comprised of 3D modeling applications, simulation 
applications  creating  virtual  twins  of  products  or  production 
systems, social and collaborative applications, and information 
intelligence applications.

1.2  Financial Summary: A Long History 

of Sustainable Growth

Sustaining Growth over the Long-term

We  have  established  a  long  history  of  sustainable  growth  in 
our total revenues thanks to a financial model with a strong 
focus on recurring software revenue, which represented over 
70% of our total software revenue during 2018.

Since  our  initial  public  offering  in  1996,  we  have  seen  an 
acceleration in “time to next billion-euros revenue” milestone, 
reaching our first billion in 2006, crossing our second billion 

in 6 years in 2012 and our third billion in 2016, a timeframe 
of four years. 

Our Five-year Financial Summary

We  have  provided  below  summary  income  statement  and 
balance  sheet  information  for  the  most  recent  five  years. 
The selected financial information set forth in the table below 
has been prepared in accordance with International Financial 

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

7

1 Presentation of the Group

Financial Summary: A Long History of Sustainable Growth

Reporting  Standards  (“IFRS”)  as  adopted  in  the  European 
Union, unless otherwise indicated.

A financial review including a comparison of 2018 and 2017 
can be found in Chapter 3, “Financial Review and Prospects”.

Income statements and dividends

(in millions of euros, except percentages and per share data)

Total revenue

Software revenue

Operating income

As a percentage of total revenue

Net income attributable to equity holders of the 
Company

Diluted net income per share(1)

Dividend per share(1)

Dividend per share growth

2018

€3,477.4

3,081.8

768.2

22.1%

569.4

€2.18

€0.65(2)

12.1%

Year ended December 31,

2017(3)

€3,228.0

2,869.3

729.0

22.6%

519.4

€2.01

€0.58

9.4%

2016(3)

€3,055.6

2,694.7

672.0

22.0%

447.2

€1.74

€0.53

12.8%

2015(3)

€2,839.5

2,502.8

633.2

22.3%

402.2

€1.57

€0.47

9.3%

2014(3)

€2,294.3

2,035.0

430.8

18.8%

291.3

€1.14

€0.43

2.4%

(1)  All historical per share data reflects the two-for-one stock split effected in July 2014.
(2)  To be proposed for approval at the General Meeting of Shareholders scheduled for May 23, 2019.
(3)  We adopted IFRS 15 effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method (also called the cumulative effect method). Under this method, the transition 
effect is accounted for within the consolidated equity at the date of initial application, i.e. January 1, 2018, without any adjustment to the prior year comparative information.
See reconciliation between IFRS15 and IAS18 for 2018 in note 2 to consolidated financial statements.

Supplemental non-IFRS financial information
Readers  are  cautioned  that  the  supplemental  non-IFRS 
financial  information  presented  below  is  subject  to  inherent 
limitations.  It  is  not  based  on  any  comprehensive  set  of 
accounting  rules  or  principles  and  should  not  be  considered 
in  isolation  from  or  as  a  substitute  for  IFRS  measurements. 
The  supplemental  non-IFRS  financial  information  should  be 
read  only  in  conjunction  with  the  Company’s  consolidated 

financial  statements  prepared 
in  accordance  with  IFRS. 
Furthermore, the supplemental non-IFRS financial information 
may not be comparable to similarly titled adjusted measures 
used by other companies. For a reconciliation of this non-IFRS 
financial  information  with  the  Company’s  audited  financial 
statements,  see  paragraph  3.1.1.2  “Supplemental  Non-IFRS 
Financial Information”.

Year ended December 31,

(in millions of euros, except percentages and per share data)

2018

2017(1)

Total revenue

Software revenue

Operating income

As a percentage of total revenue

Net income attributable to equity holders 
of the Company

Diluted net income per share(2)

€3,491.1

€3,242.0

3,093.9

1,112.5

31.9%

812.5

€3.12

2,883.2

1,037.1

32.0%

692.9

€2.68

2016(1)

€3,065.6

2,704.3

957.7

31.2%

640.3

€2.49

2015(1)

€2,876.7

2,537.9

884.9

30.8%

576.6

€2.25

2014(1)

€2,346.7

2,078.6

699.2

29.8%

465.5

€1.82

(1)  The Group has initially applied IFRS 15 at January 1st,2018. In accordance with the transition method chosen, comparative information is not restated.
(2)  All historical per share data reflects the two-for-one stock split effected in July 2014.

8 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Presentation of the Group
History

1

Balance sheets and net cash provided by operating activities

(in millions of euros)

ASSETS

Year ended December 31,

2018

2017(1)

2016(1)

2015(1)

2014(1) (2)

1

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

€2,809.9

€2,460.7

€2,492.8

€2,351.3

€1,175.5

Trade accounts receivable, net

Other assets

TOTAL ASSETS

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Contract liabilities

Borrowings

Other liabilities

Parent shareholders’ equity

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

1,044.1

4,120.0

7,974.0

907.5

1,000.0

1,504.6

4,561.9

895.9

3,673.2

7,029.8

876.4

1,000.0

1,159.2

3,994.2

820.4

3,629.9

6,943.1

853.1

1,000.0

1,229.8

3,860.2

739.1

3,221.0

6,311.4

778.0

1,000.0

1,064.9

3,468.5

627.7

3,159.2

4,962.4

636.8

360.1

1,022.0

2,943.5

€7,974.0

€7,029.8

€6,943.1

€6,311.4

€4,962.4

(1)  The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 has been restated to reflect the finalized purchase price allocation for prior year business combinations.
(2)   The Group has initially applied IFRS 15 at 1 January 2018. In accordance with the transition method chosen, comparative information is not restated.

(in millions of euros)

Net cash provided by operating activities

2018

€898.6

2017

€745.0

2016

€621.7

2015

€633.3

2014

€499.5

Year ended December 31,

1.3  History

1.3.1  History and Development of the Company

1.3.1.1 

Summary

Dassault Systèmes was established in 1981 through the spin 
off of a small team of engineers from Dassault Aviation, which 
was  developing  software  to  design  wind  tunnel  models  and 
therefore reduce the cycle time for wind tunnel testing, using 
surfacing  modeling  in  three  dimensions  (“3D”).  We  entered 
into  a  distribution  agreement  with  IBM  the  same  year  and 
started to sell our software under the CATIA brand. With the 
introduction  of  its  Version  3  (“V3”)  architecture  in  1986, 
the  foundations  of  3D  modeling  for  product  design  were 
established.

Through our work with large industrial customers, we learned 
how  important  it  was  for  them  to  have  a  software  solution 
that  would  support  the  design  of  highly  diversified  parts  in 
3D.  The  growing  adoption  of  3D  design  for  all  components 

of  complex  products,  such  as  airplanes  and  cars,  triggered 
the  vision  for  transforming  the  3D  part  design  process 
into  a  systematic  integrated  product  design.  The  Version  4 
(“V4”) architecture was created, opening new possibilities to 
realize full digital mock ups (“DMU”) of any product. The V4 
architected  software  solutions  helped  customers  reduce  the 
number of physical prototypes and realize substantial savings 
in  product  development  cycle  times,  and  it  made  global 
engineering  possible  as  engineers  were  able  to  share  their 
ongoing work across the globe virtually.

In order to fulfill the mission to provide a robust 3D Product 
Lifecycle Management (“PLM”) solution supporting the entire 
product lifecycle from virtual design to virtual manufacturing, 
we developed and introduced our next software architecture in 
1999, Version 5 (“V5”). In conjunction with our strategy and 
product  portfolio  development  plans,  we  undertook  a  series 

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

9

1 Presentation of the Group

History

of  targeted  acquisitions  expanding  our  software  applications 
portfolio  offering  to  include  digital  manufacturing,  realistic 
simulation, product data management and enterprise business 
process collaboration.

Building upon our work in 3D, 3D DMU, and 3D PLM, and in 
conjunction  with  the  evolution  we  began  to  see  among  our 
clients  in  different  industry  verticals,  we  unveiled  in  2012 
our  next  horizon,  3DEXPERIENCE,  designed  to  support  our 
customers  in  their  innovation  processes  to  deliver  truly  new 
and rewarding experiences for their end users.

1.3.1.2  Our Summary Timeline

3D Design and 3D Digital mock-up
 (cid:96) 1981  –  Creation  of  Dassault  Systèmes  to  design  products 
in  3D  through  the  spin-off  of  a  team  of  engineers  from 
Dassault Aviation;

 (cid:96) 1981 – The Company’s flagship brand, CATIA, is launched;

 (cid:96) 1981 – Worldwide marketing, sales and support agreement 

with IBM, beginning of a long-standing partnership;

 (cid:96) 1981 – Initial industry focus: automotive and aerospace;

 (cid:96) 1986 – V3 software introduced for 3D Design;

 (cid:96) 1994 – V4 architecture introduced offering a new technology 
enabling the full 3D Digital Mock-Up (“DMU”) of a product, 
enabling  customers  to  significantly  reduce  the  number  of 
physical prototypes and to have a complete understanding 
of the virtual product;

 (cid:96) 1994 – Expansion of the Company’s industry focus to seven 
industries,  adding  fabrication  and  assembly,  consumer 
goods, high-tech, shipbuilding and energy;

 (cid:96) 1996 – Initial public offering in June;

 (cid:96) 1997 – Broadening of our 3D Design offer to the entry 3D 
market,  with  the  acquisition  of  the  start-up  SOLIDWORKS, 
with Windows-native architecture, targeting principally the 
2D to 3D market migration opportunity;

 (cid:96) 1997 – Formation of the Company’s Professional channel, 
focused on marketing, sales and support of SOLIDWORKS;

 (cid:96) 1998 – Creation of the ENOVIA brand, focused initially on 
management  of  CATIA  product  data  for  larger  clients  with 
the acquisition of IBM’s Product Manager software.

Expanding to 3D product lifecycle management
 (cid:96) 1999  –  Launch  of  V5  architecture  designed  for  both 

Windows NT and UNIX environments;

 (cid:96) 1999  –  Unveiling  an  expanded  addressable  market  vision: 
3D  Product  Lifecycle  Management  (PLM)  for  3D  design, 
simulation analysis, digital manufacturing and product data 
management;

10 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

 (cid:96) 1999  –  ENOVIA’s  portfolio  expanded  to  product  data 
management  for  the  small  and  mid-sized  companies 
(“SMB”) market with the SmarTeam acquisition;

 (cid:96) 2000  –  Creation  of  the  DELMIA  brand,  initially  addressing 
the digital manufacturing domain (digital process planning, 
robotic simulation and human modeling technology);

 (cid:96) 2005  –  Creation  of  the  SIMULIA  brand,  addressing 
realistic  simulation,  representing  a  significant  expansion 
of  the  Company’s  simulation  capabilities,  leveraging  the 
acquisition of Abaqus;

 (cid:96) 2005  –  Creation  of  the  Company’s  Value  Solutions  sales 
channel,  an 
indirect  channel  specifically  focused  on 
supporting  SMB  companies,  including  suppliers  to  OEMs. 
The Value Solutions channel becomes the Company’s second 
indirect  channel,  complementing  our  Professional  channel 
which is focused on SOLIDWORKS users.

 (cid:96) 2006  –  Expansion  of  the  ENOVIA  portfolio  with  the 
acquisition  of  MatrixOne,  a  global  provider  of  collaborative 
PDM software and services;

 (cid:96) 2007  –  Amendment  of  the  IBM  partnership  agreement, 
outlining  the  Company’s  progressive  assumption  of  full 
responsibility for the Value Solutions channel;

 (cid:96) 2007 – Creation of the 3DVIA brand, to bring 3D technology 
to new users to imagine, communicate and experience in 3D;

 (cid:96) 2007  –  CATIA  offer  extended  with  ICEM  acquisition,  a 
company  well-known  in  the  automotive  industry  for  its 
styling  and  high-quality  surface  modeling  and  rendering 
solutions;

 (cid:96) 2008 – Unveiling of the Company’s V6 architecture;

 (cid:96) 2010  –  We  acquired  full  control  of  our  distribution  sales 
channels with the acquisition of IBM PLM, the IBM business 
unit dedicated exclusively to the marketing, sale and support 
of  the  Company’s    CATIA,  ENOVIA  and  DELMIA  brands 
principally  ;

 (cid:96) 2010 – Acquisition of EXALEAD, as part of long-term objective 

around data analytics with search-based applications;

 (cid:96) 2011  –  DELMIA’s  offering  expands  with  the  acquisition 
of 
Intercim,  offering  manufacturing  and  production 
management  software  for  advanced  and  highly  regulated 
industries;

 (cid:96) 2011 – 100% of the Company’s total revenues are derived 
from  its  wholly-directed  three  sales  channels,  completing 
the transition from IBM begun in 2005.

EXPANDING TO 3DEXPERIENCE
 (cid:96) 2012  –  Expansion  of 

to 
3DEXPERIENCE  and  expansion  of  the  Company’s  purpose. 
See paragraph 1.5.1.1 “Our Purpose”;

the  Company’s  strategy 

 (cid:96) 2012  –  Creation  of  a  new  brand,  GEOVIA,  dedicated 
to  model  the  planet,  focus  on  a  new  industrial  sector, 
Natural  Resources,  with  the  acquisition  of  Gemcom  in  the 
mining sector;

 (cid:96) 2012  –  Acquisitions  of  Netvibes,  bringing 

intelligent 
dashboarding  capabilities,  and  SquareClock,  providing 
cloud-based 3D space planning solutions;

 (cid:96) 2012  –  3DEXPERIENCE 

launch  announcement  and 
introduction  of  the  Company’s  first  Industry  Solution 
Experiences;

 (cid:96) 2013  –  Unveiling  of  V6  Release  2014,  available  to  select 
customers,  on  premise  as  well  as  Software  as  a  Service 
(SaaS),  featuring  the  controlled  availability  of  existing  and 
new 
industry-focused  and  user-focused  offerings  and 
the  introduction  of  a  new  navigational  user  interface,  the 
3DEXPERIENCE platform;

 (cid:96) 2013  –  Broadening  of  the  Company’s  manufacturing 
offerings  to  Manufacturing  Operations  Management  with 
the acquisition of Apriso;

 (cid:96) 2014  –  Introduction  of  3DEXPERIENCE  R2014x,  the  first 
release  of  the  Company’s  new  3DEXPERIENCE  platform, 
offering  end-to-end  and  integrated  scientific,  engineering, 
manufacturing and business capabilities and services, with 
the V6 architecture as its foundation;

 (cid:96) 2014  –  Creation  of  a  new  brand,  3DEXCITE,  with  the 
acquisition  of  Realtime  Technology  AG  (“RTT”)  providing 
professional high-end 3D visualization software, marketing 
solutions  and  computer  generated  imagery  services  to 
extend the Company’s offerings to marketing professionals;

 (cid:96) 2014  –  Creation  of  a  new  brand,  BIOVIA,  addressing 
combining 
the  Company’s 

science- based 
the  acquisition  of  Accelrys  and 
internal developments;

principally, 

industries 

 (cid:96) 2014  –  Quintiq  acquisition  in  operations  planning  and 

optimization;

 (cid:96) 2015  –  Introduction  of  3DEXPERIENCE  R2015x,  offering 
a  simplified  and  improved  user  experience,  with  powerful 
enhancements  that  significantly  increase  productivity  on 
premise  as  well  as  on  public  or  private  cloud.  In  addition, 
R2015x introduces groupings of applications called “roles”, 
to cover industry-specific user needs;

 (cid:96) 2015  –  Legal  transformation  of  Dassault  Systèmes  from 
a  French  public  limited  company  (société anonyme)  to  a 
European  company  (Societas Europaea,  SE).  The  adoption 
of  the  status  of  European  company  well  reflected  the 
international  dimension  of  the  Company  and  its  growing 
presence throughout Europe;

Presentation of the Group
History

1

1

 (cid:96) 2015  –  CATIA’s  capabilities  were  expanded  to  further 
enhance  its  coverage  of  complex  mechatronics  systems 
engineering,  with  the  acquisition  of  Modelon  GmbH, 
an  expert  in  “ready-to-experience”  content  for  systems 
modeling  and  simulation  which  are  strategic  to  transform 
the Transportation & Mobility industry;

 (cid:96) 2016 – 3DEXPERIENCE 2016x general availability;

 (cid:96) 2016  –  Extension  of  SIMULIA’s  multi-physics,  multi-scale 
offer  with  the  acquisition  of  CST,  a  technology  leader  in 
electromagnetic simulation, and the addition of Next Limit 
in  computational  fluid 
Dynamics,  bringing  capabilities 
dynamics simulation;

 (cid:96) 2016  –  Expansion  of 

the  Company’s  DELMIA’s 
manufacturing  portfolio  with  the  acquisition  of  Ortems, 
focused on production planning and scheduling;

 (cid:96) 2016  –  Acquisition  of  full  ownership  of  3D  PLM  Software 
Solutions  Ltd  (3DPLM),  our  joint  venture  in  India  with 
Geometric Ltd;

 (cid:96) 2017 – We entered into a new, extended partnership with The 
Boeing Corporation. Boeing will expand its deployment of our 
products  across  its  commercial  aircraft,  space  and  defense 
programs.  Boeing  will  be  adopting  Dassault  Systèmes’ 
3DEXPERIENCE  platform  for  Manufacturing  Operations 
Management  and  for  Product  Lifecycle  Management  and 
extending  its  usage  of  our  design,   engineering  simulation  
and digital manufacturing software;

 (cid:96) 2017  –  Extension  of  our  simulation  capabilities  with  the 
acquisition of Exa Corporation for highly dynamic fluid flow 
analysis,  a  complex  simulation  critical  to  designers  and 
engineers  at  more  than  150  leading  companies  including 
Transportation  and  Mobility,  as  well  as  Aerospace  and 
Defense, Natural Resources, and other industries to evaluate 
highly dynamic fluid flow throughout the design process;

 (cid:96) 2017 – Extension of CATIA’s Marine and Offshore industry 
capabilities  with  the  acquisition  of  AITAC  B.V.,  where  its 
“Smart Drawings” software application is used to automate 
the creation of drawings;

 (cid:96) 2017  –  Strengthening  the  management  of  our  cloud 
resources and services, increasing our interest in Outscale to 
a majority stake, a global provider of enterprise-class cloud 
services.  Founded  in  France  in  2010,  Outscale  is  an  ISO/
IEC  27001:2013  security  certified  company  that  provides 
enterprise-class  cloud  computing  infrastructure  services 
(IaaS) to customers through its ten data centers in Europe, 
North  America  and  Asia.  With  this  investment,  Dassault 
Systèmes is now able to adjust and control its cloud resources 
and  services  to  manage  peaks  in  activity,  further  diversify 
its  industry  segments,  deploy  new  features,  and  provide 
advanced on premise, private and hybrid cloud solutions for 
its customers;

 (cid:96) 2018 – Power’By launch as part of 3DEXPERIENCE R2018x 
introduction  of  the  3DEXPERIENCE  Marketplace. 
and 
The objective of Power’By is to enable all customers to benefit 

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

11

1 Presentation of the Group

History

from  the  3DEXPERIENCE  platform’s  value  immediately 
without  any  need  for  migration  of  legacy  data.  There  are 
three levels: to enable social collaboration; to leverage hybrid 
data for product configuration and bill of materials; or to use 
the full capabilities of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform;

 (cid:96) 2018  –  Acquisition  of  majority  ownership  of  Centric 
Software, a privately-owned company present in the domain 
of  PLM  for  the  fashion,  apparel,  luxury  and  retail  sectors. 
With this investment, Dassault Systèmes aims to accelerate 
the  digital  transformation  of  companies  seeking  solutions 
for the increasingly complex development of collections that 
respond to on-trend and on-demand consumers;

 (cid:96) 2018 – Acquisition of No Magic, a global solutions company 
focused on model-based systems engineering, architecture 
modeling  for  software,  system  of  systems  and  enterprise 
business  processes  modeling.  No  Magic’s  solutions 
performance  will  be  enhanced  with  Dassault  Systèmes 

3DEXPERIENCE  platform,  complementing  and  reinforcing 
CATIA  applications.  This  will  provide  a  “single  source  of 
truth”  allowing  any  user  within  a  company  to  implement 
continuous 3D digital processes and to address all lifecycle 
aspects  of  an  experience,  from  requirements,  system  of 
systems  architecture  models,  systems  and  sub-systems 
architecture  to  functional,  conceptual,  logical  and  physical 
3D modeling simulations;

 (cid:96) 2019 – Acquisition of IQMS, a leading manufacturing ERP 
software company. With the acquisition of California- based 
IQMS,  Dassault  Systèmes  extends  the  3DEXPERIENCE 
platform  to  small  and  midsized  manufacturing  companies 
seeking  to  digitally  transform  their  business  operations. 
IQMS  provides  all-in-one  solution  to  optimize  engineering, 
manufacturing and business processes.

For  further  information  on  acquisitions  over  the  last  three 
years, see paragraph 1.3.2 “Investments” below.

1.3.2 

Investments

1.3.2.1  Overview

Dassault Systèmes has had a long-standing leadership position 
in  its  industry  thanks  to  its  ability  to  define  and  create  new 
markets.  Underpinning  this  market  leadership  has  been  the 
Company’s clear and strong commitment to technological and 
business innovation.

Our  investments,  both  through  expenditures  internally  in 
research  and  development  and  through  acquisitions,  are 
closely  aligned  with  our  strategic  roadmap  and  are  the 
principal driver of our product innovations and enhancements.

Our  research  and  development  expenses  totaled  €631.1 
million and €576.6 million, for 2018 and 2017, respectively. 
We continue to evaluate external investments, complementing 
and  extending  the  business  value  we  bring  to  industries, 
clients and users we have. In that regard, acquisitions, net of 
cash  acquired,  and  non-controlling  interests  totaled  €353.1 
million in 2018 and €375.7 million in 2017.

Reflecting our Purpose and Social Industry Experiences strategy 
we  are  growing  our  addressable  market  along  multiple  axes: 
(i) broadening our offer to cover the key disciplines of clients, 
from  upstream  consumer  insights  to  design,  engineering, 
simulation  and  manufacturing,  to  business  planning  and 
operations and point of sales and end- consumer experiences; 
(ii)  expanding  our  market  coverage  to  address  industries 
focused  on  the  interaction  of  geosphere  and  biosphere  and 
(iii)  extending  the  power  of  3D  to  people  with  3D  for  All 
initiatives bringing 3D to consumers in an easy manner with 

our  Homebyme  solution  thanks  to  artificial  intelligence  and 
new  advanced  mobile  technologies.  With  our  Homebyme 
solution,  consumers  all  over  the  world  can  imagine,  easily 
create and place furniture in rooms, and experience them in a 
virtual reality experience on mobile devices.

For further information, see paragraphs 1.5.1.1 “Our Purpose”, 
1.5.1.2  “Our  Strategy :  Social  Industry  Experiences”   and 
1.5.1.3  “Strategic Operational Elements ” .

1.3.2.2  Acquisitions in 2017 and 2018

The  principal  acquisitions  over  the  last  two  years  expanded 
our  offer  in  manufacturing  ERP  for  small  to  mid-sized 
companies,  systems  engineering  and  next  generation  fluids 
flow simulation.

 › Integrated Manufacturing ERP Solution: On December 11, 
2018,  we  announced  the  signature  of  an  agreement  to 
acquire IQMS, a California based manufacturing ERP software 
company,  for  $425  million  to  extend  the  3DEXPERIENCE 
platform  to  small  and  midsized  manufacturing  companies 
seeking  to  digitally  transform  their  business  operations. 
IQMS’s  software  –  on  premise  EnterpriseIQ  and  software 
as  a  service  WebIQ  –  deliver  an  all-in-one  solution  to 
mid-market  manufacturers  for  managing  engineering, 
manufacturing  and  business  ecosystems  by  digitally 
connecting  order  processing,  scheduling,  production  and 
shipping processes in real time. IQMS’s solutions are used 
by a thousand customers based primarily in the U.S. whose 

12 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Presentation of the Group
History

1

1

2,000  manufacturing  facilities  in  20  countries  produce 
for  the  automotive,  industrial  equipment,  medical  device, 
consumer goods, and consumer packaged goods industries. 
The acquisition was completed on January 3, 2019.

 › Model-based Systems Engineering: On June 20, 2018 we 
announced  the acquisition of No Magic, a global solutions 
company  focused  on  model-based  systems  engineering, 
architecture  modeling  for  software,  system  of  systems 
and  enterprise  business  processes  modeling.  No  Magic  is 
headquartered  in  Allen,  Texas  and  has  offices  in  Lithuania 
and  Thailand.  While  providing  continuity  for  No  Magic’s 
customers,  Dassault  Systèmes  will  empower  No  Magic’s 
solutions with its 3DEXPERIENCE platform, complementing 
and  reinforcing  CATIA  applications.  This  will  provide 
a  “single  source  of  truth”  allowing  any  user  within  a 
company  to  implement  continuous  3D  digital  processes 
and  to  address  all  lifecycle  aspects  of  an  experience,  from 
requirements,  system  of  systems  architecture  models, 
systems  and  sub-systems  architecture  to  functional, 
conceptual,  logical  and  physical  3D  modeling  simulations. 
Enterprise  customers,  small  companies  and  professionals 
in the Aerospace & Defense (NASA/JPL, Boeing, Lockheed 
Martin),  Transportation  &  Mobility  (Ford,  Renault,  Honda, 
BMW, Nissan), and other industries (Sony, Panasonic, John 
Deere, GE Healthcare, Pfizer, J.P. Morgan, PayPal) rely on No 
Magic’s solutions.

 › PLM  Software:  On  July  24,  2018  we  acquired  a  majority 
stake  in  Centric  Software,  an  industry  market  leader 
present  in  the  fashion,  apparel,  luxury  and  retail  sectors. 
With this investment, Dassault Systèmes aims to accelerate 
the  digital  transformation  of  companies  seeking  solutions 
for  the  increasingly  complex  development  of  collections 
that  respond  to  on-trend  and  on-demand  consumers. 
Headquartered in California’s Silicon Valley and with offices 

in  thirteen   countries,  Centric  Software  provides  product 
lifecycle management software solutions to more than 600 
globally-recognized brands including ASICS, Bass Pro, Belle 
China, Bestseller, Etam, Kate Spade, Loblaws, Louis Vuitton, 
Michael  Kors,  Samsonite,  Ted  Baker,  Tommy  Hilfiger 
and others.

 › Next Generation Fluids Flows Simulation: On November 17, 
2017,  we  completed  the  acquisition  of  Exa  Corporation 
(NASDAQ:  EXA)  based 
in  Burlington,  Massachusetts, 
a  global  innovator  in  simulation  software  for  product 
engineering representing a fully diluted equity value for Exa 
of  approximately  €344  million.  With  the  addition  of  Exa, 
Dassault  Systèmes’  3DEXPERIENCE  platform  will  provide 
customers  with  a  proven,  diverse  portfolio  of  combined 
Lattice Boltzmann fluid simulation technologies, as well as 
Exa’s  fully  industrialized  solutions  and  nearly  350  highly 
experienced  simulation  professionals.  Exa’s  software 
is  used  by  designers  and  engineers  at  more  than  150 
leading  companies  in    Transportation  and  Mobility,  as  well 
as  Aerospace  and  Defense,  Natural  Resources,  and  other  
industries to evaluate highly dynamic fluid flow throughout 
the design  process.

Our  principal  acquisitions  with  an  individual  purchase  price 
greater than €100 million over the last three years include:

Acquisition

IQMS

Centric Software (majority 
ownership acquired)

Exa Corporation

CST Corporation

Year

2019

2018

2017

2016

Purchase Price

€377 million

€228 million

€344 million

€295 million

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

13

1 Presentation of the Group

Group Organization

1.4  Group Organization

1.4.1  Dassault Systèmes SE’s Position within the Group

integrated 

Dassault  Systèmes  SE,  the  Group’s  parent  company,  fulfills 
several  roles:  first,  it  is  one  of  the  Group’s  largest  operating 
companies  and  one  of  its  principal  R&D  centers,  responsible 
for  the  development  of  a  number  of  the  Group’s  software 
the  3DEXPERIENCE  platform. 
solutions 
Dassault  Systèmes  SE  also  operates  as  a  holding  company 
as it owns directly or indirectly all the companies that make 
up  the  Group.  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  plays  a  centralizing 
role,  defining  the  Group’s  overall  strategy  and  the  means 
for  its  deployment,  as  well  as  the  marketing  and  sales 
policy  through  the  Group’s  three  sales  channels  (described 

in 

in  paragraph  1.5.2.4  “Sales  and  Marketing”).  The  parent 
company  manages  cash  for  subsidiaries  whose  currency  is 
the euro, and provides support to the Group for a number of 
activities, including finance, communication, marketing, legal 
affairs  (including  management  and  protection  of  IP),  human 
resources and IT, and pools certain costs for its subsidiaries.

Dassault  Systèmes  SE  receives  dividends  paid  by 
its 
subsidiaries.  Additionally,  the  costs  of  providing  centralized 
services  are  charged  back  to  the  respective  subsidiaries 
benefiting  from  support  services  and  cost  pooling,  and  it 
receives royalties related to the IP it holds.

1.4.2  Principal Subsidiaries of the Company

At  December  31,  2018,  the  Company  included  Dassault 
Systèmes  SE  and  111  operational  subsidiaries,  as  compared 
to 115 operational subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017. The 

decrease was due principally to the effort of the Company to 
simplify  the  organization  of  its  legal  entities  throughout  the 
world, partly offset by 2018 acquisition effects.

The chart below sets forth the Company’s main subsidiaries:

Dassault Systèmes SE

Dassault Systemes Deutschland GmbH
(Germany)

Dassault Systemes Americas Corp.
(USA)

Dassault Systemes UK Ltd
(United Kingdom)

Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS 
Corporation (USA)

%
0
0
1

Dassault Systemes K.K.
(Japan)

100%

Dassault Systemes Korea Corp.

(South Korea)

Dassault Systèmes (Shanghai)
Information Technology Co., Ltd 
(China)

Europe

Asia

Americas

Direct and indirect equity interest

See also Note 28 to the consolidated financial statements and the table of subsidiaries and shareholdings under Note 24 to the 
parent company financial statements.

14 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

1.5  Business Activities

1.5.1  Dassault Systèmes

1.5.1.1  Our Purpose

Dassault Systèmes’  purpose is to provide business and people 
with  3DEXPERIENCE  universes  to  imagine  sustainable 
innovations capable of harmonizing product, nature and life.

Through this ambition, we contribute to the improvement of 
society  and  the  quality  of  the  environment.  “Harmonizing 
product,  nature  and  life”  is  how  we  define  sustainable 
innovation. It is based on the premise that, in the 21st century, 
with a global population of seven billion, we cannot produce and 
consume in the same way that we did in the mid 20th century 
when the population was just 2.5 billion. A product cannot be 
sustainable  if  its  impact  on  the  environment  and  on  society 
has  not  been  thought  through.  And  conversely,  product 
design can be improved by observing nature and other living 
creatures.

leader 

innovation. 

in  sustainable 

In 
We  are  a  global 
January  2018,  we  have  been  ranked  first  among  the  2018 
Top 100 Most Sustainable Corporations. We provide a digital 
experience platform that allows customers to create innovative 
new products and services experiences. Our aim is to achieve 
a  new  development  model  to  address  the  major  challenges 
facing the world today: cities for people; energy and resources 
for  the  long  term;  food  and  personalized  healthcare;  how  to 
supply and produce; and inspirational education and research. 
We  believe  that  there  is  a  new  world  to  imagine,  create  and 
build by combining science, art and technology.

This led us, in 2012, to define our new horizon which we call 
3DEXPERIENCE.

Indeed, achieving a more sustainable future is only possible 
by  leveraging  the  virtual  world.  At  Dassault  Systèmes 
we  believe  that  virtual  worlds  extend  and  improve  the 
virtual world.

Through  virtual  experiences,  augmented  reality  and  realistic 
simulation,  digital  technology  revolutionizes  our  relationship 
with  knowledge,  just  like  the  printing  press  did  in  the 
15th century. The new book is the virtual experience that adds 
knowledge and know-how while eliminating the gap between 
experimentation and learning.

Presentation of the Group
Business Activities

1

1

Combining  the  real  and  the  virtual  leads  to  new  ways  of 
seeing the world, of inventing, learning, producing and doing 
business.  We  want  to  be  the  catalyst  and  enabler  of  this 
sweeping  transformation   emerging  worldwide  and  that  we 
call  the  Industry  Renaissance  of  the  21st  century.  In  today’s 
economy,  value  is  in  the  usage  rather  than  the  product. 
We  have  shifted  from  a  product  economy  to  an  experience 
economy.  The  industry  of  the  21st  century  is  a  network  of 
creation, production and exchange of experiences. This creates 
new  ways  for  industries  and  technologies  to  interact.  New 
categories of industrial companies are creating new categories 
of experiences for new categories of customers.

The  solutions  of  Dassault  Systèmes  transform  the  way 
products  are  designed,  simulated,  produced,  marketed  and 
supported,  leveraging  the  virtual  world  to  improve  the  real 
world.  Dassault  Systèmes  has  been  transforming  the  world 
of  industry  since  1981 .  We  have  helped  industrials  disrupt 
how products are designed and made, and rethink their whole 
creation  and  production  systems.  With  3D  design,  we  made 
equal the object with its image: it was a new way of seeing. 
With  the  3D  digital  mock-up  (DMU),  we  created  ubiquity:  it 
was a new way of sharing. With 3D PLM, we tied design with 
production: it was a new way of making. With 3DEXPERIENCE, 
we tie design with life: it’s a new way of living.

Our purpose is at the core of who we are and why people are 
joining Dassault Systèmes.

The Group’s 17,000 employees and contractors are driven by 
this ambition. Being a purpose-driven company also translates 
into  a  high  level  of  market  confidence  and  trust  among  our 
250,000 enterprise customers in more than 140 countries. We 
are  a  European  company  with  a  global  presence  and  market 
reach.

Our culture is driven primarily by a commitment to innovation 
and  to  have  a  positive  sustainable 
impact  on  society. 
Dassault  Systèmes  is  a  science-based,  innovation-driven, 
business-minded  and 
long-term-oriented  company.  We 
aim  to  make  a  sustainable  contribution  to  a  better  future 
by  empowering  people  at  Dassault  Systèmes,  customers, 
partners and citizens at large with a high level of knowledge 
and know-how.

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

15

1 Presentation of the Group

Business Activities

Everything  we  do  is  geared  to  the  future,  as  epitomized 
in  our  corporate  tagline:  IFWE  ask  the  right  questions,  we 
can  change  the  world.  As  a  result,  we  have  among  our 
customers  many  companies  who  are  pioneers  in  their  field 
(robotic, energy, mobility and more). Our values are the core 

conditions to create sustainable innovation and are set to build 
a  questioning  mindset,  that  we  call  the  IFWE  mindset.  “IF” 
refers  to  our  passion  to  explore  new  possibilities  and  “WE” 
to  our  belief  that,  by  connecting   people  we  can  bring  about 
meaningful change.

1.5.1.2  Our Strategy: Social Industry 

Experiences

To  fulfill  this  ambition,  our  strategy  is  to  focus  on  Social 
Industry  Experiences.  These  three  words  encapsulate  the 
conditions to create sustainable innovations.

Social is about collaborative innovation and bringing 3D to 
consumers. It is centered on online, mobile and ease of use.

Indeed, innovations are the culmination of close collaboration 
across  teams  of  researchers,  together  with  people  from 
strategy, marketing and sales, but also with outside partners 
and,  above  all,  with  the  people  who  ultimately  use  the 
resulting products and services – the consumers.

For  example,  our  HomeByMe  solution  helps  people  all  over 
the world imagine, easily create and place furniture in rooms, 

and experience them in a virtual reality experience. We offer 
collaborative 
innovation  applications,  such  as  3DSwym, 
intended  for  use  by  everyone,  from  engineers  to  fashion 
designers  and  sales  reps.  In  addition,  Dassault  Systèmes’ 
3DEXPERIENCE Lab acts as an incubator for groundbreaking 
projects 
individual 
in  partnership  with  startups  and 
“makers” worldwide.

Industry is about offering what customers value the most, 
that is to say creating the knowledge and know-how needed 
to match closely the needs of the industries we address.

To succeed in the experience economy, it is no longer enough 
to be an expert in a specific technology or production method. 
You need to be an expert in experience, in other words have a 
deep understanding of your end-users – how they work, how 
they live and how their jobs and lifestyles are set to change. 

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1

The “customer’s world” is what, at Dassault Systèmes, we call 
“Industry”.  Our  customers  do  not  expect  us  to  provide  them 
with a technology but rather that this technology helps their 
organization grow and move forward.

To meet those challenges, we offer Industry Solutions on the 
3DEXPERIENCE  platform,  that  are  tailored  for  each  of  the 
industries we serve, and allow industry leaders and startups to 
reinvent themselves and change the game in their industries.

Experiences  is  about  enabling  businesses  to  move  from 
product to experience.

The 20th century was the century of products; today, we have 
entered  the  experience  economy.  As  consumers  we  make 
purchase and usage decisions, not based per se on the product 
or service itself, but on our experience with it – from mobile 
phones  to  cars  and  furniture.  This  phenomenon  is  poised  to 
touch all areas of our everyday lives, both at home and in the 
workplace .

Geos and sales channels
Dassault  Systèmes  distribution  system  fosters  customer 
and  partner  experiences.  It  is  made  of  twelve   Geos  and 
three  Channels: one direct channel, Business Transformation, 
and two indirect channels - Value Solutions and Professional 
Solutions.

Our distribution system is inspired by global-local-specialized 
framework:  Global  -  to  inspire  the  strategy,  Local  -  to  serve 
customers closely, Specialized – powering our industry- tailored 
offerings  and our brand applications. This allows us to leverage 
our global strengths, while at the same time ensuring a strong 
local  proximity  with  customers  and  partners  and  enabling  a 
more flexible management structure responsive to local needs 
at the client, partner and employee level.

1.5.1.4 

Key Competitive Strengths 
of Dassault Systèmes

1.5.1.3 

Strategic Operational Elements

We  believe  our  global  market 
leadership  and  financial 
performance benefit from key characteristics of the Company.

We  roll  out  our  strategy  by  calling  on  our  Strategic 
Operational Elements: Brands, Industries, Channels & Geos.

Dassault  Systèmes  is  a  scientific  company  serving  science 
and technology for a sustainable society.

Brands
Dassault  Systèmes’  Brands  create  great  user  experiences 
and build vibrant user communities. With our twelve  brands, 
powered  by  the  3DEXPERIENCE  platform,  we  have  the 
broadest portfolio of software applications in the market. Our 
twelve  brands are powered by the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform. 
They  are  organized  into  four  quadrants  around  the  compass 
according to what they stand for.

 › Social  and  collaborative  applications:  ENOVIA,  3DEXCITE, 

CENTRIC PLM

 › 3D  modeling  applications:  SOLIDWORKS,  CATIA,  GEOVIA, 

BIOVIA

 › Simulation applications: 3DVIA, DELMIA, SIMULIA

 › Information intelligence applications: NETVIBES, EXALEAD.

Industries
Dassault  Systèmes’  Industries  develop  Solution  Experiences, 
industry-focused  offerings  which  deliver  specific  value  to 
companies and users in a particular industry.

In  2019,  Dassault  Systèmes  serves  eleven 
 industries: 
Aerospace  &  Defense;  Transportation  &  Mobility;  Industrial 
Equipment;  Business  Services;  High-Tech;  Life  Sciences; 
Energy  &  Materials;  Consumer  Goods  &  Retail;  Construction, 
Cities and Territories; Consumer Packaged Goods & Retail; and 
Marine & Offshore.

The Company’s DNA to model and represent as scientifically 
accurate as possible products, nature and life has given birth 
to  a  unique  Industry  Solutions  Experiences  portfolio  based 
on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, whose key strengths are in 
their  scientific  content  and  deep  understanding  of  industrial 
processes.

Dassault  Systèmes  has  had  a  long-standing  leadership 
position  in  its  industry  thanks  to  its  ability  to  define  and 
create  new  markets,  expanding  from  3D  Design  to  3D 
Digital Mock-Up, to 3D Product Lifecycle Management and 
now  3DEXPERIENCE.  Underpinning  this  market  leadership 
has  been  the  Company’s  clear  and  strong  commitment  to 
technological innovation.

Important areas of investment in R&D include, among others, 
the  3DEXPERIENCE  business  platform  foundations  and 
services,  Modeling  Technologies  (3D,  systems  engineering, 
natural  resources  and  biosystems),  technologies  for  product, 
production  and  usage 
intelligent 
information 
(indexing,  dashboarding  and 
data  science)  and  connectivity  technologies  (for  social 
and  structured  collaboration  and  program  management 
&  compliance).  Moreover,  the  Company’s  R&D  efforts  are 
centered  on  advancing  breakthrough  user  experiences,  and 
expanding  the  reach  of  its  solution  with  native  cloud  and 
mobility and immersive solutions.

realistic  simulation, 

technologies 

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Dassault  Systèmes  maintains  a  long-term  focus,  well 
supported  by  its  financial  model  with  a  high  level  of 
recurring software revenue.

We believe that sustainable market leadership requires a long-
term vision which is characterized by investing in people and a 
long-term financial model. We have a diverse, highly-educated 
workforce  including  contractors  which  totalled  over  17,000 
at  the  end  of  2018,  from  140  countries.  The  Company’s 
long-standing  financial  model,  with  a  high  level  of  recurring 
software  revenue,  representing  70%  of  our  total  non-IFRS 
software  revenue  in  2018,  has  enabled  us  to  maintain  as 
well as increase investments in critical resources in R&D and 
customer  support  even  during  challenging  macroeconomic 
environments.

We believe the structure of our sales, well-balanced between 
direct  and  indirect  sales  channels  enriched  by  our  twelve 
geos, has enabled us to develop a diverse customer base and 
to extend and deepen our global reach.

Dassault  Systèmes  has  a  diverse  customer  base  by  size 
and  geographic  origin.  Our  clients  range  from  the  smallest 
companies  in  the  world  to  global  leaders.  For  marketing 
and  sales  we  have  three  sales  channels,  one  direct  and  two 
indirect,  with  total  sales  well  balanced  between  direct  and 
indirect sales channels. We continue to selectively expand and 
extend  our  sales  radius,  deepen  our  industry  expertise  and 
relationships, as well as domain or discipline knowledge of our 
three  sales  channels.  See  paragraph  1.5.2.1   “Industries  and 
customers” and 1.5.2.6  “Sales and Marketing”.

Dassault  Systèmes’  3DEXPERIENCE  software  applications, 
comprised  of  leading  market  brands,  have  been  integral  to 
our success and continue to be principal areas of investment 
through  internal  research  and  development  as  well  as 
through selective acquisitions.

Dassault  Systèmes  has  had  a  long  history  of  partnering, 
leading  to  the  development  of  a  resilient  and  dynamic 
ecosystem of partners, including sales and services, software 
development, technology, education and research and with 
system integrators.

information 

Our  3DEXPERIENCE  portfolio  is  comprised  of  3D  modeling 
applications,  simulation  applications  creating  virtual  twins 
of  products  or  production  systems,  social  and  collaborative 
applications,  and 
intelligence  applications. 
One  of  our  key  objectives  is  to  create  a  portfolio  of  brands, 
leaders within their respective markets (see paragraph 1.5.2.3 
“Our  Software  Applications  Portfolio”).  In  support  of  our 
“Social  Industry  Experiences”  strategy,  brands  are  focused 
on  providing  value  to  end-users.  The  Company’s  portfolio 
architecture  has  been  therefore  designed  to  offer  at  three 
levels value creation: for the enterprise, for the organization or 
team, and for the user role.

We  are  benefiting  from  a  sophisticated  organization 
supporting our multiple growth drivers.

Our organization is built along three axes with: (i) Industries   - 
with  a  strategy  to  cover  customer  processes  with  an 
industry- focused  set  of  offerings,  “Industry  Solution 
Experiences” based upon the Company’s underlying software 
applications portfolio, content and services; (ii) Brands  – with a 
domain-focused group of software applications organized by 
brand in order to ensure a strong focus on the satisfaction of 
end-user needs; and (iii) Geographies and sales channels  - with 
a global-local-specialized organization in order to leverage our  
global  strengths,  while  at  the  same  time  ensuring  a  strong 
local  proximity  with  customers  and  partners  and  enabling  a 
more flexible management structure responsive to local needs 
at the client, partner and employee level thanks to our twelve 
geographic management teams.

Since  our  founding  in  1981  the  Company  has  worked  in 
close  partnership  with  other  professionals 
in  software 
development  and  technology,  in  sales  and  marketing,  in 
services  and  in  education  and  research.  More  recently,  we 
have  extended  our  relationships  with  system  integrators 
with  strong  industry  expertise  and  regional  presence  for 
both  sales  and  service  engagements.  Moreover,  the  Group 
is  engaging  with  its  ecosystem,  working  with  more  than 
400  software  development  partners  building  applications 
complementing  its  software  applications  as  well  as  working 
with  key  technology  partners.  Looking  to  the  future, 
Dassault  Systèmes  has  had  a  long-standing  commitment 
and is actively growing connections with academic, research 
and medical organizations around the world, working to use 
3D to enable an improved learning environment for students 
throughout  the  world  and  to  collaborate  in  accelerating  the 
creation of new software dedicated to help the virtual world 
improve the real world.

1.5.1.5  Growth Strategy

Based  upon  our  3DEXPERIENCE  platform  and  software 
portfolio,  we  estimate  that  our  current  total  addressable 
software market is approximately $33 billion (TAM).

Our growth drivers include:

 › 3DEXPERIENCE Platform: the 3DEXPERIENCE platform has 
two  potential  opportunities.  The  first  is  focused  on  being 
a system of operations, applicable to all employees within 
an  enterprise.  The  second  opportunity  longer  term  is  to 
become  a  business  model  platform  connecting  customers 
and partners, including marketplace services;

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 › Industry  Diversification:  through  our  focus  on  developing 
specific solutions for each of the eleven  vertical industries 
we  address  in  2019,  including  our  Industry  Solution 
Experiences,  processes  and  roles,  we  see  opportunities  to 
expand  our  presence  in  each  of  the  industrial  sectors  we 
target  including  through  coverage  of  new  sub-segments. 
For further information, see paragraph 1.5.2.1 “Industries 
and Customers”;

 › Cloud  and  Mobile  Applications  bringing  new  users  and 
new usages: with the Company’s 3DEXPERIENCE platform 
utilizing on line V6 architecture, we are positioned to grow 
through our Cloud and Mobile offerings. We believe that the 
cloud will become a growth driver with the progressive roll-
out of our cloud services offering over the coming years, as 
well as with the release of mobile applications using tablets 
because of the quick implementation time and the reduction 
in total cost of ownership cloud provides to customers. For 
further  information,  see  paragraph  1.5.2 .5  “Research  & 
Development, Technology and Science”;

 › Domain Diversification: we continue to invest in expanding 
the  coverage  of  each  of  our  brands  and  in  expanding 
the  disciplines  we  address.  Within  a  corporation,  our 
applications  now  cover  a  large  portion  of  the  enterprise 
employees  engaged  in  contributing  to  the  end-consumer 
product  experience,  spanning  from  design,  engineering 
and  simulation,  to  manufacturing,  quality  assurance  and 

1.5.2  Dassault Systèmes’ Offering

compliance,  and  from  project  management,  business 
planning  &  operations  and  service  departments  to 
marketing  and  point  of  sales.  For  further  information, 
see paragraph 1.5.2 “Dassault Systèmes’ offering”;

1

 › Geographic  Diversification:  we  see  opportunities  to 
grow  our  presence  in  all  geographic  markets.  In  order  to 
strengthen  and  broaden  our  global  footprint,  we  have 
established twelve  regional field organizations to prioritize 
and drive the Company’s growth initiatives at a local level. 
See  paragraph  3.1.1  “Executive  Overview  for  2018”  for 
further information on growth by geographic region;

 › Acquisitions  Expanding  our  Addressable  Market: 
Acquisitions  are  undertaken  aligned  with  our  purpose 
and  strategy.  We  review  potential  acquisitions  that  would 
expand  the  domain  expertise  of  our  brands,  enhance  our 
industry  offers  and  well  address  expanding  needs  of  our 
customers. Aligned with this strategy, we complement our 
internal developments, in particular for brand value creation, 
with  key  selected  acquisitions.  For  further  information, 
see  paragraphs  1.3.2  “Investments”,  1.5.2  “Dassault 
Systèmes’ offering” and 1.5.2.5 “Research & Development, 
Technology and Science” .

For  a  description  of  the  challenges  that  must  be  met  to 
maintain  growth,  see  paragraph  1.7.1  “Risks  Related  to  the 
Company’s Business”.

1.5.2.1 

Industries and Customers

Every day our customers turn industry challenges into business 
opportunities  and  deliver  value  to  their  customers.  The 
3DEXPERIENCE platform connects Knowledge and Know- How: 
by combining application, content and services, it helps clients 
create  unique  and  disruptive  innovations  thanks  to  a  rich 
portfolio of Industry Solution Experiences.

Our  go  to  market  strategy  is  industry-based.  Commencing 
in  2012,  we  began  a  multi-year  implementation  of  a  major 
evolution of our go-to-market strategy moving to an industry-

approach focusing on the key business objectives and business 
processes  of  our  target  industries  and  market  segments 
within  these  industries,  moving  from  a  brand  go-to-market 
focus previously.

Our customer base is comprised of global leaders, mid-market 
companies,  small  companies  and  startups  and  also  includes 
government and educational institutions.

For 2019 we regrouped several of our diversification industries 
based upon synergies, and present below our eleven industries 
from  twelve  previously  as  well  as  market  segments  within 
each industry:

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

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1 Presentation of the Group

Business Activities

Industry

Market Segments We Address

Transportation & Mobility

Cars & Light Trucks OEMs, Racing Cars, Motorcycles, T&M Industry Suppliers, Trucks and Buses, Trains

Industrial Equipment

Aerospace & Defense

Business Services

High-Tech

Life Sciences

Energy & Materials

Home & Lifestyle

Construction, Cities & Territories

Industrial Robots, Machine Tools & 3D printers, Specialized Manufacturing Machinery, Heavy 
Mobile Machinery & Equipment, Building Equipment, Power & Fluidic Equipment, Fabricated 
Metal & Plastics Products, Tire

Airframe OEMs, Aerospace Industry Suppliers, Propulsion, Defense, Airlines, Space

Banking & Financial Markets, Insurance, Telecommunications, Logistics Solutions, Media & 
Entertainment, Education, Professional Services

Consumer Electronics, Security, Control & Instrumentation, Computing, Software & Communications, 
Contract Manufacturing Services, Technology Suppliers, Semiconductors

Pharmaceuticals & Biotech, Medical Devices & Equipment, Patient Care

Mining, Metals & Materials, Oil & Gas, Chemicals, Power

Furniture & Home Goods, Sports & Leisure Goods, Fashion & Luxury Goods, Specialist Retailers

Cities &Territorial Authorities, Utilities, Transportation Infrastructure, Buildings & Facilities, 
Agriculture and Forestry

Consumer Packaged Goods & Retail

Food & Beverage, Beauty & Personal Care, Household Products, Packaging, General Retailers

Marine & Offshore

Naval Shipyards, Commercial Shipyards, Offshore, Yachts & Workboats, Marine Suppliers, Marine & 
Offshore Specialists

The  composition  of  our  non-IFRS  software  revenue  in  2018 
by  our  twelve   industries  was  approximately  as  follows: 
Transportation & Mobility about 31% (31% in 2017); Industrial 
Equipment  about  17%  (16%  in  2017);  Aerospace  &  Defense 
about  13%  (13%  in  2017);  Business  Services  about  7%  (8% 
in  2017);  Diversification  Industries  represented  about  32% 
of our software revenue in 2018, stable with 2017 on strong 
activity in most of our core industries as well as the addition 
of acquisitions.

1.5.2.2 

3DEXPERIENCE Platform

Dassault  Systèmes’  3DEXPERIENCE  platform  catalyzes 
and  enables  innovation  by  allowing  businesses  to  connect 
the  dots  within  and  outside  the  company,  from  upstream 
thinking,  to  design,  engineering,  manufacturing,  sales  & 
marketing all the way to ownership.

Digital experience platforms for  industry,  urban development 
infrastructures  of  the 
and  healthcare  will  become   the 
21st century. They have already transfigured retail, transport 
and the hospitality industry, and are set to transfigure  industry.

In today’s Experience Economy, creating holistic experiences 
is  the  sustainable  innovation  model.  Only  by  connecting  all 
the dots between people, ideas, and data can a business create 
differentiating  customer  experience,  and  drive  consumer 
loyalty, engagement, and value. This requires a new kind of 
design, simulation and collaboration platforms.

The  3DEXPERIENCE  platform  is  a  game-changer  in  added 
value  creation  for  organizations  because  it  is  the  only 
platform  that  is  both  a  system  of  operations  to  run  their 
business and a business model to transform their business. 
As  a  system  of  operations,  the  3DEXPERIENCE  platform 
enables  businesses  to  improve  their  operational  excellence 
and  as  a  business  model,  it  allows  businesses  to  set  up  the 
most  innovative  value  networks  to  deliver  the  sustainable 
business  outcome  they  expect.  Our  platform  offers  both  a 
fresh approach to innovation by connecting R&D, engineering, 
production,  marketing  and  end-users;  and  a  business 
model,  directly  linking  sellers  and  buyers,  purchasers  and 
subcontractors, service providers and end-customers.

The  3DEXPERIENCE  platform  powers  the  twelve   Dassault 
Systèmes  brands  and  addresses  the  needs  of  the  eleven  
industries we serve in 2019. It connects all Dassault Systèmes 
applications,  as  well  as  those  deployed  by  our  customers.  It 
allows everyone involved in an innovation project – from the 
research lab to the consumer – to interact and work together.

The 3DEXPERIENCE platform as a System of Operations

Our platform provides all organizations with a holistic real-time 
vision of their own business activity and ecosystem, unifying 
all  of  their  activities,  from  engineering,  manufacturing  and 
marketing  to  value  networks  and  end  customers,  in  a  single 
collaborative and interactive environment.

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1

More  concretely,  it  empowers  them  to  design  and  test 
differentiating  consumer  experiences  by  providing  digital 
continuity, from the conception of an idea to market delivery 
and  usage.  They  can  freely  test  their  experiences  before 
actually producing them. This means that they can invent new 
usages and the products supporting them.

The  platform  as  a  system  of  operations  delivers  value  to 
3 audiences:

 › For  company  performance  and 

innovation: 

Industry 

Solution Experiences

 › For efficient teams: Industry Process Experiences

 › For Champion users: Roles & Apps

The 3DEXPERIENCE platform as a business model

The  3DEXPERIENCE  platform  is  meant  to  be  the  catalyst 
and  enabler  for  companies  to  become  platform  companies, 
that is to say adopt a platform business model. This involves 
creating value by connecting interdependent groups, usually 
consumers and suppliers.

This is why the platform also acts as a marketplace, or trading 
platform, that connects service providers (3D printing, design 

etc.)  and  buyers.  Through  our  3DEXPERIENCE  Marketplace 
we offer a seamless way to connect companies and providers, 
giving  them  a  single  unified  environment  to  manage  the 
entire  value  network.  The  cloud-based  marketplace  for 
digital  design,  engineering  and  manufacturing  transactions, 
comes  with  the  ambition  to  transform  the  industrial  world. 
The 3DEXPERIENCE Marketplace encompasses the full process 
from upstream thinking to ownership. The first two services 
are:  Make,  for  on-demand  manufacturing,  and  Part  Supply, 
for intelligent part sourcing.

The Marketplace comprises two categories of services:

 › Community services are available to everyone. All users in 
our installed base have access to our 3DEXPERIENCE Cloud 
platform  and  can  buy  or  sell  on  the  Marketplace.  As  well 
as selecting partners according to exacting criteria, we also 
carry out the actual transactions.

 › Enterprise services give companies the possibility of having 
their  own  private  Marketplace,  going  back  and  forth  from 
public to private sector in a controlled way. We check their 
credentials to qualify for more advanced dynamic services, 
and also conduct the transactions.

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Business Activities

 1.5.2.3  Our Software Applications Portfolio

Symbolized by the Compass, the 3DEXPERIENCE platform is 
structured in four  quadrants encompassing our twelve  Brands, 
according to what they stand for.

3D Modeling Applications
The  3DEXPERIENCE  Platform  allows  users  to  create  and 
visualize products and the related experiences. The Company’s 
DNA  to  model  and  represent  as  scientifically  accurate  as 
possible products, nature and life has given birth to a unique 
portfolio of modeling technologies and services ranging from 
3D  Modeling  to  Systems  Logical  and  Functional  Modeling. 
This applies to a wide spectrum of applicative domains from 
Smart/Connected  Products  to  urban  systems,  to  natural 
resources, to biological systems and chemistry and materials.

SOLIDWORKS – Authentic Design Experience
SOLIDWORKS  is  focused  on  providing  design  solutions  for 
a  wide  range  of  industries  that  are  simple  to  learn,  use  and 
introduce, yet very powerful and accurate.

Thanks  to  our  dedication  to  the  user  experience  our 
community of 3D enthusiast is the largest in the mainstream 
CAD marketplace according to most analysts.

SOLIDWORKS  Solutions  are  multi-disciplinary  and  include 
3D Design, Electrical and Printed Circuit Board design, Product 
Data Management, Simulation, Manufacturing and Technical 
Communication.  All  SOLIDWORKS  solutions  are  integrated 

22 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

in  the  3DEXPERIENCE  Platform  thru  the  power  of  Industry 
Innovation. SOLIDWORKS is also defining the future of design 
with  a  new  lineage  of  3DEXPERIENCE  Applications,  the  “X” 
Apps, that run on any device simply thru an internet browser 
and  are  based  on  the  innovative  generative  approach  called 
Design Guidance.

SOLIDWORKS  has  very  popular  programs  for  early  adoption, 
from  Education,  where  we  are  present  in  more  than  80%  of 
the  top  Engineering  Universities  World-Wide,  to  FabLabs, 
Makers Spaces and Accelerators.

 CATIA – Shape the world we live in

CATIA  is  the  leading  solution  to  address  the  complete 
development  and  innovation  process,  from  early  concept 
definition  to  interactive  3D  virtual  connected  experience 
delivery.

CATIA  shifts  traditional  3D  CAD  (Computer  Aided  Design) 
expectations to Cognitive Augmented Design, with simulation 
and  modeling  fusion  at  its  heart.  Leveraging  knowledge, 
know-how  and  proven  technology  to  automate  design 
and  engineering  of  systems,  CATIA  contributes  to  shape 
a  connected  world  by  offering  all  the  features  that  allow 
the  design  of  connected  objects,  products  and  experiences 
powered by cyber-systems and centered on human experience.

In alignment with its mission, CATIA proposes an instinctive 
state of the art user experience, powered by modern 3D, Web 
services, Mobile and Augmented Reality technologies. CATIA 
ultimately allows innovator social communities to virtually co-
design, experience, share their vision and create collaboratively 
the next generation of connected experiences.

Lastly,  through  its  cyber-physical  systems  modeling  and 
simulation  capabilities,  CATIA  powers  3DEXPERIENCE  based 
industry  solutions  for  model-based  systems  engineering, 
enterprise  architecture,  concept  modeling,  and  ontologies. 
These  solutions  enable  worldwide  competitive  companies 
to  develop  the  “internet  of  Experiences”  –  the  smart  and 
autonomous  experiences  that  digitally  connect  Products, 
Nature and Life in the physical world.

GEOVIA – Model the Planet
GEOVIA  connects  earth  sciences  and  engineering  to  create 
digital continuity between the natural and built environments 
to  drive  sustained  safety,  predictability  and  productivity. 
Leveraging  the  3DEXPERIENCE  platform,  GEOVIA  provides  a 
single  source  of  truth  to  a  community  of  geoscientists  and 
engineers to discover, modelize and harness the planet resources 
for the benefit of people, businesses and governments.

Combined  with  the  3DEXPERIENCE  platform,  GEOVIA’s 
unparalleled  solutions  allow  our  customers  to  optimize  their 
business  processes  through  the  powerful  combination  of 
scientific  applications  and  collaborative  capabilities  enabling 
data transparency.

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In  recent  years,  GEOVIA  has  accompanied 
its  mining 
customers in returning to growth thanks to its fit-for-purpose 
portfolio  of  geology  and  mine  planning  applications  and  to 
the growing adoption of 3DEXPERIENCE. In parallel, GEOVIA 
has initiated a diversification strategy aiming at bringing value 
to civil engineering by informing the design & engineering of 
large-scale  infrastructure  by  a  sound  understanding  of  the 
surrounding natural environment.

BIOVIA – Model the Biosphere
The BIOVIA brand of Dassault Systèmes provides the scientific 
community with advanced biological, chemical and materials 
experiences  to  create  a  healthier,  more  livable,  sustainable 
world. BIOVIA helps scientific collaboration by making science 
accessible through democratizing knowledge and know-how. 
BIOVIA  drives  scientific  innovation  to  create  new  materials 
for  more  sustainable  solutions  and  to  identify  and  develop 
targeted lifesaving therapeutics for society.

BIOVIA is uniquely positioned to provide value to science-driven 
companies with the depth and breadth of capabilities to model, 
simulate, organize, analyze and share data in unprecedented 
ways.  The  offering  spans  across  Discovery,  Formulation, 
Process  Development,  Manufacturing  and  Quality.  BIOVIA 
connects  the  virtual  of  scientific  modeling  and  simulation 
with the real of scientific physical laboratory experimentation 
through  data  science  and  artificial  intelligence.  Today’s 
science-driven organizations invest in best and next practices 
to  be  competitive.  Partnerships  leveraging  BIOVIA’s  deep 
long-term  scientific  expertise  advance  innovation,  increase 
productivity  while  meeting  regulatory  compliance,  reduce 
costs and accelerate time to market.

Content and Simulation Applications
The  3DEXPERIENCE  Platform  allows  you  to  evaluate  the 
possible  business  solutions  by  confronting  them  with 
reality.

ranging 

3DEXPERIENCE 
is  made  possible  by  real-time  realistic 
simulation  of  virtual  universes.  The  Company  has  therefore 
made  significant  investments  in  technologies  and  services, 
enabling  simulation 
from  product’s  complex 
behaviors; 
factory  and  production  systems  execution; 
additive  manufacturing;  logistics  operations  and  consumer 
usages  in  everyday  life.  This  relies  on  unique  assets  for 
complexity  management  and  distributed  massive  multiscale, 
(structures,  fluids, 
multi-discipline  simulation  execution 
electromagnetics,  acoustics,  etc.)  and  experience 
run. 
Specifically,  the  integration  among  design,  simulation  and 
digital  manufacturing  makes  it  possible  to  optimize  product 
design depending on the manufacturing process (including 3D 
printing) and constraints of robustness, weight and production 
costs that final product has to fulfil.

SIMULIA – Revealing the world we live in
The  SIMULIA  brand  of  Dassault  Systèmes,  helps  the 
scientific  and  engineering  communities  reveal  the  world  we 
live  in  through  realistic  simulation  of  product,  nature  &  life. 
We provide robust and proven high-value end-to-end industry 
processes for digital engineering that employ state- of- the- art 
connected multidisciplinary-multiscale simulation applications. 
With  SIMULIA  applications,  for  simulating  the  realistic 
behavior  of  electromagnetics,  fluids,  materials,  structures  and 
vibro  acoustics  and  more,  product  development  organizations 
are able to reduce testing, increase confidence and quality, and 
get  to  market  faster  using  always-available  virtual  worlds  for 
discovery and virtual testing.

As an integral part of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, SIMULIA 
applications  connect  seamlessly  throughout  the  innovation 
cycle from product requirements to design and manufacturing 
data, to in-use scenarios, which enables simulation to power 
sustainable innovation at all stages of the product lifecycle.

DELMIA – MAKE it happen
An  integral  part  of  the  Dassault  Systèmes  3DEXPERIENCE 
platform is the connection between the virtual and real worlds. 
Operational  excellence  requires  harmony  across  design, 
production,  distribution,  human  resources  management 
and  processes.  DELMIA  enables  global  industrial  operations 
to:  design  and  test  the  manufacturability  of  products  in  a 
simulated,  virtual  environment;  optimize  the  supply  chain 
and factories to meet objectives; and to operate the factories, 
warehouses  and  distribution  to  manage  and  fulfill  customer 
demand.

3DVIA – 3D by me
3DVIA helps consumers make important buying decisions in 
their daily lives by delivering a fast, rich and visually stunning 
3DEXPERIENCE for 3D space planning.

We are driving growth and proliferation of 3D among consumers 
  via two separate target audiences. For Consumers and Interiors 
Designers,  the  HomeByMe  platform  offers  a  free  tool  for 
Consumers  and  is  currently  used  by  over  2.3  million  people 
who create Images online every 40 seconds.  Our Professional 
Subscriptions enable Interior Designers to offer their customers 
a game-changing level of speed, responsiveness, ease of use 
and visual impact with imagery, 360 VR and augmented reality.

For Retailers, 3DVIA has launched two products for enabling 
a  digital  omnichannel  buying  experience:  HomeByMe  for 
Kitchen  Retailers  and  HomeByMe  for  Home  Retailers.  We 
bring  an  interactive  3D  room  planning  experience  dedicated 
to  furniture  retailers  and  their  customers.  Combining  3D 
digital  space  planning,  automation  and  intelligence  in  one 
solution  to  engage  consumers  in  a  seamless  design  process 
that  improves  their  experience  of  purchasing  furniture  and 
home improvement.

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

23

1 Presentation of the Group

Business Activities

Social and Collaborative Applications
The 3DEXPERIENCE Platform allows you to bring together 
and catalyze a diversity of talents.

The 3DEXPERIENCE platform allows any business to become 
social,  extending  from  structured  program  and  organization 
to  social  and  open  communities.  The  technology  and 
services  allow  seamless  integration  of  communities,  people, 
rich  profiles  and  media  with  access  control  and  best  of 
breed  practices  (project  management,  ideation,  wikis,  blogs, 
suggestion engines, distributed open innovation).

ENOVIA – Plan your definition of success
Innovation  increasingly  means  global  teams  collaborating 
with  global  information  in  a  social  context  –  and  doing  so 
with  clarity,  confidence  and  consistency.  ENOVIA  powered 
by  the  3DEXPERIENCE  platform,  enables  to  plan  and  track 
the  definition  of  success  for  your  customer.  With  a  broad 
portfolio  of  technical  and  business  applications,  ENOVIA 
enables  stakeholders  across  the  enterprise  to  contribute  to 
sustainable innovation.

Intelligent Business Modeling and Planning to Capitalize on 
Market Opportunities

Intelligent Business Modeling and Planning delivers capabilities 
to create and leverage a digital twin of the enterprise to more 
effectively  identify  market  opportunities  and  plan  products 
and services to capitalize on these opportunities at the speed 
of  tomorrow’s  markets.  Intelligent  business  models  deliver 
information  in  context,  assisting  the  user  in  making  more 
effective  plans  aligned  with  business  strategy  and  corporate 
standards.  Resources,  capacities,  and 
innovations  are 
identified to quickly drive from opportunity to advantage into 
the marketplace. Plans are built and deployed collaboratively, 
leveraging the best team assets and innovations to create and 
protect the business advantage in the market.

Intelligent Product Configurations to Deliver Transformational 
Innovations

Intelligent  Product  Configurations  delivers  capabilities  to 
develop transformational innovations through multi-discipline 
collaboration, real-time operational assessments and business 
intelligence.  Innovators  can  find  and  leverage  the  best 
technologies throughout their value network to build a virtual 
definition  in  a  configured  and  intelligent  context.  Form,  fit 
and  functional  analysis  in  a  comprehensive  context  ensures 
the  as-designed  products  meet  requirements  and  exceeds 
implications 
expectations.  Validation 

includes  business 

with  actionable  insights  to  enable  designers  to  shape  the 
business  outcome  of  their  innovation.  And,  engineers  can 
work  in  an  intelligent  context  to  deliver  innovations  for 
enterprise execution.

Centric PLM – Plan your collection’s success
Centric  Software  innovations  drive  digital  transformation 
for the most prestigious companies in fashion, retail, luxury, 
footwear,  outdoor  and  consumer  goods  across  29  countries. 
Centric’s  flagship  Product  Lifecycle  Management  (PLM) 
platform,  Centric  8,  includes  15  mobile  apps  and  delivers 
enterprise-class merchandise planning, product development, 
sourcing,  business  planning,  quality  and 
collection 
management functionality tailored for fast-moving consumer 
industries.  Centric  SMB ,  tailored  for  emerging  brands, 
packages  innovative technology with  key industry learnings . 
Centric  Visual  Innovation  Platform  (Centric  VIP)  is  a  touch-
screen based family of boards that transforms group decision 
making  and  automates  execution  to  truly  collapse  time  to 
market and distance to trend while optimizing collections.

Centric  Software  has  received  multiple  industry  awards, 
including  the  Frost  &  Sullivan  Global  Product  Differentiation 
Excellence Award in Retail, Fashion and Apparel PLM in 2018.

3DEXCITE – Engineer the excitement
In  the  Experience  Economy  where  the  product  alone  is  no 
longer enough to guarantee success, customer expectations for 
high added value personalization at all stages of the selection, 
buying  and  ownership  process  are  driving  the  need  to  find 
new ways of doing business. Marketers are transforming their 
thinking, business operations and creative agency ecosystems 
to  dramatically  improve  customer  experience  and  reduce 
time to market to drive the top line. In parallel, the rise of the 
consumer is providing huge opportunities for business to not 
only understand their audiences better, but to find smart ways 
to integrate their voice into all internal processes as a source 
of  innovation.  3DEXCITE  is  the  brand  of  Dassault  Systèmes 
driving marketing transformation by game-changing software 
solutions  based  on  the  3DEXPERIENCE  Platform.  Three  core 
values are enabled by the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform. The first 
is  to  reduce  to  zero  the  time  required  to  reach  the  customer 
by  an 
industrialized  automated  mass  personal  content 
pipeline. Secondly, through a seamless single version of truth 
continuity from the digital 3D product twin, 3DEXPERIENCE-
powered customer facing are always up to date, consistent and 
ultimately more impactful through leveraging all semantic and 
context  from  the  source  data.  Thirdly,  the  ability  to  quickly 

24 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

assemble  and  orchestrate  value  networks  across  disparate 
organisations  and  departments  to  harness  knowledge  and 
knowhow to drive breakthrough thinking is simple through a 
magical cloud or premise based user experience. We call this 
transformation Marketing in the Age of Experience.

Information Intelligence Applications
The  3DEXPERIENCE  Platform  allows  you  to  calibrate  and 
contextualize  the  business  solutions  considering  all  the 
information within and outside the company.

Thanks  to  our  unique  technologies,  Dassault  Systèmes  has 
significantly  expanded  its  intelligent  information,  artificial 
intelligence,  semantic 
indexing  and  search  capabilities 
&  technologies.  The  Company’s  search-based  applications 
combine  the  sophisticated  search  and  access  typically 
associated  with  databases  with  the  speed,  scalability  and 
simplicity of the Web. This allows the 3DEXPERIENCE platform 
customers  to  tackle  very  big  data  challenges  and  benefit 
from  next  generation  technologies  to  search,  sort,  filter, 
navigate  and  understand  data.  The  real-time  dashboarding 
technologies  are  in  that  regard  a  unique  combination  for 
all  businesses  consuming  and  producing  massive  sets  of 
information. Finally, leveraging the ultimate new data science 
learning  technologies,  the  3DEXPERIENCE 
and  machine 
platform  offers  unique  model  based  supervised  data  science 
capabilities, to understand, analyze, correlate, infer, describe, 
predict  and  prescript  very  complex  information.  We  believe 
that  this  profound  dialogue  between  the  virtual  world  and 
intelligent  information  is  unique  to  Dassault  Systèmes  and 
cannot be found elsewhere.

EXALEAD – Reveal Information Intelligence
EXALEAD  reveals   Information  Intelligence  for  the  Social 
Industry and developer community across two domains with 
Artificial Intelligence (AI)  driven services:

 › V+R  Business  Intelligence:  While  it  is  obvious  for  any 
organization,  that  you  cannot  drive  business  performance 
without  analytics , 
in  the  world  of  Engineering  and 
Manufacturing, the penetration of analytics  technology and 
AI is relatively  low due to more complex requirements to truly 
enable robust analytics. Indeed, no Analytic technology had 
been  built  to  support  the  complexity  and  the  semantic  of 
Product (Graphs with 3D and semantic attributes). We have 
empowered  the  3DEXPERIENCE  Platform  with  unique  AI 
and Analytic technology specifically built for the purpose of 
driving performance in the word of complex products. More 
specifically to drive:

Presentation of the Group
Business Activities

1

 › Product Performance (weight, costs…);

 › Operational 

and 
manufacturing processes (process costs, delays, quality…);

engineering 

Excellence 

across 

1

 › Customer  experience  throughout  the  life  of  the  asset  in 

operation (asset quality and reliability).

 › Sourcing & Standardization Intelligence to drive recurring 
costs reduction by enforcing Part Re-use, and standardization 
across  the  industry  value  networks.  We  use  a  unique 
combination of AI technology to automatically classify parts 
and  recognize  similar  parts,  data  aggregation  technology 
to  leverage  all  “enterprise  silo’s”  in  the  decision  process 
and  one  of  the  largest  online  3D  content  marketplaces . 
With   PartSupply  MarketPlace  our   ambition  is  to  disrupt 
Industry  value  networks  for  any  sourced  item  selection 
(Mechanical,  Electronic,  Electrical,  BIM,  Materials…)  by 
providing  the  single  point  of  content  for  holistic  business 
decision:  quality,  performance,  compliance,  certification, 
sourcing, manufacturing, supply and risk avoidance.

NETVIBES – See what’s happening
With  NETVIBES  we  have  developed  AI-driven  knowledge 
services  for  People  and  Business  Leaders  to  allow  Insight 
Driven Decision Making.

Indeed,  Industry  knowledge  and  Know  how  is  both  widely 
available, inside enterprise information systems, on the web, 
on social networks through specialized publishers and experts 
and  hardly  usable  by  the  engineers  as  and  when  they  need 
it.  With  Netvibes,  we  capture  all  available  information,  we 
use AI technology to transform it into actionable knowledge  
and  know-how   that  gets  delivered,  in  a  relevant  automated 
manner to every engineer in the context of his work.

1.5.2.4 

Industry Solutions Experiences

Our  Industry  Solution  Experiences  on  the  3DEXPERIENCE 
platform are designed to address key business processes of the 
respective individual industry.

An  Industry  Solution  Experience  is  an  Industry-focused 
offering  that  delivers  a  specific  value  to  consumers  and/or 
their  end-users  in  a  particular  Industry.  They  are  defined  by 
answering  the  question  “WHAT  does  the  Industry  value  the 
most?”  They  are  comprised  of  industry  process  experiences 
and user roles. We thus deliver value to 3 audiences:

 › For  company  performance  and 

innovation: 

Industry 

Solution Experiences

 › For efficient teams: Industry Process Experiences

 › For Champion users: Roles & Apps

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

25

1 Presentation of the Group

Business Activities

Industry Solution Experiences – 
 3DEXPERIENCE  platform Customer Case Examples

Energy, Process & Utilities
Customer: EXPLEO (ex-Assystem)

Architecture and Engineering and Construction
Customer: MG McGrath

Challenge:  Minnesota-based 
surfaces 
manufacturer  MG  McGrath  needed  to  accelerate  its  design 
to  fabrication  process  while  producing  increasingly  complex 
panel  shapes  and  systems  on  the  United  States  Olympic 
Museum in Colorado Springs.

architectural 

Solution:  The  Company 
chose  Dassault  Systèmes’ 
3DEXPERIENCE platform and Design for Fabrication industry 
solution experience on the cloud to streamline its concept to 
fabrication process.

Benefits:  A  single  integrated  platform  on  the  cloud  enables 
project stakeholders to access and act on the latest version of 
data,  thereby  accelerating  decision-making  and  innovation 
that  improves  the  artistry  and  precision  of  MG  McGrath’s 
designs.

Marine & Offshore
Customers: Bureau Veritas and Naval Group

Challenge: Facing limitations with the standard classification 
process of vessels based on 2D drawings, Bureau Veritas and 
Naval Group needed to innovate in the way they work together 
to improve their competitiveness in their respective field.

Solution:  Bureau  Veritas  and  Naval  Group 
joined  their 
forces  to  develop  the  3D  Classification  concept  based  on 
the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to reduce design review times of 
new ships and the inherent costs.

Benefits:  Thanks  to  the  3DEXPERIENCE  platform,  Bureau 
Veritas  and  Naval  Group  are  pioneering  the  3D  classification 
process  for  the  Marine  &  Offshore  industry.  This  approach 
will  enable  them  to  accelerate  the  classification  process  by 
improving the quality and speed of their exchanges, dropping 
the  production  of  2D  drawings  and  reducing  the  shipyard’s 
workload.

Consumer Goods & Retail
Customer: Innovation Lab ECCO

Challenge: Danish footwear producer ECCO and a small team 
of  researchers  at  ECCO’s  Innovation  Lab  (ILE)  in  Amsterdam 
wanted  to  produce  customized  footwear  providing  a  unique 
in-store experience.

Solution:  The  Company  adopted  Dassault  Systèmes’  cloud-
based  3DEXPERIENCE  platform  with  CATIA  applications  to 
interpret biomechanical data into geometries for 3D printing.

Benefits:  In  under  two  hours  a  fully  customized  shoe, 
engineered to a wearer’s specific biomechanical and orthotic 
parameters  based  on  anatomical  scanning  and  real-time 
analysis, is finished.

Challenge:  Assystem,  an  independent  engineering  group 
supporting  the  nuclear  industry,  needs  to  continuously 
improve  their  competitiveness,  especially 
in  new  build 
programs.

Solution:  The  Company 
chose  Dassault  Systèmes’ 
3DEXPERIENCE platform and the Capital Facilities Information 
Excellence  industry  solution  experience  to  increase  the  value 
of its solutions through digitalization.

Benefits:  A  single  integrated  platform  of  information  with 
improved  bill  of  materials,  requirement  and  document 
management,  along  with  digital  modeling  and  simulation 
of  the  construction  sequence  and  planning,  leads  to  higher 
productivity, less modifications and reworks, and facilities that 
are safer to operate.

Industrial Equipment
Customer: Kärcher

Challenge:  Germany-based  Kärcher,  the  leading  provider  of 
cleaning  technology  worldwide,  needed  to  reduce  product 
development  and  production  costs  and 
improve  global 
collaboration to expand its market leadership.

Solution:  The  Company  adopted  Dassault  Systèmes’ 
3DEXPERIENCE platform on the cloud to manage its product 
development  process, 
leverage  knowledge  and  know-
how  across  the  company  and  to  monitor  requirements 
management.

Benefits: With all data in one place, rapid access to up-todate 
product and project information is available at all times to all 
stakeholders enabling improved decision-making, a more agile 
product development process and faster time-to-market.

To increase our market presence within our target industries, we 
continue to strengthen our industry knowledge and expertise 
through  partnerships  with  global  and  regional  industry 
leaders,  expand  and  deepen  our  coverage  through  internal 
development  and  by  acquisition,  expand  our  cloud  offer, 
develop and deepen relationships with system integrators and 
leading consulting companies and add specialized direct sales 
and sales partners.

Through strategic alliances with leading IT system integrators, 
service  providers  and  consulting  firms  with  deep  expertise 
in  industry  processes,  the  Company’s  Industry  Solution 
Partnerships  provide  innovative  solutions  and  services  by 
industry  or  industrial  segment  to  address  clients’  business 
challenges.  Based  on  their  strong  competence  in  industries 
and  application  domains  as  well  as  their  regional  expertise, 
in  conjunction  with  Dassault  Systèmes’  products  and 
solutions,  these  partners  help  to  deliver  innovative  solutions 
that customers need for success in their business.

See paragraph 1.3.2 “Investments”.

26 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

1.5.2.5  Research & Development, Technology 

and Science

Important  principal  areas  of  investment  in  R&D  include  the 
3DEXPERIENCE  business  platform  foundations  and  services. 
Moreover,  the  Company’s  R&D  efforts  are  centered  on 
advancing  breakthrough  user  experiences,  and  expanding 
the  reach  of  its  portfolio  with  native  cloud,  mobility  and 
immersive solutions.

3D Modeling Technologies
The Company’s DNA to model and represent as scientifically 
accurate as possible products, nature and life has given birth 
to  a  unique  portfolio  of  modeling  technologies  and  services 
ranging from 3D Modeling to Systems Logical and Functional 
Modeling.  This  applies  to  a  wide  spectrum  of  applicative 
domains  from  Smart/Connected  Products  to  urban  systems, 
to  natural  resources,  to  biological  systems,  chemistry  and 
materials.

Virtual + Real Technologies
3DEXPERIENCE 
is  made  possible  by  real-time  realistic 
simulation of virtual universes. The Company has therefore made 
significant investments in technologies and services, enabling 
simulation ranging from product’s complex behaviors; factory 
and  production  systems  execution;  additive  manufacturing; 
logistics  operations  and  consumer  usages  in  everyday  life. 
This relies on unique assets for complexity management and 
distributed  massive  multiscale,  multi-discipline  simulation 
execution  (structures,  fluids,  electromagnetics,  acoustics, 
etc.)  and  experience  run.  Specifically,  the  integration  among 
design, simulation and digital manufacturing makes it possible 
to optimize product design depending on the manufacturing 
process (including 3D printing) and constraints of robustness, 
weight and production costs that final product has to fulfil.

Intelligent Information Technologies
Thanks to EXALEAD’s unique technologies, Dassault Systèmes 
has significantly expanded its intelligent information, artificial 
intelligence,  semantic  indexing  and  search  capabilities  & 
technologies.  The  Company’s  search-based  applications 
combine  the  sophisticated  search  and  access  typically 
associated  with  databases  with  the  speed,  scalability  and 
simplicity of the Web. This allows the 3DEXPERIENCE platform 
customers to tackle very big data challenges and benefit from 
next  generation  technologies  to  search,  sort,  filter,  navigate 
and understand data. The real-time dashboarding technologies 
provided by Netvibes are in that regard a unique combination 
for  all  businesses  consuming  and  producing  massive  sets  of 
information. Finally, leveraging the ultimate new data science 
learning  technologies,  the  3DEXPERIENCE 
and  machine 
platform  offers  unique  model  based  supervised  data  science 

Presentation of the Group
Business Activities

1

capabilities, to understand, analyse, correlate, infer, describe, 
predict and prescript very complex information. The Company 
believes that this profound dialogue between the virtual world 
and intelligent information is unique to Dassault Systèmes.

1

Social CollaborationTechnologies
The  3DEXPERIENCE  platform  is  serving  the  Company’s 
Social Industry experience strategy. With unique connectivity 
technologies  and  services,  allowing  people  and  communities 
to  connect  in  a  secure  and  controlled  environment,  with 
mobility and online hybrid environments, it enables a new era 
of open innovation on extended ecosystems and fosters a truly 
open  platform  innovation  for  all  businesses.  It  also  enables 
improved  project  management,  conformity  to  standards, 
process certification for customers and next-generation value 
chain relationships and value networks management.

Cloud Technologies and Services
The  3DEXPERIENCE 
cloud-based 
platform 
technologies and services to enable secured, concurrent, and 
controlled  online  collaborative  environments  to  share,  and 
innovate on any IP. This technology is unique, optimized for 
big data and available for remote usage for a wide variety of 
industry uses .

provides 

Software, Technology and Science Partners
We  have  established  long-standing,  scientific  and  technical 
collaborations  with  key  partners  in  order  to  maximize  the 
benefits  from  available  technology  and  increase  the  value 
for  shared  customers.  Our  research  and  technology  alliances 
are  established  with  three  objectives:  to  cover  end-to-end 
solutions  with  holistic  offerings;  to  participate  to  the  future 
structure  of  industries;  and  to  integrate  the  most  advanced 
features  of  these  technologies  into  our  solutions.  Further, 
Dassault Systèmes is a participant in several hundred public-
private projects (for example with DARPA, U.S. National Lab, 
Prestigious  universities  such  as  Harvard  or  MIT,  and  world-
leading  institutes  such  INRIA  and  INSERM),  collaborates 
with  renowned  scientists  (including  Nobel  Prize  winners) 
in  technology  partnerships  across  the 
and 
twelve industries (and industry sub-segments) we serve.

is  engaged 

Finally,  we  have  software  development  partners  working  in 
each  domain  of  our  software  solutions.  Our  global  affiliate 
program  enables  developers  to  create  and  market  their  own 
applications fully integrated with and complementary to our 
software solutions.

1.5.2.6 

Sales and Marketing

Our  customers  range  from  startups,  small  and  mid-sized 
companies  to  the  largest  companies  in  the  world  as  well  as 
educational  institutions  and  government  departments.  To 

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

27

1 Presentation of the Group

Business Activities

ensure  sales  and  marketing  coverage  of  all  our  customers, 
we  have  developed  three  sales  and  distribution  channels, 
with  approximately  58%  of  our  total  revenue  generated 
through direct sales and 42% through our two indirect sales 
channels in 2018. No single customer or sales channel partner 
represented more than 5% of the Company’s total revenue in 
2018 and 2017.

3DS  Business  Transformation  channel:  sales 
large 
companies  and  government  entities  are  generally  conducted 
through the Company’s direct sales channel, the 3DS Business 
Transformation channel. Direct sales, including both software 
and  services  revenue,  represented  58%  and  57%  of  the 
Company’s total revenue in 2018 and 2017, respectively;

to 

3DS  Value  Solutions  channel:  sales  to  small  and  mid-sized 
companies  are  conducted  indirectly  generally  through  the 
Company’s  Value  Solutions  channel,  a  global  network  of 
value-added  resellers  (VAR)  with  Industry  specialization. 
This  channel  represented  21%  of  our  total  revenue  in  2018 
and 2017, respectively;

3DS  Professional  Solutions  channel:  the  3DS  Professional 
Solutions channel is an indirect channel focused on the volume 
market. It is comprised of a network of value-added resellers 
and  distributors  worldwide  providing  sales,  local  training, 
services and support to customers. Software revenue through 
this channel represented 21% and 22%, of our total revenue 
in 2018 and 2017, respectively and was largely comprised of 
our SOLIDWORKS software apps. 

In addition to our sales channels, we are actively developing 
and  expanding  relationships  with  system  integrators  with 
industry and domain expertise.

1.5.2.7 

Estimated Addressable Market Size, 
Market Position and Competitors

We have sized our current software Total Addressable Market 
(TAM) at approximately $33 billion from $26 billion in 2017. 
This increase principally reflects expansion of our capabilities, 
in  particular  with  the  acquisition  of  IQMS  in  business 
operations for the mainstream market, as well as in simulation. 
Our total addressable market sizing uses third party estimates 
of  software  domains  which  we  analyze  and  compare  to  our 
software capabilities to assess whether such  markets are part 
of what we can address currently. The third party estimates 
we use do not take into account internally developed software 
by companies but only commercially sold  Software.

1.5.3  Material Contracts

We  are  one  of  the  world’s  leading  providers  in  the  3D 
PLM  market,  defined  as  3D  Design,  simulation,  digital 
manufacturing  and  collaboration  software.  We  are  also  one 
of the world’s leading 3D Design and Engineering Simulation 
software  providers  with  our  CATIA,  SOLIDWORKS  and 
SIMULIA  brands.  (Based  upon  internal  analysis  and  external 
information).  In  the  3DEXPERIENCE  sector  simulating  the 
user experience encompasses a larger definition of simulation 
beyond  that  of  the  individual  physics  or  multi-physics 
capabilities of competitors.

We  operate  in  a  highly-competitive  marketplace.  As  we 
continue  to  broaden  our  addressable  market,  by  expanding 
our  current  product  portfolio,  diversifying  our  client  base, 
and  developing  new  applications  and  markets,  we  face  an 
increasing level of competition, from new competitors ranging 
from  technology  start-ups  to  the  largest  technology  and 
industrial companies in the world.

We  evaluate  our  competitive  position 
from  multiple 
perspectives, assessing our industry solution experiences and 
how  well  they  address  the  key  needs  of  the  industries  and 
the  segments  within  industries  that  we  are  targeting,  the 
size  of  the  customers,  and  the  needs  and  requirements  of 
users  serving  certain  functions  that  we  categorize  internally 
by brand.

We compete on the basis of offer, capabilities, industry knowledge, 
service  support,  and  pricing  strategies.  Competition  includes 
long-standing  competitors 
including  Siemens,  Autodesk 
and  PTC  as  well  as  Oracle  and  SAP  with  respect  to  our 
collaborative  enterprise  business  processes  and  industrial 
operations  software  offer,  and  ANSYS,  Altair  Engineering, 
MSC  Software  (owned  by  Hexagon),  with  respect  to  our 
structural,  fluid,  electromagnetic  and  multi-physics  software 
offer.  Additional  companies,  principally  software  developers 
who  compete  occasionally  directly  or  indirectly  with  us 
include,  among  others,  Adobe,  ARAS,  Aveva  Group,  Bentley 
Systems,  Epicor,  Infor,  Intergraph  (owned  by  Hexagon  AB), 
JDA, Microsoft, Nemetschek, Onshape, Palantir Technologies, 
Plex,  Salesforce.com,  and  other  software  companies  in  the 
mining  sector  or  offering  information  intelligence  and  social 
enterprise innovation and collaboration software capabilities, 
and developers in all areas of molecular chemistry or biology, 
optimizing processes or digital marketing.

Other  than  contracts  entered  into  in  the  ordinary  course  of 
business,  the  Company’s  material  contracts  are  principally 
the  distribution  agreements  with  its  value-added  retailers 
and  system  integrators,  as  described  in  paragraph  1.5.2.6  

“Sales and Marketing”, and the strategic partnership contracts 
described  in  paragraph  1.5.2.5   “Research  &  Development, 
Technology  and  Science”  (see  “Software,  Technology  and 
Science Partners”).

28 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Presentation of the Group
Research and development

1

Dassault  Systèmes’  3DEXPERIENCE  platform,  which  delivers 
digital continuity, from design to operations, in a single data 
model  for  a  unified  user  experience,  making  digital  design, 
manufacturing  and  services  (DDMS)  a  company-wide  reality 
for all Airbus divisions and product lines.

1

Financing

In June 2013, Dassault Systèmes SE entered into a term loan 
facility agreement for €350 million, which shall be repaid in 
July 2019. In October 2015, the Company entered into a new 
five-year term loan facility agreement, which maturity can be 
extended by two additional years, for €650 million. The facility 
was  immediately  fully  drawn  down  and  bears  interest  at 
Euribor 1 month plus 0.50% per annum. In October 2016 and 
October 2017, the Company exercised the option extension for 
one year, which extends the maturity date to October 2022. 
See paragraph 3.1.4 “Capital Resources” and Note 20 to the 
consolidated financial statements.

Leases

The Company signed long-term leases (for twelve  years) for its 
corporate headquarters in Vélizy-Villacoublay, France (the “3DS 
Paris  Campus”)  in  2008  and  for  its  offices,  technology  lab 
and  data  center  in  Waltham,  outside  Boston,  United  States 
(the  “3DS  Boston  Campus”)  in  2010.  In  February  2013, 
the  Company  entered  into  a  new  lease  for  its  headquarters 
facilities for a non-cancelable initial term of 10 years as from 
the fourth quarter of 2016 on the date an additional building 
was  delivered.  Close  to  that  site,  the  Company  also  leases 
approximately 11,000 square meters more in a building located 
in Meudon-La-Forêt, since October 2010. In September 2016, 
the  3DS  Boston  Campus  lease  was  extended  for  25  months 
and will end June 30, 2026. See paragraph 1.7.2.3 “Liquidity 
Risk” and Note 25 to the consolidated financial statements.

Business contracts

The Boeing Corporation
In  2017,  The  Boeing  Corporation  and  Dassault  Systèmes 
entered into a new, extended strategic partnership agreement 
pursuant  to  which  Boeing  will  expand  its  deployment  of 
Dassault  Systèmes’  software  across  Boeing’s  commercial 
aviation,  space  and  defense  programs  to  include  Dassault 
Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

Boeing  is  aiming  at  modernizing  systems  to  maximize 
economic benefit to Boeing and its shareholders. By improving 
product  quality,  reducing  production  costs  and  developing 
new  innovative  products,  more  value  will  be  delivered  to 
Boeing’s customers.

Boeing  will  deploy  the  3DEXPERIENCE  platform  worldwide 
for  the  end-to-end  product  development  and  production 
of  all  Boeing’s  new  and  existing  commercial  aviation,  space 
and  defense  programs.  After  an  extensive  and  profound 
evaluation  process,  Dassault  Systèmes  was  selected  as  the 
only  technological  partner  of  Boeing  for  the  entire  scope  of 
Boeing’s  digitalization  of  end-to-end  processes:  product 
lifecycle  management  (PLM),  all  related  authoring  tools  and 
manufacturing operations management.

Airbus
On  February  6,  2019,  Airbus  and  Dassault  Systèmes 
announced  the  signature  of  a  five-year  Memorandum  of 
Agreement  (MOA)  to  cooperate  on  the  implementation 
of  collaborative  3D  design,  engineering,  manufacturing, 
simulation  and  intelligence  applications.  Airbus  is  aiming 
at  taking  a  major  step  forward  in  its  digital  transformation 
and  lay  the  foundation  for  a  new  European  industrial 
ecosystem  in  aviation.  Under  the  MOA,  Airbus  will  deploy 

1.6  Research and development

1.6.1  Overview

At December 31, 2018, the Company’s R&D teams included 
6,632  personnel,  compared  to  6,519  at  year-end  2017, 
representing  approximately  41%  of  the  Company’s  total 
headcount.  The  Company  increased  its  total  R&D  headcount 
by  1.7% 
in  2017  reflecting 
principally  new  recruitments  and  growth  in  R&D  resources 
through acquisitions.

in  2018,  and  by  4.6% 

The Group has R&D facilities in the countries where its clients 
and  high-talent  employees  are  located:  in  Europe  (mainly 
France,  Germany,  the  United  Kingdom,  the  Netherlands, 
Poland,  and  Lithuania),  the  Americas  (mainly  United  States) 
and Asia-Pacific (mainly India, Malaysia and Australia).

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

29

1 Presentation of the Group

Research and development

R&D expenses totaled €631.1 million for 2018, compared to 
€576.6 million for 2017, increasing 9.5%. R&D costs benefited 
from  government  grants  and  other  governmental  programs 
supporting R&D of €30.8 million in 2018 and €36.1 million in 
2017.  These  government  grants  principally  include  research 
and development tax credits received in France.

Our  R&D  is  conducted  in  close  cooperation  with  customers 
and  users  in  their  respective  industries  to  develop  a  deeper 
understanding  of  the  unique  business  processes  of  these 

industries  as  well  as  the  future  product  directions  and 
requirements of these industries, customers and users.

Dassault  Systèmes  is  deeply  committed  to  creating  quality 
solutions that allow its customers to meet the critical business 
requirements  of  the  industries  in  which  they  operate.  This 
commitment  to  quality  is  evidenced  by  its  well-established 
Quality  Management  System  certified   ISO  9001:2015   – 
the  latest  version  of  the  standard  focusing  on  operational 
excellence and performance.

in  the  countries  where  it  does  business.  Protection  through 
international 
the  trademark 
trademark, European Community trademarks and/or national 
registrations.

is  a  combination  of 

law 

In order to protect its technology and key product capabilities, 
the  Company  generally  files  patent  applications  in  countries 
where  many  of  its  main  customers  and  competitors  are 
located. At year-end 2018, the Company’s portfolio comprised 
581  protected  inventions,  including  41  new  inventions  in 
2018. Patents have been granted in one or more countries for 
more than 60% of these inventions, and patents for the others 
are pending. When a patent protection is deemed unsuitable, 
certain inventions are kept secret, with the proof of creation 
being saved. The Company also has a cross-license policy for 
patents with major players in its industry.

See  paragraph  1.7.1  “Risks  Related  to  the  Company’s 
Business”,  and  particularly  paragraph  1.7.1.3  “Protection 
of  the  Company’s  Intellectual  Property  Rights  and  Assets” 
for  the  difficulties  in  ensuring  adequate  protection  for  the 
Company’s own intellectual property, and paragraph 1.7.1.14 
“Infringement of Third-Party Intellectual Property Rights and 
of  Third-Party  Technology’s  Licenses”  for  risks  concerning 
possible  third-party  allegations  of  unauthorized  use  of  their 
intellectual property.

1.6.2 

Intellectual Property

its  technology  by  applying  a 
The  Company  protects 
including  copyrights,  patents, 
combination  of  IP  rights 
trademarks  and  trade  secrets.  The  Company  distributes  its 
software products to its customers under licenses that grant 
software utilization rights without transfer of ownership. The 
contracts contain various provisions protecting the Company’s 
IP rights over its technology, as well as related confidentiality 
rights.

The  source  code  (set  of  instructions  under  an  intelligible 
form,  and  used,  once  compiled,  to  generate  the  object  code 
licensed to clients and partners) of the Company’s products is 
protected both as a copyrighted work and as a trade secret. In 
addition, some of the key capabilities of its software products 
are protected through patents whenever possible.

However, no assurance can be given that others will not copy 
or  otherwise  obtain  and/or  use  the  Company’s  products 
or  technology  without  authorization.  In  addition,  effective 
copyright,  trade  secret,  trademark  and  patent  protection  or 
enforcement may be unavailable or limited in certain countries.

The  Company  is  nevertheless  engaged  in  an  active  policy 
against  piracy  and  takes  systematic  measures  to  prevent 
the  illegal  use  and  distribution  of  its  products,  ranging  from 
regularizing illegal use to initiating legal proceedings.

With  regard  to  trademarks,  the  Company’s  policy  is  to 
register  trademarks  for  its  principal  products  and  services 

30 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

1.7  Risk factors

Presentation of the Group
Risk factors

1

1

The Risk Factors are set out hereafter in two main categories: 
risks related to the Company’s  Business (1.7.1) and financial 
and market risks (1.7.2). These are the main risks identified as 
being material, relevant and likely to have a negative impact on 
the Company’s business and financial position as of the date 

on  which  this  Annual  Report  (Document de référence)  was 
filed with the AMF. However, other risks not mentioned or not 
yet identified can affect the Company, its financial position, its 
reputation, its outlook or the share price of Dassault Systèmes.

1.7.1  Risks Related to the Company’s Business

1.7.1.1  Uncertain Global Economic 

Environment

In  light  of  the  uncertainties  regarding  economic,  business, 
social  and  geopolitical  conditions  at  the  global  level,  the 
Company’s  revenue,  net  earnings  and  cash  flows  may  grow 
more slowly, whether on an annual or quarterly basis, mainly 
due to the following factors:

 › the deployment of the Company’s solutions may represent 
a  large  portion  of  a  customer’s  investments  in  software 
technology.  Decisions  to  make  such  an  investment  are 
impacted  by  the  economic  environment  in  which  the 
customers operate. Uncertain global geopolitical conditions 
and  the  lack  of  visibility  or  the  lack  of  financial  resources 
may cause some customers to reduce, postpone or terminate 
their investments, or to reduce or not renew ongoing paid 
maintenance for their installed base;

 › continued pressure or volatility on raw materials and energy 
prices could also slow down the Company’s diversification 
efforts in new industries;

 › the sales cycle of the Company’s products – already relatively 
long  due  to  the  strategic  nature  of  such  investments  for 
customers – could further lengthen; and

 › the  political,  economic  and  monetary  situation  in  certain 
geographic  regions  where  the  Company  operates  could 
become  more  volatile  and,  for  example,  result  in  stricter 
export  compliance  rules  or  the  modification  of  current 
tariff regimes.

The  Company  makes  every  effort  to  take  into  consideration 
this  uncertain  macroeconomic  outlook.  The  Company’s 
business  results,  however,  may  not  develop  as  anticipated. 
Furthermore, due to factors affecting sales of the Company’s 
products  and  services,  there  may  be  a  substantial  time  lag 
between  an  improvement  in  global  economic  and  business 
conditions and an upswing in the Company’s business results.

The economic context may also adversely impact the financial 
situation  or  financing  capabilities  of  the  Company’s  existing 
and potential customers, commercial and technology partners, 
some  of  whom  may  be  forced  to  cease  operations  due  to 
cash  flow  and  profitability  issues.  The  Company’s  ability  to 
collect  outstanding  receivables  may  be  affected.  In  addition, 
the  economic  environment  could  generate  increased  price 
pressure,  as  customers  seek 
lower  prices  from  various 
competitors,  which  could  negatively  impact  the  Company’s 
revenue, financial performance and market position.

To  limit  the  impact  of  the  economic  environment  on  its 
business  and  financial  results,  the  Company  continues  to 
further  diversify  its  customer  base  through  expanding  its 
presence in new business sectors and new geographic markets 
(see  paragraph  3.1.2  “Consolidated 
Information:  2018 
Compared to 2017” for the breakdown of consolidated Group 
revenue by geographic region). It also continues to ensure that 
its costs are controlled for the entire organization.

1.7.1.2 

Security of Internal Systems 
and Facilities

is  totally  computer-based, 

As  the  Company’s  R&D 
its 
effectiveness  is  dependent  on  the  proper  functioning  of 
complex  software  and  integrated  hardware  systems.  It  is 
not  possible  to  guarantee  the  uninterrupted  operation  and 
complete  security  of  these  systems.  Computer  viruses, 
whether  deliberately  or  unintentionally  introduced,  could 
cause  damage,  loss  or  delays.  Moreover,  in  a  context  of 
increased cyber-attacks and the emergence of cyber-terrorism, 
the Company may be subject to computer attacks or intrusions 
that could interfere with the proper functioning of its systems 
and cause substantial delays or damage to its R&D activities, 
not  to  mention  data  disclosures.  Such  attacks  or  intrusions 
could  also  cause  damage  to  or  disclosures  of  customer  data, 
hosted  by  the  Company  or  some  of  its  service  providers  as 
part of its cloud offerings, or interruptions to the online service 

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

31

1 Presentation of the Group

Risk factors

for which it may be held liable. The increasing use of mobile 
devices  (cellular  telephones,  tablets  and  portable  computers) 
linked to certain of the Company’s computer systems tends to 
increase the risk of unauthorized access.

Likewise, some transactions  require the use of off-the-shelves 
interconnection  systems,  for  example  with  most  of  the 
banking  partners  of  Dassault  Systèmes.  The  Group  requires 
from these services and partners a high level of security and 
control  so  as  to  protect  the  messages‘  integrity  and  prevent 
attacks and intrusions in the Group systems. These controls do 
however not eliminate all risks of indirect impact from cyber-
attacks affecting our partners.

In addition, because the Company’s key facilities are located 
in  a  limited  number  of  sites,  including  Japan  and  California, 
which  may  be  exposed  to  earthquakes,  substantial  physical 
damage to any one of the Company sites, by natural causes or 
by terrorist attack or local violence, could materially reduce its 
ability to continue its normal business operations.

To  reduce  this  risk,  the  Company  maintains  an  IT  security 
framework,  including  intrusion  protection,  data  back-up  and 
restricted access to critical and sensitive information.

Access to sites and security of employees traveling to specific 
countries is also monitored.

1.7.1.3 

Protection of the Company’s 
Intellectual Property Rights and 
Assets

is  heavily  dependent  upon 

The  Company’s  success 
its 
proprietary  software  technology.  The  Company  relies  on  a 
combination  of  copyright,  patent,  trademark,  trade  secret 
law  and  contractual  restrictions  to  protect  its  technology. 
These legal protections may not provide a full coverage of the 
Company’s  products  and  can  be  breached  by  third  parties. 
In  addition,  some  countries  do  not  have  effective  protection 
against infringements of copyright, trademarks, trade secrets 
or  patents,  or  they  may  be  limited  in  comparison  to  what 
exists  in  Western  Europe  or  the  United  States.  If,  despite 
its  IP,  certain 
the  Company’s  strategies  for  protecting 
third-parties  are  able  to  develop  similar  technology,  or  to 
successfully challenge the Company’s IP rights, a reduction in 
the  Company’s  software  revenues  may  result.  Furthermore, 
although 
confidentiality 
its  employees,  distributors,  customers 
agreements  with 
and  potential  customers,  and  limits  access  to  and  carefully 
controls  the  distribution  of  its  software,  documentation 
and  other  proprietary 
information,  the  measures  taken 
may  be  inappropriate  to  deter  misuse  of  its  technology,  the 
unauthorized disclosure of confidential information or prevent 
its independent recovery by third parties.

the  Company 

enters 

into 

In  addition,  like  most  of  its  competitors,  Dassault  Systèmes 
faces  a  significant  level  of  piracy  of  its  leading  products,  by 

32 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

both 
individuals  and  business  establishments  operating 
worldwide,  which  could  potentially  affect  the  Company’s 
growth in specific markets.

Litigation  may  be  necessary  to  enforce  the  Company’s  IP 
rights and determine the validity and scope of the proprietary 
rights of third-parties. Any litigation could result in substantial 
costs and diversion of Company resources and could seriously 
harm the Company’s operating results. The Company may not 
prevail  in  any  such  litigation  and  its  IP  rights  may  be  found 
invalid or unenforceable.

In  order  to  protect  its  IP,  the  Dassault  Systèmes  regularly 
registers  patents  for  its  most  advanced  innovations  and 
systematically  registers  copyrights.  The  Company  also 
continues to maintain programs to combat piracy and license 
compliance programs.

1.7.1.4  Deployment Delays, Product Errors 

and Defects

software 

sophisticated 

Deploying 
solutions  becomes 
increasingly complex. Such projects need to take into account 
the  Group’s  customer’s  infrastructure  and  diverse  software 
environment.  Appropriate  project  and  change  management 
controls are also critical to the success of deploying complex 
software  solutions  which  impact  a  large  number  of  users 
across multiple organizations and processes. If the Company 
is  not  able  to  carefully  plan  and  execute  these  projects  in  a 
timely manner, it might need to commit additional resources, 
which could adversely impact its operating result.

Sophisticated  software  can  contain  errors,  defects  or  other 
performance problems when first introduced or when updates 
or new versions are released. The Company may not be able 
to correct such errors or defects in a timely manner and may 
need to expend additional resources.

Such difficulties may also lead to the loss of customers, or even 
in the case of the largest customers the potentially significant 
loss of revenue with their subcontractors. Technical problems, 
or the loss of a customer with a particularly important global 
reputation,  could  also  damage  the  Company’s  own  business 
reputation and cause the loss of new business opportunities. 
Were  customers  to  suffer  financial  or  other  damage  because 
of  product  errors,  defects  or  deployment  delays,  such 
customers  could  pursue  claims  against  Dassault  Systèmes. 
Any  resulting  claim  brought  against  Dassault  Systèmes, 
even if not successful, would likely be time consuming for its 
management and costly to defend and could adversely affect 
the Company’s marketing efforts.

Presentation of the Group
Risk factors

1

1

To reduce the risk of product errors or defects, the Company 
carries out advanced testing of its new products, releases, and 
versions prior to market launch. The Company also works as 
closely  as  possible  with  its  customers  to  ensure  successful 
product installation.

The Company has also subscribed to an “Errors & Omissions” 
insurance  policy  covering  possible  defects  in  its  products, 
although  insurance  carried  by  the  Company  may  only 
partially  offset  the  cost  of  correcting  significant  errors  (see 
paragraph 1.7.3 “Insurance”).

1.7.1.5 

Complex Regulatory and Compliance 
Environment – Legal Proceedings

Establishing  or  strengthening  the  Company’s  presence  in 
countries  where  it  previously  had  not  been  located  or  had 
been  present  only  marginally  until  now,  and  increasing  the 
breadth  of  its  business  and  the  diversity  of  its  customers 
individuals),  have  added  to  the  complexity 
(particularly 
of  the  regulatory  environment 
in  which  the  Company 
operates.  These  regulations,  which  are  complex  and  fast 
moving,  apply  to  many  different  fields,  such  as  general 
business  practices,  competitive  practices,  anti-corruption, 
personal  data  processing,  consumer  protection,  financial 
reporting standards, securities law and corporate governance, 
employment  laws,  internal  controls,  local  and  international 
tax regulations and export compliance for high-tech products. 
New regulations introduced in France and in Europe regarding 
business practices, anti-corruption, changes in the applicable 
regulations  related  to  management  of  personal  data  have 
in  this  ever 
also  reinforced  the  Company’s  obligations 
increasing field.

In order to conduct its business in a wholly ethical manner, the 
Company requires all of its employees, subsidiaries, resellers 
and  intermediaries  to  comply  with  all  applicable  laws  and 
regulations.  The  failure  or  suspected  failure  to  comply  with 
these regulations may result in inquiries or investigations by 
the relevant authorities, or even fines and sanctions, as well 
as  an  increase  in  the  Company’s  litigation  risk  or  negative 
impact  on  its  business  operations,  revenues  or  reputation. 
A  number  of  these  adverse  consequences  could  occur  even 
if  it  is  ultimately  determined  that  there  has  been  no  failure 
to  comply.  Moreover,  the  introduction  of  new  or  more 
stringent regulations in the countries in which the Company 
operates, or may operate, may significantly increase the cost 
of  regulatory  compliance.  The  Company  broadly  relies  on 
a  large  number  of  distributors  and  resellers  to  support  the 
licensing  of  its  software  products  and  the  deployment  of  its 
solutions  (as  described  in  paragraph  1.7.1.10  “Relationships 
with Extended Enterprise Partners”). Although the Company 
has implemented a program to ensure that these third parties 
fully  comply  with  all  applicable  rules  and  regulations  and 
the  highest  ethical  standards,  the  Company’s  business  and 
reputation  could  be  negatively  impacted  in  the  event  such 
third parties were to breach any local or international laws.

risk  of 

The  Company’s 
litigation  and  administrative 
proceedings also increases as it expands its activities, enhances 
its  position  and  visibility  on  the  market,  and  develops  new 
approaches to its business, including product distribution and 
online  services.  Litigation  can  be  lengthy  and  expensive  and 
disrupt the management of Company operations. Its outcome 
is  uncertain  and  may  differ  from  management  expectations, 
which could result in an adverse impact on its financial position 
and operating income, or even the conduct of its business.

In  order  to  reduce  this  risk,  the  Company  continues  to 
reinforce its Ethics & Compliance program (as further described 
in paragraph 2.4 “Business Ethics and Vigilance Plan”) which 
in  particular  requires  all  employees  to  perform  online  Ethics 
&  Compliance  trainings.  Moreover,  the  Company  audits  its 
subsidiaries around the world on a regular basis and consults 
outside experts to validate the compliance of various aspects 
of  its  practices  with  applicable  regulations.  The  Company’s 
Legal department, assisted by technical experts, also monitors 
on  a  regular  basis  all  outstanding  claims  and  litigation  (see 
also  paragraph  4.3  “Legal  and  Arbitration  Proceedings”  and 
Note  25  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements),  some  of 
which  may  be  covered  by  insurance  (see  paragraph  1.7.3 
“Insurance”).

1.7.1.6 

Currency Fluctuations

The  Company’s  results  of  operations  can  be  affected  by 
changes  and  high  volatility  in  exchange  rates.  In  particular, 
exchange rate fluctuation of the US. dollar, the Japanese yen 
and to a lesser extent the British pound, the Korean won and 
the  Chinese  yuan  relative  to  the  euro,  can  impact  revenues 
and expenses recorded in the Company’s statement of income 
upon translation of other currencies into euro.

The Company bills its customers in major currencies, principally 
euros, U.S. dollars and Japanese yens. The Company also incurs 
expenses in different currencies, principally euros, U.S. dollars 
and  Japanese  yen,  depending  on  the  Company’s  employees 
and  supplier’s  location  in  different  countries.  Moreover,  the 
Company  engages  in  mergers  and  acquisitions,  particularly 
outside  the  euro  zone  and  may  lend  money  in  different 
currencies  to  its  wholly  or  partially  owned  subsidiaries 
or affiliates.

Although  the  Company  currently  benefits  from  a  natural 
coverage  of  most  of  its  exposure  to  U.S.  dollars  from  an 
operating  margin  perspective,  exchange  rate  fluctuation  of 
the U.S. dollar relative to the euro may impact the Company’s 
revenue  and  consequently  its  operating  income,  net  income 
and earnings per share. In addition, the Company’s revenues 
denominated in Japanese yen, Korean won and British pound 
substantially  outweigh  its  expenditures  in  these  currencies. 
As a result, any depreciation in the value of these currencies 
–  in  particular  the  Japanese  yen,  and  to  a  lesser  degree  the 
British  Pound  and  South  Korean  Won  –  relative  to  the  Euro, 
would affect the revenue, operating income and margin, net 
income and earnings per share.

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

33

1 Presentation of the Group

Risk factors

The Company’s net financial revenue can also be significantly 
affected  by  changes  in  exchange  rates  between  the  time 
the  revenue  is  recognized  and  when  cash  payments  are 
received,  and  between  the  time  an  expense  is  recorded  and 
when  it  is  paid.  Any  such  differences  are  accounted  for  in 
the  “foreign  exchange  gain/loss”  caption  of  the  Company’s 
financial statements.

The  main  items  of  financial  income  subject  to  fluctuations 
linked to exchange rates are:

 › the  difference  between  the  exchange  rate  used  to  record 
invoices in foreign currencies and the exchange rate when 
the Company receives or makes the payment; and

 › the 

revaluation  of  monetary  assets  and 

liabilities 

denominated in foreign currencies.

To  address  the  risks  created  by  currency  fluctuations,  the 
Company  carries  out  hedging  operations  on  a  case-by-case 
basis (see Note 21 to the consolidated financial statements).

Since  market  growth  rates  for  the  Company’s  software 
applications  and  the  revenue  growth  rates  of  its  significant 
competitors  are  computed  in  U.S.  dollars,  such  growth  rates 
from period to period may not be comparable to the Company’s 
euro-computed revenue growth rates for the same periods.

Finally,  the  Company  continues  to  maintain  a  strengthened 
review of the quality of its investments and remains vigilant as 
to the liquidity of its assets (see paragraphs 1.7.2.3 “Liquidity 
Risk” and 1.7.2.4 “Credit or Counterparty Risk”).

1.7.1.7 

Competition and Pricing Pressure

In the past few years, there have been fewer competitors in 
the  Company’s  historical  software  markets.  As  the  various 
players  compete  for  market  share,  adoption  by  competitors 
of  business  models  different  from  Dassault  Systèmes’ 
could  lead  to  substantial  declines  in  pricing,  which  could 
require  the  Company  to  adapt  to  a  substantially  different 
commercial environment. These competitive pricing pressures 
could  lead  to  competitors  winning  contracts,  negatively 
impacting the Company’s revenue, financial performance and 
market position.

At  the  same  time,  by  regularly  expanding  its  product 
portfolio,  entering  new  geographic  markets,  diversifying  its 
client  base  in  new  sectors  of  activity,  and  developing  new 
applications  for  its  products,  the  Company  encounters  new 
competitors. Such competitors could have, as a result of their 
size  or  prior  presence  in  these  markets,  financial,  human  or 
technological resources not readily available to the Company. 
The development of cloud computing offers may also lead to 
new participants entering the market. The Company’s ability 
to expand its competitive position may thus be reduced.

In  the  event  the  Company  has  difficulties  setting  up  the 
organization  needed  to  manage  its  businesses  and  the  new 
competitive  context,  the  revenues,  results  of  operations, 

competitive  position  and  reputation  of  Dassault  Systèmes 
could be negatively impacted.

1.7.1.8  Market introduction of a New Saas 

Offering (Cloud Computing)

Dassault  Systèmes  is  developing  and  distributing  a  services 
offering  for  the  online  use  of  certain  of  its  products  (SaaS) 
based  on  a  cloud  computing  infrastructure.  It  continues  to 
grow its portfolio of software solutions and processes available 
on  the  cloud.  Difficulties  introducing  such  solutions  at  the 
desired speed, with the appropriate pricing model and with the 
right level of quality could impact the Company’s growth and 
future results, and give rise to technical and legal challenges:

 › the  progressive  roll-out  of  these  services  and  their 
distribution  also  involves  the  deployment  of  new  support 
and management processes (for example, processing orders 
and billing);

 › the Company will also become exposed to a complex legal 
environment  and  could  have  increased  risk  regarding 
it  has 
regulatory  compliance 
operations,  in  particular  with  respect  to  data  privacy, 
consumer laws and data confidentiality;

in  the  countries  where 

 › in  case  of  difficulties  in  providing  its  clients  with  online 
services  under  appropriate  conditions,  potentially  leading 
to  interruption  of  services  or  loss  of  data,  the  Company’s 
revenues,  results  of  operations  and  competitive  position, 
as  well  as  the  reputation  of  Dassault  Systèmes,  could  be 
negatively affected.

The Company is seeking to minimize these risks by developing 
alliances with partners with recognized technical capabilities, 
by  setting  up  the  appropriate  internal  processes  to  master 
the  required  cloud  enabling  technologies  and by  simulating 
and  controlling,  to  the  extent  possible,  the  technical,  legal 
and financial consequences of processes put in place to serve 
its customers.

1.7.1.9  Organizational and Operational 

Challenges Arising from the Evolution 
of the Company

Dassault  Systèmes  has  continued  to  expand  through 
acquisitions and internal development, and has substantially 
increased  its  addressable  market  through  launching  3D 
EXPERIENCE.  The  Company’s  management  policies  and 
internal  systems  must  be  adapted  on  an  on-going  basis 
to  meet  the  needs  of  a  larger,  more  complex  structure  and 
implement the Company’s strategy to reach a broader market. 
The Company must continue to reorganize itself to maintain 
efficiency and operational excellence while ensuring customer 
retention  and  the  integration  of  newly  acquired  companies. 
It  must  also  continue  to  focus  on  quality  of  execution  while 
maintaining innovation.

34 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Presentation of the Group
Risk factors

1

1

The  Company  must  also  ensure  that  the  profile  and  skill 
sets  of  its  employees  are  continually  updated  to  reflect  the 
Company’s development.

If the Company does not address these issues effectively and 
on a timely basis, the Company’s product development, cost 
management  and  commercial  operations  could  be  impacted 
or  fail  to  satisfy  adequately  market  or  customer  demands, 
which  could  negatively  impact  its  financial  or  operational 
performance.

Moreover, Company acquisitions, including of non-controlling 
interests, may require the Company to recognize amortization 
of acquired intangible assets and/or depreciation of goodwill 
in case of impairment (see Note 2 to the consolidated financial 
statements).

Acquired  companies  may  also  carry 
including 
off- balance  sheet  commitments,  such  as  litigation  related  to 
pre-acquisition events (such as IP or tax claims).

risks, 

When making new acquisitions or investments, the Company 
may  need  to  allocate  significant  financial  resources,  make 
potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities or incur debt.

The Company seeks to adjust on a regular basis its organization 
and  management  model  to  support  its  current  level  of 
growth  by  enhancing  its  geographic-based  organization  and 
establishing a process for integrating newly acquired entities.

resellers. The type of relationship that the Company has with 
its  distributors  and  value-added  resellers,  as  well  as  their 
financial and technical reliability, could impact the Company’s 
ability to sell and deploy its product and service offerings.

The  Company’s  ability  to  establish  partner  relationships 
for  the  development,  distribution  and  deployment  of 
its  3DEXPERIENCE  platform  is  an  important  element  of 
its strategy.

Serious  difficulties  in  the  Company’s  relationships  with  its 
partners, or an unfavorable change of control of these partners, 
may  adversely  affect  the  Company’s  product  and  business 
development,  and  could  cause  it  to  lose  the  contribution  of 
the  employees  or  contractors  of  the  Company’s  partners, 
particularly in the area of R&D. In addition, any failure by the 
Company’s partners to deliver products of quality or according 
to the expected timing may cause delays in the delivery of, or 
deficiencies in, the Company’s own products.

Due to the rapid evolution of the software development and 
distribution  sectors,  it  is  difficult  to  ensure  the  long-term 
success  of  the  Company’s  relationship  with  any  particular 
partner.  As  the  Company  strives  to  expand  its  coverage  and 
network  of  distributors  and  partners,  it  applies  thorough 
processes in evaluating each potential distributor or partners’ 
technical  and  financial  viability,  whenever  entering  into  a 
new relationship.

1.7.1.10  Relationships with Extended 
Enterprise Partners

1.7.1.11  Variability in Quarterly 

Operating Results

The  Company’s  3DEXPERIENCE  strategy  requires  a  fully 
integrated  platform  with  access  to  computer-aided  design 
(“CAD”),  simulation,  collaboration,  manufacturing  and  data 
management products, which are increasingly complex and for 
which  customer  installations  represent  significant  enterprise 
projects. The Company has continued to develop an extended 
enterprise model and implement its 3DEXPERIENCE model in 
partnership with other companies in areas such as:

The  Company’s  quarterly  operating  results  may  vary 
significantly in the future, depending on factors such as:

 › the timing, the seasonality and cyclical nature of revenues 
received  due  to  the  signing  of  important  new  customer 
orders,  the  completion  of  major  service  contracts  or 
customer deployments;

 › the timing of any significant acquisition or divestiture;

 › computer  hardware  and  technology,  to  maximize  benefits 

 › fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;

from available technology;

 › product  development,  to  enable  software  developers  to 
create  and  market  their  own  software  applications  using 
Dassault Systèmes’ open product architecture; and

 › consulting  and  services,  to  support  and  assist  customers 
as  needed  to  deploy  Industry  Solution  Experiences  on  the 
3DEXPERIENCE platform.

The  Company  believes  that  its  partnering  strategy  allows  it 
to  benefit  from  complementary  resources  and  skills,  and  to 
reduce  costs  while  achieving  broader  market  coverage.  The 
Company’s  broad  partnering  strategy  nevertheless  creates  a 
degree of dependency on such partners.

In  addition  to  its  own  sales  force,  the  Company  also  relies 
on  an  international  network  of  distributors  and  value-added 

 › the Company’s ability to develop, introduce and market new 
and enhanced versions of its products and customer order 
deferrals in anticipation of these new or enhanced products;

 › the  number, 

significance  of  product 
enhancements or new products that the Company develops 
or that are released by its competitors;

timing  and 

 › general conditions in the Company’s software markets (as 
a  whole  or  on  a  regional  basis)  and  the  software  industry 
generally; and

 › the increased complexity in planning and forecasting as new 
business  models  are  introduced  alongside  the  traditional 
licensing model of the industry.

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

35

1 Presentation of the Group

Risk factors

A substantial portion of the Company’s orders and shipments 
typically  occur  in  the  last  month  of  each  quarter,  and, 
therefore,  if  any  delay  occurs  in  the  timing  of  significant 
orders,  the  Company  may  experience  quarterly  fluctuations 
in  its  results  of  operations.  Additionally,  as  is  typical  in  the 
software Industry, the Company has historically experienced 
its highest licensing activity for the year during the last quarter 
of the year. Delays in orders and shipments can also affect the 
Company’s revenue and income.

The  trading  price  of  the  Dassault  Systèmes’  shares  may  be 
subject to wide fluctuations in response to quarterly variations 
in  the  Company’s  operating  results  and  the  operating 
results  of  other  software  application  developers  in  the 
Company’s markets.

amongst others in the areas of change management, industrial 
collaboration and cross-enterprise work.

As  a  result,  Dassault  Systèmes‘   success  is  highly  dependent 
upon its ability to:

 › understand  its  customers’  complex  needs  in  different 

business sectors;

 › support customers with their efforts to improve key product 

lifecycle processes;

 › enhance its existing solutions by developing more advanced 

technologies;

 › anticipate  and  take  timely  advantage  of  quickly  evolving 

technologies and standards; and

 › introduce  new  solutions  in  a  cost-competitive  and  timely 

1.7.1.12  Retention of Key Profiles and 

manner.

Executives

The  Company’s  success  depends  to  a  significant  extent 
upon  the  continued  service  of  its  key  managers  and  highly 
qualified  personnel,  in  particular  in  R&D,  technical  support 
and  sales  management,  and  it  is  also  based  on  its  ability  to 
continue to attract and motivate qualified personnel, as well 
as  keep  their  skills  continuously  up  to  date  in  line  with  the 
organizational needs.

The  competition  for  such  employees  is  intense,  and  if  the 
Company  loses  the  ability  to  hire  and  retain  key  employees 
and  executives  with  a  diverse  and  high  level  of  skills  in 
appropriate  domains  (such  as  R&D,  strategy,  marketing  and 
sales), it could have a material adverse impact on its business 
activities and operating results. In particular, if the Company 
fails  to  hire  on  a  timely  basis  and  retain  highly  skilled  sales 
forces,  revenue  could  be  negatively  impacted.  The  Company 
does  not  maintain  insurance  with  respect  to  the  loss  of  key 
personnel.

In order to limit this risk, the Company has put in place training, 
career  development  and  (certain  long-term)  compensation 
incentive  policies  to  attract  and  retain  key  personnel  and 
executives and has also diversified its R&D resources in different 
regions of the world. The identification of key personnel also 
constitutes  an  important  step  in  the  process  of  integrating 
newly acquired companies into the Company.

1.7.1.13  Rapidly Changing and Complex 

Technologies

The  Company  also  continues  to  face  the  challenge  of  the 
increasingly  complex  integration  of  its  products’  different 
functionalities  to  address  customers’  requirements.  As  a 
result,  more  difficult  industrialization  work  is  required  for 
new  releases  and  offerings,  with  technical  limitations,  for 
example  in  managing  data  migration  or  the  options  for 
interfacing with third-party systems installed at the customer. 
In  addition,  if  the  Company  is  not  successful  in  anticipating 
technological 
leaps  and  developing  new  solutions  and 
services that address its customers’ increasingly sophisticated 
expectations, demand for its products could decline, and the 
Company’s results of operations and financial condition could 
be negatively affected.

To reduce this risk and keep abreast or ahead of technological 
developments  which  may  affect  its  products,  the  Company 
commits  substantial  resources  to  enhancing 
its  current 
offering  and  to  the  development  of  new  offerings.  It  also 
maintains  close  and  regular  contacts  with  its  key  customers 
to identify and capture their emerging needs and to offer the 
most  adapted  solutions.  In  addition,  the  Company  provides 
training  courses  to  its  R&D  teams  on  new  technologies. 
Complementing  its  internal  R&D,  the  Company  seeks  to 
maintain an active monitoring of third-party technologies that 
it  might  acquire  to  improve  its  technology  offerings  where 
appropriate.

1.7.1.14 

Infringement of Third-Party 
Intellectual Property Rights and of 
Third-Party Technology Licenses

The  Company’s  software  solutions  are  characterized  by  the 
use  of  rapidly  changing  technologies  and  through  upgrades 
to  existing  products  or  frequent  new  product  introductions. 
These  solutions  must  address  complex  engineering  needs  in 
various areas of product design, simulation and manufacturing, 
and  must  also  meet  sophisticated  process  requirements 

Third-parties, including the Company’s competitors, may own 
or obtain copyrights, patents or other proprietary rights that 
could  restrict  the  Company’s  ability  to  further  develop,  use 
or  sell  its  own  product  portfolio,  potentially  inherited  from 
acquisitions. Dassault Systèmes has received, and may in the 
future  receive,  letters  of  complaint  alleging  that  its  products 

36 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

infringe the patents and other IP rights of others. Such claims 
could cause the Company to incur substantial costs to defend 
itself in any litigation which may be brought, regardless of its 
merits. If the Company fails to prevail in IP litigation, it may 
be required to:

 › obtain and pay for licenses from the holder of the infringed 
IP right, which might not be available on acceptable terms 
for Dassault Systèmes, if at all; or

 › redesign its products, which could involve substantial costs 
and require the Company to interrupt product licensing and 
product releases, and which may not be feasible at all and 
may require ongoing development to be put on hold.

In addition, the Company embeds in its products third-party 
components  selected  either  by  the  Company  itself  or  by 
companies  which  it  acquired   over  time.  Although  Dassault 
Systèmes has implemented strict approval processes to certify 
the  originality  of  third-party  components  and  verify  any 
corresponding  licensing  terms,  the  same  approval  processes 
may  not  have  been  adopted  by  companies  acquired  by 
Dassault  Systèmes  before  their  acquisition.  As  a  result,  the 
use  of  third-party  embedded  components  in  the  Company’s 
products generates exposure to the risk that a third-party will 
claim that these components infringe their IP rights. Also, due 
to the use of third-party components, there is also a risk that 
such  license(s)  might  expire  or  terminate  without  renewal, 
thereby affecting certain Company products.

1.7.2  Financial and Market Risks

The Company’s overall risk management policy is based upon 
the  prudent  management  of  the  Company’s  market  risks, 
primarily foreign currency exchange risk and interest rate risk. 
The  Company’s  programs  with  respect  to  the  management 
of these risks, including the use of hedging instruments, are 
discussed in Note 21 to the consolidated financial statements. 
The  Company’s  exposure  to  these  risks  may  change  over 
time  and  there  can  be  no  assurance  that  the  benefits  of  the 
Company’s  risk  management  policies  will  exceed  the  related 
costs. Such changes could have a materially adverse impact on 
the Company’s financial results.

The Company generates positive cash flows from operations 
and has financial obligations (e.g., bank loans, loan facilities, 
employee  profit-sharing),  but  the  Company’s  cash  position 
net of debt is positive throughout the year.

1.7.2.1 

Interest Rate Risk

The Company’s cash surplus generally earns interest at fixed 
or  floating  market  rates,  while  the  Company’s  debt  carries 

Presentation of the Group
Risk factors

1

If any of the above situations were to occur for a significant 
product,  it  could  have  a  material  adverse  impact  on  the 
Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

The  Company  seeks  to  limit  this  risk  through  a  process  for 
identifying and certifying origins of its products with respect 
to IP before making them available for sale.

1

1.7.1.15  Technology Stock Volatility

Under conditions of increased market uncertainty, the trading 
price  of  the  Company’s  shares  could  be  volatile.  The  market 
for shares of technology companies has in the past been more 
volatile than the stock market overall.

1.7.1.16  Shareholder Base

Groupe  Industriel  Marcel  Dassault  SAS  (“GIMD”),  main 
Company   shareholder,  owned  40.70%  of  the  Company’s 
outstanding  shares,  representing  55.02%  of  the  exercisable 
voting rights (54.44% of theoretical rights) as of December 31, 
2018. As more fully described in paragraph 6.3 “Information 
about  the  shareholders”,  GIMD  plays  a  decisive  role  with 
respect  to  matters  submitted  to  shareholders,  including  the 
election  and  removal  of  directors  and  the  approval  of  any 
merger,  consolidation  or  sale  of  all  or  substantially  all  of  the 
Company’s assets.

interest  at  floating  rates.  Therefore,  the  Company’s  interest 
rate risk is primarily related to a reduction of financial revenue. 
See Notes 20 and 21 to the consolidated financial statements.

1.7.2.2 

Foreign Currency Risk

See  paragraph  1.7.1.6  “Currency  Fluctuations”  above  and 
Note 21 to the consolidated financial statements.

1.7.2.3 

Liquidity Risk

The  Company  has  a  low  liquidity  risk.  As  of  December  31, 
2018,  the  Company’s  cash,  cash  equivalents  and  short-
term  investments  totaled  €2.81  billion.  See  Note  12  to  the 
consolidated financial statements.

The  Company  has  analyzed  the  amounts  it  will  be  required 
to  pay  under  its  contractual  commitments  at  December  31, 
2018. The Company believes that it will be able to meet such 
obligations.

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

37

1 Presentation of the Group

Risk factors

The following table summarizes the Company’s principal contractual obligations to make future payments as of December 31, 2018.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

(in millions of euros)

Operating lease obligations(1)

Loan facilities(2)

Employee profit-sharing

TOTAL

Total

469.0

1,022.0

70.4

1,561.4

Less than
1 year

88.1

359.9

70.4

518.4

Payments due by period

1-3 years

3-5 years

145.4

9.6

-

155.0

108.9

652.5

-

761.4

More than 
5 years

126.6

-

-

126.6

(1)  Including €204.8 million of future minimum rental payments for the Company’s headquarters facilities in France (3DS Paris Campus) and €90.8 million of future minimum rental 

payments for the American subsidiaries’ facilities located in Waltham near Boston, United States (see Note 25 to the consolidated financial statements).

(2)  Including interests on the €350 million and €650 million term loan facilities (see Note 20 to the consolidated financial statements). The variable component of the future cash 

flows from loan interests was calculated using the spot Euribor rate 1 month on December 31, 2018.

1.7.2.4 

Credit or Counterparty Risk

The financial instruments which could expose the Company to 
credit risk include principally its cash equivalents, short- term 
investments  and  customer 
receivables.  The  hedging 
agreements  entered  into  with  financial  institutions  pursuant 
to  its  policy  for  managing  currency  and  interest  rate  risks 
also  expose  the  Company  to  credit  and  counterparty  risk. 
See  Notes  12,  13  and  21  to  the  consolidated  financial 
statements.  The  Company  uses  a  rigorous  selection  process 
for  its  counterparts  according  to  credit  quality,  based  on 

several criteria including agency ratings and depending on the 
maturity dates of the transactions.

1.7.2.5 

Equity Risk

For  cash  management  purposes,  the  Company  does  not 
directly  invest  in  listed  shares,  or  any  material  amounts 
in  funds  invested  primarily  in  or  indexed  to  stocks.  The 
Company’s financial results are therefore not significantly and 
directly linked to stock market variations.

1.7.3 

Insurance

Dassault Systèmes is insured by several insurance companies 
for  all  significant  risks.  Most  of  these  risks  are  covered 
either  by  insurance  policies  underwritten  in  France  for  the 
whole  Group,  or  by  a  North  American  policy  that  covers  all 
the  North  American  subsidiaries  and  their  own  subsidiaries 
and  branches  around  the  world.  In  addition,  the  Company 
subscribes to specific coverage and/or local policies to comply 
with applicable local regulations or to meet the specific needs 
of certain activities or projects.

All of the Company‘s entities  are protected by a policy covering 
professional  and  product  liability  as  well  as  civil  liability  for 
operations for a total insured value of €100 million for 2018.

In  2018,  the  Company   renewed  its  Directors  and  Officer’s 
Liability Policy for Dassault Systèmes SE and its subsidiaries.

The  Company  also  carries  insurance  coverage  for  damage  to 
goods  in  the  Company’s  various  locations,  equipments  and 
computer goods.

Based  on  the  legal  requirements  applicable  in  each  country, 
the North American companies and most of their subsidiaries 
have  specific  insurance  cover.  This  insurance  includes  in 
particular coverage for damage to goods, computer risks, loss 
of  business  and  operational  civil  liability  and  professional 
liability. In connection with this insurance, the Company also 
has  coverage  for  work-related  accidents  in  the  USA  (other 
countries  being  covered  by  State  programs)  and  automobile 
accidents.  As  additional  coverage  for  the  various  insurance 
policies  covering  the  North  American  companies  and  their 
subsidiaries,  Dassault  Systèmes  carries  an  “umbrella”  policy 
for a maximum amount of $25 million.

The  insurance  policies  are  regularly  reviewed  and  may  be 
modified to reflect changes in the revenue, the integration of 
newly acquired companies, activities and risks of the different 
companies within the Company .

Dassault 
insurance coverage.

Systèmes 

has 

not 

established 

captive 

38 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

2

SOCIAL, SOCIETAL 
AND ENVIRONMENTAL 
RESPONSIBILITY

2.1  Social responsibility 

41

2.4  Business Ethics and Vigilance Plan  58

CONTENTS

2.1.1  Group Organization and Workforce 

2.1.2  Attracting talented individuals 

2.1.3  Developing knowledge and know-how 

2.1.4  Developing employee engagement 

2.1.5  Preserving health and safety 

2.1.6  Retaining our talents 

2.2  Societal responsibility 

2.2.1  Digital responsibility 

2.2.2  Facilitating open innovation and collective 

intelligence 

2.3  Environmental Responsibility 

2.3.1  Managing greenhouse gas emissions 

2.3.2  Responsible company and partner 

41

42

43

44

46

47

48

48

52

53

53

57

2.4.1  Promoting strong business ethics 

2.4.2  Implementing an Appropriate Vigilance Plan 

2.5   Reporting methodology 

2.5.1  Methodology for social and societal reporting 

2.5.2  Methodology for Environmental Reporting 

2.6  Independent Verifier’s Report 
on Consolidated Non-financial 
Statement Presented in the 
Management Report 

2.7  Statutory Auditors’ Attestation 
on the information relating 
to the Dassault Systèmes SE’s total 
amount paid for sponsorship 

58

60

61

61

62

64

67

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

39

2 Social, societal and environmental responsibility

Dassault  Systèmes  constantly  strives  to  provide  businesses 
and individuals with 3D universes that allow them to imagine 
sustainable  innovations  capable  of  harmonizing  products, 
nature  and  life.  Through  this  ambition,  we  contribute  to  the 
improvement of society and the quality of the environment.

By their very nature, virtual universes and the experimentation 
they  allow,  provide  possible  answers  to  society’s  major 
challenges,  in  areas  such  as  the  environment,  health  or 
education. Virtual universes are essential for better planning, 
better collaboration and better learning. The 3DEXPERIENCE 
platform thus enables our customers to envision new ways of 
imagining, creating and producing.

In January 2018, we were  ranked first among the 2018 Top 
100  Most  Sustainable  Corporations  by  Corporate  Knights 
for our vision and for implementing this vision in everything 
that  we  do.  We  were    also   recognized  in  various  sustainable 
development indexes and rankings, including the FTSE 4Good 
and the Carbon Disclosure Project.

Our employees are the Group’s most precious assets. They are 
at the heart of our mission (harmonizing product, nature and 
life), and long-term development. Sharing a common culture 
and the same values is of capital importance as they underpin 
the  employees’  daily  interactions  within  the  Company, 
with its customers and more broadly in its ecosystem. They are 
Dassault Systèmes’ distinctive feature, making everyone eager 
to work together and grow.

In  light  of  our  rapid  growth,  the  innovative  environment  in 
which  we  operate,  and  the  growing  number  of  markets  we 
reach, we pay special attention to the following challenges:

Developing knowledge, know-how and leadership 
with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform is the catalyst for the continuous 
development  of  knowledge,  know-how  and  leadership  of 
our  employees  and  ecosystem.  This  strategy  is  based  on 
three pillars:

 › A  major  focus  is  to  onboard  and  train  new  employees. 
We  have  an  employee  onboarding  program  provided  from 
the  very  first  day  through  the  3DS  University  and  online 
communities,  offering 
information 
concerning  the  Company,  the  organizations  and  the 
projects, and allowing for faster skill acquisition;

instant  access  to 

 › Through  learning  programs  validated  by  a  certification, 
employees  can  continually  upgrade  their  skills  and 
know- how  in  order  to  progress  in  their  jobs  and  within 
the Company;

 › Our new performance review model takes into account the 
employees’  know-how  and  attitude,  thereby  setting  the 
Company  on  a  course  of  exemplary  employee  behaviors 
in  order  to  build  solid  long-term  relationships  within 
our  internal  network  and  our  ecosystem  of  customers 
and partners.

Preparing the “workforce of the future”
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform makes use of our technologies 
and  our  talents  to  address  a  major  challenge 
in  our 
society:  preparing  the  “workforce  of  the  future”  jobs  and 
economic models.

La  Fondation  Dassault  Systèmes  provides  support  to  the 
world  of  education  and  research  centers  by  transforming 
the  learning  experience  through  powerful  3D  technologies 
supporting education and research methods.

Our Workforce of the Future organization collaborates with a 
global network of partners to transform the education system 
– from primary school to university – to meet business needs. 
Through  innovative,  holistic  and  interdisciplinary  programs 
based  on  our  solutions  and  our  technologies,  we  help  to 
prepare the talents of the future.

The  3DEXPERIENCE  Lab,  an  innovation  laboratory  opened 
within  the  Company  in  2015,  helps  innovative  external 
startups  to  develop.  This  initiative  gives  our  employees  the 
opportunity to get involved in new projects, enabling them to 
share their knowledge and gain new skills.

The 3DEXPERIENCE Center Network is a group of innovation 
laboratories which connects technology, industry, regulatory 
authorities and researchers to shape the future of aviation and 
other  industries  by  providing  an  advanced  product  creation 
and  development  environment.  Through  these  centers, 
we  offer  our  customers  our  expertise,  in  combination  with 
our solutions, to help them reinvent their ways of designing 
their products.

In  2018,  a  working  group  was  set  up  to  identify  the  social, 
societal and environmental risks associated with our business 
model (see Chapter 1  “Presentation of the Group” ). Following 
this first analytical phase, 18 potential risks were submitted to 
more than 35 experts, Directors and Vice-Presidents in order 
to assess the likelihood of their occurrence, the possibility of 
overcoming  them,  and  their  potential  strategic,  operational, 
legal,  financial,  and  reputational  impacts  on  our  ability 
to innovate.

Based on the results of this assessment, the main contributors, 
meeting in committee, drew up a mapping of social, societal 
and environmental risks, thus identifying nine priority areas. 
Each one of these was analyzed in view of associated policies 
and procedures, upcoming measures, and the defining of key 
performance indicators.

The nine priority areas are the following:

 › Attracting talented individuals;

 › Developing knowledge and know-how;

 › Developing employee engagement;

 › Preserving health and safety;

 › Retaining our talents;

40 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

 
Social, societal and environmental responsibility
Social responsibility

2

 › Digital responsibility;

 › Facilitating open innovation and collective intelligence;

 › Managing greenhouse gas emissions;

 › Responsible company and partner.

These  nine  priority  areas  are  detailed  in  this  chapter  and 
underpin our non-financial performance statement.

The impacts of our business with regard to human rights were 
assessed  in  2017  as  part  of  the  Vigilance  Plan.  The  impacts 
of  our  business  with  regards  to  the  fight  against  corruption 
are  subject  of  a  specific  mapping  dedicated  to  the  risk  of 
corruption,  updated  annually.  They  do  not  represent  main 

risks and are covered under our Code of Business Conduct (see 
paragraph 2.4 “Business Ethics and Vigilance Plan”).

Given the nature of our activities, we consider that the areas 
relating to adaptation to climate change, food waste, collective 
agreements  and  their  impact  on  the  company’s  economic 
performance  do  not  represent  main  risks  and  do  not  require 
development in this chapter.

Due to the late publication of regulations (Act No  2018-898 
of  23  October  2018  and  Act No  2018-938  of  30  October 
2018), we were unable to include areas relating to combating 
tax evasion, combating food insecurity, the respect for animal 
welfare,  the  responsible,  fair  and  sustainable  food  into  our 
risk  analysis.  If  they  present  major  risks,  these  areas  will  be 
addressed in the next fiscal year.

2

2.1  Social responsibility

2.1.1  Group Organization and Workforce

Our  Group  is  organized  into  major  fields  of  activities,  R&D; 
Sales,  Marketing  &  Services;  and  Administration  and  other 
functions.  They  cover  our  main  markets  across  three  large 
geographic regions.

As of December 31, 2018, the workforce was 16,055 employees, 
covering subsidiaries in which the Group has more than a 50% 
shareholding,  representing  an  increase  of  5.4%  compared  to 
December 31, 2017. Reflecting our international dimension, 
45% of our employees are located in Europe, 24% are located 
in  the  Americas  and  31%  are  located  in  Asia,  representing 
43  different  countries  and  employees  originating  from 
133  different countries.

In line with our aim to be recognized as an exemplary employer 
that contributes to employability, 94% of our employees are 
under  permanent  contracts  and  are  recruited  locally,  thus 
contributing  to  the  economic  development  of  each  country 
in which we operate. The proportion of women in the Group 
is  24%,  which  is  representative  of  parity  in  universities  and 
in High Tech work environment. In 2018, 745 women joined 
Dassault Systèmes.

On  December  31,  2018,  Dassault  Systèmes’  Executive 
Committee was made up of two women and seven men. The 
Board  of  Directors  comprises  five  women  and  eight  men, 
including the employee’s representative.

In  2018,  2,793  new  employees  joined  Dassault  Systèmes, 
83.5%  of  whom  through  recruitment  and  16.5%  through 
newly  acquired  companies.  This  growth  in  the  number  of 
employees brings our breakdown by activity to:

Nearly 19% of employees have management responsibilities, 
of which nearly 17% are women. A community of 3,018  women 
and men manage our human capital throughout their career 
development within Dassault Systèmes.

 › 37% in R&D;

 › 50% in Sales, Marketing and Services;

 › 13% in Administration and other functions.

The  Code  of  Business  Conduct  demonstrates  the  extent  to 
which  the  Dassault  Systèmes  culture  is  based  on  mutual 
respect,  fairness,  and  the  diversity  of  its  employees.  In  this 
respect,  recruitment,  training,  promotion,  assignment  and 
more  generally,  all  work-related  decisions  are  based  on 
competencies, talent, achievements and employee motivation, 
without any form of discrimination, harassment or bullying.

Our social responsibility approach is entrusted to the Human 
Resources and Information Systems Executive Vice-Presidency, 
including the Real Estate Management and General Resources 
department.  The  definition  and  implementation  of  related 
policies is based on a global network of employees composed 
of  experts  and  operational  staff,  at  global  and  local  level. 
Projects  and  indicators  are  monitored  and  managed  on 
a  monthly  or  quarterly  basis,  through  dashboards  in  the 
3DEXPERIENCE  platform,  facilitating  collaboration  between 
all  contributors,  decision-making  and  the  implementation  of 
relevant action plans.

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

41

2 Social, societal and environmental responsibility

Social responsibility

2.1.2  Attracting talented individuals

We also aim to strengthen our ability to attract and onboard the 
most talented individuals by offering them opportunities for 
internships  or  apprenticeships  to  supplement  their  academic 
program  with  an  experience  in  an  innovative  environment. 
Our objective is to offer them long-term career opportunities 
by offering them to join Dassault Systèmes after graduation.

In 2018, we defined a plan to increase the number of internship 
opportunities  in  our  main  countries  of  operation.  In  France, 
we  deployed  an  intern  and  apprentice  identification  process 
in  order  to  offer  them  job  opportunities  once  graduated.  We 
organized  an  event  targeting  the  community  of  interns  and 
apprentices  to  help  them  write  their  resumes,  prepare  them 
for  job  interviews  and  enable  them  to  meet  managers  from 
various organizations.

In  2018,  we  hired  168  trainees  or  apprentices  within  12 
months of their graduation, representing 15.1% of job offers 
requiring less than three years of professional experience.

Over the next three years, our priority actions will focus on:

 › The  development  of  the  internship  pool  in  our  main 

countries of operation;

 › The  development  and  enhancement  of  our  privileged 
relationships with targeted higher-education establishments 
and universities;

 › The  development  of  synergies  and  joint  actions  with  our 
“Workforce of the Future” organization (see paragraph 2.2.1 
“Digital Responsibility”);

 › Improving  our  process  for  following-up  and  identifying 
trainees  and  apprentices  who  can  develop  and  succeed 
within Dassault Systèmes;

 › The identification of relevant and suitable target positions 

to be offered directly to our trainees and apprentices;

 › The 

implementation  of  an 

indicator  to  monitor  the 
conversion rate of our trainees and apprentices on available 
job offers.

Since the very beginning, we have demonstrated our unique 
ability  in  the  field  of  3DEXPERIENCE  universes,  enabling 
our  clients  to  accelerate  their  transformation  and  imagine 
innovative  solutions.  Our  sustainable  growth  is  based  in 
particular  on  our  ability  to  meet  the  talent  needs  generated 
by  our  ambition  and  on  the  expertise  and  quality  of  our 
employees.

To work for Dassault Systèmes, it is important to have a passion 
for technological innovation, a desire to work in a collaborative 
and  agile  manner  in  an  international  and  multicultural 
environment  and  constantly  learn,  have  an  appetite  for 
challenge and a mindset that embodies our Group’s values.

On the global employment market, competition for digital and 
high-tech skills is increasingly stiff. To achieve our objectives, 
we  need  to  implement  consistent  and  diversified  candidate 
search and selection solutions that allow us to be recognized 
as an employer of choice to attract and engage talent in line 
with  our  values  and  motivated  by  our  vision.  We  aim  to  be 
acknowledged  as  an  exemplary  actor  that  contributes  to  the 
development of each and everyone as well as to sustainable 
employability in all its forms.

In  2018,  we  filled  2,565  job  offers,  of  which  94%  under 
permanent contracts.

Referral is an efficient way of attracting the talents we need 
and is an important recruitment channel. We aim to capitalize 
on our employees’ network to promote Dassault Systèmes and 
to  enhance  our  career  opportunities  worldwide.  Our  referral 
program encourages and rewards employees who contribute 
to our recruitment efforts. Any employee can recommend an 
applicant using our referral application on the 3DEXPERIENCE 
platform.  In  2018,  this  referral  program  was  rolled  out 
worldwide,  covering  96%  of  the  workforce  on  December 
31, 2018, allowing us to receive 8,397 job applications from 
candidates recommended by our employees.

We  aim  to  achieve  around  20%  of  recruitments  by  referral 
in  2021.  In  2018,  14.5%  of  the  candidates  recruited 
were coopted.

42 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Social, societal and environmental responsibility
Social responsibility

2

2

2.1.3  Developing knowledge and know-how

Throughout  the  major  transformations  brought  by  Dassault 
Systèmes  with  3D,  digital  mock-up  (DMU),  3D  product 
lifecycle management and now the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, 
we  have  demonstrated  our  ability  to  learn  and  master  new 
technologies,  to  assemble  and  develop  skills  to  innovate. 
This  individual  and  collective  capacity  is  at  the  root  of  the 
company’s  success  and  growth.  “Passion  to  Learn”  is  one 
of our values and part of our DNA and is embodied into two 
behaviors,  developing  knowledge  and  revealing  talents  that 
are subject to annual objectives.

Our  certification  process  is  driven  by  the  3DS  University, 
which  aims  to  offer  development  initiatives  in  line  with  our 
activities.  Through  the  3DS University  application,  it  offers 
all  our  employees  a  portfolio  of  training  and  knowledge 
acquisition  experiences  in  areas  related  to  our  solutions  and 
business expertise.

Each  employee  can  register  for  the  certification  program 
related to their role, to our brands, or to our targeted industry 
segments in order to develop specific skills:

 › The salesforce programs enable employees to develop skills 
that will ensure a long-term partnership with our customers 
revolving around our solutions;

 › The  technology  programs  aim  to  ensure  that  innovation 
and creativity increase the added value, especially from an 
industry standpoint, that we provide to our customers and 
to our users;

 › The  programs  relating  to  channels  and  brands  increase 
knowledge  and  understanding  of  the  technological  and 
environmental  challenges  facing  companies  in  the  various 
industrial  and  consumer  goods  sectors,  ensuring  the 
capitalization  and  inspiration  of  new  experiences  in  line 
with their sustainable development objectives.

The 3DS University fits into a long-term model for managing 
and  developing  knowledge  and  know-how  by  connecting 
experts through communities and getting them to contribute 
to the definition of certification programs, in compliance with 
Dassault  Systèmes’  quality  standards.  Their  effectiveness 
is  measured  through  exams  which  certify  the  acquisition 
of  knowledge  and  skill  levels  achieved.  This  process  is 
supplemented with a portfolio of over 15,000 training courses, 
enabling employees to undertake specific skills training, with 
the support of their manager.

In 2018, we rolled out 28 new certification programs. For our 
sales forces and service teams, we particularly enhanced our 

certification  programs  focusing  on  our  sales  strategy,  digital 
marketing,  the  integration  of  the  3DEXPERIENCE  platform, 
and  the  development  of  consulting  skills.  The  technology 
programs were enhanced with skills relating to the languages 
required for the development of our solutions and test methods 
to ensure quality. Within a continuous progress approach, we 
also developed a digital method to assess educational content 
and  set  up  a  dedicated  collaborative  community.  Bringing 
together  experts  in  the  creation  of  educational  content, 
this  community  allows  to  share  and  disseminate  good 
practices,  as  well  as  to  improve  our  processes.  The  creation 
of certification exams is now based on a collaborative process 
through  the  3DEXPERIENCE  platform.  This  enables  us  to 
capitalize on our internal network of  experts and enhance our 
knowledge base.

Since 2014, all the actions carried out have made it possible 
to  issue  16,541  certifications,  covering  employees  as  of 
December 31, 2018. In order to continue our commitment to 
develop our employees’ knowledge and know-how, we have 
set  ourselves  the  objective  of  delivering  more  than  25,000 
certifications over the next three years.

To this end, in  2019, we plan to formalize our global certification 
process in a dedicated policy accessible to all employees, and 
enhance  our  portfolio  with  nearly  15  additional  certification 
programs. Our certification programs are currently available to 
employees according to their current assigned role. In order to 
promote and support employees’ career development or role 
change,  we  plan  to  make  the  relevant  certification  program 
available for the targeted new position.

The aim of our human capital development policy is to provide 
our employees with internal career development opportunities 
allowing them to increase their expertise and understanding of 
our Group, our solutions and the industry segments we target.

We have a broad approach of mobility, starting by enriching 
the  current  role,  broadening  the  scope  of  responsibilities  or 
adding a project. It then extends to role change in the same 
role  family  and  can  go  as  far  as  professional  retraining. 
The  objective  of  mobility  is  to  enable  each  employee  to 
develop professionally in order to achieve personal fulfilment 
and thus maximize motivation and sense of pride.

This policy rests on three pillars:

 › Each  employee  is  invited  every  year  to  think  about  his 
development  needs  and  career  aspirations,  to  define  the 
associated  project  and  set  a  timeframe  allowing  relevant 
preparation time;

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

43

2 Social, societal and environmental responsibility

Social responsibility

 › The manager plays a supporting role and Human Resources 
an  advisory  role  to  deploy  relevant  conditions  for  the 
desired project;

 › For  equivalent  skills,  preference  is  given  to  employees 

applying for job opportunities to be filled.

To support this commitment, we make sure that our employees 
and  managers  are  provided  with  the  required  resources. 
All  employees  can  connect  to  our  My  Job  Opportunities 
application, available on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, giving 
real-time access to available jobs, enabling them to apply online 
and  follow  the  progress  of  their  job  applications.  In  2018, 
we  deployed  a  new  application,  My Journey,  enabling  each 
employee to define a career development project, whether it 
concerns an evolution in the role or a role change in the same 
or a different organization. In this application, employees have 
access to analytical data to find out more about the different 
roles  within  Dassault  Systèmes  and  the  associated  skills,  to 
simulate  and  explore  potential  development  perspective, 

and  to  document  an  individual  development  project.  Each 
projects is then reviewed and validated by the manager, and 
subsequently by Human Resources. This new application has 
been deployed progressively, starting on October 1st, 2018 and 
covering  93.3%  of  the  workforce  on  December  31,  2018.  In 
2018, employees have submitted 1,266 projects of evolution 
in the role and 570 mobility projects.

In  2018,  31.7%  of  the  available  job  vacancies,  requiring  at 
least  three  years’  professional  experience,  were  filled  by 
internal applications.

Over the next three years, we aim to maintaining this rate at 
around  30%  of  these  available  job  offers.  To  this  effect,  we 
will continue our efforts to make the My Journey application 
available  to  all  Group  employees,  except  for  newly  acquired 
companies  that  are  subject  to  a  specific  integration  plan, 
and  to  identify  relevant  actions  to  materialize  the  projects 
submitted  by  employees  and  validated  by  managers  and 
Human Resources.

2.1.4  Developing employee engagement

importance  for  the 
Employee  engagement 
fulfillment  of  our  ambition.  Our  employees  embody  the 
Group’s  values  and  culture  and  are  the  key  players  in  the 
implementation of our strategy.

is  of  major 

Since 2010, an internal satisfaction survey has been open to 
all our employees worldwide. This survey enables employees 
to  give  their  opinions  on  five  dimensions  including  the 
meaning  of  their  work,  the  quality  of  the  management, 
the competitiveness of the work environment, the community 
of  people,  and  the  pride  in  working  for  Dassault  Systèmes. 
This survey makes it possible to identify watchpoints and the 
required priority actions to carry out for each team and each 
country,  leading  to  the  development  of  local  action  plans, 
presented  to  employees  and  shared  within  the  Life@3DS 
community.

Our global policy covers three development axes:

 › Sharing  our  values  to  demonstrate  leadership  and  work 

collaboratively using the 3DEXPERIENCE platform;

 › Work environment contributing to employee well-being and 

creation of synergies between teams;

 › Managerial skills to support employees’ development.

Sharing our values
Within the scope of the certification process (see paragraph 2.1.3 
“Developing knowledge and know-how”), the 3DS University 
impart  to  each  employee  the  fundamental 
strives  to 

knowledge  concerning  our  strategy,  our  values  and  our 
processes. This certification program, aimed at all employees, 
allows everyone to acquire knowledge concerning:

 › Our  purpose,  our  strategy,  our  shared  values  and  our 

environmental responsibility;

 › Our brands and the creation of value;

 › Our  processes  and  applications  for  our  human  capital 

development;

 › The 3DEXPERIENCE platform navigation.

In  line  with  the  Group’s  commitment  concerning  business 
ethics  and  corporate  social  responsibility  (see  paragraph  2.4 
“Business  Ethics  and  Vigilance  Plan”),  this  certification 
program  also  includes  mandatory  courses  relating  to  ethics, 
compliance,  personal  data  protection,  the  fight  against 
corruption, and the safety of people and property.

We  are  also  committed  to  creating  quality  solutions  that 
enable  our  clients  to  meet  the  critical  requirements  of  the 
industries in which they operate. Our commitment to quality 
is  confirmed  by  our  ISO  9001  certified  quality  management 
system. A specific training module is dedicated to this process.

This  program  is  essential  for  the  creation  of  a  sense  of 
belonging  and  community  as  well  as  the  understanding  of 
our  values,  requiring  soft  skills  in  an  exemplary  approach  to 
behavior. The content of this program undergoes continuous 

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2

improvement, as shown by the new training modules released 
in 2018:

 › A  module  to  discover  and  understand  the  3DEXPERIENCE 
platform and to acquire the necessary knowledge for its use;

 › Five new modules to understand the value and operation of 

our brands;

 › Four modules to meet our commitments and requirements 

in terms of ethics and compliance.

For  employees  joining  Dassault  Systèmes,  this  certification 
program  includes  participation  to  two  onboarding  sessions, 
called  DAY1  and  DAY90.  In  2018,  2,333  employees  joined 
Dassault  Systèmes  as  part  of  a  recruitment  process.  203 
DAY1 and 73 DAY90 sessions were organized to support their 
integration.

All  actions  carried  out  in  2018  allowed  to  issue  5,819 
certifications,  validated  by  the  successful  completion  of  two 
exams, bringing the proportion of certified employees to 37%.

Work environment
Each  site  reflects  the  company’s  spirit  and  identity.  It  hosts 
and contributes to the well-being of our employees, potential 
talents, our clients and our partners. The physical environment 
is thus at the heart of our real estate strategy. The Real Estate 
and General Resources Management department has defined 
guidelines  for  the  design,  layout  and  identity  of  our  work 
spaces.  It  ensures  that  these  guidelines  are  complied  with 
and implemented by local teams in order to ensure the global 
consistency  of  our  sites  and  abide  by  our  commitment  of 
providing comfortable, collaborative work spaces.

Each year, our internal survey measures employee satisfaction 
with  their  work  environment.  This  indicator  enables  us  to 
identify  the  sites  requiring  the  implementation  of  priority 
action  plans.  In  2018,  21   sites  were  thus  renovated,  while 
nine others were extended.

In  Cork  (Ireland),  a  new  site  was  identified  and  refurbished, 
which will lead to the relocation of 72 employees in 2019. In 
Barcelona (Spain), new city-center premises were fitted for the 
arrival of 39 employees in early 2019.

In  the  United  States,  improvements  were  made  to  one  of 
the  3DS  Boston  Campus  buildings,  including  the  creation  of 
innovative  collaborative  spaces,  in  order  to  bring  together 
187 employees, some of whom come from recently acquired 
companies  previously  spread  across  three  different  sites. 
In  Seattle,  111  employees  were  brought  together  on  a  new 
site with an attractive environment.

In Mumbai (India), 58 employees previously spread over two 
sites,  were  brought  together  in  new  premises  featuring  a 
space for the demonstration of our solutions.

In 2018, the work environment satisfaction rate reached 72%.

Managerial skills
Managers  play  a  key  role  in  the  commitment,  motivation 
and development of our human capital through the collective 
management of the teams, as well as through the individual 
support  they  provide  to  employees  throughout  their  careers 
within Dassault Systèmes.

Our  People  Manager 
certification  program  provides 
managers  with  a  common  base  of  managerial  skills,  allows 
them  to  improve  their  leadership  skills  and  management 
style.  The  program  also  enables  managers  to  gain  in-depth 
knowledge  of  our  human  resources  development  processes, 
improve  their  communication  style,  identify  techniques  to 
bond  and  motivate  their  teams  around  common  goals,  and 
steer  individual  and  collective  performance.  Principles  of 
intercultural and diversity management have also been added 
to  this  program.  A  personalized  development  plan  can  also 
be  implemented.  It  includes  an  assessment  of  managerial 
skills  and  specific  actions  such  as  mentoring,  coaching  and 
team- building.

In  2018,  we  focused  on  the  local  promotion  of  the  People 
Managers certification program in order to get them involved 
in  this  skills  development  and  recognition  process  and  help 
them  prepare  for  the  exam,  in  particular  in  the  Americas 
through  videoconferencing  and  in  France  through  collective 
information  sessions,  such  as  the  “Leadership  Development 
Days” initiative, and collective certification sessions.

Through  these  initiatives,  we  reached  a  level  of  61.1%  of 
People Managers  certified  at  the  end  of  2018,  representing 
686 certifications delivered during the year.

In order to increase employee engagement, our objectives for 
the end of 2021 are the following:

 › About  60%  of  employees  benefiting  from  certification 
related to our strategy, values and processes. To this effect, 
we  will  continue  to  enhance  this  certification  program 
with  a  focus  on  the  required  behavior  for  interaction  of 
all  employees  in  their  ecosystem,  and  creation  of  value 
through the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. We will formalize our 
global DAY1 and DAY90 onboarding program in a dedicated 
policy, accessible to all employees;

 › About 75% satisfaction concerning the work environment. 
In  this  area,  we  are  planning  to  conduct  renovation  or 
improvement work on 45  sites across the world;

 › About  75%  of People Managers  certified  continuing  the 

promotion of this certification program.

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2 Social, societal and environmental responsibility

Social responsibility

2.1.5  Preserving health and safety

We  are  committed  to  safety  and  health,  particularly  for  our 
employees, as set out in our Code of Business Conduct and our 
Corporate Social Responsibility principles. In particular, we are 
committed to providing all employees with a safe and healthy 
working  environment  and  to  ensuring  that  all  employees 
have working conditions that ensure their health and safety, 
in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

We  are  working  on  formalizing  and  implementing  measures 
and  procedures  to  ensure  the  protection  of  people  in  the 
context  of  our  operational  activities  and  wish  to  ensure  the 
competitiveness of our employee benefits plans.

Personal safety
In support of our commitment, four major policies lay down 
the  scope  of  application,  measures  and  procedures,  as  well 
as  the  responsibilities  of  all  contributors,  in  particular  the 
Safety  department,  the  Real  Estate  and  General  Resources 
Management department, the Human Resources department 
and the Legal department. These policies cover our employees 
in their business activities, on our sites and during their travel. 
They  also  cover  our  stakeholders,  in  particular  our  clients, 
our  partners  and  our  service  providers  when  on  our  sites  or 
during  events  organized  on  behalf  of  Dassault  Systèmes. 
This  portfolio  of  policies  stems  from  the  strengthening  of 
procedures since 2015.

In 2018, the policy defining the safety standards on our sites 
was updated. This new version will be rolled out across all our 
sites in order to adapt local procedures to the globally defined 
standards.  Priority  will  be  given  to  our  main  sites,  according 
to  the  pilot  conducted  for  the  3DS  Paris  Campus  (France), 
which has had an incident management guide in place since 
December 2018.

Given our international dimension, we recognize that a large 
number of business trips are required to maintain our relations 
with our clients and partners. Our Security and Safety Guide 
for business travel was updated in 2018. It informs employees 
of  the  precautions  to  take  for  the  preparation  of  a  trip  and 
during  their  travel.  This  guide  supplements  the  prevention 
measures implemented by our assistance partner concerning 
health and safety issues. Employees are also informed of any 
relevant assistance solutions available to them, if necessary.

Based  on  this  formal  framework,  a  variety  of  actions  and 
initiatives  are  undertaken  every  year.  In  2018,  over  2,800 
employees  thus  received  safety  training. 
In  addition, 
fourteen   awareness-raising  conferences  were  organized  and 
a  safety  plan  was  rolled  out  for  more  than  ten  international 
events.  An  information  video  was  produced  and  is  shown  to 
new Group employees during the DAY90 onboarding session. 
Over 70,000 individual notifications were sent to employees 
to effectively prepare them for weather conditions or safety-
related issues that could involve risks. Over 1,500 employees 
received such warnings when on business trips abroad.

We  will  continue  our  initiatives  over  the  next  three  years.  In 
2019, we will roll out a call for tenders for the renewal of the 
employee protection procedure relating to business travel. We 
will  work  on  the  preparation  and  deployment  of  a  training 
module  for  site  managers  and  a  crisis  management  training 
module  for  all  employees.  We  will  also  update  our  personal 
safety policy in connection with events.

Employee benefit plans
Our policy aims to propose a benefit plan to our employees in 
accordance with the local practices of the countries in which 
we  operate.  We  also  propose  supplemental  health  insurance 
plan  and  contingency  coverage  in  a  number  of  countries 
including  France,  Germany,  the  United  Kingdom,  the  United 
States, Canada, South Korea, Japan and India.

In order to ensure the competitiveness of these plans, including 
pension  plans,  health  insurance,  contingency  and  invalidity 
coverages, we regularly conduct comparative studies based on 
the  practices  of  each  local  market.  The  study,  held  in  2017 
and  2018,  covered  35  countries,  representing  81.4%  of  our 
locations, and enabled us to identify five countries for which 
we will carry out actions by the end of 2021.

In  2019,  we  will  complete  this  comparative  study  to  cover 
all  our  countries  of  operation,  with  the  exception  of  newly 
acquired  companies  that  are  subject  to  a  specific  integration 
plan.  In  addition,  we  will  review  our  health  and  provident 
insurance coverage in the context of business travels.

We aim to keep our absenteeism rate below 4% over the next 
three  years.  In  2018,  the  absenteeism  rate  is  1.9%  and  the 
number of work-related accidents reported is 15.

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2.1.6  Retaining our talents

The  achievement  of  our  ambition  and  our 
long-term 
development  depends  in  particular  on  our  ability  to  retain 
our  key  talents.  At  the  heart  of  our  relationship  with  our 
employees, we believe that our purpose, which contributes to 
sustainability  in  numerous  fields,  also  gives  meaning  to  the 
professional  lives  of  our  employees.  It  is  also  for  this  reason 
that they decide to join Dassault Systèmes.

We  provide  our  employees  with  a  competitive  working 
environment characterized by:

 › Our  commitment  to  innovation  and  our  long-term  growth 

strategy;

 › Our  embodiment  of  a  collaborative,  community-focused 

learning company;

 › Our  extensive  ecosystem  resting  on  harmonious,  lasting 

relationships.

The experience and value proposition we offer our employees 
particularly  rest  on  the  development  of  knowledge  and 
know-how  (see  paragraph  2.1.3  “Developing  knowledge 
and  know-how”),  on  our  initiatives  to  promote  commitment 
(see  paragraph  2.1.4  “Developing  employee  engagement”), 
to reward performance and to recognize our employees.

Our compensation policy aims to ensure that each employee’s 
compensation is in line with high-tech market practices in each 
of the countries in which we operate, and varies according to 
individual  performance.  Our  new  performance  review  model 
takes  into  account  the  employees’  know-how  and  attitude, 
emphasizing the value of behavior, which rests on our values 
and must be demonstrated by everyone throughout the year.

As  innovation  is  part  of  our  DNA,  we  value  employees’ 
projects  and  initiatives  in  this  area.  Every  year,  the  3DS 
INNOVATION Forwards  reward  the  most  innovative  projects 
led  by  Dassault  Systèmes’  teams  worldwide.  Launched  in 
2004,  the  initiative  encourages  a  spirit  of  innovation  and 
collaboration  within  our  Group.  It  partakes  in  employee 
recognition and deepens their understanding of the corporate 
strategy.  Indeed,  the  projects  submitted  must  fit  into  one 
of  our  strategic  priorities,  notably:  responding  to  industry 
challenges,  creating  new  user  experiences,  creating  value 
for clients, partners or employees, enhancing the use of the 

3DEXPERIENCE platform, or developing the Group’s activities. 
All our employees are invited to submit their projects through 
a dedicated application. The projects can be seen by everyone 
and the winners are selected through the votes of employees 
and by a jury made up of members of the Executive Committee. 
In  2018,  323  projects  were  submitted  to  3DS INNOVATION 
Forwards,  representing  2,076  employees.  Prizes  were 
awarded to 79 projects representing 461 employees.

We  also  value 
initiatives  that  promote  the  sustainable 
development of our ecosystem through participation in social 
and community-based actions.

We  want  to  maintain  the  competitiveness  of  our  employer 
offering  in  order  to  retain  talents.  To  this  effect,  we  are 
engaged  in  a  continuous  improvement  approach  in  order  to 
identify  new  practices  and  initiatives  that  meet  employees’ 
expectations.

In support of this approach, we deployed progressively a new 
process  since  October  2018  to  improve  our  understanding 
of  the  reasons  that  prompt  employees  to  leave  Dassault 
Systèmes. We thus ask each employee who voluntarily leaves 
Dassault Systèmes to participate in a survey during which they 
can state the reasons for their decision and share information 
with us on their experience within the Group and their future 
career prospects. As of December 31, 2018, this new process 
covers 65.1% of the workforce and the employee participation 
rate was nearly 81%.

In 2019, we will continue our efforts to offer participation in 
the survey in all our countries of operation, with the exception 
of  newly  acquired  companies  that  are  subject  to  a  specific 
integration  plan.  We  will  regularly  monitor  and  analyze  the 
information from this survey in order to identify employees’ 
expectations  and  our  areas  of  progress,  which  will  make  it 
possible, from 2020, to identify global policies or initiatives as 
well as local action plans.

In 2018, the average length of service was 8.5 years and the 
average  rate  for  employees  leaving  at  their  own  initiative 
was 7.8%.

We  aim  at  maintaining  this  rate  below  10%  over  the  next 
three years.

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Societal responsibility

2.2  Societal responsibility

As a European company, Dassault Systèmes is involved with 
associations  to  support  the  virtual  economy  and  encourage 
sustainable  innovation.  To  promote  the  development  of 
the  digital  economy  in  France  and  across  Europe,  Dassault 
Systèmes is a founding member of “Tech in France” (formerly 
Association Française des  Éditeurs  de Logiciels).  The  goal  of 
this  association  is  to  promote  the  software  industry  as  an 
industry  that  contributes  to  sustainable  growth.  Dassault 
Systèmes  also  co-chairs  the  Alliance  for  the  Industry  of  the 
Future  in  France,  of  which  “Tech  in  France”  is  a  founding 
member.  This  Alliance  helps  promote  the  transformation  of 
French and European production tools and support companies 

in  transforming  their  business  models,  organizations,  design 
modes  and  marketing.  Our  Group  also  supports  the  “Villette 
Universcience Company” in France, whose goal is to promote 
and  encourage  the  spread  of  scientific  and  technical  culture 
to  young  people  and  to  the  general  public.  Throughout  the 
world, our brands are also involved in local community efforts.

As  the  3DEXPERIENCE  leader,  Dassault  Systèmes  strives  to 
transform  the  world  of  education  and  prepare  tomorrow’s 
workforce. In the age of digital economy, and in a context of 
ever  stiffer  regulations,  the  protection  of  personal  data  is  a 
major issue for our clients and partners.

2.2.1  Digital responsibility

Preparing the “Workforce of the Future”
As  part  of  the  Industry  Solutions,  Field  Marketing,  Global 
Affairs  General  Executive  Vice-Presidency,  our  Workforce 
of  the  Future  organization  is  responsible  for  defining  and 
implementing  policies  and  initiatives  to  prepare  the  living 
forces of tomorrow. To this end, our organization relies on an 
international team of employees in charge of developing our 
global  network  of  partners,  particularly  academic  partners, 
and  deploying  appropriate  programs  for  initial  and  lifelong 
learning,  whose  activities  and  indicators  are  monitored  on  a 
quarterly basis.

Our  relations  with  the  world  of  education  target  the 
ongoing  modernization  of  teaching  practices,  as  well  as  the 
development  of  today’s  and  tomorrow’s  workforces.  Our 
commitment is focused on:

 › Supporting 

lifelong 

learning, 

thereby 

supporting 

employability;

 › Increasing  the  attractiveness  of  engineering  and  science 

with youngsters;

 › Stepping  up  educational 

innovation 

in 

line  with  the 

transformation of future skills.

We have set up a team dedicated to lifelong learning, whose 
mission  is  to  come  up  with  an  educational  proposal  suited 
to  the  different  external  audiences.  In  a  fast-changing 
environment,  we  want  to  facilitate  and  support  the  learning 
process for individuals by getting them to play an active role 
in their own training. To this effect, we launched a program 
to  create  a  Learning  EXPERIENCE  portfolio  backed  by 
industry-recognized  professional  certifications.  For  greater 
effectiveness,  job  proximity,  understanding  and  anticipation 
of  future  skill  requirements,  our  approach  is  collaborative 

and  partnership-based.  In  France,  for  example,  for  the 
transformation of the industrial sector (new jobs, new skills, 
new  knowledge,  and  new  technologies),  we  entered  into 
partnerships with SAFRAN, the Faculté des Métiers de Corbeil-
Essonnes, the Ile de France regional authority, and the French 
department  of  Education  to  co-define  the  expected  skills  for 
future industrial jobs, as well as the related training programs 
and certifications. In Adelaide (Australia), we are taking part in 
a  government  program  amounting  to  150  million  Australian 
dollars  aimed  at  transforming  the  local  industrial  base  and 
involving a change in related skills. Through our involvement 
in this tripartite project, we aim to support the University of 
Adelaide in the transformation of its educational contents and 
programs, as well as in the training of lecturers and teachers.

It  is  also  crucial  to  inform  and  support  massively  the  young 
generations  and  get  them  interested  in  science,  technology 
and  sustainable  innovation  in  order  to  anticipate  and  fill 
tomorrow’s skill requirements, and boost the employability of 
these  young  people.  For  this  purpose,  in  the  United  States, 
we entered into a partnership with Base 11, within the scope 
of the Base 11 Space Challenge, a national initiative aimed at 
promoting  careers  in  Science,  Technology,  Engineering  and 
Mathematics  (STEM)  and  developing  the  next  generation  of 
aerospace  engineers,  with  the  participation  of  an  increasing 
number of women and minorities. This initiative will encourage 
universities to enhance their aerospace engineering programs, 
and  provide  students  with  the  means  to  learn  much  more 
than  the  theory  of  liquid  propulsion  systems  by  developing 
expertise in equipment and flight rules, and by demonstrating 
the essential skills of team work and innovation which are the 
most sought-after by forward-looking companies. The teams 
will be encouraged to conduct awareness-raising activities and 
offer mentoring to junior and senior high-school students in 

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order to boost the development of the STEM talent pool, which 
includes  women  and  ethnic  groups  which  have  traditionally 
been under-represented in this field.

twin,  artificial 

New  technologies  (3D,  virtual  reality,  augmented  reality, 
3DEXPERIENCE 
intelligence,  etc.),  new 
knowledge  and  know-how  and  new  generations  require 
innovative educational approaches. The development of new 
educational  practices  based  on  our  solutions  has  taken  on  a 
new  dimension  since  2015  with  the  creation  of  a  “Learning 
Lab” on the 3DS Paris Campus in France. In 2018, numerous 
directors  of  academic  institutions  worldwide  visited  this  lab 
to  discover  new  learning  experiences  that  replicate  real  life 
experiences  that  students  can  apply  to  their  future  work 
environment.

This Learning Lab, set up to imagine and document new ways 
for  digital  technology  to  be  used  in  education,  continued  to 
develop its two main activities, dissemination and innovation.

The  innovations  continued  in  2018  with  a  focus  on  the 
teaching of new practices for the industry of the future, such 
as the internet of industrial things, the 3DEXPERIENCE twin 
concept,  additive  manufacturing,  the  digital  factory,  as  well 
as  project-based  teaching  methods.  Innovative  educational 
activities have been tested, documented and published online, 
in particular for the teaching of 3DEXPERIENCE twin practices 
in the context of smart buildings and to increase awareness of 
the self-learning robot concepts. We actively collaborate with 
our academic partners to build innovative educational projects 
in  the  prospect  of  their  funding  by  agencies  supporting 
research and innovation (European Union, National Research 
Agency, etc.). This activity continued in 2018 with:

 › The skills development program conducted by the Andhra 
Pradesh  State  aiming  to  set  up  a  Center  of  Excellence  to 
foster employability of engineering students and reskilling 
of  professionals  through  innovative  learning  programs 
based  on  the  3DEXPERIENCE  platform  in  automotive, 
aerospace and marine industries;

 › In  France,  the  “TINA”  (intelligent  tutor  for  new  learner) 
project,  conducted  by  the  University  of  Lorraine  and  the 
Fondation  de  l'Académie  des  Technologies  (Foundation 
of  the  French  National  Academy  of  Technologies),  aiming 
to  develop  a  new  cross-cutting  educational  curriculum 
in  collaborative  engineering  to  train  future  technology 
teachers in new industrial practices;

 › The  “DEFI&CO”  project  headed  by  CESI,  aimed 

in 
particular  at  producing,  for  remote  educational  purposes, 
3DEXPERIENCE twins for demonstrators of factories of the 
future and buildings of the future;

 › The “EOLE” project headed by the University of Strasbourg, 
in which the 3DEXPERIENCE twin concept will be used to 

create  new  types  of  practical  exercises  in  connection  with 
the skills required for the industry of the future.

Lastly,  the  participative  teaching  platform  Peer  Learning 
EXPERIENCE®  continues  to  expand  its  footprint.  It  now  has 
151  teachers  from  ten   different  countries,  who  contribute 
to  its  crowd  sourcing  of  educational  content.  Accessible 
from  the  3DEXPERIENCE  platform,  it  enables  all  learners 
in  the  academic  world  to  follow  customized  online  learning 
courses, co-created by the community of recognized teachers 
and researchers. These courses interconnect learners in order 
to  digitally  reproduce  the  mutual  help  and  peer  learning 
mechanisms observed in classrooms.

Research  on  content  and  dissemination  methods  has  made 
full  use  of  the  new  possibilities  offered  by  the  latest  cloud-
based  version  of  3DEXPERIENCE  solutions.  The  roll-out  of 
these  solutions  has  significantly  accelerated  in  most  of  the 
countries in which we operate.

All  of  these  activities  have  been  supported  by  our  active 
collaboration  with  a  number  of  scientific  associations 
including  the  American  Society  for  Engineering  Education 
(ASEE),  the  Société  Européenne  pour  la  Formation  des 
Ingénieurs-European Society for Engineer Training (SEFI), the 
International  Federation  of  Engineering  Education  Societies 
(IFEES),  the  Global  Engineering  Deans  Council  (GEDC),  the 
Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE), the U.S. National 
Academy of Engineering and the Conceive Design Implement 
Operate (CDIO) consortium. We also cooperated with the ICEE 
(Indo-U.S.  Collaboration  on  Engineering  Education)  which 
works towards modernizing technical educational practices in 
India.

In  2018,  we  estimate  that  nearly  7.6  million  learners  are 
using or have used one or more of our Group’s technologies 
in  initial  or  lifelong  learning.  Through  all  our  initiatives  and 
commitments, we aim to increase the number of learners by 
about 10% over the next three years.

(For more information, https://academy.3ds.com/fr).

La Fondation Dassault Systèmes
The  purpose  of  La  Fondation  Dassault  Systèmes  is  to 
contribute to transforming education and research by building 
on  the  learning  opportunities  offered  by  3D  technology  and 
virtual universes. La Fondation wants to support the creation 
of  conditions  conducive  to  developing  creative  thinking  in 
order to harmonize product, nature and life. Its ambition is to:

 › Actively  support  the  transformation  of  teaching  and 
educational  innovation  particularly  through  3D  experience 
imaging and content;

 › Generate 

interest  from  young  people  for  careers 

in 

engineering, sciences and digital technologies;

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

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2 Social, societal and environmental responsibility

Societal responsibility

 › Broaden  access  for  schools  and  universities  to  3D 

technologies and content, as well as simulation;

 › Encourage scientific and technological research;

 › Contribute 

to 

the  preservation, 

conservation  and 

enhancement of humanity’s intellectual heritage.

La  Fondation  Dassault  Systèmes  makes  donations  and 
provides  virtual  technology  expertise  to  education  and 
research  projects  led  by  universities,  research  institutes  or 
other  general- interest  organizations.  This  support  promotes 
access  to  3D  technologies  that  had  long  ago  proven  their 
worth  in  industry,  thereby  improving  the  employability  of 
young generations.

Since  its  creation  in  2015,  La Fondation Dassault Systèmes 
Europe  has  supported  over  50  innovative  projects  in  a  wide 
variety of fields, including the industry of the future, geology, 
health, engineering jobs, robotics and the environment.

In  2018,  it  supported  the  creation  of  a  training  program 
in  France  for  the  new  job  of  plastronics  project  manager. 
This  technology  is  mid-way  between  mechatronics  and 
the  techniques  used  by  the  manufacturing  industry  for  the 
transformation  of  plastic  materials,  playing  a  key  role  in  the 
design of connected objects. The goal of this training program 
is  to  promote  and  accelerate  the  training  of  students  in 
this  field  to  meet  the  growing  needs  of  the  industry  of  the 
future.  La  Fondation  Dassault  Systèmes  actively  promotes 
the discovery of engineering professions and strives to inspire 
young  people.  For  this  purpose,  it  relies  on  the  passion  and 
commitment  of  Dassault  Systèmes  employees,  within  the 
framework  of  the  new  skills  sponsorship  policy.  In  addition, 
it  continues  to  support  the La Main à la pâte  foundation  for 
the  3Défi  project,  enabling  junior  high-school  students  to 
create  a  fictitious  startup  and  work  as  a  team  to  design  an 
innovative product and print it in 3D. The goal is to promote 
the students’ innovative and creative potential, and introduce 
them to innovation professions, the “maker” culture and the 
world of startups.

In  Great  Britain,  La Fondation’s  support  for  the  “3DCARE” 
project, the creation of a 3D application from real images of the 
heart of newborn babies with genetic malformations in order 
to facilitate treatments, won recognition at the Franco- British 
Business  Awards 
in  the  Corporate  Social  Responsibility 
category.

In  the  United  States,  the  Board  of  La  Fondation  Dassault 
Systèmes  US  announced  its  support  for  Workshops  for 
Warriors,  an  organization  that  prepares  army  veterans  and 
members  of  the  armed  forces  for  new  careers  in  the  high-
tech  industry.  Workshops  for  Warriors  address  two  major 
challenges: the shortage of skills in the high-tech industry and 
the need to ensure the successful transition of members of the 
armed forces when they return to civilian life. The organization 
provides  army  veterans  with  training,  qualifications  and 
high-paying  jobs  in  less  than  four  months.  The  Composite 
Prototying  Center  (CPC)  based  in  Plainview,  New  York, 
also  received  a  grant  from  La Fondation Dassault Systèmes 
launched  a  Science,  Technology, 
US.  This  organization 

Engineering  and  Mathematics  (STEM)  program  dedicated  to 
composite materials and related products. The program will be 
rolled out in four sessions taking place until the spring 2019 
in junior high-schools in deprived areas. La Fondation Dassault 
Systèmes US  also  decided  to  extend  the  Base  11  initiative, 
funded  in  2017,  to  allow  a  larger  number  of  university 
students  throughout  the  United  States  to  benefit  from  the 
design  engineering  program.  Indeed,  Base  11  prepares 
students  to  become  tomorrow’s  talents,  by  pushing  them 
towards excellence in concrete experiential learning programs. 
Furthermore, La Fondation Dassault Systèmes US extended its 
support to two other organizations:

 › The  New  Orleans  1881  Institute  in  Louisiana,  with  the 
University  Preparation  program  that  targets  adolescents 
and  young  adults  and  enables  them  to  combine  robotics 
and mechatronics studies;

 › The  “Maker  Space”  project  conducted  by  the  New  York 
Hall of Science based in the Queens borough of New York, 
which offers free activities to children in a dynamic learning 
environment,  where  they  can  experiment,  test,  create, 
share and work with real and virtual tools.

Founded  in  2017,  La  Fondation  Dassault  Systèmes  India 
relies on employee experience to roll out educational projects 
for the inclusive economic development of India, particularly 
in  the  fields  of  agriculture,  renewable  energies,  sustainable 
development,  health  and  smart  cities.  We  thus  support  the 
priorities set out by the Indian government.

In  2018,  La  Fondation  Dassault  Systèmes  India  held  an 
India-wide  competition  called  “Aakruti”,  focused  on  the 
modernization of the rural economy. A total of 1,120 teams 
from 218 engineering schools from 24 Indian states presented 
innovative  projects  in  a  spirit  of  sustainable  development. 
La Fondation also supports a program called “Knowledge on 
Wheels”,  aimed  at  improving  the  education  of  farmers,  who 
account for 65% of India’s manpower. As the great majority 
of them cannot attend courses on a university campus, a mobile 
truck  equipped  with  a  training  facility  using  virtual  reality 
will  enable  them  to  access  these  technologies  and  develop 
their  skills.  Furthermore,  La  Fondation  Dassault  Systèmes 
India  supported  the  creation  of  a  research  center  for  the 
development of solar energy skills. This center offers courses 
that will enable engineers to get training in the technologies 
required for the harnessing of this type of energy.

In  2018,  La  Fondation  Dassault  Systèmes  supported  nine 
projects  in  Europe,  10  in  India  and  11  in  the  United  States. 
Throughout the year, 132 employees participated in the skills 
sponsorship program.

Three years after its launch, La Fondation Dassault Systèmes 
is refining its strategy in order to increase its societal impact 
for  the  general  good.  It  wants  to  promote  better  sharing  of 
3D  educational  content  in  the  aim  of  increasing  the  number 
of people having access to educational content suited to their 
needs and improving their employability.

(For more information, https://www.lafondation3ds.org).

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Social, societal and environmental responsibility
Societal responsibility

2

2

Protecting personal data
We have always considered the protection of personal data as 
a major issue for our clients and partners, and are conscious 
of  the  responsibility  in  the  processing  of  personal  data. 
Following  the  introduction  of  the  European  Union’s  General 
Data  Protection  Regulation  (GDPR),  we  extended  our  data 
protection  commitment  by  improving  our  solutions  through 
new capacities that enable our clients and partners to manage 
their GDPR compliance programs.

Designation of a person or an entity as a data controller or data 
processor has different obligations under the GDPR.

Dassault  Systèmes  can  be  considered  as  data  controller 
when processing personal data within the use of its internal 
applications.  A  client,  that  has  licensed  Dassault  Systèmes 
solutions, is generally considered as being responsible for the 
processing of personal data it is required to use in this context. 
When  Dassault  Systèmes  offers  its  Cloud  solutions,  such  as 
the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, it acts as a data processor for the 
personal data it is requested to process and store.

In 2018, we identified and implemented the required diligences 
to meet the requirements of the European Regulation.

We appointed a Data Protection Officer and set up a team to 
ensure that Dassault Systèmes is in compliance both internally 
and with our offers. This team has notably:

 › Managed Dassault Systèmes’ internal compliance with the 
GDPR, including, and in particular, our policies on personal 
data protection;

 › Identified  and  tracked  improvements  to  our  offerings, 
websites  and  communicated  those  changes  to  enable  our 
clients and partners in particular to comply with the GDPR. 
These improvements include:

 › Changes to access rights and security mechanisms,

 › Improvements to the management of user consent,

 › The  strengthening  of  procedures 

to 

request 

the 

modification or deletion of personal data;

 › The improvement of the documentation on products and 

user guides concerning best data protection practices.

Our solutions are designed according to the concept of “Privacy 
by  Design”,  which  aims  to  ensure  that  privacy  is  integrated 
into applications from the design stage. In 2018, our 15 Cloud 
offers and our 25 on-premise solutions were updated to take 
account of regulatory changes and comply with this concept. 
A deployment plan has been defined to bring our offers and 
solutions into compliance. In accordance with the GDPR, any 
new update or product will take account of the improvements 
required under the “Privacy by Design” concept.

Our portfolio of personal data protection policies is structured 
in  three  parts  and  covers  the  websites  and  activities  of  the 
(customers,  partners,  visitors,  etc.), 
Group’s  companies 
employees and job applicants. These personal data protection 
policies  and  our  internal  processes  have  been  updated  in 
the  light  of  regulatory  developments.  The  annual  review 
process to ensure continued compliance has been defined. We 
implemented a personal data processing register and created a 
notification process in the event of a security breach affecting 
the  data  subjects.  We  deployed  the  process  to  handle  the 
personal data request from the data subject within the legal 
time limit.

We are working to identify a crisis management system that 
can also be used in the event of any personal data breach and 
aim to deploy it in 2020.

Training is a key requirement for all employees. In 2018, we 
reinforced the mandatory nature of the training that enables 
everyone  to  acquire  the  necessary  knowledge  in  the  field  of 
personal  data  protection.  This  training  is  integrated  into  the 
certification program focusing on the fundamental knowledge 
concerning  our  strategy,  our  values  and  our  processes.  It  is 
validated by the successful completion of the “Understanding 
Ethics and Compliance” exam.

In  2018,  all  requests  related  to  personal  data,  from  data 
subjects,  were  processed  within  the  legal  timeframe  and 
1,908 employees completed the online training, bringing the 
total number of trained employees to 12,763.

In order to ensure our long-term compliance, we are committed 
to carrying out an annual review of our internal processes and 
data processing register, as well as handling all personal data 
request from data subjects with the legal time limit. We will 
continue  to  train  our  employees  as  part  of  the  certification 
program focusing on the fundamental knowledge concerning 
our strategy, our values and our processes (see paragraph 2.1.4 
“Developing employee engagement”).

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

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2 Social, societal and environmental responsibility

Societal responsibility

2.2.2  Facilitating open innovation and collective intelligence

The 3DEXPERIENCE Lab is Dassault Systèmes’ open innovation 
laboratory.  Its  objective  is  to  support  breakthrough  products 
and  services  stemming  from  various  industries,  by  tapping 
collective intelligence in order to drive society forward.

This  system 
is  based  on  the  strong  conviction  that 
breakthrough  projects  are  born  out  of  collective  intelligence. 
Its  mission  is  to  accelerate  projects  in  the  prototype  phase 
initiated by startups, innovator communities and research or 
innovation laboratories and enable to market their products or 
services on a large scale.

The  3DEXPERIENCE  Lab  supports  projects  based  on  themes 
from everyday life, i.e. cities, lifestyles or life sciences, calling 
on various innovation levers such as additive manufacturing, 
big  data  or  virtual  reality.  This  approach  is  based  on  a 
community of innovators, including:

 › The  3DEXPERIENCE  Lab  core  team,  which  manages 
governance  and  implements  the  required  technical  and 
legal tools. It is the source of inspiration and relies on the 
network of contributors;

 › Innovation  correspondents,  employees  of  various  Group 
in  the  sourcing  and 

organizations,  who  participate 
qualification of projects;

 › A  community  of  participants  that  provides  strategic 
guidance  and  key  ideas  on  specific  topics  and  in  which 
decision-makers are responsible for arbitrations.

This  community  of  innovators  meets  quarterly  in  project 
presentation  sessions  where  members  and  the  jury  express 
their opinions.

The  3DEXPERIENCE  Lab  program  offers  each  supported 
startup  the  means  to  achieve  its  development  by  allowing 
them to access to:

 › The  3DEXPERIENCE  platform  allowing  digital  continuity 
and  the  development  of  cross-organizational  networks,  to 
capitalize on knowledge and know-how;

 › A technical and commercial tutoring program in which each 
Dassault  Systèmes  employee  can  provide  their  skills  to 
support startups in their digital project;

 › Dassault  Systèmes  international  ecosystem  to  accelerate 

startups’ product launches and international footprint;

 › Events to increase their visibility.

Over  400  ideas  have  been  processed  by  500  innovators 
working in the community. Since its creation, 27 projects are 
being supported, including:

 › The  development  of  a  satellite 

launcher  assisted  by 
a  stratospheric  balloon.  Being  more  economical  and 
environment-friendly than traditional rockets, this launcher 
requires  less  infrastructure  and  simpler  engines  while 
preserving the integrity of the satellite;

 › The  development  of  a  biomimetic  membrane  model 

producing energy through marine and river currents;

 › The  design  of  new  types  of  unmanned  long-range  solar 
drones  opening  up  prospects  in  the  field  of  continuous 
flights;

 › The  development  of  digitally  printed  organic  photovoltaic 
cells  generating  energy  from  natural  or  artificial  ambient 
light.

In  2018,  a  new  3DEXPERIENCE  Lab  was  opened  in  India  to 
expand the geographical scope of the program beyond France 
and the United States. In addition, we expanded our network 
of  partners,  in  particular  with  Founders’  Factory,  based  in 
London (UK), as well as Tshimologong, based in Johannesburg 
(South Africa) and OuiCrea based in Shanghai (China). We will 
continue our qualitative approach to sustainable innovation in 
2019 with new projects and partners.

(For more information, http://3DEXPERIENCElab.3ds.com).

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Social, societal and environmental responsibility
Environmental Responsibility

2

2.3  Environmental Responsibility

Dassault  Systèmes’  corporate  purpose  is  to  provide  business 
and  people  with  3DEXPERIENCE  universes  to 
imagine 
sustainable  innovations  capable  of  harmonizing  product, 
nature  and  life.  Through  this  ambition,  we  contribute  to 
sustainable development.

In  this  regard,  we  integrate  environmental  protection  in 
our  operations.  Our  environmental  approach  and  its  annual 
reporting are entrusted to the Group’s Real Estate and General 
Resources  Management  department,  in  conjunction  with 
the Public Affairs and Sustainable Development department, 
which remain responsible for the development of partnerships 
to assess our impact on the environment through our software 
applications portfolio.

Our  environmental  approach  rests  on  our  global  network  of 
employees,  composed  of  Sustainability Team, Sustainability 
Leaders  and  Sustainability  Contributors,  and  a  global  data 
monitoring and collection process for our indicators.

Since  2016,  we  have  been  using  the  Group’s  solutions  to 
monitor  and  manage  our  environmental  impact  through  a 
dashboard in the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, thereby facilitating 
collaboration among all contributors.

As of December 31, 2018, the Group’s companies are spread 
out across 191 sites in the three geographic regions in which 
we operate. Data presented in the environmental report covers 
Dassault Systèmes SE and all companies in respect of which 
it has a shareholding exceeding 50% and the majority of our 
indicators cover the 46 main sites representing 80.3% of the 
workforce  as  at  December  31,  2018  (see  paragraph  2.5.2 
“Methodology  for  Environmental  Reporting”).  With  the 
exception of facilities totaling 21,000 square meters belonging 
to 3DPLM Software Solutions Ltd located in Pune (India), the 
Group does not own the offices it occupies and does not have 
full ownership rights over any land or building, either directly 
or through a lease (see Notes 14 and 25 to the consolidated 
financial statements).

2

2.3.1  Managing greenhouse gas emissions

Gas 

To analyze our carbon footprint, we use the “GHG Protocol” 
Protocol:  www.ghgprotocol. org). 
(Greenhouse 
The  assessment  of  greenhouse  gas  emissions 
includes 
direct  emissions  (scope  1),  indirect  emissions  from  energy 
consumption  (scope  2)  and  some  other  indirect  emissions 
(scope 3).

3DEXPERIENCE platform for Sustainability: Apps and 
solutions for sustainable development
The  use  of  our  solutions  involves  energy  consumption  by 
our  customers,  which  varies  according  to  the  application 
and  utilization  time.  Associated  greenhouse  gas  emissions 
represent  423,457  tCO2-eq,  estimated  based  on  the  number 
of  users,  average  consumption  per  user  and  the  application 
of  energy  emission  factors.  The  uncertainty  factor  is  very 
high,  in  particular  due  to  the  estimation  of  the  number  of 
users, average consumption and time of use, so the estimates 
produced must be considered as an order of magnitude.

Today,  companies  face  a  variety  of  technological  and 
ecological  challenges.  The  3DEXPERIENCE  platform  enables 
our  customers  to  achieve  their  sustainable  development 
objectives  through  a  portfolio  of  dedicated  applications  that 
complement  some  of  our  Industry  Solution  Experiences 

(see  Chapter  1  “Group  Presentation”)  and  are  based  on  the 
following technologies:

3D Modeling Technologies
Our portfolio of 3D modeling applications technologies makes it 
possible to create scientifically accurate representations of the 
environmental  impacts  of  products.  These  technologies  also 
offer techniques to reduce these impacts, such as eco-design for 
predictive environmental assessment and virtual prototyping, 
which  improve  the  carbon  footprint,  energy  consumption, 
human health impacts, and overall sustainability of products 
and  systems.  For  example,  SOLIDWORKS  Sustainability 
features an integrated Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) dashboard 
that estimates the environmental implications of each design 
decision  using  several  environmental  indicators.  One  of 
our  clients  the  global  leader  in  door-opening  solutions  uses 
SOLIDWORKS Sustainability to reduce product environmental 
impact and material usage while cutting their product material 
and energy costs by 15%.

“Virtual+Real” Technologies
Technologies  that  enable  real-time  realistic  simulation  can 
help optimize the physical world in virtual universes, leading 

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

53

2 Social, societal and environmental responsibility

Environmental Responsibility

to reduce environmental impacts. Our simulation technologies 
improve performance and weight testing, allowing engineers 
to  optimize  product  design  to  make  it  as  lightweight  as 
possible.  Industrial  and  production  systems  can  be  executed 
with  minimal  material  and  energy  expenditure  to  enable 
“green” manufacturing. Ultimately, end consumer usage can 
be  simulated  to  examine  and  reduce  environmental  impacts 
over  the  entire  life  cycle.  For  example,  one  of  the  leaders  in 
packaging  design  is  using  SIMULIA  to  simulate  complex 
interactions, resulting in a 27% reduction of carbon footprint 
and plastic resin usage while maintaining product integrity.

Intelligent Information Technologies
Searching,  sorting,  filtering,  navigating,  real-time  analysis 
and  understanding  of  large  amounts  of  environmental  data 
are  essential  for  sustainable  innovation.  Data  requirements 
become key for the entire value chain, not only for companies. 
This  expanded  producer 
requires  both 
sophisticated  and  flexible  access  to  large  volumes  of  data  to 
be  able  to  use  information  intelligence  applications  that  can 
generate  an  environmental  impact  dashboard  across  the 
extended enterprises. For example, the EXALEAD search- based 
infrastructure  allows  the  management  of  structured  and 
unstructured  environmental  data,  providing  decision  support 
to execute corporate sustainability and environmental impact-
reduction strategies.

responsibility 

sustainability 

Connectivity Technologies
Connecting  data  and  people,  by  breaking  down  silos  in 
organizations,  contributes 
strategies. 
to 
Connectivity  technologies  allow  companies  to  build  internal 
and external communities to manage sustainability efficiently. 
They  also  make  it  possible  to  connect  product  data  with 
governmental  data  to  proactively  manage  compliance  with 
government  and  industry  environmental  regulations  and 
standards,  such  as  the  Restriction  of  Hazardous  Substances 
(RoHS)  directive  and  the  management  of  minerals  which 
fuel conflicts.

Our  solution  for  environmental  compliance  and  materials 
intelligence  help  maintain  a  proactive  risk  minimization 
strategy,  and  make  it  possible  to  engage  the  people  and 
communities  that  are  critical  to  the  success  of  sustainability 
strategies. For example, one of our customers a leader in test 
and  measurement  systems  in  electronics  and  bio-analytic 
instruments uses ENOVIA Materials Compliance Management 
(MCM),  an  automated,  enterprise-wide  materials  compliance 
data  tracking  system,  to  demonstrate  compliance  with  strict 
environmental regulations for more than 1,800 products and 
160,000 parts from more than 7,000 suppliers.

Dassault Systèmes’ solutions also make it possible to imagine 
breakthrough innovations for sustainable development, such 
as the following:

Energy transition
We collaborate with the world’s renewable energy producers 
and  help  to  accelerate  the  development  of  hydraulic,  wind 
and solar energy. One of our customers a global leader in the 
manufacturing of wind turbines thus considerably reduced its 
development  and  production  time  through  the  Sustainable 
Wind Turbine solution.

In addition, we support innovative solar energy projects such 
as the Solar Impulse project, whose aircraft was designed using 
the modeling applications of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

Sustainable mobility
Our solutions are essential for the growth of the autonomous 
vehicle, which allows greater energy efficiency. The design of 
this new type of vehicle must combine mechanical, electronic 
and  systemic  functionalities.  We  work  with  all  of  the  global 
leaders  who  design  and  test  these  vehicles.  We  also  foster 
startups’  innovation  in  areas  such  as  two-seater  electric 
airplanes and high speed public transport systems.

Sustainable city
The  3DEXPERIENCity  strategy  based  on  the  3DEXPERIENCE 
platform  addresses  urban  planning 
issues  by  allowing 
holistic and sustainable management of cities and territories. 
Thus, new modes of transport, constructions, infrastructures, 
as well as services, can be simulated on a single platform, for the 
benefit of inhabitants, companies and public decision makers.

Industry of the Future
We  are  at  the  heart  of  the  world’s  industrial  policies  and 
programs. All of the technologies allowing the redefinition of 
production models such as cobotics, additive manufacturing, 
and  augmented  reality  are  available  on  the  3DEXPERIENCE 
platform. These technologies allow considerable gains in terms 
of raw materials and resources. For example, in the aerospace 
industry,  the  additive  manufacturing  of  certain  parts  allows 
reduction of up to 80% of their weight.

imagine  breakthrough 

The 3DEXPERIENCE platform is composed of an applications 
portfolio  which  enables  Dassault  Systèmes’  customers 
to 
innovations  and  reduce  their 
greenhouse  gas  emissions.  Each  of  the  applications  has  a 
unique value and a distinctive positive impact on greenhouse 
gas emissions:

 › CATIA  applications  can  optimize  the  aerodynamics  of 
vehicle models, thereby reducing the vehicles’ greenhouse 
gas emissions in the utilization phase;

54 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Social, societal and environmental responsibility
Environmental Responsibility

2

2

 › using the SOLIDWORKS Sustainability application, designers 
can  reduce  greenhouse  gas  emissions  by  choosing  lower-
impact materials in the design phase;

 › DELMIA  applications  used  for  the  planning,  simulation 
and modeling of manufacturing processes make it possible 
to  optimize  material  consumption,  energy  consumption 
and transport during the logistics phase, thereby reducing 
greenhouse gas emissions;

 › SIMULIA  applications  used  for  virtual  tests  and  to  assess 
the  performance,  reliability  and  safety  of  materials  and 
products make it possible to optimize the use of materials 
and energy, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Dassault  Systèmes’  applications  have  different 
impacts, 
depending on industry segments, customers and users. Only 
a  case-by-case  assessment  of  the  reduction  in  greenhouse 
gas  emissions  from  the  use  of  the  3DEXPERIENCE  platform 
would  be  relevant  such  as  the  one  conducted  by  Dassault 
Systèmes  in  December  2015  with  Harvard’s  Sustainability 
and  Health  Initiative  for  NetPositive  Enterprise  (SHINE) 
concerning automotive modeling and simulation applications. 
This case study states that Dassault Systèmes’ solutions have 
the  potential  to  enable  sectors  such  as  automotive  to  create 
handprints  which  are  on  the  order  of  10,000  times  greater 
than the footprint resulting from the development and use of 
these solutions.

http://hwpi.harvard.edu/files/chge/files/handprints_of_
product_innovation.pdf

Inclusion of environmental considerations in our 
operations
The  other  sources  of  greenhouse  gas  emissions  include 
direct  emissions  (scope  1),  indirect  emissions  from  energy 
consumption (scope 2) and indirect scope 3 emissions relating 
to:

 › Purchase  of  products  and  services,  mainly  consisting  in 
insurance  services,  bank  charges,  fees  for  consulting  and 
other intellectual services, subcontracting, communications 
and other services required for the Group’s business;

 › Capital goods consisting of desktop and laptop computers, 

servers and office furniture;

 › Business  trips  required  to  maintain  our  relations  with  our 

customers and partners;

 › Employee commuting.

In  2018,  these  emissions  amounted   to  158,826  tCO2-eq, 
representing a carbon footprint of 11.5 tCO2-eq per employee. 
The uncertainty factor is very high, mainly due to the use of 
monetary ratios and the estimation of the distances covered, 
so the estimates produced must be considered as an order of 

magnitude. These emissions break down as 4.7% for scope 1 
emissions, 12.8% for scope 2 emissions and 82.5% for scope 3 
emissions, excluding greenhouse gas emissions related to the 
use of our solutions by our customers.

Sites
We  choose  our  site  locations  based  on  the  objectives  of 
supporting our business growth and providing our employees 
with  a  pleasant  working  environment  while  integrating 
sustainable  development  strategies  such  as  promoting 
synergies  and  collaboration,  reducing  the  environmental 
footprint of our operations, and improving employee working 
conditions.  We  also  seek  to  be  close  to  our  customers,  our 
research  partners  and  the  leading  schools  and  universities, 
which are major sources of recruitment for our Group.

The  siting  of  our  facilities  is  designed  to  foster  collaboration 
among  employees  and  with  customers  and  partners  by 
grouping  together  sites,  subsidiaries  and  operations  in  a 
particular region or country. This process has, in particular, led 
to an audit of the facilities and their usage conditions, during 
external  growth  transactions,  in  order  to  determine  steps  to 
be taken in connection with the Group’s strategy (maintaining 
the lease, facilities rehabilitation or consolidation).

Since  2008,  we  have  implemented  a  policy  of  setting  up 
our  activities  in  offices  certified  under  local  environmental 
standards  such  as  “Haute qualité environnementale(cid:1)  (High 
environmental  quality)  in  France  and  LEED  in  the  United 
States,  or  on  sites  applying  an  environmental  management 
system  such  as  ISO  14001.  Sustainable  development  is 
integrated  in  real  estate  projects  right  from  the  inception  of 
any plan to move or open up a new site.

In  2018,  21  sites  were  renovated,  while  nine  sites  were 
extended,  covering  more  than  350  employees  and  allowing 
to  optimize  the  quality  and  number  of  our  locations  (see 
paragraph 2.1.4 “Developing employee engagement”).

Through  the  initiatives  carried  out  since  2008,  we  now 
have 24 certified sites, of which nine in Europe, eight in the 
Americas, and seven in Asia. In 2018, seven sites were subject 
to an energy audit, five in Great Britain and two in Australia.

We  use  renewable  energy  at  our  3DS  Paris  Campus 
headquarters, and have also included the purchase of electricity 
produced  by  renewable  resources,  in  particular  for  the  3DS 
Paris  Campus,  3DS  Colomiers  and  Villeneuve  d’Ascq  sites  in 
France, 3DS Stuttgart and 3DS Munich J Wild in Germany, 3DS 
Cork in Ireland, 3DS Montreal in Canada and 3DS Tokyo Osaki 
in Japan. At the end of 2018, eleven  sites used electricity from 
renewable resources.

In 2018, the energy consumption of our facilities amounted to 
67,622 MWh. The share of electricity was 89%.

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

55

models  with  lower  CO2  emissions.  Five  models  of  hybrid  or 
electric  vehicles  are  now  included  in  the  catalog  available  to 
eligible employees, who will be able to opt for these new offers 
upon the allocation of a vehicle or its renewal. This initiative 
has  been  backed  by  the  installation  of  electric  charging 
stations for employees and visitors in the parking lots of the 
3DS Paris Campus (France).

In 2018, as part of our vigilance plan, we initiated a risk study, 
in  collaboration  with  an  external  company,  concerning  our 
relations with our suppliers in order to improve the integration 
of environmental and social impacts. Thirteen criteria, five of 
which relate to the environment, were thus selected to assess 
50   categories  of  purchases.  Based  on  the  thirteen  criteria 
defined, the gross supplier risks were mapped out for each of 
these categories.

This  analysis  is  the  cornerstone  of  a  procedure  aimed  at 
formalizing  purchasing  strategies, 
the 
integration of specifications in the calls for tenders, as well as 
the methods used for appraising the bids and communicating 
with suppliers.

improving 

thus 

In order to control the environmental impact of our facilities:

 › In 2019, w e will define  a certification policy for the sites we 

occupy and the associated deployment plan;

 › We  will  assess  the  possibility  of  using  renewable  energy 
electricity  for  ten   sites  by  2021,  depending  on  the  offers 
available in these countries.

In  2019,  further  to  the  risk  study  concerning  our  supplier 
relations,  we  will  define,  in  collaboration  with  the  various 
departments  involved,  the  priorities  and  action  plans  that 
we will implement over the next three years to reinforce our 
sustainable purchasing practices.

In order to control the environmental impact of the transport 
of  our  IT  equipment,  we  will  have  this  equipment  delivered 
to  several  sites  in  Europe  directly  from  our  suppliers’  transit 
platforms;  thereby  avoiding  a  centralized  delivery  to  the 
3DS  Paris  Campus  (France)  followed  by  a  dispatch  to  the 
final  destination  sites.  Contracts  with  our  suppliers  were 
renegotiated on those terms in 2018.

2 Social, societal and environmental responsibility

Environmental Responsibility

Purchase of goods and services
Reporting  to  the  Finance  department,  the  Purchasing  and 
Travel department rests on a network of employees, structured 
according  to  a  matrix  organization,  including  the  operational 
and geographical dimensions as well as the responsibility for 
purchasing categories. The objective of this organization is to 
ensure the implementation of global practices while ensuring 
respect for local specificities.

Our  Purchasing  policy  integrates  sustainable  development 
concerns  into  its  principles  and  recommendations  aimed  at 
ensuring that best practices are applied, such as:

 › Assessing  the  products  purchased  taking  into  account,  in 
particular,  specifications,  use,  maintenance,  resource  and 
energy  efficiency  and  the  potential  for  reuse,  recycling  or 
destruction;

 › Obtaining  from  suppliers  the  relevant  information  on  the 

environmental performance of their goods or services;

 › Working  with  our  suppliers  to  improve  the  environmental 

performance throughout the supply chain.

In  accordance  with  these  principles,  many  calls  for 
tenders 
include  an  environmental  component,  such  as 
the  one  conducted  in  2018  for  the  purchase  of  laptops 
(see  paragraph  2.3.2  “Responsible  company  and  partner”). 
We  also  continue  to  pay  particular  attention  to  local  service 
providers  with  environmental  certifications,  such  as  the 
“Energy Star” label for our IT equipment, as well as to recycling 
channels for our office supplies and furnitures.

We have been engaged in a travel optimization process since 
2009. The Travel policy implemented limits the environmental 
impact of business travel by giving preference to meetings by 
conference  call  or  video  conference  rather  than  by  physical 
travel,  train  journeys  rather  than  air  travel  for  trips  under 
three hours in length, and use of economy class for air travel. 
Thus, except in newly acquired companies, all bookings must 
be made through the site of our service provider, who ensures 
that  the  rules  laid  down  in  our  policy  our  implemented  and 
complied with.

In France, we also initiated a review of our catalog of company 
vehicles,  which  will  continue  in  2019,  in  order  to  bring  in 

56 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Social, societal and environmental responsibility
Environmental Responsibility

2

2

2.3.2  Responsible company and partner

In light of the nature of our business, we generate primarily 
ordinary waste such as paper, cardboard and plastic. Our ability 
to  recycle  waste  depends  on  the  existence  of  local  product 
lifecycle management systems. Our Sustainability Leaders are 
thus responsible for the local implementation of the relevant 
recycling actions.

In  2018,  in  the  United  States,  six  sites  conducted  recycling 
initiatives,  mainly  for  paper,  plastic,  aluminum  and  glass, 
organized collection systems for light bulbs and batteries, and 
reduced the consumption of disposable tableware by providing 
employees with re-usable items.

In June 2018, a waste management audit, covering more than 
1,700  kilograms  of  waste,  was  conducted  on  the  3DS  Paris 
Campus  in  France,  rating  the  quality  of  the  waste  sorting 
process as “compliant” or “optimal” in all the buildings. Five 
recommendations, due to be followed up with actions in 2019, 
were issued. They include a reminder of the rules to cleaning 
staff,  and  better  communication  of  the  relevant  information 
to employees.

In  parallel  with  these  various  actions,  we  will  continue  to 
promote eco-friendly behavior among our employees.

In  December  2018,  the  initiative  called  Le  Bon  Réflexe  – 
Collecte Solidaire was renewed jointly on the 3DS Paris Campus 
(France)  by  the  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  Disability  Taskforce 
and  the  Real  Estate  and  General  Resources  department. 
Employees  were  asked  to  drop  off  their  personal  obsolete 
or  out  of  order  electrical  and  electronic  equipment.  Around 
650kg of equipment was collected and sent for recycling to a 
sheltered-sector company employing people with disabilities. 
In  Melbourne  (Australia),  a  program  aimed  at  promoting 
plastic recycling was rolled out, thus shifting 120 liters of soft 
plastic  and  360  liters  of  recyclable  waste  away  from  landfill 
sites every week.

In  2018,  35  sites  had  a  sorting  system  for  ordinary  waste, 
representing 76.1% of our main sites.

We place great importance on the environmental management 
of our computer equipment. Our IT equipment management 
policy lays down standards in terms of equipment allocation 
to employees, thus ensuring that they are provided with the 
required equipment while avoiding excessive use of electrical 
and  electronic  equipment.  The  purchase  of  this  equipment 
is  subject  to  calls  for  tenders  and  contracts  including  an 
environmental  aspect.  In  2018,  the  call  for  tenders  relative 
to  the  purchase  of  laptops  placed  emphasis  on  the  devices’ 
“Energy Star” label regarding their energy consumption, and 
to  their  ease  of  disassembly  for  easy  maintenance  and  to 
combat obsolescence.

Through technological improvements and the extension of our 
suppliers’ maintenance period, the life cycle of our servers was 
gradually increased from three to five years. Where servers are 
de-commissioned  from  the  data  centers,  we  strive  to  re-use 
them for other purposes within Dassault Systèmes.

Since  2015,  all  electronic  waste  has  been  disposed  of 
in  accordance  with  environmental  standards.  In  2018, 
22,413.5  kilograms  of  waste  electrical  and  electronic 
equipment,  consisting  of  computers  and  servers,  were 
recycled.  In  Europe,  the  recycling  of  this  equipment  is 
entrusted  to  sheltered-sector  companies  employing  people 
with  disabilities.  One  of  these  companies  recycles  plastic 
materials into urban furniture.

In order to improve our waste management actions, in 2019 
we will initiate measures focused on the following:

 › We will assess the feasibility of implementing a system for 
sorting common waste at six sites by 2021, based on the 
availability of local product lifecycle management systems;

 › We  will  extend  our  recycling  policy  to  audiovisual 
equipment,  fixed  and  mobile  phones  and  accessories  over 
the next three years.

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

57

2 Social, societal and environmental responsibility

Business Ethics and Vigilance Plan

2.4  Business Ethics and Vigilance Plan

2.4.1  Promoting strong business ethics

Since  its  creation,  Dassault  Systèmes  has  developed  its 
culture  and  built  its  reputation  on  different  fundamental 
principles, particularly the creation of long-term relationships 
with  its  employees,  customers,  partners  and  shareholders, 
as  well  as  high-quality  products  with  high  added-value. 
Confidence  and  integrity,  supported  by  rigorous  ethics  and 
regulatory compliance, are at the heart of Dassault Systèmes’ 
commitments for sustainable innovation and growth.

The  Company’s  commitment  to  professional  ethics  and 
corporate  citizenship  is  formalized  through  policies  and 
procedures  regarding  corporate  governance,  in  particular  the 
“Code of Business Conduct” distributed to all the Company’s 
employees  since  2004  (see  paragraph  5.1  “The  Board’s 
Corporate Governance Report”) and the “Corporate Principles 
of  Social  Responsibility”  both  available  on  the  Company’s 
internet site. The Code of Business Conduct, which is backed 
up  by  specific  policies,  recommendations  and  trainings,  is 
intended to serve as the reference for all Company employees 
to guide their behavior and interactions when performing their 
activities.

This  commitment  is  also  demonstrated  through  awareness 
around  ethics  and  compliance  being  raised  among  new 
employees  and  by  offering  targeted  training  courses,  online 
and/or in-house.

A mandatory online training course on ethics and compliance 
is  thus  an  integral  part  of  the  onboarding  program  for  all 
new  employees.  This  course,  available  in  11  languages, 
comprises  thirteen   modules,  each  of  which  is  broken  down 
into  a  theory  section  followed  by  practical  applications  in  a 
question/answer format. The topics covered include the fight 
against  corruption,  the  protection  of  intellectual  property, 
respect  for  confidentiality,  ethics  in  the  workplace  with  a 
focus on potential harassment and discrimination situations, 
competition law, the strict monitoring of exports, IT security, 
personal  data  protection,  conflicts  of  interests,  etc.  As  of 
February  28,  2019,  14,774  employees  had  attended  this 
general training course.

The fight against corruption
The Code of Business Conduct prohibits Group employees from:

 › exchanging gifts or invitations in order to favor or influence 
a  business  decision,  whether  it  be  taken  by  a  customer, 
partner, supplier or employees of the Group;

 › using  Dassault  Systèmes’  funds  or  assets  to  pay  bribes  or 
kickbacks or make payments of a similar nature liable directly 
or indirectly to benefit third parties, including shareholders 
or  companies,  whether  they  are  partners,  customers, 
suppliers, service or other companies or organizations, with 
the goal of benefiting from preferential treatment; and

 › using  Group  funds  to  make  a  contribution  of  any  kind  to 

political candidates or parties.

These principles are supplemented with the following policies 
and procedures:

 › the Dassault Systèmes “Anti-corruption policy” (updated in 

December 2017);

 › the  “Dassault  Systèmes  Guidelines  for  dealing  with 

Intermediaries” (June 2017);

 › the “Dassault Systèmes Guidelines on Conflicts of Interests” 

(April 2017);

 › a  Dassault  Systèmes  “Internal  Whistleblowing  Procedure” 

(updated in December 2017).

In  2017,  as  part  of  its  continuous  improvement  process, 
the  Group  strengthened  its  commitment  to  a  zero-tolerance 
policy regarding corruption and influence peddling. It brought 
its  anti-corruption  policy  and  whistleblowing  procedure 
(introduced in 2004) into line with the French law of December 
9, 2016 relative to transparency, the fight against corruption 
and  the  modernization  of  economic  life  (the  “Sapin  II”  Act). 
The Group also took steps to increase employee awareness on 
how to conduct negotiations with intermediaries (in particular 
through  a  reminder  of  the  provisions  adopted  by  the  Group 
and  integrated  in  its  operational  processes,  concerning  the 
selection of its partners) and on how to identify and deal with 
situations involving suspected or proven conflicts of interests, 
in order to avoid such situations for oneself and for the Group.

The Company’s program for corruption prevention is based not 
only on these policies, guidelines, whistleblowing procedure, 
communications and employee awareness/training programs 

58 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

(at  February  28,  2019,  a  total  of  14,064  employees  had 
received training via a module dedicated to the fight against 
corruption  “Understanding  anti-corruption  principles”),  but 
also on:

 › a Compliance department related to the general secretary, 

since 2018;

 › the specific mapping of corruption and influence peddling 
risks, updated every year, in line with the Group’s activities;

 › an internal control and audit system;

 › stringent  operational  processes.  Thus,  the  due  diligence 
process  regarding  intermediaries,  whether  or  not  they  are 
retailers,  agents  or  consultants,  take  many  variables  into 
account: the nature of the activity, local environment, type of 
relationship, type and scope of the mission the third party 
will  have  to  achieve  for  the  company.  This  Due Diligence 
process  is  completed  by  intermediaries’  statements  and 
commitments.

The processing and follow-up of the reporting received under 
the internal reporting procedure are systematically managed 
by  the  Compliance  department  and  supervized  by  the 
Ethics Committee.

The risks of corruption and influence peddling arising from the 
Group’s  business  model  ( see  Chapter  1  “Presentation  of  the 
Group” and paragraph 1.5.2.6  “Sales and Marketing”   ) include 
the following:

 › Its  reliance  on  intermediaries  (distributors,  agents,  and 
system  integrators).  Such  intermediaries  are  independent 
third  parties  and  are  fully  liable  for  their  actions,  but  the 
Group  could,  in  certain  circumstances  (negligence,  willfull 
blindness),  be  held  liable  in  the  event  such  intermediaries 
were to make illicit payments to generate revenue;

 › Trading  directly  or  indirectly  with  clients  deemed  in  in 
“higher risk countries” and/or qualified as “public officials”.

in  the  selection  of 

reputational  checks  via 

Dassault  Systèmes  systematically  manages  its  risks  through 
the policies, procedures and training courses described below. 
In particular, the Group has strengthened its policy of applying 
intermediaries, 
reasonable  diligence 
through  additional  processes  including  a  self-administered 
questionnaire, 
the  compliance 
database,  the  verification  of  the  services  performed  by  the 
agents,  and  the  Compliance  department’s  approval.  Invoices 
and transfer prices are controlled by the financial services who 
carry out formal checks and assess their relevance. Moreover, 
the Internal Audit department may include specific checks in 
the  Internal  Control  review  or  ad  hoc  reviews  relative  to  the 
prevention and detection of fraud or non-compliance with the 
Group’s rules and procedures.

The  Group’s  anti-corruption  training  course  includes  raising 
the  awareness  of  Group  employees  on  the  risks  of  dealing 

Social, societal and environmental responsibility
Business Ethics and Vigilance Plan

2

with public officials. For example, the Group’s rules concerning 
gifts and invitations are stricter for public officials. Moreover, 
in  certain  countries  with  higher  risks  of  corruption,  Dassault 
Systèmes’  distributors  are  required  to  attend 
in-person 
training where they are specifically made aware of the Group’s 
policies and “zero tolerance” rules concerning corruption.

the  Group  measures 

its 
Lastly, 
anti- corruption program through key performance indicators 
that  cover  its  mandatory  training  courses’  implementation 
rate (see above).

the  performance  of 

2

Corporate Principles of Social Responsibility and 
commitments to ensuring respect for basic rights
As  early  as  2004,  the  Group  asserted  its  Corporate  Social 
Responsibility  (“CSR”)  commitment  through  Group-wide 
policies applicable to its employees, such as its Code of Business 
Conduct  and  Corporate  Social  Responsibility  Principles. 
Pursuant to these policies, employees are required to conduct 
their  activities  in  compliance  with  the  laws  applicable  in  the 
countries  where  the  Group  operates  and  in  accordance  with 
international  standards,  such  as  the  International  Bill  of 
Human  Rights  and  the  International  Labor  Organization’s 
Fundamental Conventions.

The Group also promotes corporate social responsibility within 
its ecosystem as its suppliers and partners are required to adhere 
to its CSR Principles. They include: eradicating child labor by 
banning the employment of school-aged children (and in any 
event under 15 years of age), eliminating forced labor and other 
forms of modern slavery, banning all forms of discrimination 
(in recruitment as well as career development and employment 
termination),  ensuring  that  working  conditions  are  adequate 
to  preserve  employee  health  and  safety,  complying  with 
minimum legal and regulatory requirements concerning pay, 
freedom of association and the protection of labor union rights, 
and the right to collective bargaining, ensuring zero tolerance 
for  corruption  and  influence  peddling,  protecting  personal 
data, and protecting the environment (http://www.3ds.com/
fileadmin/COMPANY/Ethics-and-compliance/Principes-de-
Responsabilite-Sociale.pdf).

Most  Group  companies’  standard  contracts  and  general 
purchasing terms and conditions thus provide for the right to 
immediately terminate the contract in the event of a supplier’s 
breach  of  any  of  these  CSR  Principles.  The  Group  is  also 
initiating  a  “Responsible  Purchasing”  approach  described  in 
section 2.4.2 “Implementing an Appropriate Vigilance Plan”.

In  2018,  like  in  2017,  the  Group  published  a  statement  of 
the  measures  it  has  taken  to  combat  modern  slavery  and 
human  trafficking,  as  required  by  the  UK’s  Modern  Slavery 
Act (https://www.3ds.com/fileadmin/COMPANY/Ethics-and-
compliance/2017_DS_SE_MSA_Statement.pdf).

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

59

2 Social, societal and environmental responsibility

Business Ethics and Vigilance Plan

Group-wide, to manage and mitigate the risks of non- compliance 
with  its  CSR  Principles,  Dassault  Systèmes  systematically 
relies on mandatory training in ethics and compliance and on 
Dassault Systèmes’ whistleblowing procedure. This procedure 
enables Group employees to report any risk of serious violation 
of human rights or fundamental freedoms. The Group also has 
policies, procedures, training courses and indicators relative to 
the prevention of the risk of non-compliance with:

 › the  prohibition  of  all  forms  of  discrimination 

( see 
paragraph  5.2.3  “Internal  Control  and  Risk  Management 
Procedures” );

 › the guarantee of providing satisfactory working conditions 

(see paragraph 2.1.5 “Preserving health and safety”);

 › the  guarantee  of  pay  no  lower  than  the  minimum  legal 
requirement (see paragraph 2.1.6 “Retaining our talents”);

 › the protection of personal data (see paragraph 2.2.1 “Digital 

Responsibility”);

 › the  protection  of  the  environment  (see  paragraph  2.3 

“Environmental Responsibility”).

The Group measures its human rights performance through key 
performance indicators including the rate of implementation 
of its mandatory training in ethics and compliance (see above).

2.4.2 

Implementing an Appropriate Vigilance Plan

As  stated  above,  Dassault  Systèmes 
is  committed  to 
conducting  its  activities  in  compliance  with  the  laws  of 
the  countries  in  which  it  operates  and  in  accordance  with 
international standards. For the prevention of environmental 
risks,  the  Group’s  approach  concerning  its  environmental 
responsibility has been in place since 2010 (see paragraph 2.3 
“Environmental Responsibility”).

In  accordance  with  the  French  Law  of  March  27,  2017 
relative  to  the  duty  of  vigilance  of  parent  companies  and 
contracting  undertakings,  the  Group  has  set  up  a  vigilance 
plan  (the  “Plan”)  covering  the  following  three  areas:  human 
rights  and  fundamental  freedoms,  the  health  and  safety  of 
persons, and the environment (the “Areas”).

The Plan is implemented by the Group’s various stakeholders, 
Internal  Audit 
i.e.  mainly  the  Purchasing  department, 
is 
department  and  Human  Resources  department. 
monitored by a steering committee composed of members of 
these  departments  and  of  Compliance  department,  which  is 
also responsible for the assessment of these procedures.

It 

Report on the implementation of the 2018 Plan
For  2018,  the  Plan  consisted  of  some  twenty  measures  to 
be  implemented  on  the  short  and  medium  terms  within  a 
structured process, of which the year’s major accomplishments 
are the following:

 › the  update  of  the  whistleblowing  procedure  to  include 
aspects relating to the duty of vigilance. As of December 31, 
2018, the deployment of this procedure has been launched 
in 15 languages;

 › the review and modernization of the Group’s CSR Principles 
(regarding  non-discrimination  and  the  prohibition  of  any 
form of child labor, forced labor or slavery, or any form of 
corruption)  were  stepped  up.  In  addition,  principles  were 

introduced concerning compliance with regulations relative 
to personal data and environmental precaution principle;

 › the review and modification of the content of the mandatory 
employee  training  courses  on  ethics  and  compliance,  to 
include aspects required under the French Act on the Duty 
of Vigilance and the UK’s Modern Slavery Act;

 › An  analysis  of  supplier  risks  per  category  of  purchases  in 
order to upgrade the related risk map and determine actions 
to  be  priorized  for  2019;  this  approach,  in  particular  the 
interviews  carried  out  in  this  context,  made  it  possible  to 
sensitize the Group’s buyers to “Responsible Purchasing”;

 › the  standardization  of  a  procedure  for  monitoring  and 
assessing  the  Plan’s  measures,  particularly  through 
meetings of its steering committee, at least quarterly, and 
the use of dedicated tools.

2019 Vigilance Plan
For  2019,  the  Plan  is  based  on  the  mapping  of  Group  and 
supplier  risks  and  the  related  assessments,  as  well  as  risk 
prevention  and  mitigation  measures,  a  whistleblowing 
procedure, and a procedure to monitor the measures.

Within the scope of the 2018 Plan, the first risk assessment 
revealed the limited nature of the risks of serious breaches in 
the three Areas covered by the law, as a result of the Group’s 
activities  or  business  model  (described  in  Chapter  1  “Group 
Presentation” of this Annual Report) or those of its suppliers or 
sub-contractors. Indeed, due to their almost intangible nature, 
software  publishing  activities  involve  almost  no  assembly  of 
products from a Supply Chain. This assessment was confirmed 
by  the  analysis  of  supplier  risks  conducted  within  the  scope 
of  the  2018  Plan.  However,  the  Group  intends  to  use  this 
risk map to continue to improve its performance in terms of 
Responsible Purchasing.

60 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Social, societal and environmental responsibility
Reporting methodology

2

For 2019, the Plan thus includes appropriate, proportionate to 
the Group risks profile, vigilance measures to be implemented 
on the short or medium terms to prevent or mitigate risks in 
the Areas covered by the law. Some of these measures consist 
in the continuation or monitoring of the actions initiated under 
the 2018 Plan, while others are new. Dassault Systèmes’ main 
focus areas are the following:

 › “employee  training  and  awareness-raising”:  the  Group 
intends  to  implement  internal  communication  actions  on 
the whistleblowing procedure and the modernization of its 
CSR  Principles;  the  in-house  e-learning  courses  on  ethics 
and  compliance,  environmental  responsibility  and  safety 
issues will continue to be tracked in terms of audience and 
some of them will be updated;

 › “risk management”: the Group intends to push forward with 
a thorough analysis of its sites’ risks in terms of “Employee 
health and safety” and to take guidance from the supplier 
risk  map,  in  particular  by  initiating  the  formalization  of 
“responsible  purchasing”  strategies  adapted  to  Dassault 
Systèmes’ purchases, and by reflecting on the opportunity 
of adopting a specific Suppliers Charter;

 › “policies and procedures”: the rollout of the whistleblowing 
procedure will continue to be monitored, especially in new 
Group  acquisitions;  in  addition,  certain  policies  are  due  to 
be finalized, in particular the Group’s environmental policy, 
prior to its publication.

2

2.5   Reporting methodology

2.5.1  Methodology for social and societal reporting

As  a  general  rule,  the  scope  of  social  and  societal  reporting 
includes all Group companies at the end of the financial year. 
However, for some indicators, the scope of coverage may be 
more limited. The indicators were selected from the mapping 
of social and societal risks.

Data  related  to  employees  is  calculated  on  the  basis  of 
“full- time equivalents”, which corresponds to the proportion of 
“hours worked per standard full-time work hours” and which 
was jointly defined and shared by both Human Resources and 
Finance teams.

In 2018, the indicators below were based on the following:

 › The number of employees or workforce refers to the number 

of employees excluding contractors;

 › Data related to new joiners and departure is also determined 
using this rule; the data is extracted from HR and financial 
management  software  applications,  both  of  which  are 
deployed in all Group entities, with the exception of Centric 
Software on new joiners;

 › Data  relating  to  managers  include  all  managers  when 
referring  to  employees  with  management  responsibilities 
and refer to 73.2% of managers when referring to People 
Managers;

 › Data  relating  to  paragraph  2.1.2  “Attracting  talented 
individuals” covers all Group entities except Centric Software, 
Outscale and COSMOlogic. The scope thus covers 97.3% of 
the workforce. These new indicators are published as part 
of  the  implementation  of  our  non-financial  performance 
statement.  As  there  were  not  reported  in  2017,  their 
evolution  compared  to  the  previous  year  is  not  available 
in 2018;

 › Data relating to certification and training on personal data 
protection covers the Group’s workforce, excluding Centric 
Software, Outscale and COSMOlogic. The scope thus covers 
97.3% of the workforce. These new indicators are published 
as  part  of  the 
implementation  of  our  non-financial 
performance  statement.  As  there  were  not  reported  in 
2017, their evolution compared to the previous year is not 
available in 2018;

 › Figures  presented  in  section  2.1.4  “Developing  employee 
engagement” are based on the survey conducted by Great 
Place To Work. The scope includes the Group’s employees 
on permanent contracts as of August 25, 2018, excluding 
Centric  Software,  Outscale,  COSMOlogic.  In  2018,  this 
survey covers 179 physical sites, 131 of which obtained a 
satisfaction rate concerning the working environment. This 
new  indicator  is  published  as  part  of  the  implementation 

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

61

2 Social, societal and environmental responsibility

Reporting methodology

of our non-financial performance statement. As it was not 
reported  in  2017,  its  evolution  compared  to  the  previous 
year is not available in 2018;

 › Absenteeism  data  include  absences  due  to  illness  as  well 
as  those  resulting  from  an  accident  at  work,  and  exclude 
absences related to maternity and paternity. Data relating 
to  absenteeism  and  number  of  work-related  accident  are 
calculated  on  the  number  of  employees  in  countries  with 
more  than  150  employees  (excluding  companies  acquired 
during  the  year),  namely  France,  Germany,  the  United 
Kingdom,  the  Netherlands,  the  United  States,  Canada, 
Japan,  Malaysia,  China,  South  Korea,  India,  Australia  and 
Poland. This scope represents 93% of the Group’s workforce 
in 2018 versus 94% in 2017. As part of the implementation 
of our non-financial performance statement, the method of 
calculating  absenteism  changed  in  2018  and  its  evolution 
compared to the previous year is not available;

 › Our compensation policy applies to all employees with the 
exception  of  certain  newly  acquired  companies,  covering 
94.4% of the total workforce;

 › Attrition  rate  is  calculated  by  taking  into  account  only 
employee-initiated leaves for employees under permanent 
contracts, compared to the monthly average for employees 
under permanent contracts. As part of the implementation 
of the non-financial performance statement, the method of 
calculating attrition rate changed in 2018 and its evolution 
compared to the previous year is not available;

 › Data related to length of services are calculated on the basis 
of the total number of months of length of services divided 
by  the  total  number  of  employees  regardless  of  the  time 

worked. These data cover all the Group’s employees. As part 
of  the  implementation  of  the  non-financial  performance 
statement,  the  method  of  calculating  length  of  services 
changed in 2018 and its evolution compared to the previous 
year is not available;

 › Data relating to the paragraph 2.2.1 “Digital Responsibility”, 
in  section  related  to  “Preparing  the  Workforce  of  the 
Future”, are estimated by taking into account the number of 
our main academic licenses to which we apply a coefficient 
of  number  of  users.  These  data  represent  the  cumulative 
number of learners year after year and are derived from our 
financial management software;

 › Data  relating  to  paragraphs  2.1.5  “Preserving  Health  and 
safety”  and  2.2  “Societal  Responsibility”  comes  from 
additional interviews conducted within the Group;

 › Data  pertaining  to  policies  on  business  ethics,  fighting 
corruption,  the  Company’s  Social  Responsibility  principles 
and  commitments  ensuring  basic  rights  whereas  data 
pertaining  to  the  Vigilance  Plan  are  both  provided  by  the 
Compliance department. The workforce takes into account 
the  total  number  of  regular  employees,  regardless  of  the 
time  worked,  and  excluding  Centric  Software,  Outscale 
and COSMOlogic employees. The scope thus covers 94.4% 
of workforce.

To  make  the  reporting  process  more  reliable,  an  internal 
methodological  guide  including  definitions  and  rules  for 
calculating each indicator is updated each year. Data reliability 
checks are carried out at the time of accounting consolidation 
as well as throughout the year in connection with analyzing 
changes from the preceding periods.

2.5.2  Methodology for Environmental Reporting

Methodology and scope of environmental reporting
is 
reporting 
The  methodology  of  our  environmental 
summarized 
in  the  “Environmental  Reporting  Protocol”, 
which defines the methodology for collecting and calculating 
information  and  the  scope  for  collecting  environmental 
data.  The  indicators  were  selected  from  the  mapping  of 
environmental risks.

The  environmental  reporting  target  scope  includes  Dassault 
Systèmes  SE  and  all  the  companies  in  respect  of  which  it 
has  a  shareholding  exceeding  50%.  It  should  be  noted  that 
companies acquired during the period are excluded from the 
2018 environmental reporting scope.

standard full-time work hours” and which was jointly defined 
and shared by both Human Resources and Finance teams.

The  environmental  reporting  scope  fits  to  the  published 
indicators. Most of our environmental indicators are calculated 
on  the  basis  of  the  physical  sites’  operating  data:  buildings’ 
energy  consumption,  quantities  of  waste  produced,  etc. 
Conversely,  greenhouse  gas  emissions  from  business  travel 
are measured through the tracking of purchases of transport 
services (train and airline tickets, car rentals, etc.) by each of 
the Group’s legal entities.

These characteristics explain the co-existence of two reporting 
scopes for environmental data:

For  the  scope  of  environmental  reporting  as  well  as  for 
calculating  carbon  intensities,  data  related  to  employees 
is  calculated  on  the  basis  of  “full-time  equivalents”, 
which  corresponds  to  the  proportion  of  “hours  worked  per 

 › For 

indicators  relating  to  energy  consumption,  total 
greenhouse  gas  emissions  scope  1  and  2,  general  waste 
treatment,  specific  waste  and  greenhouse  gas  emissions 
from  the  recycling  of  computer  equipment,  the  data 

62 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Social, societal and environmental responsibility
Reporting methodology

2

2

presented in the environmental report concerns the impacts 
measured  at  the  Group’s  main  sites.  For  these  indicators, 
the  environmental  reporting  scope  covers  the  sites  which 
have at least 50 employees, excepted for the site located in 
Burlington (United States). Indeed, this new site, with more 
than 50 employees, linked to the integration of EXA, should 
have been included in the environmental reporting in 2018. 
However, we have decided to exclude it, on an exceptional 
basis, given its closure in December 2018 and the installation 
of the associate employees on the 3DS Boston Campus site 
(United States). In 2018, the reporting scope thus covered 
80.3% of Group employees versus 83% in 2017;

 › For greenhouse gas emissions included in Dassault Systèmes 
scope 3, the data presented in the environmental reporting 
covers greenhouse gas emissions as follows:

 › For indicators relating to the use of sold solutions, the data 
presented cover emissions relating to all active licenses as 
of  January  1st,  2019,  covering  all  available  solutions  and 
resulting from financial reporting tools;

 › For indicators relating to the purchase of goods and services 
and  capital  goods,  the  data  presented  cover  emissions 
relating  to  all  annual  expenditure  in  euros  invoiced  by 
suppliers between January 1st and December 31, 2018. In 
2018, these estimates have been extended to a worldwide 
scope. The scope thus covers 93.6% of workforce;

 › For 

indicators  concerning  business  travel,  the  data 
presented  cover  emissions  produced  by  employees  at 
the Group’s main legal entities. For these indicators, the 
data  presented  in  the  environmental  report  covers  the 
emissions  produced  by  the  employees  of  legal  entities 
comprising a site with at least 50 employees. In 2018, the 
reporting scope thus covered 95.6% of Group employees 
versus 96% in 2017;

 › For indicators relating to employee commuting, the data 
presented cover the emissions relating to daily commuting 
by  employees  of  all  legal  entities  by  estimating  the 
distances  travelled  between  the  declared  personal 
address  and  their  place  of  work,  excluding  invalid  or 
partial  personal  addresses  and  non  geolicalized  personal 
addresses. In 2018, these estimates have been extended 
to  a  worldwide  scope,  excluding  Outscale,  Centric 
Software and COSMOlogic. The scope thus covers 67.5% 
of workforce.

Given  the  change  in  the  scope  of  some  environmental 
indicators, the evolution compared to the previous year is not 
available in 2018. Our environmental reporting may evolve as 

part of our ongoing improvement process, or to take account 
of changes in applicable regulations.

Collecting and consolidating environmental data
The  environmental  data  was  collected  by  the  Sustainability 
Leaders  and  consolidated  by  our  Real  Estate  and  General 
the 
Resources  Management  department,  based  on 
environmental  reporting  protocol.  For  selected  questions, 
such as business travel and data concerning electronic waste, 
external service providers were also consulted.

To  simplify  the  consolidation  of  environmental  data,  a 
dedicated  software  application  was  rolled  out.  This  new 
solution  facilitates  the  structuring  and  standardization  of 
environmental data (regarding all parameters but scope 3 data 
related to greenhouse gas emissions), like-for-like comparisons 
and  an  increase  in  the  frequency  of  information  collection 
from annual to quarterly.

The indicators relating to energy consumption and greenhouse 
gas  emissions  as  well  as  waste  electrical  and  electronic 
equipment  are  collected  quarterly  by  the  Sustainability 
Leaders and are reviewed and reported quarterly by our Real 
Estate Management and General Resources department.

Indicators  for  the  treatment  of  common  waste  and  other 
greenhouse  gas  emissions  are  collected  annually  by 
Sustainability Leaders.

Limitations on environmental reporting
In  certain  cases,  the  information  produced  cannot  be  based 
on  actual  consumption.  For  example,  for  certain  foreign 
subsidiaries  whose  contribution  is  low,  the  data  relating  to 
travel  is  not  available  in  the  same  format  as  for  the  rest  of 
the  scope.  The  same  applies  to  sites  whose  air-conditioning 
refrigerant  recharge  expenses  are  included  in  the  rent. 
In these cases, the Environmental Reporting Protocol specifies 
the  procedure  to  follow  in  order  to  make  the  estimations 
required.  As  a  result,  actual  consumption  may  be  different 
from estimates.

Regarding  waste  treatment,  waste  treatment  and  collection 
are  handled  for  most  subsidiaries  by  local  government, 
which  does  not  furnish  any  information  on  collected  waste. 
It is therefore not possible to provide any information on the 
amount of waste generated. We have nevertheless queried all 
of  our  subsidiaries  included  in  the  2018  reporting  scope,  as 
to whether they sorted their waste. Consequently, our Group 
produces  information  on  the  percentage  of  sites  which  sort 
their waste rather than on the quantity of waste treated (see 
paragraph 2.3.2 “Responsible company and partner”).

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63

2 Social, societal and environmental responsibility

Independent Verifi er’s Report on Consolidated Non-fi nancial Statement Presented in the Management Report

2.6 

Independent Verifier’s Report on Consolidated 
Non-financial Statement Presented in the 
Management Report

This is a free translation into English of the original report issued in the French language and it is provided solely for the 
convenience of English speaking users. This report should be read in conjunction with, and construed in accordance with, French 
law and professional standards applicable in France.

To the General Assembly,

In our quality as an independent verifier, accredited by the COFRAC under the number n° 3-1050 (scope of accreditation available 
on the website www.cofrac.fr), and as a member of the network of one of the s tatutory a uditors of your entity Dassault Systèmes 
(hereafter “entity”), we p resent our report on the consolidated non-financial statement estab lished for the year ended on the 
December 31, 2018 (her eafter referred to as the “Statement”), presented in the management report pursuant to the provisions of 
the article L. 225 102-1, R. 225-105 et R. 225-105-1 of the French Commercial Code (Code de commerce).

Responsibility of the entity
It is the responsibility of the Board of Directors to establish the statement in compliance with the legal and regulatory provisions 
including a presentation of the business model, a description of the main non-financial risks, a presentation of the policies applied 
regarding these risks as well as the results of these policies, including key performance indicators.

The  Statement  has  been  established  by  applying  the  procedures  of  the  entity  (hereinafter  referred  to  as  the  “Criteria”), 
the significant elements of which are presented in the Statement and available on request at the Entity’s headquarters.

Independence and quality control
Our  independence  is  defined  by  regulatory  requirements  pursuant  to  the  provisions  of  the  article  L.  822-11-3  of  the  French 
Commercial Code (Code de commerce) and the Code of Ethics of our profession. In addition, we have implemented a quality control 
system, including documented policies and procedures to ensure compliance with ethical standards, professional standards and 
applicable laws and regulations.

Responsibility of the independent verifier
It is our role, based on our work, to express a limited assurance conclusion on:

 › the compliance of the Statement with the provisions of Article R. 225-105 of the French Commercial Code;

 › the fairness of the information provided pursuant to paragraph 3 of I and II of Article R. 225 105 of the French Commercial 
Code,  namely  the  results  of  the  policies,  including  key  performance  indicators,  and  the  actions  related  to  the  main  risks, 
hereinafter the “Information”.

Nonetheless, it is not our responsibility to express any form of conclusion on:

 › compliance by the entity with other applicable legal and regulatory provisions, particularly regarding the vigilance plan and the 

fight against corruption and tax evasion;

 › compliance of products and services with applicable regulations.

Nature and scope of the work
Our  work  described  below  has  been  carried  out  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  articles  A.  225  1  et  seq.  of  the  French 
Commercial  Code  determining  the  procedures  in  which  the  independent  third  party  conducts  its  mission  and  according  to 
professional standards as well as to the international ISAE standard 3000 - Assurance engagements other than audits or reviews 
of historical financial information.

The work that we conducted enables us to assess the compliance of the Statement with the regulatory provisions and the fairness 
of the Information:

 › We took note of the activity of all the companies included in the scope of consolidation, the statement of the main social and 
environmental risks related to this activity, and, if applicable, its effects regarding compliance with human rights, the fight 
against corruption, tax evasion as well as the resulting policies and their results;

64 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Social, societal and environmental responsibility
Independent Verifi er’s Report on Consolidated Non-fi nancial Statement Presented in the Management Report

2

 › We as  sessed the suitability of the Criteria in terms of its relevance, comprehensiveness, reliability, neutrality and understandability by 

taking into consideration, if relevant, the best practices of the industry;

 › We verified that the Statement covers each category of information provided in III of article L. 225-102-1 of the French Commercial 
Code regarding social and environmental matters, as well as respect of human rights and the fight against corruption and tax evasion;

 › We verif ied that the Statement includes an explanation justifying the absence of the information required by the 2nd paragraph of III of 

Article L. 225-102-1 of the French Commercial Code;

 › We verified that the Statement presents the business model and the main risks related to the activity of all the entities included in the 
scope of consolidation; including if relevant and proportionate, the risks created through its business relationships, products or services, 
policies, actions and results, including key performance indicators;

 › We ve rified, when relevant to the main risks or the policies presented, that the Statement presents the information provided for II in 

2

Article R. 225-105 II of the French Commercial Code;

 › We assessed the process of selecting and validating the main risks;

 › We inquired about the existence of internal control and risk management procedures put in place by the entity;

 › We assessed the consistency of the results and the key performance indicators selected regarding the main risks and policies presented;

 › We  verified  that  the  Statement  covers  the  consolidated  scope,  i.e.  all  the  companies  included  in  the  scope  of  consolidation  in 
accordance with Article L. 233-16 of the French Commercial Code, with the limits specified in the methodological notes presented in 
the sections 2.5.1 and 2.5.3 of the management report;

 › We assessed the collection process put in place by the entity for the completeness and fairness of the Information;

 › We implemented the key performance indicators and other quantitative results that we considered the most important presented in 

Appendix 1:

 › analy tical procedures to verify the correct consolidation of the collected data as well as the consistency of their evolutions;

 › detai led tests based on samples, consisting of checking the correct application of the definitions and procedures and reconciling 
the  data  with  the  supporting  documents.  This  work  was  carried  out  with  a  selection  of  contributing  entities  listed  below: 
Dassault Systèmes SE and DS Americas Corp. which cover 33% of consolidated data selected of headcount, the most representative 
indicator for these tests.

 › We con sulted documentary sources and conducted interviews to corroborate the qualitative information (actions and results) that we 

considered the most important presented in Appendix 1;

 › We assessed the overall consistency of the Statement with our knowledge of the entity.

We con sider that the work we have done by exercising our professional judgment allows us to express a limited assurance conclusion; 
an assurance of a higher level would have required more extensive verification work.

Means and resources
Our ve rification work mobilized the skills of four people and took place between September 2018 and March 2019 on a total duration of 
intervention of about nine weeks.

We conducted around 15 interviews with the persons responsible for the preparation of the Statement including in particular the Human 
Resources and Information Systems, Real Estate Management and General Resources, Compliance, Data Protection, Learning Experience 
and Purchasing departments.

Conclusion
Based   on  our  work,  we  have  not  identified  any  significant  misstatement  that  causes  us  not  to  believe  that  the  non-financial 
statement  complies  with  the  applicable  regulatory  provisions  and  that  the  Information,  taken  together,  is  fairly  presented,  in 
compliance with the Criteria.

Paris-La Défense, the 20 th of March 2019

French original signed by:

Independent Verifier

ERNST & YOUNG et Associés

Eric Mugnier

Sustainable Development Partner

Jean-François Bélorgey

Partner

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

65

2 Social, societal and environmental responsibility

Independent Verifi er’s Report on Consolidated Non-fi nancial Statement Presented in the Management Report

 Appendix 1: The most important information

Quantitative Information (including key performance indicators)

Qualitative Information (actions or results)

Social Information

Filled job offers (nb) of which under permanent contracts (%)
Share of candidates recruited by referral (%) 
Trainees or apprentices hired within 12 months of their graduation 
(nb) and share in the job offers requiring less than 3 years of 
professional experience (%)
Average seniority (nb)
Average rate of employee leaving at their own initiative (%)

Talent acquisition
Talent retention
Certification actions

Environmental Information

Quantitative Information (including key performance indicators)

Qualitative Information (actions or results)

- 

The results of the GHG emissions reduction policy (scope 1, 2 and 3).

Quantitative Information (including key performance indicators)

Qualitative Information (actions or results)

Societal Information

Total number of employees trained on personal data protection

Personal data protection
The results of the Workforce of the Future policy
The results of the responsible purchasing policy

66 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Social, societal and environmental responsibility
Statutory Auditors’ Attestation on the information relating to the Dassault Systèmes SE’s total amount paid for sponsorship

2.7  Statutory Auditors’ Attestation on the 

information relating to the Dassault Systèmes 
SE’s total amount paid for sponsorship

2

2

 This is a translation into English of a report issued in French and it is provided solely for the convenience of English-speaking 
users. This attestation should be read in conjunction with and construed in accordance with French law and professional standards 
applicable in France. 

Statutory auditors’ attestation on the information communicated in accordance with the requirements of Article L. 225-115 5° 
of  the  French  Commercial  Code  (Code de commerce)  relating  to  the  total  amount  of  payments  made  in  compliance  with 
paragraphs 1 and 4 of Article 238 bis of the French Tax Code (Code général des impôts) for the year ended December 31, 2018. 

 To the Annual General Meeting of Dassault Systèmes,

In our capacity as statutory auditors of your Company and in accordance with the requirements Article L. 225-115 5° of the 
French Commercial Code (Code de commerce), we have prepared this attestation on the information relating to the total amount 
of payments made in compliance with paragraphs1 and 4 of Article 238 bis of the French Tax Code (Code général des impôts) for 
the year ended December 31, 2018, contained in the attached document.

This information was prepared under your Board of Directors’ responsibility. Our role is to attest this information.

In the context of our role as statutory auditors (Commissaires aux comptes), we have audited your Company’s annual financial 
statements for the year ended December 31, 2018. Our audit was conducted in accordance with professional standards applicable 
in France, and was planned and performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the annual financial statements taken as a 
whole and not on any individual component of the accounts used to determine the total amount of payments made in compliance 
with paragraphs 1 and 4 of Article 238 bis of the French Tax Code (Code général des impôts). Accordingly, our audit tests and 
samples were not carried out with this objective and we do not express any opinion on any components of the accounts taken 
individually.

We  performed  those  procedures  which  we  considered  necessary  to  comply  with  professional  guidance  issued  by  the  by  the 
French Institute of statutory auditors (Compagnie nationale des commissaires aux comptes). These procedures, which constitute 
neither an audit nor a review, consisted in performing the necessary reconciliations between the total amount of payments made 
in compliance with paragraphs 1 and 4 of Article 238 bis of the French Tax Code (Code général des impôts) and the accounting 
records from which it derived, and verifying that it is consistent with the data used to prepare the annual financial statements for 
the year ended December 31, 2018.

On the basis of our works, we have no matters to report on the reconciliation of the total amount of payments made in compliance 
with paragraphs 1 and 4 of Article 238 bis of the French Tax Code (Code général des impôts), contained in the attached document 
and amounting to € 1,636,297 with the accounting records used to prepare the annual financial statements for the year ended 
December 31, 2018

This attestation shall constitute certification as accurate of the total amount of payments made in compliance with paragraphs 
1 and 4 of Article 238 bis of the French Tax Code (Code général des impôts), within the meaning of Article L. 225-115 5° of the 
French Commercial Code (Code de commerce).

This attestation has been prepared solely for your attention within the context described above and may not be used, distributed 
or  referred  to  for  any  other  purpose.  If  you  would  like  this  attestation  to  be  distributed  to  a  third  party  for  a  purpose  other 
than that for which it is intended, you will need to request our prior approval in writing. We will then determine the terms and 
conditions for its distribution. We assume or take no responsibility towards the third party to whom the attestation has been 
distributed or made available.  

Neuilly-sur-Seine and Paris-La Défense, March 21, 2019

The Statutory Auditors

French original signed by 

PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit 

Thierry Leroux 

ERNST & YOUNG et Autres 

Nour-Eddine Zanouda 

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67

2 Social, societal and environmental responsibility

Statutory Auditors’ Attestation on the information relating to the Dassault Systèmes SE’s total amount paid for sponsorship

Certification relating to the global amount 
of sums paid for sponsorship on 2018 

The global amount of sums paid for sponsorship, which are referred to at Article 238 bis of the General Tax Code is 1,636,297  euros 
for 2018 .

The global amount giving  rise to fiscal deductions in 2018, is 1,636,297  euros.

Executive Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Strategy Officer 

Pascal DALOZ 

68 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

3

FINANCIAL REVIEW 
AND PROSPECTS

CONTENTS

3.1  Operating and Financial Review 

3.1.1  Executive Overview for 2018 

3.1.2  Consolidated Information: Financial Review 

of 2018 Compared to 2017 

3.1.3  Variability in Quarterly Financial Results 

3.1.4  Capital Resources 

70

70

79

84

84

3.2  Financial Objectives 

3.3  Interim and Other Financial 

Information 

85

86

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

69

3 Financial review and prospects

Operating and Financial Review

3.1  Operating and Financial Review

not have a material impact on overall 2018 financial results. 
Specifically, for the full year 2018 total revenue and software 
revenue  were  both  €3.1  million  (IFRS  and  non-IFRS)  higher 
under  IFRS  15  with  no  difference  in  earnings  per  share 
compared to IAS 18 on an IFRS basis and a 1 cent difference 
on a non-IFRS basis.

As of January 1st 2019, Dassault Systèmes adopted the new 
accounting  standard  IFRS  16  Leases,  under  the  modified 
retrospective method. Under this method, the transition effect 
is  accounted  for  within  the  consolidated  equity  at  the  date 
of  initial  application,  therefore,  the  prior  year's  comparative 
information  is  not  adjusted.  See  Note  2  to  the  consolidated 
financial statements for a description of accounting policies.

The  executive  overview  in  paragraph  3.1.1.  “Executive 
Overview  for  2018”  highlights  selected  aspects  of  our 
business  during  2018.  The  Executive  Overview  of  2018, 
including the Summary Overview, Performance Against our 
non-IFRS  Financial  Objectives,  Definitions  of  Key  Metrics 
We Use, Supplemental non-IFRS Financial Information and 
IFRS 15 implementation, and the more detailed discussion 
that  follows  in  3.1.2  “Consolidated  Information:  Financial 
Review  of  2018  compared  to  2017”  should  be  read 
together  with  our  consolidated  financial  statements  and 
the related notes included in paragraph 4.1.1 “Consolidated 
Financial Statements”.

We implemented IFRS 15 effective as of January 1, 2018 on a 
modified retrospective basis and therefore did not restate prior 
years.  While  the  implementation  resulted  in  some  quarterly 
variation compared to under IAS 18, the prior standard, it did 

3.1.1  Executive Overview for 2018

3.1.1.1 

Summary Overview

(in millions of euros, except 
per share data)

IFRS under 
IFRS 15

YTD 2018

Change

Change in cc*

IFRS under IAS 18

Non-IFRS 
under 
IFRS 15

Non-IFRS under IAS 18

YTD 2018

Change

Change in cc*

YTD 2018 Total Revenue

3,477.4

3,474.3

YTD 2018 Software Revenue

3,081.8

3,078.7

YTD 2018 Services Revenue

YTD 2018 Operating Margin

395.6

22.1%

395.6

22.0%

(0.6)pts

8%

7%

10%

10%

10%

13%

3,491.1

3,488.0

3,093.9

3,090.8

397.2

31.9%

397.2

31.8%

(0.2)pts

8%

7%

11%

YTD 2018 EPS

2.18 

2.18 

8%

3.12 

3.11 

16%

10%

10%

14%

20%

Total Software Revenue 
(in millions of euros)

IFRS under 
IFRS 15

YTD 2018

YTD 2017

Change in cc*

IFRS under IAS 18

Non-IFRS 
under 
IFRS 15

Non-IFRS under IAS 18

YTD 2018

YTD 2017

Change in cc*

Americas

Europe

Asia

* 

in constant currencies.

864.7

874.0

855.4

1,340.3

1,329.5

1,233.5

876.8

875.2

780.4

7%

9%

16%

872.4

881.7

860.1

1,342.8

1,332.0

1,241.5

878.6

877.1

781.6

7%

8%

16%

Dassault  Systèmes  has  the  mission  to  provide  business  and 
people with 3DEXPERIENCE universes to imagine sustainable 
innovations capable of harmonizing product, nature and life. 
Empowering  industry  and  people  to  create  3DEXPERIENCE 
universes to imagine, invent, and deliver disruptive solutions 

that  advance  sustainability  in  domains  as  large  as  energy, 
mobility of the future, cities, life sciences and high-tech is at 
the core of our purpose and DNA.

2018  was  a  remarkable  year,  with  a  record  level  of  large 
3DEXPERIENCE  transactions  including  important  decisions 

70 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

 
 
 
within  our  C ore  industries  of  aerospace,  automotive  and 
industrial equipment. We also significantly strengthened our 
market  offer  with  several  acquisitions,  most  notably  for  the 
Fashion  Industry  with  Centric  Software,  for  cyber  systems 
with No Magic and for Manufacturing ERP for the mainstream 
market  with  IQMS.  We  finished  the  year  reaching  a  new 
milestone,  with  the  4th  quarter  being  our  first  1  billion-euro 
revenue quarter, driving revenue and earnings up double- digits 
for 2018 in constant currencies.

We believe that our achievements during 2018 help confirm 
our  position  as  an  important  partner  to  our  clients  as  a 
catalyst  and  enabler  of  their  transformations  as  part  of 
today’s global Industry Renaissance, bringing new ways, both 
real  and  virtual,  of  imagining,  inventing,  learning,  producing 
and  selling.  With  the  help  of  the  3DEXPERIENCE  platform, 
new  categories  of  companies  can  emerge  and  create  new 
categories  of  sustainable  solutions  involving  new  categories 
of consumers.

Looking  at  our  business  advances,  strategic  initiatives  and 
financial performance during 2018:

 ›  We  are  seeing  strong  traction  for  our  3DEXPERIENCE 
platform  thanks  to  the  digital  continuity 
it  enables 
connecting  our  clients’  value  streams.  3DEXPERIENCE 
non-IFRS  IAS  18  software  revenue  increased  24%  at 
constant currency in 2018 and represented approximately 
25%  of  related  software  revenue,   (excluding  principally 
SOLIDWORKS),  up 4 percentage points from 21% in 2017, 
with  strong  3DEXPERIENCE  growth  for  major  brands 
including CATIA, ENOVIA and DELMIA apps as well as our 
Netvibes and Exalead apps;

 › From an industry perspective, we are continuing to progress 
in  extending  our  market  position  in  our  Core  Industries. 
At  the  same  time,  we  are  expanding  our  footprint  in  our 
Diversification Industries. Total software revenue increased 
10%  (IFRS  and  non-IFRS  IAS  18)  in  constant  currencies, 
with double-digit software growth in constant currencies in 
Transportation & Mobility, Aerospace & Defense, Industrial 
Equipment,  Marine  &  Offshore,  Consumer  Goods- Retail, 
Architecture,  Engineering  &  Construction,  Natural 
Resources and Financial Business Services. Core Industries 
and  Diversification  Industries  represented  about  68%  and 
32% of our software revenue in 2018 , similar to 2017;

Financial review and prospects
Operating and Financial Review

3

3

 › On  a  regional,  IAS  18  and  constant  currency  basis:  Asia 
software  revenue  increased  16%  (IFRS  and  Non-IFRS) 
on  double-digit  growth  across  all  five  of  our  geographies, 
including China, Japan, India, South Korea and Asia Pacific. 
In  Europe  software  revenue  increased  9%  (IFRS)  and  8% 
(non-IFRS), led by sharply higher license growth in Western 
Europe  and  strong  recurring  software  revenue  results 
generally. In the Americas, software revenue increased 7% 
(IFRS and Non-IFRS) reflecting the contribution from new 
acquisitions,  strong  growth  in  subscription  revenue  and 
continued  strengthening  in  Latin  America.  High  Growth 
Countries  non-IFRS  software  revenue  increased  18%  and 
represented about 18% of our total software revenue;

 › We  continued  to  expand  our  Addressable  Market  which 
we  now  size  at  approximately  $33  billion  compared  to 
$26 billion for the prior year, with the increase principally 
reflecting  the  long  term  market  opportunity  addressing 
business operations for the mainstream market customers as 
well as further investments in simulation. The acquisitions 
we  undertook  during  2018  (including  those  completed  in 
January 2019) strengthened our offer by market segment, 
industry and domain perspectives:

 › By  market  segment,  with  the  acquisition  of  IQMS  for 
Manufacturing  ERP  for  the  Mainstream  market.  In 
connection  with  our  strategy,  we  unveiled  in  February 
2019 3DEXPERIENCE.WORKS, a new business applications 
family on our 3DEXPERIENCE platform to bring the power 
of  the  platform  and  portfolio  to  the  Mainstream  market 
where SOLIDWORKS is a market leader,

 › By  industry,  with  the  majority  ownership  of  Centric 
Software,  addressing  the  fashion,  apparel,  luxury  and 
retail  sectors  with  its  well-tailored,  configurable  PLM 
solution,

and 

enable 

connected 

 › By  domain,  with  the  acquisition  of  No  Magic,  bringing 
technology  to  model  system  of  systems,  companies' 
processes 
experiences. 
This  acquisition  represents  an  important  addition  to 
our  CATIA  cyber  systems  offer.  For  simulation,  we  also 
acquired  Opera  FEA  bringing  low  frequency  electro-
magnetic analysis, complementing the acquisition of CST 
in  2016  and  bringing  additional  capabilities  to  our  offer 
for electric vehicles globally;

 › During 2018 we extended the power of the 3DEXPERIENCE 
platform  demonstrating  its  value  both  as  an  operating 
system powering our clients’ industry solutions experiences 
with  our  brand  applications  and  as  a  business  model 

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

71

3 Financial review and prospects

Operating and Financial Review

powering  our  Marketplace  services.  Two 
developments included:

important 

31,  2017,  with  debt  related  to  credit  lines  of  €1.00  billion 
unchanged.

 › The introduction of POWER’BY which enables all customers 
to  benefit  from  the  3DEXPERIENCE  platform’s  value 
immediately  without  any  need  for  migration  of  legacy 
data. There are three levels: to enable social collaboration; 
to  leverage  hybrid  data  for  product  configuration  and 
bill  of  materials;  or  to  use  the  full  capabilities  of  the 
3DEXPERIENCE platform,

 › The  introduction  of  “3DEXPERIENCE  Marketplace”  – 
where  we are connecting buyers and sellers of design and 
manufacturing  content  as  well  as  services.  Our  first  two 
areas are: what we call “Make” where buyers can find 3D 
printing or machining suppliers who are connected to the 
Marketplace and “Part Supply” where users can find the 
most comprehensive and intelligent catalog of sourceable 
3D components;

IAS  18  net  operating  cash  flow  for  2018  increased  21% 
to  €898.6  million,  compared  to  €745.0  million  in  2017 
principally  reflecting  growth  in  net  income  and  non-cash 
operating  adjustments.  During  2018  uses  of  cash  were 
principally for payment for acquisitions, net of cash acquired 
and  non-controlling  interests  totaling  €353.1  million;  share 
repurchases of €206.3 million cash dividends of €38.0 million 
(based on the shareholders electing payment of the dividend 
in  cash);  and  capital  expenditures,  net  of  €72.4  million.  We 
received cash for stock options exercised of €69.9 million;

On  an  IAS  18  basis,  at  December  31,  2018,  our  unearned 
revenue totaled €1.01 billion and increased 10% compared to 
December 31, 2017 in constant currencies and on an organic 
basis. With recurring software revenue in excess of €2 billion 
in  2018,  and  representing  about  70%  of  our  total  software 
revenue, we have a significant level of visibility with respect 
to  our  software  revenue  growth.  At  December  31,  2018 
unearned revenue on the Balance Sheet under IFRS 15 is not 
directly comparable to the December 31, 2017 balance sheet 
under the prior standard IAS 18. This is due to the fact that the 
December 31, 2018 balance sheet line item unearned revenue 
has been reduced by €106 million, reflecting mainly (i) the one-
time permanent difference of €94 million  due to the portion of 
our rental licenses charge that should be recognized upfront at 
the delivery date under IFRS 15; (ii) change in upfront licenses 
of €6 million and (iii) higher amount of revenue under IFRS 15 
than IAS 18 recognized in the amount of €3 million;

Our  net  financial  position  totaled  €1.81  billion  at  December 
31, 2018, compared to €1.46 billion at December 31, 2017, 
reflecting an increase in cash, cash equivalents and short-term 
investments to €2.81 billion from €2.46 billion at December 

For  a  discussion  of  our  2019  business  outlook,  see 
paragraph 3.2 “Financial Objectives”. For further information 
regarding  risks  facing  the  Company,  see  paragraph  1.7.1 
“Risks Related to the Company’s Business”.

Performance against Our 2018 Non-IFRS Financial 
Objectives
In  discussing  and  analyzing  our  results  of  operations,  our 
Management  considers  supplemental  non-IFRS  financial 
information:  (i)  non-IFRS  revenue  data  excludes  the  effect 
of  adjusting  the  carrying  value  of  acquired  companies’ 
contract  liabilities  (deferred  revenue);  and  non-IFRS  expense 
data  excludes,  (ii)  the  amortization  of  acquired  intangibles, 
(iii)  share-based  compensation  expense  and  related  social 
charges, (iv) certain other operating income and expense, net, 
including impairment of goodwill and acquired intangible assets 
(v)  certain  one-time  items  included  in  financial  income  and 
other, net, and (vi) certain one-time tax effects and the income 
tax effects of the above adjustments. A reconciliation of this 
supplemental non-IFRS financial information with information 
set  forth  in  our  consolidated  financial  statements  and  the 
notes  thereto  is  presented  below  under  paragraph  3.1.1.2 
“Supplemental non-IFRS Financial Information”.

Our  Management  uses  the  supplemental  non-IFRS  financial 
information, together with the IFRS financial information, for 
financial  planning  and  analysis,  evaluation  of  our  operating 
performance, mergers and acquisition analysis and valuation, 
operational decision-making and for setting financial objectives 
for future periods. Compensation of our senior management is 
based  in  part  on  the  performance  of  our  business  measured 
with the supplemental non-IFRS information. We believe that 
the  supplemental  non-IFRS  data  also  provides  meaningful 
information  to  investors  and  financial  analysts  who  use 
the  information  for  comparing  the  Company’s  operating 
performance to its historical trends and to other companies in 
the software industry, as well as for valuation purposes.

Summary
Our 2018 financial results illustrate that we are well delivering 
on the commitments we have given:

 › Non-IFRS  Total  Revenue:  We  were  well  aligned  with  our 
revenue  objective,  with  IAS  18  non-IFRS  total  revenue 
growing  10%  in  constant  currencies  compared  to  our  9% 
to 10% growth objective on a strong performance for both 
software and services.

72 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Financial review and prospects
Operating and Financial Review

3

3

 › Non-IFRS  Licenses  and  Other  Revenue:  We  set  a  2018 
growth  target  of  9%  to  11%  at  constant  currency.  We 
reported 11% growth, including 9% growth on an organic 
basis at constant currency. IAS 18 non-IFRS licenses and 
other revenue totaled €923.5 million for 2018.

 › Non-IFRS Recurring Software Revenue: IAS 18 non- IFRS 
recurring  software  revenue  increased  9%  in  constant 
currencies,  consistent  with  our  9%  growth  goal,  with 
organic growth of 6%. IAS 18 non-IFRS recurring revenue 
totaled €2.17 billion and represented 70% of our non- IFRS 
IAS  18  total  software  revenue  for  2018.  Our  recurring 
software  revenue  is  comprised  of  our  subscription  and 
support revenue.

 › Non-IFRS Operating Margin: On an IAS 18 non-IFRS basis, 
our  operating  margin  was  31.8%  for  2018,  compared 
to  32.0%  in  2017.  We  improved  the  underlying  organic 
operating  margin  by  about  70  basis  points  (compared  to 
40  basis  points  organic  improvement  expected),  largely 
absorbing  acquisition  dilution  of  about  80  basis  points. 
Currency had a negative impact of about 10 basis points.

 › Non-IFRS  Net  income  per  diluted  share:  We  outlined 
an  objective  of  11%  to  13%  growth  (€2.98  to  €3.02) 
as  reported  or  about  16%  to  17%  growth  at  constant 
currencies.  We  reported  IAS  18  non-IFRS  net  income  per 
diluted share of €3.11 for 2018, up 16% as reported or 20% 
at  constant  currency,  driven  largely  by  our  operating  and 
financial performance, and to a lesser extent a 5-point tax 
rate benefit.

Definitions of Key Metrics We Use

Information in Constant Currencies
We  have  followed  a  long-standing  policy  of  measuring  our 
revenue  performance  and  setting  our  revenue  objectives 
exclusive  of  currency  in  order  to  measure  in  a  transparent 
manner  the  underlying  level  of  improvement  in  our  revenue 
and  software  revenue  by  type,  industry,  region  and  product 
lines. We believe it is helpful to evaluate our growth exclusive 
of currency impacts, particularly to help understand revenue 
trends in our business.

Therefore, we provide percentage increases or decreases in our 
revenue  and  earnings  (in  both  IFRS  as  well  as  non-IFRS)  to 
eliminate the effect of changes in currency values, particularly 
the U.S. dollar and the Japanese yen, relative to the euro. When 
trend information is expressed by us “in constant currencies”, 
the  results  of  the  “prior”  period  have  first  been  recalculated 
using the average exchange rates of the comparable period in 
the  current  year,  and  then  compared  with  the  results  of  the 
comparable period in the current year.

While constant currency calculations are not considered to be 
an IFRS measure, we do believe these measures are critical to 
understanding our global revenue results and to compare with 
many of our competitors who report their financial results in 
U.S.  dollars.  Therefore,  we  are  including  this  calculation  for 
comparing IFRS revenue figures for comparable periods as well 
as  for  comparing  non-IFRS  revenue  figures  for  comparable 
periods.  All  constant  currency  information  is  provided  on  an 
approximate  basis.  Unless  otherwise  indicated,  the  impact 
of  exchange  rate  fluctuations  is  approximately  the  same 
for  both  the  Company’s  IFRS  and  supplemental  non-IFRS 
financial data.

Information on Growth excluding acquisitions 
(“organic growth”)
In addition to discussing total growth we also provide financial 
information  where  we  discuss  growth  excluding  acquisitions 
or  growth  on  an  organic  basis  as  used  alternatively.  In  both 
cases  growth  excluding  acquisitions  have  been  calculated 
using the following restatements of the scope of consolidation: 
for  entities  entering  the  consolidation  scope  in  the  current 
year,  subtracting  the  contribution  of  the  acquisition  from 
the  aggregates  of  the  current  year,  and  for  entities  entering 
the consolidation scope in the previous year, subtracting the 
contribution of the acquisition from January 1 of the current 
year, until the last day of the month of the current year when 
the acquisition was made the previous year.

Information on Industrial Sectors
In 2018, o ur global customer base includes companies in the 
following  12  industrial  sectors:  Transportation  &  Mobility; 
Industrial  Equipment;  Aerospace  &  Defense;  Financial  & 
Business  Services;  High-Tech;  Life  Sciences;  Energy,  Process 
&  Utilities;  Consumer  Goods  &  Retail;  Natural  Resources; 
Architecture, Engineering & Construction; Consumer Packaged 
Goods & Retail and Marine & Offshore. Commencing in 2012 
the Company implemented an industry go-to-market strategy 
with  the  dual  objectives  of  broadening  and  deepening  its 
presence  in  its  largest  industries  as  well  as  increasing  the 
contribution  from  a  diversified  set  of  industrial  sectors. 
“Diversification Industries” include: Architecture, Engineering 
& Construction; Consumer Goods & Retail; Consumer Packaged 
Goods & Retail; Energy, Process & Utilities; Finance Business 
Services;  High-Tech;  Life  Sciences;  Marine  &  Offshore;  and 
Natural  Resources.  “Core  Industries”  include:  Transportation 
& Mobility, Industrial Equipment, Aerospace & Defense and a 
portion of Business Services. 

For 2019 the Company has regrouped several of its Diversification 
industries reflecting natural synergies. See paragraph 1.5.2.1 
“Industries and Customers” for further  information.

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

73

3 Financial review and prospects

Operating and Financial Review

3DEXPERIENCE Licenses Revenue and Software Revenue 
Contribution
To  measure  the  progressive  penetration  of  3DEXPERIENCE 
software, we utilize the following ratios: a) for licenses revenue, 
we  calculate  the  percentage  contribution  by  comparing 
total  3DEXPERIENCE  licenses  revenue  to  licenses  revenue 
for  all  product  lines  except  SOLIDWORKS  and  acquisitions 
(“related new licenses revenue”); and, b) for software revenue, 
we  calculate  the  percentage  contribution  by  comparing 
total  3DEXPERIENCE  software  revenue  to  software  revenue 
for  all  product  lines  except  SOLIDWORKS  and  acquisitions 
(“related software revenue”).

3.1.1.2 

Supplemental Non-IFRS Financial 
Information

Readers  are  cautioned  that  the  supplemental  non-IFRS 
financial information is subject to inherent limitations. It is 
not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or 
principles and should not be considered in isolation from or 
as  a  substitute  for  IFRS  measurements.  The  supplemental 
non-IFRS  financial  information  should  be  read  only  in 
conjunction  with  the  Company’s  consolidated  financial 
statements prepared in accordance with IFRS. Furthermore, 
the Company’s supplemental non-IFRS financial information 
may not be comparable to similarly titled non-IFRS measures 
used by other companies. Specific limitations for individual 
non-IFRS measures are set forth below.

In  evaluating  and  communicating  our  results  of  operations, 
we supplement our financial results reported on an IFRS basis 
with non-IFRS financial data. As further explained below, the 
supplemental  non-IFRS  financial  information  excludes  the 
effects  of:  contract  liabilities  (deferred  revenue)  adjustments 
for acquired companies, amortization of acquired intangibles, 
share-based compensation expense and related social charges, 
other  operating  income  and  expense,  net  including  the 
impairment  of  goodwill  and  other  intangible  assets,  certain 
one-time  items  included  in  financial  revenue  and  other,  net, 
and  the  income  tax  effect  of  the  non-IFRS  adjustments  and 
certain  one-time  tax  effects.  Subject  to  the  limitations  set 
forth  above  and  below,  we  believe  that  the  supplemental 
non-IFRS financial information provides a consistent basis for 
period-to-period  comparisons  which  can  improve  investors’ 
understanding of our financial performance.

Our  management  uses  the  supplemental  non-IFRS  financial 
information,  together  with  our  IFRS  financial  information, 
for financial planning and analysis, evaluation of our operating 
performance, mergers and acquisition analysis and valuation, 
operational decision-making and for setting financial objectives 
for future periods. Compensation of our senior management is 

74 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

based  in  part  on  the  performance  of  our  business  measured 
with the supplemental non-IFRS information. We believe that 
the  supplemental  non-IFRS  data  also  provides  meaningful 
information  to  investors  and  financial  analysts  who  use 
the  information  for  comparing  the  Company’s  operating 
performance to its historical trends and to other companies in 
its industry, as well as for valuation purposes.

The supplemental non-IFRS financial information adjusts the 
Company’s IFRS financial information to exclude:

 › contract 

liabilities  writedowns:  under  IFRS,  deferred 
revenue  of  an  acquired  company  must  be  adjusted  by 
writing it down to account for the fair value of obligations 
assumed  under  contracts  acquired  through  the  acquisition 
of the company. As a result, in the case of a typical one-year 
contract,  the  Company’s  IFRS  revenues  for  the  one- year 
period  subsequent  to  an  acquisition  do  not  reflect  the  full 
amount of revenue on assumed contracts that would have 
otherwise  been  recorded  by  the  acquired  entity  in  the 
absence of the acquisition.

In  our  supplemental  non-IFRS  financial  information,  we 
have  excluded  this  write-down  to  the  carrying  value  of  the 
contract liabilities, and reflect instead the full amount of such 
revenue. Wey believe that this non-IFRS measure of revenue 
is  useful  to  investors  and  management  because  it  reflects  a 
level of revenue and operational results which corresponds to 
the  combined  business  activities  of  Dassault  Systèmes  and 
the  acquired  company.  In  addition,  the  non-IFRS  financial 
information  provides  a  consistent  basis  for  comparing  its 
future  operating  performance,  when  no  further  adjustments 
to deferred revenue are required, against recent results.

However, by excluding the deferred revenue adjustment, the 
supplemental non-IFRS financial information reflects the total 
revenue that would have been recorded by the acquired entity 
but may not reflect the total cost associated with generating 
the non-IFRS revenue;

 › amortization 

of 

acquired 

intangibles, 

including 
amortization of acquired technology: under IFRS, the cost 
of  acquired  intangible  assets,  whether  acquired  through 
acquisitions of companies or of technology or certain other 
intangible  assets,  must  be  recognized  according  to  the 
assets’ fair value and amortized over their useful life.

In  its  supplemental  non-IFRS  financial  information,  the 
Company  has  excluded  the  amortization  related  to  acquired 
intangibles in order to provide a consistent basis for comparing 
its  historical  results.  Costs  related  to  internally  developped 
technology  are  typically  expensed  as  incurred.  For  example, 
because  it  typically  incurs  most  of  its  R&D  costs  prior  to 
reaching  technical  feasibility,  its  R&D  costs  are  expensed 
in  the  period  in  which  they  are  incurred.  By  excluding  the 

amortization  expenses  related  to  acquired  intangibles,  the 
supplemental  non-IFRS  financial 
information  provides  a 
uniform  approach  for  evaluating  the  development  cost  of  all 
the  Company’s  technology,  whether  developed  internally  or 
acquired externally. As a result, the Company believes that the 
supplemental non-IFRS financial information offers investors 
a useful basis for comparing its historical results.

However,  the  acquired  intangible  assets  whose  amortization 
costs  are  excluded  contributed  to  revenue  earned  during  the 
period, and it may not have been possible to earn such revenue 
without  such  assets.  In  addition,  the  annual  amortization  of 
acquired intangibles is a recurring expense until they are fully 
amortized;

 › share-based  compensation  expense  and  related  social 
charges: under IFRS, the Company is required to recognize 
in  its  income  statement  all  share-based  payments  to 
employees,  including  grants  of  employee  stock  options 
and performance shares, based on their fair values over the 
period  that  an  employee  provides  service  in  exchange  for 
the award.

The Company excludes this expense in its supplemental non-
IFRS financial information as financial analysts and investors 
use  a  valuation  model  which  may  not  take  into  account  its 
share-based  compensation  expense.  The  exclusion  of  share-
based compensation expense in the Company’s supplemental 
non-IFRS  financial  information  therefore  helps  them  ensure 
the  consistency  of  their  valuation  metrics.  The  Company’s 
management 
supplemental  non-IFRS 
the 
information  which  excludes  share-based  compensation 
the  Company’s  operating 
expense  when 
performance,  since  share-based  compensation  expenses  can 
fluctuate  due  to  factors  other  than  the  level  of  its  business 
activity or operating performance.

reviewing 

considers 

is  one  component 
However,  share-based  compensation 
of  employee  compensation.  By  excluding  share-based 
compensation  expense,  the  supplemental  non-IFRS  financial 
information  does  not  reflect  the  Company’s  full  cost  of 
attracting, motivating and retaining its personnel. Share- based 
compensation expense is a recurring expense;

 › other  operating  income  and  expense,  net:  under  IFRS, 
the  Company  has  recognized  certain  other  operating 
income  and  expense  comprised  of  the  impact  of  costs 
incurred in connection with the voluntary early retirement 
plan,  restructuring  activities,  gains  or  losses  on  sale  of 
subsidiaries, impairment of goodwill or acquired intangible 
assets, costs directly related to acquisitions and costs related 
to site closings and reorganization of the Group’s premises.

Financial review and prospects
Operating and Financial Review

3

In  its  supplemental  non-IFRS  financial  information,  the 
Company  excludes  other  operating  income  and  expense 
effects  because  of  their  unusual,  infrequent  or  generally 
non-recurring  nature.  As  a  result,  the  Company  believes 
that 
information 
helps  investors  better  understand  the  current  trends  in  its 
operating performance.

its  supplemental  non-IFRS 

financial 

3

However, other operating income and expense are components 
of the Company’s income and expense and by excluding them 
the  supplemental  non-IFRS  financial  information  excludes 
their impact to its net income;

 › certain  one-time  items  included  in  financial  revenue 
and  other,  net:  under  IFRS,  the  Company  has  recognized 
certain  one-time  items  in  financial  revenue  and  other,  net 
comprised of the impact of discontinued hedge accounting 
for  interest  rate  swaps,  gains  and  losses  on  disposals  of 
non-consolidated  equity  investments  and  the  expense 
recognized  following  the  impairment  of  non-consolidated 
equity investments.

In  its  supplemental  non-IFRS  financial  information,  the 
Company excludes certain one-time items included in financial 
revenue  and  other,  net  because  of  their  unusual,  infrequent 
or  generally  non-recurring  nature.  As  a  result,  the  Company 
believes that its supplemental non-IFRS financial information 
helps  investors  better  understand  the  current  trends  in  its 
operating performance.

However, these one-time items included in financial revenue 
and other, net are components of the Company’s income and 
expense  and  by  excluding  them  the  supplemental  non-IFRS 
financial information excludes their impact to its net income;

 › certain one-time tax effects: The Company’s IFRS financial 
statements reflect the impact of one-time tax effects, such 
as restructurings of activities or tax remeasurment effects, 
which  may  result  in  immediate  adjustment  of  the  income 
tax provision.

In  its  supplemental  non-IFRS  financial  information,  the 
Company  has  excluded  these  one-time  tax  effects  because 
of  their  unusual  nature  in  qualitative  terms.  The  Company 
does  not  expect  such  tax  effects  to  occur  as  part  of  its 
normal business on a regular basis. As a result, the Company 
believes  that  by  excluding  these  one-time  tax  impacts,  its 
supplemental non-IFRS financial information helps investors 
understand  the  current  trends  in  its  operating  performance. 
The Company also believes that the exclusion of certain one-
time tax effects facilitates a comparison of its effective tax rate 
between different periods.

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

75

3 Financial review and prospects

Operating and Financial Review

However,  these  one-time  tax  effects  are  a  component  of  the  Company’s  income  tax  expense.  By  excluding  these  effects, 
the supplemental non-IFRS financial information understates or overstates the Company’s income tax expense. These one-time 
tax effects are not a recurring expense.

The  following  table  sets  forth  the  Company’s  supplemental  non-IFRS  financial  information  under  IFRS  15  together  with  the 
comparable IFRS financial measure and a reconciliation of the IFRS and non-IFRS information.

IFRS 15
 IFRS – NON-IFRS RECONCILIATION

(in millions of euros, except percentages and per share data)

Total Revenue

Total revenue by activity

Software revenue

Services revenue

Total revenue by geography

Americas

Europe

Asia

Total software revenue by product line

CATIA software revenue

ENOVIA software revenue

SOLIDWORKS software revenue

Other software revenue

Total Operating Expenses

Share-based compensation expense

Amortization of acquired intangibles

Other operating income and expense, net

Operating Income

Operating Margin

Financial revenue and other, net

Income before Income Taxes

Income tax expense

(of which certain one-time tax effects)

Non-controlling interest

Net Income attributable to shareholders

Diluted Net Income per Share(2)

2018 IFRS

Adjustment(1)

2018 non-IFRS

€3,477.4

€13.7

€3,491.1

3,081.8

395.6

1,001.3

1,524.3

951.8

1,028.6

358.5

742.5

952.3

2,709.2

(120.6)

(171.6)

(38.4)

768.2

22.1%

15.5

783.8

(220.4)

(3.5)

6.0

€569.4

€2.18

12.0

1.6

8.7

3.2

1.8

2.5

–

–

9.6

3,093.9

397.2

1,010.0

1,527.5

953.6

1,031.0

358.5

742.5

961.9

(330.5)

2,378.6

120.6

171.6

38.4

344.3

0.8

345.0

(98.6)

3.5

(3.3)

€243.0

€0.94

–

–

–

1,112.5

31.9%

16.3

1,128.8

(319.0)

–

2.7

€812.5

€3.12

(1)  In the reconciliation schedule above, (i) all adjustments to IFRS revenue data reflect the exclusion of the deferred revenue adjustment of acquired companies, (ii) adjustments to 
IFRS operating expense data reflect the exclusion of the amortization of acquired intangibles, share-based compensation expense and related social charges, as detailed below, and 
other operating income and expense, net including impairment of goodwill and acquired intangible assets of €22 million in 2018 (iii) adjustments to IFRS financial revenue and 
other, net reflect the exclusion of certain one-time items included in financial revenue and other, net, and (iv) all adjustments to IFRS income data reflect the combined effect of 
these adjustments, plus with respect to net income and diluted net income per share, the income tax effect of the non-IFRS adjustments and certain one-time tax effects.

(2)  Based on a weighted average of 260.8 million diluted shares for 2018.

(in millions of euros)

Cost of revenue

Research and development

Marketing and sales

General and administrative

Total share-based compensation expense

76 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

2018 IFRS

Adjustment

2018 non-IFRS

€ 510.9

631.1

1,069.8

287.4

€(4.8)

(47.1)

(31.0)

(37.7)

(120.6)

€506.1

584.1

1,038.8

249.7

Financial review and prospects
Operating and Financial Review

3

The  following  table  sets  forth  the  Company’s  supplemental  non-IFRS  financial  information  under  IAS  18,  together  with  the 
comparable IFRS financial measure and a reconciliation of the IFRS and non-IFRS information.

IAS 18
 IFRS – NON-IFRS RECONCILIATION

(in millions of euros, except 
percentages 
and per share data)

2018 IFRS

Adjustment(1) 2018 non-IFRS

2017 IFRS

Adjustment(1) 2017 non-IFRS

IFRS non-IFRS(2)

Year ended December 31,

% Change

Total Revenue

€3,474.3

€13.7

€3,488.0

€3,228.0

€14.0

€3,242.0

8%

8%

Total revenue by activity

Software revenue

Services revenue

Total revenue 
by geography

Americas

Europe

Asia

Total software revenue 
by product line

CATIA software revenue

ENOVIA software revenue

SOLIDWORKS software 
revenue

Other software revenue

3,078.7

395.6

1,010.6

1,513.4

950.2

1,028.3

358.7

746.1

945.6

12.0

1.6

3,090.8

2,869.3

397.2

358.7

13.9

0.1

2,883.2

358.8

7%

10%

8.7

3.2

1.8

1,019.3

977.3

1,516.6

1,398.5

952.1

852.2

2.5

1,030.8

1,004.9

–

–

9.6

358.7

321.9

746.1

955.2

695.8

846.7

4.8

8.0

1.2

–

–

–

13.9

(294.1)

982.1

1,406.5

3%

8%

853.4

12%

1,004.9

321.9

695.8

860.6

2,204.9

2%

11%

7%

12%

8%

3

7%

11%

4%

8%

12%

3%

11%

7%

11%

8%

Total Operating Expenses

2,709.2

(330.6)

2,378.6

2,499.0

Share-based compensation 
expense

Amortization of acquired 
intangibles

Other operating income 
and expense, net

Operating Income

Operating Margin

Financial revenue 
and other, net

Income before Income 
Taxes

Income tax expense

(of which certain one-time 
tax effects)

Non-controlling interest

Net Income attributable 
to shareholders

Diluted Net Income 
per Share(3)

(120.6)

(171.6)

(38.4)

765.1

22.0%

15.5

780.7

(218.7)

(3.5)

6.0

120.6

171.6

38.4

344.3

–

–

–

1,109.4

31.8%

(103.9)

103.9

(160.3)

160.3

(29.9)

729.0

22.6%

29.9

308.1

–

–

–

1,037.1

32.0%

5%

7%

0.8

16.3

22.4

(20.7)

1.7

345.0

(98.6)

3.5

(3.3)

1,125.7

751.4

(317.3)

(231.3)

287.4

(113.9)

1,038.8

(345.2)

4%

(5%)

8%

(8%)

–

2.7

(22.8)

(0.7)

22.8

–

–

(0.7)

€568.0

€243.1

€811.1

€519.4

€173.5

€692.9

€2.18

€0.93

€3.11

€2.01

€0.67

€2.68

9%

8%

17%

16%

(1)   In the reconciliation schedule above, (i) all adjustments to IFRS revenue data reflect the exclusion of the deferred revenue adjustment of acquired companies, (ii) adjustments to 
IFRS operating expense data reflect the exclusion of the amortization of acquired intangibles, share-based compensation expense and related social charges, as detailed below, and 
other operating income and expense, net including impairment of goodwill and acquired intangible assets of €22 million in 2018 (iii) adjustments to IFRS financial revenue and 
other, net reflect the exclusion of certain one-time items included in financial revenue and other, net, and (iv) all adjustments to IFRS income data reflect the combined effect of 
these adjustments, plus with respect to net income and diluted net income per share, the income tax effect of the non-IFRS adjustments and certain one-time tax effects.   

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

77

3 Financial review and prospects

Operating and Financial Review

(in millions of euros)

Cost of revenue

Research and development

Marketing and sales

General and administrative

Total share-based compensation expense

Year ended December 31,

2018 IFRS

Adjustment

2018 non-IFRS

2017 IFRS

Adjustment

2017 non-IFRS

€ 510.9

631.1

1,069.8

287.4

€(4.8)

(47.1)

(31.0)

(37.7)

(120.6)

€506.1

€ 473.9

584.1

576.6

1,038.8

1,015.0

249.7

243.3

€(4.1)

(41.6)

(36.6)

(21.6)

(103.9)

€469.8

535.0

978.4

221.7

(2)  The non-IFRS percentage change compares non-IFRS measures for the two different periods. In the event there is an adjustment to the relevant measure for only one of the periods 

under comparison, the non-IFRS change compares the non-IFRS measure to the relevant IFRS measure.

(3)  Based on a weighted average of 260.8 million diluted shares for 2018 and 258.3 million diluted shares for 2017

3.1.1.3 

Critical Accounting Principles

Our  consolidated  financial  statements  have  been  prepared 
in  accordance  with  IFRS.  The  preparation  of  these  financial 
statements  requires  us  to  make  certain  assumptions  and 
estimates.  Actual  results  may  differ  from  these  estimates 
under  different  assumptions  or  conditions.  We  believe  the 
following  critical  accounting  policies,  among  others,  involve 
the  more  significant  assumptions  and  estimates  used  in  the 

preparation  of  its  consolidated  financial  statements:  revenue 
recognition, share-based payments, purchase price allocation 
for  business  combinations,  goodwill  and  other  intangible 
assets,  income  taxes  and  reasonable  estimates  about  the 
ultimate  resolution  of  the  Company’s  tax  uncertainties. 
See  Note  2  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  for  a 
description of these accounting policies.

78 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Financial review and prospects
Operating and Financial Review

3

3.1.2  Consolidated Information: Financial Review of 2018 Compared 

to 2017

Revenue
Our total revenue is comprised of (i) software revenue, which is 
our primary source of revenue, and (ii) services revenue. For the 
year ended December 31, 2018 software revenue represented 
88.6%  (88.9%  in  FY17)  and  services  revenue  represented 
11.4% (11.1% in FY17) of our IAS 18 IFRS total revenue.

We  implemented  IFRS  15  effective  as  of  January  1,  2018. 
While the implementation resulted in some quarterly variation 
compared to under IAS 18, the prior standard, it did not have a 
material impact on overall 2018 financial results. Specifically, 
for the full year 2018 total revenue and software revenue were 
both €3.1 million (IFRS and non-IFRS) higher under IFRS 15.

3

(in millions of euros)

Total Revenue*

Total Software Revenue

 › Licenses and Other software

 › Subscription and Support revenue

Americas total Revenue

Europe total Revenue

Asia total Revenue

Services Revenue

IFRS 15 Basis
2018

Difference

IAS 18 Basis 
2018

IAS 18 Basis

2017 IAS 18 Change

IAS 18 Change in cc*

For the Year Ended December 31,

€3,477.4

€(3.1)

€3,474.3

€3,228.0

3,081.8

918.5

2,163.3

1,001.3

1,524.3

951.8

€395.6

(3.1)

5.0

(8.0)

9.3

(10.9)

(1.6)

-

3,078.7

923.5

2,155.3

1,010.6

1,513.4

950.2

€395.6

2,869.3

855.8

2,013.5

977.3

1,398.5

852.2

€358.7

7.6%

7.3%

7.9%

7.0%

3.4%

8.2%

11.5%

10.3%

10%

10%

11%

10%

8%

9%

15%

13%

*  Our largest national markets as measured by total revenue were the United States, Germany, Japan, France and the United Kingdom for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

On an IAS 18 basis and in constant currencies, total revenue 
increased  10%  (IFRS  and  non-IFRS)  on  strong  growth 
in  software  revenue  and  services  revenue  on  an  organic 
basis.  Acquisitions  contributed  three  points  to  the  total 
revenue growth.

Software Revenue
Software revenue is comprised of licenses revenue and other 
software revenue and subscription (formerly entitled periodic 
licenses) and support revenue (formerly entitled maintenance 
subscription  revenue).  Subscription  and  support  revenue  are 
referred to together as ‘‘recurring revenue’’.

Our  software  applications  are  principally  licensed  pursuant 
to  one  of  two  payment  structures:  (i)  licenses,  for  which 

the  customer  pays  an  initial  or  one-time  fee  for  a  perpetual 
license  or  (ii)  subscription  revenue  for  which  the  customer 
pays periodic fees to keep the license active. Support revenue 
represents periodic fees associated with the sale of unspecified 
product updates on a when-and-if-available basis and technical 
support. Subscription licenses entitle the customer to product 
updates  without  additional  charge  and  to  technical  support. 
Product  updates  include  improvements  to  existing  products 
but  do  not  cover  new  products.  Other  software  revenue  is 
comprised  of  the  Company’s  product  development  revenue 
relating  to  the  development  of  additional  functionalities  of 
standard  products  requested  by  customers  and  reinstated 
maintenance.

(in millions of euros, except percentages)

Software revenue by type:

Licenses and Other software revenue

Subscription and Support revenue

Total software revenue

(as % of total revenue)

For the Year Ended December 31,

IFRS 15
2018

€918.5

2,163.3

IAS 18
2018

€923.5

2,155.3

IAS 18
2017

€855.8

2,013.5

€3,081.8

€3,078.7

€2,869.3

88.6%

88.6%

88.9%

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

79

(in millions of euros)

For the Year Ended December 31,

IFRS 15
2018

IAS 18
2018

IAS 18
2017

IFRS Operating expenses

€2,709.2 €2,709.2 €2,499.0

Non-IFRS adjustments:

(330.6)

(330.6)

(294.1)

Amortization of acquired 
intangibles

Share-based compensation 
expenses and related social 
charges

Other operating income and 
expense, net

171.6

171.6

160.3

120.6

120.6

103.9

38.4

38.4

29.9

Non-IFRS operating expenses

€2,378.6 €2,378.6 €2,204.9

IFRS  operating  expenses  increased  8.4%  or  €210.2  million 
to  €2,709.2  million.  Non-IFRS  operating  expenses  increased 
7.9% or €173.8 million to €2.378.6 million, and were mainly 
driven by higher expenses for sales increasing 9.5%, for R&D 
up 9.2%, for cost of services up 10.4% and for  G&A increasing 
12.6% , offset in part by lower marketing expenses.

Non-IFRS  operating  expenses 
increased  approximately 
10%  at  constant  currency,  with  organic  growth  accounting 
for  6  percentage  points  and  acquisitions  representing 
4 percentage points.

The  adjustments  and  non-IFRS  operating  expenses  in  the 
table  above  reflect  adjustments  to  the  Company’s  financial 
information  prepared  in  accordance  with  IFRS  by  excluding 
(i) the amortization and depreciation of acquired intangibles, 
(ii)  share-based  compensation  expense  and  related  social 
charges,  and  (iii)  other  operating  income  and  (expense), 
net including impairment of goodwill and acquired intangible 
assets.  With  respect  to  share-based  compensation  expenses 
and  related  social  charges  the  increase  of  €16.7  million  in 
2018 compared to 2017 principally reflects the increase in the 
average Dassault Systèmes share price.

For  the  reconciliation  of  this  non-IFRS  financial  information 
with information set forth in our financial statements and the 
notes thereto, see paragraph 3.1.1.2 “Supplemental Non- IFRS 
Financial  Information”  further  above  and  the  discussion  of 
Amortization  of  acquired  intangibles  and  Other  operating 
income and expense, net below herein.

3 Financial review and prospects

Operating and Financial Review

On an IAS 18 basis and in constant currencies: Total software 
revenue increased 10% (IFRS and non-IFRS) with double-digit 
growth for SOLIDWORKS, ENOVIA, SIMULIA and DELMIA and 
4%  growth  for  CATIA.  Licenses  and  other  software  revenue 
increased  11%  (IFRS  and  non-IFRS).  Non-IFRS  recurring 
software revenue (subscription and support revenue) increased 
9%  in  total,  with  double-digit  subscription  revenue  growth 
including  acquisitions,  and  continued  high  support  renewal 
rates  on  a  global  basis.  On  an  organic  basis  and  constant 
currencies,  total  non-IFRS  software  revenue  increased  7% 
with  licenses  and  other  software  revenue  higher  by  9%  and 
recurring software revenue up 6%.

Non-IFRS  recurring  software  revenue  represented  70%  of 
total software revenue in 2018, stable compared to 2017.

Services Revenue
Services  revenue  is  principally  comprised  of  revenue  from 
consulting  services  in  methodology  for  design,  deployment 
and  support,  training  services  and  engineering  services. 
In  addition,  services  and  other  revenue  also 
include 
content- related digital production for use in 3D visualization, 
advertising, sales and marketing.

(in millions of euros, except 
percentages)

For the Year Ended December 31,

IFRS 15
2018

IAS 18
2018

IAS 18
2017

Services revenue

€395.6

€395.6

€358.7

(as % of total revenue)

11.4%

11.4%

11.1%

IAS 18 IFRS services revenue increased 10.3% as reported on 
strong  organic  growth  as  well  as  acquisition  contributions, 
partially  offset  by  unfavorable  currency 
impacts  of 
approximately 3 percentage points.

On a IAS 18 non-IFRS basis, services revenue increased 10.7% 
as reported and 14% in constant currencies, reflecting strong 
growth in 3DEXPERIENCE related services activity as well as 
a  6  percentage  point  contribution  from  acquisitions,  offset 
principally  by  lower  marketing  related  services  engagement 
revenue. The non-IFRS services revenue gross margin slightly 
improved to 12.9% for 2018 compared to 12.7% for 2017.

Operating Expenses Summary
Our  operating  expenses  for  the  year  ended  December  31, 
2018  are  identical  under  IFRS  15  and  under  former  IAS  18 
standard  because  the  Company  has  elected  to  continue  to 
expense  sales  commissions.  We  therefore  do  not  defer  any 
sales commission accounting.

80 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Financial review and prospects
Operating and Financial Review

3

3

Cost of Software Revenue (excluding amortization 
of acquired intangibles)
The  cost  of  software  revenue  includes  principally  software 
personnel costs, licensing fees paid for third-party components 
integrated  into  the  Company’s  own  products,  hosting  and 
other cloud-related costs and other expenses.

(in millions of euros, except 
percentages)

Cost of software revenue 
(excluding amortization of 
acquired intangibles)

For the Year Ended December 31,

IFRS 15
2018

IAS 18
2018

IAS 18
2017

€162.0

€162.0

€158.2

(as % of total revenue)

4.7%

4.7%

4.9%

IFRS  cost  of  software  revenue  (excluding  amortization  of 
acquired intangibles) increased 2.4%.

Non-IFRS  cost  of  software  revenue  totaled  €160.0  million, 
representing  an  increase  of  2.3%.  The  increase  in  non-IFRS 
cost  of  software  principally  reflected  higher  cloud  hosting 
costs  including  from  acquisitions,  offset  in  part  by  lower 
third-party  software  components  royalties.  Currency  effect 
had a favorable impact on the growth of cost of software of 
approximately 2.5 percentage points.

Cost of Services Revenue
The cost of services revenue includes principally personnel and 
other costs related to organizing and providing consulting.

(in millions of euros, except 
percentages)

For the Year Ended December 31,

IFRS 15
2018

IAS 18
2018

IAS 18
2017

Cost of services revenue

€348.8

€348.8

€315.7

(as % of total revenue)

10.0%

10.0%

9.8%

IFRS  cost  of  services  and  other  revenue  increased  10.5%, 
principally  driven  by  higher  headcount  on  increased  activity 
and to a lesser extend by external growth. Non-IFRS costs of 
services and other revenue totaled €346.1 million, representing 
an increase of 10.4% driven by the same factors. Currency had 
a beneficial impact of approximately 2.5 percentage points.

Research and development expenses
We  conduct  our  research  and  development  activities  in 
Europe  (mainly  France,  Germany,  the  United  Kingdom, 
the Netherlands and Poland), the Americas (the United States 
and  Canada)  and  Asia  Pacific  (mainly  India,  Malaysia  and 
Australia).

Expenses  for  R&D  include  primarily  personnel  costs  as 
well  as  the  rental,  depreciation  and  maintenance  expenses 

for  computer  hardware  used 
including  cloud 
infrastructure,  development  tools,  computer  networking  and 
communication expenses.

in  R&D 

Costs for R&D of software are expensed in the period in which 
they are incurred. We do not capitalize any R&D costs. A small 
percentage  of  R&D  personnel  pursue  R&D  activities  in  the 
context  of  providing  clients  with  software  maintenance,  and 
their cost is thus included under cost of software revenue.

Expenses  for  R&D  are  recorded  net  of  grants  received  from 
various governmental authorities to fund certain R&D projects 
as well as R&D tax credits received in France.

(in millions of euros, except 
percentages)

Research and development 
expenses

For the Year Ended December 31,

IFRS 15
2018

IAS 18
2018

IAS 18
2017

€631.1

€631.1

€576.6

(as % of total revenue)

18.1%

18.2%

17.9%

IFRS  research  and  development  expenses  increased  9.5%, 
reflecting  change  in  perimeter  from  acquisitions  as  well  as 
higher personnel organic growth.

Non-IFRS  research  and  development  expenses  totaled 
€584.1  million  and 
increased  9.2%,  reflecting  higher 
personnel  costs  including  headcount  growth  and  slightly 
higher cloud costs, as well as lower government grants in the 
amount of €30.8 million in 2018 compared to €36.1 million in 
2017. On an organic basis and at constant currency, non-IFRS 
research  and  development  expenses  increased  5%.  Currency 
had a favorable impact of approximately 2 percentage points 
on the growth of R&D expenses.

Marketing and Sales Expenses
Marketing and Sales expenses consist primarily of personnel 
costs,  sales  commissions  and  personnel  for  processing  sales 
transactions;  marketing  and  communications  expenses, 
including advertising; travel expenses; and infrastructure costs, 
such as information technology resources used for marketing.

(in millions of euros, except 
percentages)

For the Year Ended December 31,

IFRS 15
2018

IAS 18
2018

IAS 18
2017

Marketing and sales expenses

€1,069.8 €1,069.8 €1,015.0

(as % of total revenue)

30.8%

30.8%

31.4%

Marketing  and  sales  expenses  increased  5.4%,  driven  by 
growth in sales related expenses, including from acquisitions 
and unfavorable currency effects.

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

81

3 Financial review and prospects

Operating and Financial Review

Non-IFRS marketing and sales expenses were €1.04 billion in 
2018, compared to €978.4 million in 2017, increasing 6.2% 
in  total,  largely  driven  by  growth  in  sales  related  expenses. 
Specifically,  non-IFRS  sales  expenses  increased  9.5%  on 
higher personnel costs including commissions and head count 
growth, and from acquisitions. Non-IFRS marketing expenses 
decreased 4.4%, principally reflecting lower third-party costs.

On  an  organic  basis  and  at  constant  currency,  non-IFRS 
sales  expenses  increased  9%  while  marketing  expenses 
decreased  5%.  Currency  had  a  benefit  of  approximately  3.5 
percentage  points  on  sales  expense  growth  and  represented 
a  negative  impact  of  approximately  2  percentage  points  to 
marketing expenses.

General and Administrative Expenses
General  and  administrative  expenses  consist  primarily  of 
personnel costs of the finance, procurement, human resources, 
legal  and  general  management;  third-party  professional 
fees  (excluding  acquisition-related  fees)  and  other  expenses; 
travel  expenses;  infrastructure  costs,  including  information 
technology resources.

(in millions of euros, except 
percentages)

General and administrative 
expenses

For the Year Ended December 31,

IFRS 15
2018

IAS 18
2018

IAS 18
2017

€287.4

€287.4

€243.3

(as % of total revenue)

8.3%

8.3%

7.5%

increased  18.1% 
General  and  administrative  expenses 
or  €44.1  million  to  €287.4  million  for  2018,  principally 
reflecting changes in scope from acquisitions as well as higher 
professional  fees  and  the  increase  in  costs  related  to  the 
performance  share  plans  whose  growth  is  principally  due  to 
share price growth.

Non-IFRS  general  and  administrative  expenses  were 
€249.7 million in 2018 compared to €221.7 million in 2017, 
increasing  12.6%,  with  higher  finance  and  human  resources 
personnel costs, including headcount growth from acquisitions 
as well as higher professional fees.

Currency  benefited 
IFRS  and  non-IFRS  general  and 
administrative expense growth by about 1.4 percentage point.

Amortization of Acquired Intangibles
Amortization of acquired intangibles includes mainly amortization 
of acquired technology and acquired customer relationships.

(in millions of euros)

Amortization of acquired 
intangibles

For the Year Ended December 31,

IFRS 15
2018

IAS 18
2018

IAS 18
2017

€171.6

€171.6

€160.3

Amortization of acquired intangibles increased €11.3 million 
reflecting the full-year impact of the acquisition of Exa Corp., a 
simulation provider, in November 2017, and to a lesser extent, 
acquisitions completed during 2018. See Notes 17 and 18 to 
the consolidated financial statements.

Other Operating Income and Expense, net
Other  operating  income  and  (expense),  net,  includes  the 
impact  of  events  that  are  unusual,  infrequent  or  generally 
non-recurring in nature.

(in millions of euros)

Other operating income 
(expense), net

For the Year Ended December 31,

IFRS 15
2018

IAS 18
2018

IAS 18
2017

€(38.4)

€(38.4)

€(29.9)

Other  operating  income  (expense),  net  totaled  €38.4  million 
in  2018.  The  increase  of  €8.5  million  reflected  impairment 
of  goodwill  and  acquired  intangible  assets  for  €22.0  million 
(nil  in  2017),  offset  in  part  by  a  €13.5  million  reduction  in 
acquisition,  relocation,  restructuring  and  voluntary  early 
retirement plan costs. See Note 8 to the consolidated financial 
statements.

Operating Income

(in millions of euros)

Operating income

For the Year Ended December 31,

IFRS 15
2018

IAS 18
2018

IAS 18
2017

€768.2

€765.1

€729.0

IAS  18  IFRS  operating  income  increased  5.0%  driven  by 
revenue growth, offset in part by a negative currency impact 
of  approximately  3.9  percentage  points.  The  IAS  18  IFRS 
operating  margin  was  22.0%  for  2018  compared  to  22.6% 
for 2017.

82 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

IAS 18 non-IFRS operating income increased 7.0% as reported 
and  10%  at  constant  currency  and  totaled  €1.11  billion 
compared  to  €1.04  billion  in  2017.  On  an  IAS  18  non-IFRS 
basis, the operating margin was 31.8%, compared to 32.0% 
in  2017.  We  improved  the  underlying  organic  operating 
margin by about 70 basis points, largely absorbing acquisition 
dilution  of  about  80  basis  points.  Currency  had  a  negative 
impact  of  about  10  basis  points  on  the  IAS  18  non-IFRS 
operating margin.

Financial revenue and other, net
Financial  revenue  and  other  include  (i)  interest  income  and 
interest expense, net; (ii) foreign exchange gains or losses, net, 
primarily composed of realized and unrealized exchange gains 
and  losses  on  receivables  and  loans  denominated  in  foreign 
currencies; and (iii) one-time items net.

(in millions of euros)

Financial revenue and other, 
net

For the Year Ended December 31,

IFRS 15
2018

IAS 18
2018

IAS 18
2017

€15.5

€15.5

€22.4

On an IAS 18 basis, Financial revenue and other, net totaled 
€15.5  million  in  2018  compared  to  €22.4  million  for  2017. 
The decrease reflected lower one-time other income of €18.5 
million  (principally  composed  of  net  gains  or  losses  on  sales 
of investments) largely offsetting an improvement in financial 
net income of €8.9 million and lower exchange losses of €2.7 
million. See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements.

IAS 18 non-IFRS financial revenue, net totaled €16.3 million, 
compared  to  €1.7  million  in  2017  principally  reflecting  an 
increase in financial net income of €11.2 million and a €2.7 
million lower impact from foreign currency exchange losses.

The  main  difference  between  IAS  18  IFRS  and  non-IFRS  in 
2018 was the exclusion on a non-IFRS basis of €0.8 million 
related to interest expense; in 2017 we excluded an accounting 
gain  of  €20.7  million  related  to  the  re-measurement  of  our 
equity  investment  in  Outscale,  a  provider  of  enterprise-class 
cloud services, following the gain of majority ownership.

Financial review and prospects
Operating and Financial Review

3

3

Income tax expense

(in millions of euros, except 
percentages)

For the Year Ended December 31,

IFRS 15
2018

IAS 18
2018

IAS 18
2017

Income tax expense

€220.4

€218.7

€231.3

Effective consolidated tax rate

28.1%

28.0%

30.8%

IAS 18 IFRS income tax expense decreased 5.4%, principally 
reflecting a 2.8 percentage point decrease in the effective tax 
rate to 28.0% from 30.8% for 2017 mainly due to US tax law 
changes enacted in 2017, offset in part by the 3.9% increase 
of the pre-tax income.

On  a  non-IFRS  IAS  18  basis,  income  tax  expense  decreased 
8.1% to €317.3 million for 2018, compared to €345.2 million 
for 2017, reflecting a decrease in the non-IFRS effective tax 
rate to 28.2% mainly related to the same effect as 2018 IAS 
18 IFRS effective tax rate, compared to 33.2% for 2017, offset 
in part by the growth of 8.4% in pre-tax income.

In  2017  our  IAS  18  IFRS  effective  tax  rate  benefited  from 
one-time deferred tax re-measurements related to the U.S. tax 
reform legislation. On an IAS 18 non-IFRS basis, we excluded 
the one-time deferred tax re-measurements benefit from the 
calculation of the non-IFRS effective tax rate.

See  Note  10  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  for  an 
explanation of the differences between the effective tax rates 
and  the  taxes  computed  at  the  statutory  French  tax  rate  of 
34.43% for 2018 and 2017.

Net income attributable to shareholders and net 
income per diluted share

(in millions of euros, except 
percentages)

Net income attributable to 
shareholders

For the Year Ended December 31,

IFRS 15
2018

IAS 18
2018

IAS 18
2017

€569.4

€568.0

€519.4

Net income per diluted share

€2.18

€2.18

€2.01

Weighted average diluted shares 
outstanding

260.8

260.8

258.3

IAS 18 IFRS net income per diluted share increased 8.5% to 
€2.18, principally driven by an increase in operating income 
of 5.0% and the benefit of a lower effective tax rate, offset in 
part by negative currency impacts representing an estimated 
four points of growth.

IAS 18 non-IFRS diluted net income per share totaled €3.11, 
up 16.0% as reported and 20% at constant currency.

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

83

3 Financial review and prospects

Operating and Financial Review

3.1.3  Variability in Quarterly Financial Results

Our quarterly licenses revenue growth has varied significantly 
and  is  likely  to  vary  significantly  in  the  future,  reflecting 
business  seasonality,  clients’  decision  processes  and 
licenses  and  subscription  licensing  mix.  Services  revenue 
activity  also  vary  significantly  by  quarter  reflecting  clients’ 
decision  processes  as  well  as  our  decisions  regarding  service 
engagements to be performed by us or by system integrators 
we work with.

Our total software revenue growth, however, is less sensitive 
to quarterly variation due to the significant level of recurring 
software revenue, which is comprised of subscription revenue 
and  support  revenue.  In  combination,  recurring  revenue 
represented  70%  of  IAS  18  IFRS  total  software  revenue  in 
2018 and 2017.

We  implemented  IFRS  15  effective  as  of  January  1,  2018. 
While  the  implementation  was  not  expected  to  and  did  not 
have  a  material  impact  on  overall  growth  rates  for  the  full 
fiscal year, it had the expected variation in quarterly revenue 
recognition, more specifically for subscription revenue within 
recurring  software  revenue.  Since  a  higher  proportion  of  our 
subscription contracts renew as of January 1st and are for an 
annual  period,  we  recorded  a  higher  percentage  in  the  first 
quarter,  leading  to  a  slightly  different  quarterly  seasonality 
pattern  for  recurring  software  revenue  under  IFRS  15 
compared to under IAS 18 as presented in the following table:

Software Recurring revenue
(in millions of euros)

IAS 18 (Non-IFRS)

Seasonality %

IFRS 15 (Non-IFRS)

Seasonality %

IFRS 15 / IAS 18 difference

1Q
2018

507.2

23%

557.9

26%

+50.8

For the Year Ended December 31,

2Q
2018

533.7

25%

525.5

24%

(8.3)

3Q
2018

549.5

25%

527.5

24%

(22.1)

4Q
2018

576.9

27%

564.4

26%

(12.4)

FY
2018

2,167.3

100%

2,175.3

100%

+8.0

Acquisitions  and  divestitures  can  also  cause  the  different 
elements of our revenue to vary from quarter to quarter. Rapid 
changes in currency exchange rates could also cause reported 
revenue,  operating  income  and  earnings  per  share  and 
their  respective  reported  growth  rates  to  vary  from  quarter 
to quarter.

In  2018,  IFRS  15  total  revenue  for  the  fourth,  third,  second 
and first quarters represented, respectively, 29.5% (28.2% in 
2017  under  IAS  18),  23.1%  (23.3%  in  2017  under  IAS  18), 
23.8%  (25.0%  in  2017  under  IAS  18)  and  23.5%  (23.5% 
in  2017  under  IAS  18)  of  the  Company’s  total  revenue  for 
the year.

A  significant  portion  of  license  sales  typically  occurs  in  the 
last  month  of  each  quarter,  and  we  normally  experience  our 
highest licenses sales for the year in our fiscal fourth quarter 
ended  December  31.  In  addition,  software  revenue,  total 
revenue, operating income, operating margin and net income 
have generally been highest in the fourth quarter of each year.

Nonetheless,  it  is  possible  that  our  quarterly  total  revenue 
could  vary  significantly  and  that  our  net  income  could  vary 
significantly, reflecting the change in revenues, together with 
the  effects  of  our  investment  plans.  See  paragraph  1.7.1.11 
“Variability in Quarterly Operating Results” in Risk Factors.

3.1.4  Capital Resources

We  have  significant  financial  flexibility  thanks  to  our  strong 
capital  position,  with  our  key  uses  of  cash  focused  on 
capital  returns  to  shareholders  in  the  form  of  dividends, 
share  repurchases  to  minimize  share  count  dilution  from 
stock-based  employee  performance  programs  and  selective 
acquisitions undertaken consistent with our Purpose , Strategy 
and Addressable Market expansion objectives.

Our net financial position totaled €1.81 billion at December 31, 
2018,  compared  to  €1.46  billion  at  December  31,  2017, 
with  an  increase  in  cash,  cash  equivalents  and  short-term 
investments  increasing  from  €2.46  billion  to  €2.81  billion, 
less debt related to credit lines of €1.0 billion.

84 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Financial review and prospects
Financial Objectives

3

In  2018  our  principal  sources  of  liquidity  were  cash  from 
operations of €898.6 million, and proceeds from the exercise 
of  stock  options  amounting  to  €69.9  million.  During  2018 
cash  obtained  from  operations  was  used  principally  to  fund 
acquisitions,  net  of  cash  acquired  of  €251.6  million,  and 
non- controlling  interests  of  €101.5  million;  to  repurchase 
shares  in  the  amount  of  €206.3  million;  to  distribute  cash 
dividends  aggregating  €38.0  million 
(based  upon  the 
shareholders electing to receive cash); and capital expenditures, 
net of €72.4 million.

In  2017  our  principal  sources  of  liquidity  were  cash  from 
operations of €745.0 million, and proceeds from the exercise 
of stock options amounting to €62.4 million. During 2017 our 
uses  of  cash  were  principally  for  payment  for  acquisitions, 
net of cash acquired of €338.2 million and for acquisition of 

non- controlling interests of €37.5 million; shares repurchases 
of €133.0 million, cash dividends of €51.3 million (based upon 
the  shareholders  electing  payment  of  the  dividend  in  cash), 
and capital expenditures, net of €84.5 million.

Exchange  rate  fluctuations  had  a  positive  translation  effect, 
on cash and cash equivalent balances, of €65.3 million as of 
December  31,  2018,  and  had  a  negative  translation  effect 
on cash and cash equivalent balances of €195.4 million as of 
December 31, 2017.

The  Company  follows  a  conservative  policy  for  investing 
its  cash  resources,  mostly  relying  on  short-term  maturity 
investments.  Investment  rules  are  defined  by  our  financial 
management team and controlled centrally.

See  also  the  Consolidated  Statements  of  Cash  Flows  in 
paragraph 4.1.1 “Consolidated Financial Statements”.

3

3.2  Financial Objectives

We outlined our initial 2019 non-IFRS financial objectives on 
February 6, 2019 at the time of the release of our unaudited 
annual financial results for 2018 and are confirming them as 
of the date of this report.

Our objectives are subject to the assumptions and cautionary 
statements  set  forth  below  and  are  subject  to  revision,  as 
market and business conditions as well as currency exchange 
rates evolve during 2019.

initial  2019  financial  objectives  are  prepared  and 
Our 
communicated  only  on  a  non-IFRS  basis,  are  presented  in 
accordance with IFRS 15, which we implemented commencing 
January  1st,  2018  and  IFRS  16  which  we  implemented 
commencing January 1st,  2019  and are as follows:

 › 2019  non-IFRS  revenue  growth  objective  range  of  about 
10%  to  11%  in  constant  currencies  at  €3.81  billion  to 
€3.84  billion  reflecting  the  principal  2019  currency 
exchange  rate  assumptions  below  for  the  U.S.  dollar  and 
Japanese yen as well as the potential impact from additional 
fluctuations  of  currencies  representing  about  18%  of  our 
total revenue in 2018;

 › 2019 non-IFRS operating margin of about 32.0% to 32.5% 
compared  to  31.9%  in  2018  reflecting  an  increase  in  the 
organic  operating  margin  at  constant  currency  as  well  as 
an estimated 30 basis points benefit from IFRS 16, which 
are  expected  to  more  than  offset  the  estimated  dilutive 

impact  of  the  acquisitions  completed  and  included  in  our 
financial objectives;

 › 2019 non-IFRS earnings per share of about €3.35 to €3.40, 
representing a growth objective of about 7% to 9% or about 
9  to  11%  at  constant  currency  based  upon  the  exchange 
rate assumptions below;

 › These  financial  objectives  are  based  upon  an  average 
exchange  rate  assumption  of  U.S.  dollar  1.19  per  euro  for 
2019 and Japanese yen of 130.0 per euro for 2019.

The 2019 annual non-IFRS objectives set forth above do not 
take into account the following accounting elements and are 
based  upon  the  2019  currency  exchange  rate  assumptions 
above:  contract  liabilities  write-downs  currently  estimated 
at  approximately  €6  million;  share-based  compensation 
expense, including related social charges, currently estimated 
at  approximately  €105  million  and  amortization  expense  for 
acquired  intangibles  currently  estimated  at  approximately 
€177  million.  These  objectives  do  not  include  any  impact 
from  other  operating  income  and  expense,  net  principally 
comprised  of  acquisition, 
integration  and  restructuring 
expenses and impairment of goodwill and acquired intangible 
assets;  from  one-time  items  included  in  financial  revenue; 
from one-time tax effects; and from the income tax effects of 
these non-IFRS adjustments. These estimates do not include 
any new stock option or share grants, or any new acquisitions 
or restructurings completed after February 6, 2019.

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

85

3 Financial review and prospects

Interim and Other Financial Information

As noted above as of January 1st, 2019, we adopted the new 
accounting  standard  IFRS  16  Leases,  under  the  modified 
retrospective  method.  Under  this  method,  the  transition 
effect  is  accounted  for  within  the  consolidated  equity  at  the 
date of initial application, therefore the prior year comparative 
information  is  not  adjusted.The  estimated  impacts  based  on 
the  leases  contracts  at  the  date  of  initial  application  are  the 
following:

 › At  January  1st,  2019,  Recognition  in  the  balance  sheet  of 
Right  of  Use  Assets  of  about  €390  million  and  of  Lease 
Liabilities for around €470 million;

 › For  the  Full  Year  2019,  with  a  pattern  almost  linear 

throughout the quarters:

 › Improvement 
€11 million;

in  the  operating  margin  estimated  at 

 › Decrease in financial income net estimated at €13 million;

 › Effect on pre-tax net result estimated at €(2) million.

These  estimated  impacts  on  our  future  performances  are 
factored in the 2019 financial  objectives.

We set on June 13, 2014 a mid-term objective to double our 
addressable market and grow our non-IFRS EPS to about €3.50 
for 2019. Since 2014, our addressable market has more than 
doubled  and  our  addressable  software  market  has  increased 
almost three-fold. At our Capital Markets Day in June 2018 we 
provided our expectation that our organic growth could drive 
non-IFRS EPS to about €3.30 per share with the pipeline of 
acquisitions  contributing  a  potential  €0.20.  Based  upon  our 
initial non-IFRS earnings per share objective for 2019 of €3.35 

to €3.40, we remain confident in our expectations to reach a 
2019  non-IFRS  earnings  per  share  significantly  in  line  with 
our 2014-2019 non-IFRS earnings per share growth target.

In  conjunction  with  our  2018  Capital  Markets  Day,  we 
introduced a 2018-2023 plan targeting to double our non- IFRS 
EPS, to a goal of about €6.00, comprised of about €5.00 on 
an organic basis and an estimated €1.00 from potential new 
acquisitions  and  our  Marketplace  initiatives.  From  a  revenue 
perspective, principal growth drivers already in action include 
the  3DEXPERIENCE  software  cycle,  our  expanding  global 
footprint  bringing  diversification  and  balance  by  industry 
and  geography,  and  new  usage  opportunities  with  the 
Cloud.  Complementing  our  principal  growth  drivers  are  new 
initiatives,  including  our  Marketplace  activities  and  potential 
acquisitions in close connection with our purpose.

The  exchange  rates  mentioned  above  constitute  a  working 
hypothesis:  currency  values  fluctuate,  and  our  results  of 
operations  may  be  significantly  affected  by  changes  in 
exchange rates if actual exchange rates are different.

The  information  above  includes  statements  that  express 
objectives  for  our  future  financial  performance.  Such 
forward- looking statements are based on our management’s 
views and assumptions as of the date of this Annual Report 
and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Our 
actual  results  or  performance  may  be  materially  negatively 
affected and differ materially from those in such statements 
due to a range of factors as described in this Annual Report. 
For  more  information  regarding  the  risks  we  face,  see 
paragraph 1.7 “Risk factors”.

3.3 

Interim and Other Financial Information

Dassault Systèmes has not published any quarterly or half-year financial information since the date of its last audited financial 
statements.

86 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

4

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

4.1  Consolidated Financial Statements  88

4.3  Legal and Arbitration Proceedings  166

CONTENTS

4.1.1  Consolidated Financial Statements 

4.1.2  Statutory Auditors’ Report on the Consolidated 

Financial Statements 

4.2  Parent company financial 

statements 

88

130

135

4.2.1  Parent company financial statements and notes 

135

4.2.2  Selected financial and other information 

for Dassault Systèmes SE over the last five years 

158

4.2.3  Statutory Auditors’ Report on the parent 

company financial statements 

4.2.4  Statutory Auditors’ Report on Related Party 

Agreements and Commitments 

159

164

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

87

4 Financial statements

Consolidated Financial Statements

The  consolidated  and  parent  company  financial  statements  below  will  be  submitted  for  approval  at  the  General  Meeting  of 
Shareholders of Dassault Systèmes scheduled for March 20, 2019.

4.1  Consolidated Financial Statements

In compliance with article 28 of the European Regulation no. 809/2004 of the European Commission, the consolidated financial 
statements for 2017 and 2016 are incorporated by reference in this Annual Report as stated on page 2 hereof.

4.1.1  Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Statements of Income

(in millions of euros, except per share data)

Licenses revenue and other software revenue

Subscription and support revenue

Software revenue

Services revenue

TOTAL REVENUE

Cost of software revenue

Cost of services revenue

Research and development

Marketing and sales

General and administrative

Amortization of acquired intangibles

Other operating income and expense, net

OPERATING INCOME

Interest income and expense, net

Other financial income and expense, net

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense

NET INCOME

Attributable to:

Equity holders of the Company

Non-controlling interest

Earnings per share

Basic net income per share

Diluted net income per share

Year ended December 31,

2018

€918.5

2,163.3

3,081.8

395.6

3,477.4

(162.0)

(348.8)

(631.1)

2017*

€855.8

2,013.5

2,869.3

358.7

3,228.0

(158.2)

(315.7)

(576.6)

(1,069.8)

(1,015.0)

(287.4)

(171.6)

(38.4)

768.2

21.9

(6.4)

783.8

(220.4)

€563.4

€569.4

€(6.0)

€2.20

€2.18

(243.3)

(160.3)

(29.9)

729.0

13.0

9.4

751.4

(231.3)

€520.1

€519.4

€0.7

€2.04

€2.01

Notes

4

8

9

9

10

11

11

* 

The Group has initially applied IFRS 15 at January 1, 2018. In accordance with the transition method chosen, comparative information is not restated.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

88 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Financial statements
Consolidated Financial Statements

4

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(in millions of euros)

NET INCOME

Gains on available for sale securities

Gains on cash flow hedges

Foreign currency translation adjustment

Income tax on items to be reclassified

Other comprehensive income to be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods, 
net of tax

Remeasurements of defined benefit pension plans

Income tax on items not being reclassified

Other comprehensive income not being reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent 
periods, net of tax

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX

Attributable to:

Equity holders of the Company

Non-controlling interest

Notes

23

22

Year ended December 31,

2018

€563.4

−

(11.8)

127.6

4.1

119.8

(5.5)

1.0

(4.5)

115.3

€678.7

€682.4

€(3.7)

2017*

€520.1

4.1

6.6

(337.8)

(2.5)

(329.7)

6.1

(2.1)

4.1

(325.6)

€194.5

€194.3

€0.2

4

* 

The Group has initially applied IFRS 15 at 1 January 2018. In accordance with the transition method chosen, comparative information is not restated.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

89

4 Financial statements

Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in millions of euros)

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Short-term investments

Trade accounts receivable, net

Contract assets

Income tax receivable

Other current assets

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

Property and equipment, net

Non-current financial assets

Deferred tax assets

Intangible assets, net

Goodwill

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS

TOTAL ASSETS

(in millions of euros)

Liabilities and equity

Trade accounts payable

Accrued compensation and other personnel costs

Contract liabilities - Unearned revenue

Borrowings, current

Income tax payable

Other current liabilities

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

Deferred tax liabilities

Borrowings, non-current

Other non-current liabilities

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

Common stock

Share premium

Treasury stock

Retained earnings and other reserves

Other items

Parent shareholders’ equity

Non-controlling interest

TOTAL EQUITY

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Year ended December 31,

Notes

2018

2017*

12

12

13

13

13

14

15

10

17

18

13

20

19

10

20

19

€2,809.3

€2,459.4

0.6

1,044.1

26.5

136.3

185.0

1.3

895.9

-

74.5

168.3

4,201.8

3,599.5

178.2

167.5

164.2

1,137.8

2,124.5

3,772.2

169.0

162.3

108.9

1,066.4

1,923.7

3,430.3

€7,974.0

€7,029.8

€161.7

399.9

907.5

350.0

37.3

166.4

2,022.8

262.8

650.0

412.6

1,325.4

131.4

766.3

(353.8)

3,949.3

68.8

4,561.9

63.9

€149.3

325.7

876.4

-

18.4

157.6

1,527.4

186.6

1,000.0

319.7

1,506.3

130.5

645.8

(312.3)

3,579.0

(48.7)

3,994.2

1.9

23

4,625.9

€7,974.0

3,996.0

€7,029.8

* 

The Group has initially applied IFRS 15 at January 1, 2018. In accordance with the transition method chosen, comparative information is not restated.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

90 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in millions of euros)

Net income

Adjustments for non-cash items

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

Net cash provided by operating activities

Additions to property, equipment and intangibles

Purchases of short-term investments

Proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments

Payment for acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

Other

Net cash used in investing activities

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

Cash dividends paid

Repurchase of treasury stock

Acquisition of non-controlling interests

Repayment of borrowings

Net cash used in financing activities

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

Supplemental disclosure

Income taxes paid

Cash paid for interest

Financial statements
Consolidated Financial Statements

4

Notes

24

24

14, 17

16

23

23

24

Year ended December 31,

2018

€563.4

390.5

(55.3)

898.6

(72.4)

(42.8)

43.4

(251.6)

0.2

(323.2)

69.9

(38.0)

(206.3)

(101.5)

(14.9)

(290.8)

65.3

349.9

2017*

€520.1

214.4

10.5

745.0

(84.5)

(57.9)

109.0

(338.2)

4.2

(367.4)

62.4

(51.3)

(133.0)

(37.5)

-

(159.4)

(195.4)

22.7

2,459.4

€2,809.3

2,436.7

€2,459.4

€170.6

€13.0

€210.1

€12.0

4

* 

The Group has initially applied IFRS 15 at January 1, 2018. In accordance with the transition method chosen, comparative information is not restated.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

91

4 Financial statements

Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

(in millions of euros)

JANUARY 1, 2017*

Net income

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET 
OF TAX

Dividends

Exercise of stock options

Treasury stock transactions

Share-based payments

Transactions with non-controlling 
interests

Other changes

DECEMBER 31, 2017*

Adjustment on initial application of 
IFRS 15 (net of tax)

JANUARY 1, 2018 ADJUSTED 
BALANCE

Net income

Common 
stock

Note

Share 

premium Treasurystock

Retained 
earnings 
and other 
reserves

Parent 
shareholders’ 
equity

Non-
controlling 
interest

Other 
items

Total 
Equity

€129.0 €500.1

€(222.9)

€3,227.3 €226.7

€3,860.2

€22.6 €3,882.8

23

6

−

−

−

0.5

1.0

−

−

−

−

−

−

−

82.7

63.0

−

−

−

−

−

−

−

−

−

(89.4)

−

−

−

519.4

−

− (325.1)

519.4 (325.1)

(134.5)

−

(43.6)

92.5

(47.9)

15.3

−

−

−

−

−

−

519.4

(325.1)

194.3

(51.3)

64.0

(133.0)

92.5

(47.9)

15.3

0.7

(0.5)

0.2

−

−

−

−

520.1

(325.6)

194.5

(51.3)

64.0

(133.0)

92.5

(20.9)

−

(68.8)

15.3

€130.5 €645.8

€(312.3)

€3,628.6 €(98.4)

€3,994.2

€1.9 €3,996.0

2

−

−

−

80.4

−

80.4

−

80.4

130.5

645.8

(312.3)

3,709.1

(98.4)

4,074.6

1.9

4,076.4

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET 
OF TAX

Dividends

Exercise of stock options

Treasury stock transactions

Share-based payments

Transactions with non-controlling 
interests

Other changes

DECEMBER 31, 2018

23

6

16

−

−

−

−

−

−

0.5

0.7

111.8

67.9

−

−

−

−

−

569.4

−

−

113.0

569.4

113.0

(150.4)

(0.4)

(59.3)

(41.4)

(105.3)

−

−

−

−

−

−

−

−

−

83.4

(133.5)

30.7

−

−

−

−

−

−

569.4

113.0

682.4

(38.0)

68.6

(206.3)

83.4

(133.5)

30.7

(6.0)

2.4

(3.7)

−

−

−

−

563.4

115.3

678.7

(38.0)

68.6

(206.3)

83.4

65.7

−

(67.8)

30.7

€131.4 €766.3

€(353.8)

€4,003.5

€14.6

€4,561.9

€63.9 €4,625.9

* 

The Group has initially applied IFRS 15 at January 1, 2018. In accordance with the transition method chosen, comparative information is not restated.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Analysis of changes in shareholders’ equity related to components 
of the other comprehensive income

(in millions of euros)

JANUARY 1, 2017

Variations

DECEMBER 31, 2017

Variations

DECEMBER 31, 2018

Available-for-
sale securities

Cash flow 
hedges

−

3.4

€3.4

−

€3.4

€0.5

4.8

€5.2

(7.7)

€(2.5)

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
adjustment

€279.9

(337.3)

€(57.3)

125.2

€67.9

Actuarial 
gains and 
losses

Parent 
shareholders’ 
equity

Non-
controlling 
interest

Total other 
comprehensive 
income

€(53.7)

4.1

€(49.7)

(4.5)

€(54.2)

€226.7

(325.1)

€(98.4)

113.0

€14.6

€(0.9)

(0.5)

€(1.5)

2.4

€0.9

€225.8

(325.6)

€(99.8)

115.3

€15.5

92 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for Years 
Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

CONTENTS

Note 1  Description of Business 

94

Note 15  Non-Current Financial Assets 

Note 2 

Summary of Significant 
Accounting Policies 

Note 16  Business Combinations 

94

Note 17 

Intangible Assets 

Note 3 

Segment and Geographic Information  101

Note 4 

Software Revenue 

Note 5  Government Grants 

Note 6 

Personnel Costs 

Note 7 

Share-based Payments 

Note 8  Other Operating Income 

and Expense, Net 

Note 9 

Interest Income and Expense, 
Net and Other Financial Income 
and Expense, Net 

Note 10 

Income Taxes 

Note 11  Earnings per Share 

Note 12  Cash and Cash Equivalents 

and Short-term Investments 

Note 13  Trade Accounts Receivable, Net, 

Contract Balances and Other Current 
Assets 

Note 14  Property and Equipment 

103

104

104

104

108

108

109

110

111

112

113

Financial statements
Consolidated Financial Statements

4

114

114

116

117

118

119

4

Note 18  Goodwill 

Note 19  Other Liabilities 

Note 20  Borrowings 

Note 21  Derivatives and Currency 

and Interest Rate Risk Management  119

Note 22  Post-employment Benefits 

Note 23  Shareholders’ Equity 

Note 24  Consolidated Statements 
of Cash Flows 

Note 25  Commitments and Contingencies 

Note 26  Related-Party Transactions 

Note 27  Principal Statutory Auditors’ Fees 

and Services 

Note 28  Principal Dassault Systèmes 

Companies 

Note 29  Events after the reporting period 

121

124

125

126

127

128

129

129

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

93

4 Financial statements

Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1  Description of Business

The “Company” or the “Group” refers to Dassault Systèmes SE 
and  its  subsidiaries.  The  Company  provides  end-to-end 
software  solutions  and  services,  designed  to  support 
companies’  innovation  processes,  from  specification  and 
design of a new product, to its sale to the customer, through all 
stages of digital mock-up, simulation, and realistic 3D virtual 
experiences representing the end-user experience.

In  2018,  the  Company’s  global  customer  base  includes 
companies  in  12  vertical  sectors:  Transportation  &  Mobility; 
Industrial  Equipment;  Aerospace  &  Defense;  Financial  & 
Business Services; High-Tech; Life Sciences; Energy, Process & 
Utilities;  Consumer  Goods  &  Retail;  Natural  Resources; 
Architecture,  Engineering  &  Construction;  Consumer 

Packaged  Goods  &  Retail  and  Marine  &  Offshore.  To  serve 
its customers, the Company has developed a broad software 
applications portfolio, comprised of 3D modeling applications, 
simulation  applications,  social  and  collaborative  applications, 
and  information  intelligence  applications,  powered  by  its 
3DEXPERIENCE platform.

incorporated  under 

Dassault  Systèmes  SE  is  a  European  company  (Societas 
laws  of  France. 
Europaea), 
The  Company’s 
located  at  10, 
rue  Marcel  Dassault, 
in  Vélizy-Villacoublay,  France. 
The  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  shares  are  listed  in  France  on 
Euronext Paris. These consolidated financial statements were 
established by The Board of Directors on March 20, 2019.

registered  office 

the 

is 

Note 2  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of preparation and consolidation
The  accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements  were 
prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards  (“IFRS”)  as  adopted  by  the  European  Union  as  of 
December 31, 2018.

The  consolidated 
financial  statements  are  presented 
in millions of euros except where otherwise indicated. Some 
total rounding difference may occur.

The  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the  accounts 
of Dassault Systèmes SE and its subsidiaries. Companies over 
which  the  Company  has  control  are  fully  consolidated.  The 
Group controls an entity when (i) it has power over this entity, 
(ii)  is  exposed  to  or  has  rights  to  variable  returns  from  its 
involvement with that entity, and (iii) has the ability to use its 
power over that entity to affect the amount of those returns. 
Companies  over  which  the  Company  exercises  significant 
influence  are  accounted  for  under  the  equity  method. 
Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated.

Impact of recently issued accounting standards
Changes in accounting policies mainly relate to the adoption 
of IFRS 15 and IFRS 9 standards. These changes are described 
hereafter.

Other  new  standards, 
interpretations  or  amendments 
effective beginning on January 1, 2018 had no impact on the 
Company’s consolidated financial statements.

The Company undertakes no early application of any standard 
or  interpretation  or  associated  amendments  which  were 
already published in the Official Journal of the European Union 
at December 31, 2018:

IFRS 15 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers
IFRS  15  establishes  the  accounting  principles  that  an 
entity  shall  apply  to  recognize  revenue  from  contracts 
with  customers.  It  replaces  the  previous  standards  and 
interpretations related to revenue recognition, notably IAS 18 
“Revenue”.  The  standard  provides  a  single,  principle-based, 
five-step model to be applied in order to define the timing and 
the  amount  of  revenue  arising  from  a  contract.  It  includes  a 
guide to applying the standard, notably regarding the licenses 
and specific provisions for how to recognize incremental costs 
of obtaining or fulfilling a contract, that are not addressed by 
other standards. The standard requires the disclosure of new 
qualitative  and  quantitative  information  in  the  notes  to  the 
consolidated accounts.

The  Company  is  adopting  IFRS  15  for  the  fiscal  year 
beginning January 1, 2018. The main change impact relates to 
subscription offers that bundle license and support for a term 
generally of one year (Yearly License Charge), which revenue 
was  recognized,  until  the  fiscal  year  ended  December  31, 
2017,  ratably  over  the  contract  period.  Based  on  the  new 
criteria established by IFRS 15, a bundled Periodic License is 
split  into  two  performance  obligations:  software  license  and 
support.  While  revenue  from  software  license  is  recognized 
when the control of the license is transferred to the customer, 
the  revenue  from  support  is  recognized  ratably  over  the 
term  of  the  license.  Therefore,  a  significant  proportion  of 
revenue from periodic licenses is recognized when the license 
is  transferred  to  the  customer  for  new  contracts  or  contract 
renewals.  In  effect,  the  total  amount  of  revenue  recognized 
from bundled Periodic Licenses remains unchanged, but only 
the pattern of recognition over the contract period (generally 
one year) is modified.

94 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Financial statements
Consolidated Financial Statements

4

The  Company  implements  IFRS  15  using  the  modified-
retrospective transition method (also called cumulative effect 
method)  and  uses  the  practical  expedient  to  apply  the  new 
requirements only to the contracts that are open at the date 
of  initial  application.  The  Company  also  elects  the  practical 
expedient  relating  to  contract  modifications  to  reflect  the 

aggregate  effect  of  all  modifications  occurred  before  the 
date  of  initial  application  when  identifying  the  satisfied 
performance  obligations,  determining  the  transaction  price 
and allocating the transaction price at transition.

Under  this  method,  the  transition  effect  is  accounted  for  within  the  consolidated  equity  at  the  date  of  initial  application, 
January 1, 2018, without any adjustment to the prior year comparative information. The positive equity adjustment is as follows:

(in millions of euros)

RETAINED EARNINGS

Gross effect

Related tax

Impact at January 1, 2018

Impact of adopting
IFRS 15 at January 1, 2018

€110.1

(29.7)

€80.4

4

The following tables summarize the impacts of adopting IFRS 
15  on  the  Group’s  Consolidated  Statements  of  Income,  of 
Comprehensive  Income  and  on  its  Consolidated  Statements 
of Cash Flows on Year ended December 31, 2018 and on its 

Balance Sheet as at December 31, 2018 for each of the line 
items affected. Aggregates and items that remain unchanged 
by the new standard have not been included.

Impact on the Consolidated Statements of Income and on the Consolidated statements of Comprehensive Income:

(in millions of euros)

Licenses and other software revenue

Subscription and support revenue

Software revenue

TOTAL REVENUE

OPERATING INCOME

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense

NET INCOME

Net income attributable to equity holders of the Company

Foreign currency translation adjustment

Other comprehensive income to be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods, 
net of tax

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX

Year ended December 31, 2018

As reported

Adjustments

without 
adoption of 
IFRS 15

€918.5

2,163.3

3,081.8

3,477.4

768.2

783.8

(220.4)

€563.4

569.4

127.6

119.8

115.3

€678.7

€4.9

(8.0)

(3.1)

(3.1)

(3.1)

(3.1)

1.7

€(1.4)

(1.4)

(2.4)

(2.4)

(2.4)

€(3.8)

€923.5

2,155.3

3,078.7

3,474.3

765.1

780.7

(218.7)

€562.0

568.0

125.1

117.4

112.9

€674.9

Total comprehensive income, net of tax attributable to equity holders of the Company

€682.4

€(3.8)

€678.6

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

95

4 Financial statements

Consolidated Financial Statements

Impact on the consolidated balance sheet:

(in millions of euros)

ASSETS

Trade accounts receivable, net

Contract assets, net

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

Deferred tax assets

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS

TOTAL ASSETS

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Contract liabilities - Unearned revenue

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

Deferred tax liabilities

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

Retained earnings and other reserves

Other items

Parent Shareholders’ equity

TOTAL EQUITY

TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

Impact on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:

(in millions of euros)

Net income

Adjustments for non-cash items

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

Net cash provided by operating activities

December 31, 2018

As reported

Adjustments

€1,044.1

26.5

4,201.8

164.2

3,772.2

€16.3

(26.5)

(10.2)

8.6

8.6

without 
adoption of 
IFRS 15

€1,060.4

–

4,191.6

172.8

3,780.8

€7,974.0

€(1.6)

€7,972.4

€907.5

2,022.8

262.8

1,325.4

3,949.3

68.8

4,561.9

4,625.9

€7,974.0

€106.1

€1,013.6

106.1

(23.3)

(23.3)

(82.2)

(2.2)

(84,4)

(84,4)

€(1,6)

2,128.9

239.6

1,302.1

3,867.1

66.5

4,477.5

4,541.4

€7,972.4

Year ended December 31, 2018

As reported

Adjustments

€563.4

390.5

(55.3)

€898.6

€(1.4)

(31.5)

32.9

–

without 
adoption of 
IFRS 15

€562.0

359.0

(22.4)

€898.6

IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments
IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments” is replacing IAS 39 “Financial 
Instruments:  Recognition  and  Measurement”.  The  new 
Standard  addresses  the  classification  and  measurement  of 
financial instruments, the impairment of financial assets and 
the hedge accounting.

The  Company  applies  IFRS  9  from  January  1,  2018, 
retrospectively  except  for  the  new  requirements  related  to 
hedge  accounting.  As  allowed  by  IFRS  9  the  Company  did 
not  restate  its  2017  comparative  information  in  its  2018 
condensed consolidated financial statements.

IFRS 9 introduces a new impairment model based on expected 
credit  loss,  while  the  former  standard  was   based  on  an 
incurred credit loss model. The Company applies the simplified 
approach to account for the expected losses on trade accounts 
receivables.

Financial  instruments  that  were  accounted  for  using  hedge 
accounting  under  IAS  39  are  eligible  to  hedge  accounting 
under IFRS 9 too and are accounted for as such.

IFRS 9 implementation did not result in any material changes 
to  the  classification  and  measurement  of  its  financial  assets 
and liabilities.

Standard issued but not yet applied by the entity

IFRS 16 – Lease
On  January  13,  2016,  the  IASB  issued  the  new  accounting 
standard IFRS 16 “Leases”. IFRS 16 is a major revision in the 
accounting  of  leases.  The  standard  provides  a  single  lessee 
accounting  model,  requiring  lessees  to  recognize  assets  and 
liabilities for all leases. Based on this model, the amortization 
of assets is accounted for in operating expense, and the cost 
of  the  debt  towards  the  lessor  is  accounted  for  in  financial 

96 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Financial statements
Consolidated Financial Statements

4

4

expense. Under the standard applied on the fiscal year ended 
on  December  31,  2018,  the  rent  expense  is  recorded  within 
the  operating  expense.  The  Group  has  chosen  to  apply  two 
exemptions provided by IFRS 16 and to keep the recognition 
as operating rent expense for leases with a lease term no more 
than 12 months or leases with underlying asset of low value.

The  Company  adopts  IFRS  16  for  the  fiscal  year  beginning 
January 1, 2019 using the simplified retrospective approach. 
Under  this  approach,  the  cumulative  effect  of  the  first-time 
application  of  the  standard  is  recognized  as  an  adjustment 
to  the  opening  balance  of  consolidated  equity  without 
restatement of comparative information.

The Company has recognized since Januray 1, 2019:

 › A  new  right-of-use  asset,  mainly  related  to  the  leased 

offices, of an estimated amount of €390 million and

 › A  new  liability  related  to  rent  payable  of  an  estimated 

amount of €470 million.

In 2019, the Company will adjust its processes and information 
systems in view of the new quantitative information that will 
be disclosed, in accordance with IFRS 16, in the notes to 2019 
consolidated financial statements.

Summary of significant accounting policies

Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS 
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that 
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenue 
and expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities 
at  the  date  of  the  financial  statements.  Areas  involving  the 
use of significant estimates and assumptions mainly include: 
assessing product lifecycles; identifying the different elements 
comprising  a  software  solution  arrangement,  including  the 
distinction  between  upgrades/enhancements,  new  products 
and services, contract price allocation to the different elements 
based on their standalone selling prices and determining the 
revenue  recognition  date  of  those  elements;  determining 
when  technological  feasibility  is  achieved  for  its  products; 
estimating  the  recoverable  amount  of  goodwill;  determining 
the  nature,  fair  value  and  useful  life  of  acquired  intangible 
assets  in  a  business  combination;  determining  assumptions 
to estimate the fair value of share-based payments; assessing 
the recognition of deferred tax assets; and making reasonable 
estimates about the ultimate resolution of the Company’s tax 
uncertainties  based  on  current  tax  laws  and  the  Company’s 
interpretation  thereof.  Actual  results  and  outcomes  could 
differ from management’s estimates and assumptions.

Foreign currency adjustments
The functional currency of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries 
is generally the applicable local currency. Assets and liabilities 
with functional currencies other than the euro are translated 
into euro equivalents at the rate of exchange in effect on the 
balance  sheet  date.  Revenues,  expenses  and  cash  flows  are 
translated at the average exchange rates for the year unless this 
average is not a reasonable approximation of the cumulative 
effect of the rates prevailing on the transaction dates, in which 
case revenues, expenses and cash flows are translated at the 
rate  on  the  dates  of  the  transactions.  Translation  gains  or 
losses are recorded in Other items in shareholders’ equity.

Exchange  differences  on  the  settlement  or  retranslation 
of  monetary  items  in  a  currency  other  than  the  Company’s 
and  its  subsidiaries’  functional  currency  are  recorded  in  the 
statement of income.

Revenue recognition
The  Company  derives  revenue  from  two  primary  sources: 
(1)  licenses,  other  software  revenue  (which  includes  the 
development of additional functionalities of standard products 
requested  by  clients),  subscription  and  support  (which 
includes  software  license  updates  and  technical  support); 
(2) consulting and training services.

Revenues are disclosed net of taxes collected from customers 
and remitted to governmental authorities.

The Company accounts for a contract with a client when there 
is a written agreement that creates legally enforceable rights 
and obligations, including payment terms, when the contract 
has commercial substance and when collection consideration 
is probable. A performance obligation is a promise in a contract 
with a client to transfer products or services that are distinct 
from the other promises of the contract.

Revenue  is  recognized  when,  or  as,  control  of  a  promised 
product or service is transferred to a client, in an amount that 
reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be 
entitled in exchange for those products or services.

Company’s  products  are  also  sold  by  value-added  resellers 
(VARs) that are assessed as principal in the transaction because 
they generally have the primary responsibility for fulfillment 
to  the  end-customer.  As  a  result,  the  Company  recognizes 
revenue in the amount of the fee it expects to be entitled to, 
i.e.  the  consideration  paid  by  the  distributor,  assuming  all 
other revenue recognition criteria are met.

Licenses, subscription, support and other software revenue
Software license revenue represents fees earned from granting 
customers  licenses  to  use  the  Company’s  software.  The 
Company’s software license revenue consists of perpetual and 
periodic  license  sales  of  software  products.  Software  license 

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4 Financial statements

Consolidated Financial Statements

revenue  is  recognized  at  a  point  in  time  for  an  arrangement 
when control is transferred to the client.

and  are  accounted  for  separately  to  the  extent  they  are  not 
essential to the functionality of software products.

Subscription  generally  have  a  one-year  term  and  contain 
two separate performance obligations pertaining to software 
license  and  support.  The  revenue  from  such  arrangements 
is  recognized  in  line  with  revenue  from  arrangements  with 
multiple performance obligations.

Performance obligation from fixed price contracts are usually 
satisfied  over  the  time.  The  revenue  is  recognized  using 
percentage of completion based on the labor costs incurred to 
date as a percentage of the total estimated labor costs to fulfill 
the contract.

Support  revenue  represents  periodic  fees  associated  with 
the  sale  of  unspecified  product  updates  on  a  when-and-
if- available basis and technical support. Support agreements 
are entered into in connection with the initial software license 
purchase.  Support  may  be  renewed  by  the  customer  at  the 
conclusion of each term. Revenue from support is recognized 
on a straight- line basis over the term of the support agreement 
as  the  Company  has  a  standing  ready  obligation  to  provide 
services.

Other  software  revenue  mainly  relates  to  the  development 
of  additional  functionalities  of  standard  products  requested 
by  clients  and  is  recognized  when  the  development  work  is 
performed.

Recurring  fees  for  subscription  and  support  are  reported 
within Software Revenue.

Revenue  under  arrangements  with  multiple  performance 
obligations, which typically include software licenses, support 
and/or services agreements sold together is allocated to each 
distinct  performance  obligation  based  on  their  standalone 
selling price.

The stand-alone selling price is the price at which the Company 
would sell a promised product or service separately to a client. 
The  Company  generally  establishes  stand-alone  selling  price 
based  on  the  observable  prices  of  products  or  services  sold 
separately  in  comparable  circumstances  to  similar  clients. 
Estimating  stand-alone  selling  price  is  a  formal  process  that 
includes review and approval by the Company’s management.

In certain instances, e.g. perpetual software licenses only sold 
bundled with one year of support, the Company is not able to 
establish a standalone selling price range based on observable 
prices.  The  stand-alone  selling  price  is  then  determined  by 
applying the residual approach.

When a sale of a license goes along with a service essential to 
the  software  functionality,  the  two  performance  obligations 
(software and service) are not distinct. Therefore, the license 
revenue  is  recognized  in  accordance  with  the  pattern  of 
recognition of the service obligation.

Services Revenue
Services  revenue  consist  primarily  of  fees  from  consulting 
services in methodology for design, deployment and support, 
and  training  services.  Services  generally  do  not  require 
significant modification or customization of software products 

Service revenues derived from time and material contracts are 
recognized over the time on an output basis as labor hours are 
delivered and/or direct expenses are incurred.

Incremental Costs of Obtaining a Contract
The  Company  does  not  capitalize  the  incremental  costs 
incurred  to  obtain  a  contract  (e.g.  sales  commissions),  and 
expenses them as incurred.

Contract Assets / Liabilities and Accounts Receivable
The Company classifies the right to consideration in exchange 
for  products  or  services  transferred  to  a  client  as  either 
a  receivable  or  a  contract  asset.  A  receivable  is  a  right  to 
consideration that is unconditional as compared to a contract 
asset, which is a right to consideration that is conditional upon 
factors other than the passage of time.

The  majority  of  the  Company’s  contract  assets  represent 
unbilled  amounts  related  to  Fixed  price  services  contracts 
when  revenue  recognized  exceeds  the  amount  billed  to  the 
client,  and  the  right  to  consideration  is  subject  to  milestone 
completion or client acceptance.

The  amount  of  billing  in  excess  of  revenue  recognized  is 
classified as contract liabilities.

recognizes  compensation  expense 

Share-based payment
The  Company 
for 
share- based payment awards expected to vest on a straight-
line basis over the requisite service period of the entire award. 
Forfeitures  are  estimated  at  the  time  of  grant  and  revised, 
if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ 
from initial estimates.

Stock  options  are  measured  at  fair  value  on  the  date  of  the 
grant  using  an  option-pricing  model  based  on  assumptions 
made by management on expected volatility, expected option 
life and distributed dividends.

Performance  shares  are  measured  at  fair  value  based  on  the 
quoted  price  of  the  Company’s  common  stock  on  the  date 
of  grant.  The  fair  value  also  includes  the  impact  of  certain 
conditions based on an option-pricing model.

Vesting conditions excluded from the fair value measurement 
are taken into account to estimate the number of shares that 
will eventually vest. At the end of each reporting period, the 
Group reviews this estimate and records the impact of changes 
to original estimate, if any, in the statement of income.

98 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Financial statements
Consolidated Financial Statements

4

4

For  performance  share  plans  that  allow  the  beneficiaries  to 
acquire shares either upon satisfaction of a market condition or 
a non-market vesting condition, the Group estimates the fair 
value of the equity instrument at grant date for each possible 
outcome, and accounts for the share-based payment based on 
the most likely outcome at the end of each reporting period.

Cost of software revenue
Cost  of  software  revenue  primarily  includes  software  license 
expense  for  software  products  included  in  the  Company’s 
software, maintenance costs and delivery expense.

Research and development
Research costs are expensed as incurred.

Costs incurred to develop computer software products include 
mainly  payroll  and  other  headcount-related  costs  associated 
with  development  of  the  Company’s  products.  They  also 
include  amortization  expense,  lease  and  maintenance  costs 
of  computer  equipment  used  for  product  development, 
software  expenditures  and  costs  of  information  technology 
and communication.

Due  to  specificities  in  the  software  industry,  the  Company 
has determined that technological feasibility is the key criteria 
to  capitalize  development  expenditure  as  it  is  generally  the 
last  criteria  to  be  met.  Currently  the  risks  and  uncertainties 
inherent in the software development process make it difficult 
to  demonstrate  technological  feasibility  before  a  working 
prototype has been completed, which generally occurs shortly 
before  the  commercial  release  of  its  software  products.  As  a 
consequence,  costs  incurred  after  technological  feasibility 
is  established  that  could  potentially  be  capitalized  are 
not material.

Government grants
The  Company  receives  grants  from  various  governmental 
authorities  to  finance  certain  research  and  development 
activities,  including  research  and  development  tax  credits  in 
France  that  are  treated  as  government  grants.  Government 
grants  are  recognized  as  a  reduction  of  research  and 
development costs or cost of services and other revenue when 
the qualifying research and development activities have been 
performed and there is reasonable assurance that the grants 
will be received.

Other operating income and expense, net
The  Company  distinguishes  income  and  expense  that  is 
unusual, infrequent or generally non-recurring in nature in the 
consolidated statement of income. Such income and expense 
includes  the  impact  of  restructuring  activity  and  other 
generally  non-recurring  events,  such  as  gain  or  loss  on  sale 
of subsidiaries, impairment of goodwill or acquired intangible 

assets, costs directly related to acquisitions, and costs related 
to site closings or moving from one site to another.

Other financial income and expense, net
Other  financial  income  and  expense  primarily  includes  the 
impact of remeasuring financial instruments at fair value, gains 
and losses on disposals and the impairment of investments in 
non-consolidated  companies,  exchange  gains  and  losses  on 
monetary items and change in fair value of derivative financial 
instruments not qualified for hedge accounting.

Income taxes
Deferred income tax is recognized using the liability method on 
temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets 
and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated 
financial  statements.  However,  deferred  income  tax  is  not 
accounted  for  if  it  arises  from  initial  recognition  of  an  asset 
or liability in a transaction other than a business combination 
that, at the time of the transaction, affects neither accounting 
nor  taxable  profit  or  loss.  Deferred  income  tax  is  determined 
using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantially 
enacted by the balance sheet date and are expected to apply 
when the related deferred income tax asset is realized or the 
deferred income tax liability is settled.

Deferred tax assets are recognized for all deductible temporary 
differences,  the  carry  forward  of  unused  tax  credits  and  any 
unused tax losses. Deferred income tax assets are recognized 
only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit 
will be available against which the temporary differences can 
be utilized.

Deferred  income  tax  is  provided  on  temporary  differences 
arising  on  investments  in  subsidiaries  and  associates,  except 
where the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference 
is  controlled  by  the  Company  and  it  is  probable  that  the 
temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Allowance for doubtful accounts and loans receivable
The  allowance  for  doubtful  accounts  and  loans  receivable 
reflects  the  Company’s  best  estimate  of  probable  losses 
inherent  in  the  receivable  balance.  The  Company  applies 
the  simplified  approach  as  permitted  by  IFRS  9  to  account 
for  the  expected  losses  on  trade  accounts  receivables  and 
establishes a statistical model based on historical experience 
and  prospective  information  including  financial  difficulties 
and other currently available evidence.

Financial instruments
Fair  Value  –  The  carrying  amounts  of  cash  and  cash 
equivalents,  short-term  investments,  accounts  receivable, 
accounts  payable  and  accrued  expenses  approximate  fair 
value, due to the short-term maturities of such instruments. 

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4 Financial statements

Consolidated Financial Statements

Foreign  exchange  options  and  forward  contracts,  which  are 
designated  and  serve  as  hedges,  are  recorded  at  their  fair 
market  value.  Fair  value  is  measured  based  on  the  following 
fair  value  hierarchy:  level  1:  quoted  price  in  active  markets; 
level  2:  inputs  observable  directly  or  indirectly,  other  than 
quoted  price  included  in  level  1;  level  3:  inputs  not  based 
on  observable  market  data.  Cash,  cash  equivalents  and 
short-term  investments  are  measured  using  the  level  1  fair 
value. Derivative instruments are measured using the level 2 
fair  value.  Other  investments  that  are  not  equity  method 
investments are measured using the level 3 fair value.

Cash  and  Cash  Equivalents  and  Short-Term  Investments  – 
The Company considers deposits with banks, investments in 
money  market  mutual  funds  and  marketable  debt  securities 
with short-term maturities to be cash equivalents since they are 
readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject 
to  an  insignificant  risk  of  change  in  value.  Other  marketable 
debt securities and mutual funds that do not qualify as cash 
equivalents are considered to be short-term investments and 
are  generally  classified  as  trading  securities  with  changes  in 
fair value recorded in interest income and expense, net.

Non-Current  Financial  Assets  –  The  Company  elected  the 
classification  at  fair  value  through  Other  comprehensive 
income  for  all  its  equity  securities.  As  such,  net  gains  and 
losses  related  to  equity  securities  are  recognized  in  Other 
comprehensive  income  and  are  never  reclassified  to  profit 
or loss.

Derivative  Instruments  –  The  Company  uses  derivative 
instruments  to  manage  exposures  to  foreign  currency  and 
interest  rates.  Derivative  instruments  are  measured  at  their 
fair value and changes in the fair value affect the consolidated 
statements of income unless specific hedge accounting criteria 
are met. Changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as 
cash-flow hedges are reported as a component of shareholders’ 
equity until the hedged item is recognized in earnings.

Property and equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated 
using  the  straight-line  method  over  their  estimated  useful 
lives: computer equipment, two to five years; office furniture 
and  equipment,  five  to  10  years;  buildings,  30  years; 
leasehold  improvements  are  depreciated  over  the  shorter  of 
the life of the assets or the remaining lease term. Repair and 
maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.

Intangible assets
Intangible  assets  primarily 
include  acquired  technology, 
contractual  customer  relationships  and  computer  software. 
Costs related to intangible assets are capitalized and amortized 
using  the  straight-line  method  over  their  estimated  useful 
lives, which range from two to 16 years. No intangible assets 
have been identified with an indefinite useful life.

Business combinations and goodwill
Business combinations are accounted for using the purchase 
method.  The  cost  of  an  acquisition  is  measured  as  the  fair 
value  of  the  assets  transferred,  equity  instruments  issued 
and  liabilities  incurred  or  assumed  on  the  acquisition  date. 
Identifiable  assets  acquired  and  liabilities  and  contingent 
liabilities  assumed  in  a  business  combination  are  measured 
initially at fair value at the date of acquisition, irrespective of 
the extent of any non-controlling interest.

Goodwill is initially measured at cost being the excess of the 
cost of the business combination over the Company’s share in 
the net fair value of the acquiree’s net identifiable assets.

When a business combination with permanent non- controlling 
interest 
includes  a  put  option  related  to  these  same 
non- controlling  interests,  a  liability  is  recognized  in  the 
consolidated  balance  sheet  along  with  a  decrease  in  the 
consolidated  reserves.  Subsequent  fluctuations  of  this  put 
option related to potential changes in estimates or unwinding 
of  discounts  are  also  booked  in  consolidated  reserves.  Any 
further  acquisition  of  minority  interests  is  considered  as  a 
transaction between shareholders and is therefore not subject 
to re-evaluation.

After initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less any 
accumulated impairment losses. For the purpose of impairment 
testing, goodwill acquired in a business combination is, from 
the acquisition date, allocated to each of the Company’s cash 
generating  units  or  group  of  cash  generating  units  that  are 
expected  to  benefit  from  the  synergies  of  the  combination, 
irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the acquiree 
are assigned to those units.

Goodwill is tested whenever events or changes in circumstances 
indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable, and 
at  a  minimum  annually.  For  the  purpose  of  the  impairment 
test, the Company relies upon projections of future cash flows 
and  takes  into  account  assumptions  regarding  the  evolution 
of  the  market  and  its  ability  to  successfully  develop  and 
commercialize  its  products.  Changes  in  market  conditions 
could  have  a  major  impact  on  the  valuation  of  assets  and 
liabilities and could result in additional impairment losses.

Provisions
Provisions  are  recognized  as  liabilities  to  cover  probable 
outflows  of  resources  that  can  be  estimated  and  that  result 
from  present  obligations  (legal,  contractual  or  constructive) 
relating to past events. In cases where a potential obligation 
resulting  from  past  events  exists,  but  where  occurrence  of 
the outflow of resources is not probable or where the amount 
cannot be reliably estimated, a contingent liability is disclosed 
among the Company’s commitments.

100 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Financial statements
Consolidated Financial Statements

4

The amount of the provision provided is the best estimate of 
the  outflow  of  resources  required  to  extinguish  this  present 
obligation.

Treasury shares
Own  equity  instruments  which  are  reacquired  (treasury 
shares) are recognized at cost and deducted from equity. Gains 
and losses on the purchase, sale, issue or cancellation of the 
Company’s own equity instruments are credited or charged to 
shareholders’ equity and are not recognized in the statement 
of income.

Borrowings
Borrowings  are  recognized  initially  at  fair  value,  net  of 
transaction  costs 
incurred.  Any  difference  between  the 
recorded amount and the redemption value is amortized into 
income  over  the  period  of  the  borrowing  using  the  effective 
interest rate method.

Post-employment benefits
The  Company’s  payments  for  defined  contribution  plans  are 
recorded as expenses for the relevant period.

For  defined  benefit  plans  concerning  post-employment 
benefits, the Company uses the projected unit credit method 
to  determine  the  present  value  of  its  obligations.  Under  this 
method, benefits are attributed to periods of service according 
to  the  plan’s  benefit  formula.  However,  if  an  employee’s 
service  in  later  years  will  earn  a  materially  higher  level  of 
benefit than in earlier years, benefits are attributed to periods 
of service on a straight-line basis.

Actuarial gains and losses are charged or credited to equity in 
other comprehensive income in the period in which they arise.

The future payments for employee benefits are measured on 
the basis of future salary increases, retirement age, mortality 
and  length  of  employment  with  the  Company,  and  are 
discounted at a rate determined by reference to yields on long-
term high quality corporate bonds of a duration corresponding 
to the estimated duration of the benefit plan concerned.

The  net  expense  for  the  year,  corresponding  to  the  sum  of 
the  current  service  costs,  past  service  costs  and  net  interest 
expense or income, is charged in full to operating income.

4

Note 3  Segment and Geographic Information

Operating  segments  are  components  of  the  Company  for 
which  discrete  financial  information  is  available  and  whose 
operating  results  are  regularly  reviewed  by  management  to 
assess  performance  and  allocate  resources.  The  Company 
operates in a single operating segment, the sale of software 
solutions,  whose  aim  is  to  offer  customers  an  integrated 
innovation  process,  from  the  development  of  a  new  concept 
to  the  realistic  experience  of  the  resultant  product,  through 
all  stages  of  detailed  design,  scientific  simulation  and 
manufacturing, thanks to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

The  assessment  of  the  operating  segment’s  performance 
is  based  on  the  Group’s  supplemental  non-IFRS  financial 
information  (see  paragraph  3.1.1.2  “Supplemental  Non-
IFRS  Financial  Information”).  The  accounting  policies  used 

differ from those described in Note 2 Summary of Significant 
Accounting Policies as follows:

 › operating segment revenue and income are reported under 

the former IAS 18 rules for comparison purposes.

 › the  measure  of  operating  segment  revenue  and  income 
includes the whole revenue that would have been recognized 
by  acquired  companies  had  they  remained  stand-alone 
entities but which is partially excluded from Group revenue 
to reflect the fair value of obligations assumed;

 › the measure of operating segment income excludes share-
based  compensation  expense  and  associated  payroll  taxes 
(see  Note  6  Personnel  Costs  and  Note  7  Share-based 
Payments), amortization of acquired intangibles, and other 
operating  income  and  expense,  net  (see  Note  8  Other 
Operating Income and Expense, Net).

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4 Financial statements

Consolidated Financial Statements

(in millions of euros)

TOTAL REVENUE FOR OPERATING SEGMENT

Impact of change in accounting policy

Adjustment for unearned revenue of acquired companies

REPORTED TOTAL REVENUE

Year ended December 31,

2018

2017*

€3,488.0

€3,242.0

3.1

(13.7)

-

(14.0)

€3,477.4

€3,228.0

* 

The Group has initially applied IFRS 15 at 1 January 2018. In accordance with the transition method chosen, comparative information is not restated. Only data for operating 
segment, reported under the former IAS 18 rules, are comparable.

(in millions of euros)

INCOME FOR OPERATING SEGMENT

Impact of change in accounting policy

Adjustment for unearned revenue of acquired companies

Share-based compensation expense and related payroll taxes

Amortization of acquired intangibles

Other operating income and expense, net

REPORTED OPERATING INCOME

Year ended December 31,

2018

2017*

€1,109.4

€1,037.1

3.1

(13.7)

(120.6)

(171.6)

(38.4)

€768.2

-

(14.0)

(103.9)

(160.3)

(29.9)

€729.0

* 

The Group has initially applied IFRS 15 at 1 January 2018. In accordance with the transition method chosen, comparative information is not restated. Only data for operating 
segment, reported under the former IAS 18 rules, are comparable.

Data by geographic operations of the Company is established according to geographical location of the consolidated companies 
and is as follows:

(in millions of euros)

2018

Europe

of which France

of which Germany

Americas

of which the United States

Asia

of which Japan

TOTAL

2017*

Europe

of which France

of which Germany

Americas

of which the United States

Asia

of which Japan

TOTAL

Total revenue

Total assets

€1,215.9

€4,659.0

615.5

272.4

1,449.2

1,397.5

812.3

424.7

1,925.0

669.7

2,776.3

2,587.5

538.7

153.0

€3,477.4

€7,974.0

€1,122.2

€4,250.5

547.7

252.1

1,360.4

1,315.0

745.4

400.0

1,580.5

700.0

2,258.0

2,063.3

521.3

133.2

€3,228.0

€7,029.8

Additions to 
property, equipment 
and intangibles

€37.6

31.8

2.5

23.2

22.5

11.6

1.6

€72.4

€54.2

48.4

2.3

19.2

18.8

11.2

0.9

€84.5

* 

The Group has initially applied IFRS 15 at 1 January 2018. In accordance with the transition method chosen, comparative information is not restated.

102 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Financial statements
Consolidated Financial Statements

4

The  Company  also  receives  data  that  identifies  the  location  of  the  Company’s  end-user  customers.  Using  such  information, 
revenue by geographic area would be as follows:

(in millions of euros)

Europe

of which France

of which Germany

Americas

of which the United States

Asia

of which Japan

TOTAL REVENUE

Year ended December 31,

2018

2017*

€1,524.3

€1,398.5

350.4

423.5

1,001.3

880.0

951.8

433.0

291.3

387.5

977.3

874.2

852.2

404.9

€3,477.4

€3,228.0

* 

The Group has initially applied IFRS 15 at 1 January 2018. In accordance with the transition method chosen, comparative information is not restated.

4

Note 4  Software Revenue

Software revenue is comprised of the following:

(in millions of euros)

Licenses revenue

Subscription and Support revenue(1)

Other software revenue

SOFTWARE REVENUE

(1)  Out of which €278.4 million of euros at a point in time and €1,884.8 million over time in 2018.

Breakdown of software revenue by main product line is as follows:

(in millions of euros)

CATIA software revenue

SOLIDWORKS software revenue

ENOVIA software revenue

Other

SOFTWARE REVENUE

Year ended December 31,

2018

€908.6

2,163.3

9.9

2017

€845.5

2,013.5

10.3

€3,081.8

€2,869.3

Year ended December 31,

2018

2017

€1,028.6

€1,004.9

742.5

358.5

952.3

695.8

321.9

846.7

€3,081.8

€2,869.3

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

103

4 Financial statements

Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 5  Government Grants

Government grants and other government assistance were recorded in the consolidated statements of income as a reduction to 
research and development expenses and to cost of services, as follows:

(in millions of euros)

Research and development

Other expenses

TOTAL GOVERNMENT GRANTS

Note 6  Personnel Costs

Year ended December 31,

2018

€30.8

1.2

€31.9

2017

€36.1

1.6

€37.7

Personnel costs
Personnel costs, excluding share-based payments (€83.4 million in 2018 and €92.5 million in 2017, see Note 7 Share-based 
Payments) and associated payroll taxes (€37.2 million in 2018 and €11.4 million in 2017), are presented in the following table:

(in millions of euros)

Personnel costs

Social security costs

TOTAL

Average number of employees was 15,494 and 14,651 in 2018 and 2017 respectively.

Note 7  Share-based Payments

Year ended December 31,

2018

2017

€(1,324.8)

€(1,248.2)

(311.0)

(287.1)

€(1,635.8)

€(1,535.3)

Compensation  expense  related  to  share-based  payments,  including  associated  payroll  taxes,  is  recorded  in  the  consolidated 
statements of income as follows:

(in millions of euros)

Research and development

Marketing and sales

General and administrative

Cost of revenue

Year ended December 31,

2018

€(47.1)

(31.0)

(37.7)

(4.8)

2017

€(41.5)

(36.6)

(21.6)

(4.2)

TOTAL COMPENSATION EXPENSE RELATED TO SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

€(120.6)

€(103.9)

104 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Financial statements
Consolidated Financial Statements

4

Changes during 2018 and 2017 of unvested options and performance shares were as follows:

UNVESTED AT JANUARY 1, 2017

Granted

Vested

Forfeited

UNVESTED AT DECEMBER 31, 2017

Granted

Vested

Forfeited

UNVESTED AT DECEMBER 31, 2018

Number of awards

Performance 
shares

Stock options

Total

3,378,220

3,373,199

6,751,419

1,101,700

2,050,370

3,152,070

(1,021,050)

(1,221,519)

(2,242,569)

(24,550)

(388,693)

(413,243)

3,434,320

3,813,357

7,247,677

1,912,430

1,985,201

3,897,631

(1,781,145)

(1,696,516)

(3,477,661)

(157,125)

(486,085)

(643,210)

3,408,480

3,615,957

7,024,437

4

Performance shares
Pursuant to an authorization granted by the shareholders at the 
General Meeting of Shareholders held on September 4, 2015, 
the Board of Directors at the meeting held on May 22, 2018 
decided  to  grant  815,730  performance  shares  to  some 
employees and executives (Plan 2018-A) and 300,000 shares 
to Mr. Bernard Charlès, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors 
and Chief Executive Officer as part of a plan of progressively 
associating  him  with  the  Company’s  capital  (Plan  2018-
B).  Such  shares  shall  be  acquired  as  at  May  22,  2021.  They 
shall  be  vested  subject  to  the  condition  that  the  beneficiary 
is an employee or a Director of the Company at the end of a 
two- year presence period and subject to the achievement of 
a condition based on the Company non-IFRS diluted earnings 
per share growth. This condition is based on a targeted growth 
between the non-IFRS diluted earnings per share of the Group 
for the year 2020, excluding foreign currency effects, and the 
one achieved in the year 2017 (non-vesting condition).

The  weighted  average  grant-date  fair  value  of  2018-A  and 
2018-B  performance  shares  was  €66.5.  It  was  estimated 
based on the quoted price of the Company’s common stock on 
the date of grant, adjusted to include the non-vesting condition 
based  on  the  non-IFRS  diluted  earnings  per  share  using  a 
Monte  Carlo  model.  The  model  simulates  the  performance 
of  the  non-IFRS  diluted  earnings  per  share  of  the  Company 
excluding  foreign  currency  effects.  Assumptions  used  are  an 
expected volatility of 9.70%.

As  explained  in  paragraph  5.1.3.2  “Performance  shares  and 
share  subscription  options”  of  the  2017  Annual  Document, 
the Board of Directors at the meeting held on September 25, 
2018 approved an advance share grant in respect of 2019 for 
several managers and employees of the Group (performance 
in  May  by  the  General 
shares  are  usually  authorized 

Meeting  of  Shareholders)  in  order  to  remain  eligible  for  the 
tax  regime  associated  with  the  authorization  granted  by 
the  General  Meeting  of  September  4,  2015  and  expiring  on 
November  4,  2018.  Therefore,  the  Board  of  Directors  at  the 
meeting held on September 25, 2018 used this authorization 
to grant in advance in respect of 2019 496,700 performance 
shares to some employees and executives (Plan 2019-A) and 
300,000 shares to Mr. Bernard Charlès, Vice Chairman of the 
Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer as part of a plan 
of  progressively  associating  him  with  the  Company’s  capital 
(Plan 2019-B). Regarding the approval of this advance share 
grant in respect of 2019 for several managers and employees 
of the Group, the Board specified that the allocation in 2019 
would  not  apply  to  the  beneficiaries  of  this  advance  share 
grant.  2019-A  and  2019-B  performance  shares  shall  be 
acquired as at May 23, 2022. They shall be vested subject to 
the condition that the beneficiary is an employee or a Director 
of the Company at the end of a two-year and eight months 
presence period and subject to the achievement of a condition 
based  on  the  Company  non-IFRS  diluted  earnings  per  share 
growth. This condition is based on a targeted growth between 
the non-IFRS diluted earnings per share of the Group for the 
year  2021,  excluding  foreign  currency  effects,  and  the  one 
achieved in the year 2018 (non-vesting condition).

The  weighted  average  grant-date  fair  value  of  2019-A  and 
2019-B  performance  shares  was  €72.45.  It  was  estimated 
based on the quoted price of the Company’s common stock on 
the date of grant, adjusted to include the non-vesting condition 
based  on  the  non-IFRS  diluted  earnings  per  share  using  a 
Monte  Carlo  model.  The  model  simulates  the  performance 
of  the  non-IFRS  diluted  earnings  per  share  of  the  Company 
excluding  foreign  currency  effects.  Assumptions  used  are  an 
expected volatility of 9.70%.

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

105

4 Financial statements

Consolidated Financial Statements

A summary of the Company’s performance shares plans is as follows:

Plans

2014-A

2014-B

2015-A

2015-B

2016-A

2016-B

2017-A

2017-B

2018-A

2018-B

2019-A

2019-B

Date of General 
Meeting 
of Shareholders

Date of grant by 
Board of Directors

Total number 
of shares granted

Restated total 
number of shares 
granted(1)

Acquisition 
period 
(in years)(2)

Performance 
conditions

Performance 
conditions 
is reached 
at December 31, 
2018

05/ 30/
2013

02/21/
2014

05/30/
2013

02/21/
2014

09/04/
2015

09/04/
2015

09/04/
2015

09/04/
2015

09/04/
2015

05/26/
2016

09/04/
2015

05/26/
2016

09/04/
2015

05/23/
2017

09/04/
2015

05/23/
2017

09/04/
2015

05/22/
2018

09/04/
2015

05/22/
2018

09/04/
2015

09/25/
2018

09/04/
2015

09/25/
2018

529,940 150,000 734,600 300,000 782,950 300,000 801,700 300,000 815,730 300,000 496,700 300,000

1,059,880 300,000 734,600 300,000 782,950 300,000 801,700 300,000 815,730 300,000 496,700 300,000

Four

Four

Two

Two

See 
Note(4)

See 
Note(4)

See 
Note(4)

See 
Note(4)

Two or 
three(3)

See 
Note(5)

Two or 
three(3)

See 
Note(5)

Three

Three

Three

Three

Three 
years and 
eight 
months

Three 
years and 
eight 
months

See 
Note(6)

See 
Note(6)

See 
Note(7)

See 
Note(7)

See 
Note(8)

See 
Note(8)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

See 
Note(9)

See 
Note(9)

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

(1)  For shares granted before July 17, 2014, total number of shares granted has been restated to reflect the two-for-one stock split effected on July 17, 2014.
(2)  Subject to the condition that the beneficiary be an employee or a Director of the Company at the acquisition date, with the exception of 2017-A, 2017-B, 2018-A and 2018-B plans, 

for which the presence period is two years and 2019-A and 2019-B plans for which the presence period is two years and eight months.

(3)  Share acquisition divided into two tranches, the first having vested in May 26, 2018 and the second vesting in May 26, 2019.
(4)  Performance condition measured based on two alternative criteria, the growth of the non-IFRS diluted earnings per share of the Group or the outperformance of the price of the 
Dassault Systèmes share compared to the performance of the CAC 40 index (market condition) for each of the years 2015, 2016 and 2017 for 2014-A and 2014-B Shares, and for the 
year 2016 for 2015-A and 2015-B Shares, compared to the year 2014. Such growth or difference must be at least equal to a threshold established by the Board of Directors. The 
2015-B Shares granted to Mr. Bernard Charlès, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, are also subject to an additional performance condition related to 
variable compensation dependent on achieving performance criteria previously established by the Board of Directors.

(5)  Performance condition for the first tranche will be measured based on the average performance of two criteria: the growth of the non-IFRS diluted earnings per share of the Group 
for the year 2017, excluding foreign currency effects, compared to the year 2015 (non-market condition), and the outperformance of the price of the Dassault Systèmes share 
compared to the performance of the CAC 40 index between February 2016 and February 2018 (market condition). Such growth and outperformance must be at least equal to a 
threshold established by the Board of Directors. Performance condition for the second tranche will be measured based on two cumulative criteria: the growth of the non-IFRS 
diluted earnings per share of the Group for the year 2018, excluding foreign currency effects, compared to the year 2015 (non-market condition), and the outperformance of the 
price  of  the  Dassault  Systèmes  share  compared  to  the  performance  of  the  CAC  40  index  between  February  2016  and  February  2019  (market  condition).  Such  growth  and 
outperformance must be at least equal to a threshold established by the Board of Directors. The 2016-B shares granted to Mr. Bernard Charlès, Vice-Chairman of the Board of 
Directors and Chief Executive Officer, are also subject to an additional performance condition related to his variable compensation itself dependent on achieving performance criteria 
previously established by the Board of Directors.

(6)  Performance condition based on a targeted growth between the non-IFRS diluted earnings per share of the Group for the year 2019, excluding foreign currency effects, and the 
one achieved in the year 2016 (non-vesting condition). Such growth must be at least equal to a threshold (expressed as a percentage) established by the Board of Directors granting 
the shares.

(7)  Performance condition based on a targeted growth between the non-IFRS diluted earnings per share of the Group for the year 2020, excluding foreign currency effects, and the 
one achieved in the year 2017 (non-vesting condition). Such growth must be at least equal to a threshold (expressed as a percentage) established by the Board of Directors granting 
the shares.

(8)  Performance condition based on a targeted growth between the non-IFRS diluted earnings per share of the Group for the year 2021, excluding foreign currency effects, and the 
one achieved in the year 2018 (non-vesting condition). Such growth must be at least equal to a threshold (expressed as a percentage) established by the Board of Directors granting 
the shares.

(9)  Tranche 1 performance condition reached and Tranche 2 performance condition will be measured by March 20, 2019 Board of Directors.

106 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Financial statements
Consolidated Financial Statements

4

Stock option
The  main  features  of  the  Group  stock  option  plans  are  as 
follows: Options vest over various periods ranging from one to 
four years, subject to continued employment, options expire 
eight  to  ten  years  from  grant  date,  or  after  termination  of 
employment, whichever is earlier, options have generally been 
granted at an exercise price equal to or greater than the grant-
date market value of the Company’s share.

Pursuant  to  an  authorization  granted  by  the  shareholders 
at  the  General  Meeting  of  Shareholders  held  on  May  26, 
2016, the Board of Directors at the meeting held on May 22, 
2018  decided  to  grant  1,985,201  options  to  subscribe  to 
Dassault Systèmes shares to certain employees, at an exercise 
price of €110.00 (Plan 2018-01).

Such  options  shall  be  vested  at  the  end  of  an  acquisition 
period  of  one  to  three  years,  subject  to  the  condition  that 
the  beneficiary  be  an  employee  of  the  Company  at  the 
acquisition  date  and  to  the  achievement  of  certain  non-
market performance objectives for the years 2018, 2019 and 
2020.  The  options  expire  ten  years  from  grant  date  or  after 
termination of employment, whichever is earlier.

The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted 
in  2018  was  €15.82.  It  was  estimated  on  the  date  of  grant 
using  a  Black-Scholes  option  pricing  model.  Assumptions 
used  are  as  follows:  weighted-average  expected  life  of  6 
years, expected volatility rate of 20%, expected dividend yield 
of  0.70%  and  average  risk-free  interest  rate  of  0.48%.  The 
expected volatility was determined using a combination of the 
historical  volatility  of  the  Company’s  stock  and  the  implied 
volatility of the Company’s exchange-traded options.

A summary of the Company’s stock option activity is as follows:

4

OUTSTANDING AS OF JANUARY 1,

Granted

Exercised

Forfeited

OUTSTANDING AS OF DECEMBER 31,

Exercisable

2018

2017

Number of 
options

Weighted 
average exercise 
price

Number of 
options

Weighted 
average exercise 
price

5,695,244

1,985,201

(1,488,924)

(502,201)

5,689,320

2,073,363

€65.30

5,961,562

€110.00

2,050,370

€46.13

€74.25

€85.13

€67.81

(1,924,838)

(391,850)

5,695,244

1,881,887

€49.31

€82.00

€33.25

€66.86

€65.30

€47.89

A summary of the remaining contractual life and the exercise price of options outstanding as of December 31, 2018 is presented 
below:

Stock option plan

2014-01

2015-01

2016-01

2017-01

2018-01

OUTSTANDING AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2018

Number of 
options

67,494

920,462

1,181,088

1,591,285

1,928,991

5,689,320

Remaining 
life (years)

Exercise price

3.40

6.68

7.40

8.39

9.39

8.19

€45.50

€62.00

€69.00

€82.00

€110.00

€85.13

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

107

4 Financial statements

Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 8  Other Operating Income and Expense, Net

Other operating income and expense, net are comprised of the following:

(in millions of euros)

Impairment of goodwill and acquired intangible assets(1)

Acquisition costs and other(2)

Restructuring costs(3)

Costs incurred in connection with voluntary early retirement plan(4)

Costs incurred in connection with relocation activities(5)

OTHER OPERATING INCOME AND EXPENSE, NET

Year ended December 31,

2018

€(22.0)

(8.2)

(3.8)

(3.0)

(1.4)

2017

€-

(9.5)

(5.1)

(8.4)

(7.0)

€(38.4)

€(29.9)

(1)  Impairment of 3DEXCITE goodwill for €(15.0) million (see Note 18 Goodwill) and acquired intangible assets for €(7.0) million.
(2)  Transaction costs primarily relating to the acquisition of Centric Software and IQMS in 2018 and EXA in 2017.
(3)  In 2018 and 2017, primarily composed of severance costs relating to the termination of employees following the Company’s decision to rationalize its sales organization principally 

in Asia and Europe.

(4)  In June 2016, the Group has implemented for French subsidiaries a voluntary early retirement plan over 3 years. This plan allows eligible employees to retire early while receiving 
a replacement income until they can access to their full pension. This plan is treated as a post-employment benefit which estimated costs are based on an assumption of expected 
proportion of employees to enter the plan and accrued taking into account the employees estimated residual service period.

(5)  In 2018 and 2017, primarily composed of expenses for vacant leasehold properties related to the reorganization of the Group’s premises in North America.

Note 9 

Interest Income and Expense, Net and Other Financial 
Income and Expense, Net

Interest income and expense, net and other financial income and expense, net for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 
are as follows:

(in millions of euros)

Interest income(1)

Interest expense(2)

INTEREST INCOME AND EXPENSE, NET

Foreign exchange losses, net(3)

Other, net(4)

OTHER FINANCIAL INCOME AND EXPENSE, NET

Year ended December 31,

2018

€37.4

(15.4)

21.9

(7.5)

1.1

€(6.4)

2017

€25.4

(12.4)

13.0

(10.2)

19.6

€9.4

(1)  Interest income is primarily composed of interests on cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.
(2)  Mainly  includes  interest  expense  of  €12.9  million  in  2018  and  €11.8  million  in  2017  due  pursuant  to  two  term  loan  facility  agreements  entered  into  in  October  2015 

for €650 million and in June 2013 for €350 million (see Note 20. Borrowings).

(3)  Foreign exchange losses, net are primarily due to the depreciation of emerging currencies occurred in 2018 and the depreciation of the U.S. dollar in 2017.
(4)  In  2017,  mainly  includes  (i)  the  gain  on  sale  of  an  investment  and,  (ii)  following  the  acquisition  of  Outscale  during  the  first  half  of  2017,  the  remeasurement  to  fair  value 

of equity interests of Outscale and of the convertible bond, both were previously held by the Company.

108 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Note 10  Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

(in millions of euros)

Provisions and other expenses

Profit-sharing and pension accruals

Net tax loss and tax credit carryforward assets

Amortization and basis difference

Amortization of acquired intangibles

Other

NET DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

NET DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY

Change in deferred taxes can be summarized as follows:

(in millions of euros)

NET DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY AS OF JANUARY 1,

Changes included in the income statement

Business combinations

Other changes included in shareholders’ equity

Currency translation adjustments

NET DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY AS OF DECEMBER 31,

Financial statements
Consolidated Financial Statements

4

4

Year ended December 31,

2018

€65.7

44.4

82.7

10.9

(267.8)

(34.5)

€(98.7)

164.2

(262.8)

€(98.7)

2017

€70.2

42.2

56.2

17.1

(246.7)

(16.7)

€(77.7)

108.9

(186.6)

€(77.7)

Year ended December 31,

2018

2017*

€(77.7)

€(122.8)

16.6

(40.6)

6.8

(3.7)

80.1

(39.4)

(0.9)

5.3

€(98.7)

€(77.7)

* 

The Group has initially applied IFRS 15 at 1 January 2018. In accordance with the transition method chosen, comparative information is not restated.

The components of income before income taxes are as follows:

(in millions of euros)

France

Foreign

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

The components of income tax expense are as follows:

(in millions of euros)

France

Foreign

CURRENT TAXES

France

Foreign

CHANGE IN DEFERRED TAXES

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

Year ended December 31,

2018

€383.7

400.1

€783.8

2017

€355.9

395.6

€751.4

Year ended December 31,

2018

2017

€(142.8)

€(137.2)

(94.1)

(236.9)

(6.1)

22.6

16.6

(174.1)

(311.4)

8.0

72.1

80.1

€(220.4)

€(231.3)

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

109

4 Financial statements

Consolidated Financial Statements

Differences  between  the  income  tax  provision  and  the  provision  computed  using  the  statutory  French  income  tax  rate  are  as 
follows:

(in millions of euros)

Taxes computed at the statutory rate of 34.43% in 2018 (34.43% in 2017)

Foreign tax rate differentials(1)

R&D tax credit and other tax credits(2)

Tax exempt income

Other, net(3)

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

Effective tax rate

Year ended December 31,

2018

2017

€(269,9)

€(258.7)

52.7

18.0

22.0

(43.3)

€(220.4)

28.1%

(9.3)

17.0

21.6

(1.9)

€(231.3)

30.8%

(1)  In 2018, mainly include tax rate differencial with USA tax rate of 21%.
(2)  R&D tax credit and other tax credits derived mainly from research tax credits in France and in the United States.
(3)  In 2018, included mainly tax impact in connection with provision for tax risks, French Cotisation sur la valeur ajoutée des entreprises (“CVAE”) and 3DEXCITE impairment of 
goodwill. In 2017, included mainly tax impact in connection with French Cotisation sur la valeur ajoutée des entreprises (“CVAE”), exceptional tax contribution in France and 
positive effects of the new tax legislation in the USA on deferred taxes.

At December 31, 2018, there were unrecognized tax losses and tax credit carried forward of €96.5 million, which are scheduled 
to expire after 2024.

Note 11  Earnings per Share

Basic  net  income  per  share  is  determined  by  dividing  net 
income attributable to equity holders of the Company by the 
weighted  average  number  of  common  shares  outstanding 
during the period. Diluted net income per share is determined 

by  dividing  net  income  attributable  to  equity  holders  of 
the  Company  by  the  combination  of  the  weighted  average 
number of common shares outstanding during the period and 
the dilutive effect of stock options and performance shares.

The following table presents the calculation for both basic and diluted net income per share:

(in millions of euros, except shares and per share data)

Net income attributable to equity holders of the Company

Weighted average number of shares outstanding

Dilutive effect of share-based payments

Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding

Basic net income per share

Diluted net income per share

Year ended December 31,

2018

€569.4

2017

€519.4

258,364,010

254,938,653

2,388,523

3,363,318

260,752,533

258,301,971

€2.20

€2.18

€2.04

€2.01

110 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Financial statements
Consolidated Financial Statements

4

Note 12  Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments

Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of the following:

(in millions of euros)

Bank accounts

Cash equivalents

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

At  December  31,  2018  and  2017,  approximately  56%  and 
61%  of  cash  and  cash  equivalents  was  denominated  in 
U.S. dollars, respectively.

Short-term  investments  of  €0.6  million  and  €1.3  million  at 
December  31,  2018  and  2017,  respectively,  were  primarily 
comprised  of  bank  certificates  of  deposit,  mutual  funds  and 
fixed term deposits.

Cash,  cash  equivalents  and  short-term 
investments  are 
maintained  on  deposit  with  high  credit-quality  financial 
institutions,  principally  in  Europe.  The  Company  follows  a 
conservative  policy  for  investing  its  cash  resources,  mostly 
relying on short-term maturity investments. Investment rules 
are determined and controlled by the Treasury department of 
Dassault Systèmes SE.

Year ended December 31,

2018

€192.7

2,616.6

2017

€142.4

2,317.0

€2,809.3

€2,459.4

4

The Company has adopted policies regarding financial ratings 
and the spread of maturity dates in order to ensure the security 
and  liquidity  of  its  financial  instruments.  The  Company’s 
management oversees the credit-worthiness of its counterparts 
and  the  quality  of  its  investments  closely  and  believes  that 
it has minimal exposure to the risk of bankruptcy of any one 
of  them.  The  Company  also  closely  oversees  the  liquidity  of 
its  financial  assets  held  at  these  same  counterparts.  In  this 
regard, the Company follows in particular the credit rating of 
each of its counterparties and, up to the present time, all of its 
counterparties are rated in the Investment Grade category by 
rating agencies. As a result, the Company believes that it has 
very low exposure to credit or counterparty risk.

The  Group  has  a  central  cash  management  operated  by  a 
banking  institution.  In  this  context,  the  parent  company  of 
the  bank  offered  a  guarantee  to  the  Group  in  the  amount 
of  $500  million,  and  at  the  same  time  the  Group  offered  a 
guarantee to the bank for the same amount.

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

111

4 Financial statements

Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 13  Trade Accounts Receivable, Net, Contract Balances 

and Other Current Assets

Trade accounts receivable and other current assets are receivables measured at amortized cost.

Trade accounts receivable

(in millions of euros)

Trade accounts receivable

Allowance for trade accounts receivable

TRADE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET

The maturities of trade accounts receivable, net, were as follows:

(in millions of euros)

Trade accounts receivable past due at closing date:

Less than 3 months past due

3 to 6 months past due

More than 6 months past due

TRADE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE PAST DUE

Trade accounts receivable not yet due

TOTAL TRADE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET

Year ended December 31,

2018

€1,064.4

(20,3)

€1,044.1

2017

€920.8

(24.9)

€895.9

Year ended December 31,

2018

2017

€89.4

21.3

13.4

124.1

920.0

€1,044.1

€98.6

9.1

8.9

116.7

779.2

€895.9

The Company is not dependent on any of its principal clients. No single customer or sales channel partner represented more than 
5% of the Company’s total revenue in 2018 and 2017.

Contract Balances

(in millions of euros)

Contract assets

Contract liabilities

December 31, 
2018

26.5

(907.5)

January 1, 
2018

32.3

(782.4)

The amount of revenue recognized during 2018 that was deferred 
in the contract liabilities at January 1, 2018 is €630.8 million.

The  amount  of  revenue  recognized  during  2018  related  to 
performance  obligations  satisfied  (or  partially  satisfied)  in 
previous  periods,  was  €7.6  million  mainly  due  to  changes 
in  transaction  price  related  to  variable  considerations  and 
removal of collection uncertainties.

During the reporting period the change in contract assets and 
contracts liabilities due to business combination, was €(11.4) 
million mainly related to the acquisition of Centric Software Inc.

All contract assets recorded in the balance of January 1, 2018 
have  been  reclassified  as  receivables  during  the  period  since 
the right to consideration becomes unconditional.

Remaining unsatisfied performance obligations
The amount of remaining unsatisfied performance obligations, 
as defined by IFRS 15, is the portion of the transaction price 
from  contracts  with  customers  allocated  to  performance 
obligations  unsatisfied  or  partially  satisfied  as  of  the  closing 
date.

When applying the practical expedient permitted by IFRS 15 
(right  to  exclude  contracts  with  duration  less  than  one  year 
and  time  &  materials  contracts),  the  amount  of  remaining 
unsatisfied  performance  obligation  is  €296.8  million  as  of 
December  31,  2018.  Due  to  the  profile  of  contract  terms, 
approximately 68% of this amount is expected to be recognized 
as revenue over the next year, approximately 32% thereafter.

112 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Other current assets
Other current assets consist of the following:

(in millions of euros)

Prepaid expenses

Value added tax

Derivatives, current(1)

Other current assets

TOTAL OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

(1)  See Note 21. Derivatives and Currency and Interest Rate Risk Management.

Note 14  Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consist of the following:

Financial statements
Consolidated Financial Statements

4

Year ended December 31,

2018

€89.8

64.9

12.9

17.4

2017

€82.4

57.7

13.6

14.6

€185.0

€168.3

4

(in millions of euros)

Computer equipment

Office furniture and equipment

Leasehold improvements

Buildings

TOTAL

Year ended December 31, 2018

Year ended December 31, 2017

Gross

€257.1

55.6

130.9

6.5

Accumulated 
depreciation

€(160.4)

(41.1)

(68.2)

(2.3)

Net

€96.8

14.5

62.7

4.2

Gross

€226.5

58.0

116.1

6.8

Accumulated 
depreciation

€(138.0)

(41.6)

(56.9)

(1.9)

Net

€88.5

16.4

59.2

4.9

€450.1

€(271.9)

€178.2

€407.4

€(238.4)

€169.0

The change in the carrying amount of property and equipment as of December 31, 2018 is as follows:

(in millions of euros)

NET PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT AS OF JANUARY 1, 2018

Additions

Business combinations

Other changes

Depreciation for the period

Exchange differences

NET PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2018

Computer 
equipment

Office furniture 
and equipment

Leasehold 
improvements

€88.5

44.7

0.8

1.2

(39.8)

1.4

€96.8

€16.4

3.7

0.1

(0.1)

(5.7)

0.1

€14.5

€59.2

13.7

0.1

(0.1)

(11.4)

1.2

€62.7

Buildings

€4.9

-

-

-

(0.4)

(0.2)

€4.2

The change in the carrying amount of property and equipment as of December 31, 2017 is as follows:

(in millions of euros)

NET PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT AS OF JANUARY 1, 2017

Additions

Business combinations

Other changes

Depreciation for the period

Exchange differences

NET PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017

Computer 
equipment

Office furniture 
and equipment

Leasehold 
improvements

Buildings

€49.5

46.6

27.1

(0.3)

(31.4)

(3.0)

€88.5

€18.1

5.6

0.2

(0.2)

(6.3)

(1.1)

€16.4

€62.5

12.5

0.3

-

(11.5)

(4.5)

€59.2

€5.4

0.1

-

-

(0.4)

(0.3)

€4.9

Total

€169.0

62.1

1.0

1.0

(57.3)

2.5

€178.2

Total

€135.4

64.9

27.6

(0.4)

(49.5)

(8.9)

€169.0

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

113

4 Financial statements

Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 15  Non-Current Financial Assets

Non-current financial assets consist of the following:

(in millions of euros)

Tax receivable(1)

Investments

Loans receivable, non-current

Derivatives, non-current(2)

Deposits and other non-current financial assets

NON-CURRENT FINANCIAL ASSETS

Year ended December 31,

2018

€123.1

22.0

0.9

0.3

21.2

2017

€123.1

19.2

-

4.0

15.9

€167.5

€162.3

(1)  In 2018 and 2017, tax payments following tax reassessments which are disputed by the Group with the relevant authorities (see Note 25 Commitments and Contingencies).
(2)  See Note 21 Derivatives and Currency and Interest Rate Risk Management.

Note 16  Business Combinations

2018 acquisitions

Centric Software, Inc. (“Centric”)
On  July  24,  2018,  the  Company  acquired  63.19%  of 
Centric,  for  a  consideration  transferred  of  approximately 
€228.1  million.  Based  in  California’s  Silicon  Valley,  Centric 
is  a  software  company  driving  digital  transformation  with 
software innovation in the fashion, apparel, luxury and retail 
sectors.

The  preliminary  allocation  of  the  purchase  price  resulted  in 
€115.3 million of goodwill. The primary items that generated 
goodwill  include  mainly  the  value  of  the  synergies  between 
Centric and the Company’s activities.

In  addition,  the  Group  has  signed  an  agreement  with 
minority shareholders on their remaining shares. The reached 
agreement permits the use of a put option exercisable in the 
first quarters of 2020 and 2021 and a call option exercisable 
in  the  second  quarter  of  2021.  In  the  event  of  the  exercise 
of  an  option,  the  price  of  the  remaining  shares  is  based  on 
the enterprise’s value depending on Centric’s profitability and 
revenue.

lead  to  the  recognition  of  a 

The  put  option 
liability 
deducted  from  consolidated  shareholders’  equity.  A  €133.5 
million  variation  has  been  recognized  in  the  consolidated 
shareholders’ equity.

In addition, an advance payment for the remaining shares has 
been issued to minority shareholders for approximately €75.2 
million. It will be deducted from the exercise price of the put 
or  call  options  in  the  event  of  exercise  or  will  be  refunded  if 
no  option  is  exercised.  This  refundable  advance  is  deducted 
from  the  put  option  liability  in  Other  non-current  liabilities 
(See Note 19 Other liabilities).

Other acquisitions
The  Company  completed  its  acquisition  of  100%  of  No 
Magic,  Inc.,  Opera,  in  May  2018  and  COSMOlogic  GmbH 
&  Co  Kommanditgesellschaft  in  December  2018  for  a  total 
consideration transferred of approximately €66.3 million.

These transactions resulted in €32.5 million of goodwill.

Purchase price allocation
The  estimated  fair  values  of  assets  acquired  and  liabilities 
assumed  in  connection  with  the  acquisitions  presented 
below are provisional. The Company is waiting for additional 
information  necessary  to  finalize  these  fair  values  and  the 
provisional measurements of fair value presented are subject 
to change. The Company expects to finalize the valuation and 
complete the purchase price allocation as soon as practical and 
no later than one year from the acquisition date.

114 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Financial statements
Consolidated Financial Statements

4

The purchase prices of Centric and other acquisitions have been allocated to identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed 
based on estimated fair values at the date of the acquisition is as follows:

(in millions of euros)

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade accounts receivable

Other assets

Intangible assets acquired(1)

Contract liabilities (2)

Other liabilities

Deferred taxes, net

TOTAL IDENTIFIABLE NET ASSETS

Goodwill

Non-controlling interest

TOTAL PURCHASE PRICE

(1)  Intangible assets acquired are subject to amortization and include the following: 

(in millions of euros)

Software

Customer relationships

TOTAL IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS REQUIRED

Centric Software 
Inc.

Other 
acquisitions

€31.9

20.4

3.9

190.2

(10.1)

(41.7)

(16.0)

€178.6

115.3

(65.7)

€228.1

€4.4

3.3

0.7

39.2

(1.2)

(3.2)

(9.5)

€33.7

32.5

-

€66.3

Centric 
Software Inc.

Other 
acquisitions

€92.3

97.8

€190.2

€38.9

0.3

€39.2

Total

€36.4

23.7

4.7

229.4

(11.4)

(44.8)

(25.6)

€212.3

147.8

(65.7)

€294.3

Total

131.2

98.1

€229.4

4

(2)  The carrying values of contract liabilities were reduced to reflect the fair value of obligations assumed. As a result, approximately €15.6 million of revenues that would have 

otherwise been recorded by these entities had they not been acquired by the Company will not be recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.

The  unaudited  financial  information  presented  in  the  table 
below  summarizes  the  combined  results  of  operations  for 
the year ended December 31, 2018 as if the acquisitions had 
occurred  at  the  beginning  of  the  period.  This  information  is 
presented for informational purposes and does not purport to 
be indicative of the results that will be achieved in the future. 

This  financial  information  reflects  the  adjustment  to  reduce 
unearned revenue to the fair value of the associated obligation, 
and  the  additional  amortization  expense,  assuming  the  fair 
value  adjustments  to  deferred  revenue  and  intangible  assets 
had been applied from the beginning of the period, with the 
related tax effects.

(in millions of euros)

Revenue

Net income

Year ended December 31, 2018 
(unaudited)

€3,526.6

€515.1

In addition, the portion of acquired companies’ revenue and net income generated since the acquisition date and included in the 
Company’s consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2018 is as follows:

(in millions of euros)

Revenue

Net income

Year ended December 31, 2018

€29.6

€(12.3)

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

115

4 Financial statements

Consolidated Financial Statements

2017 acquisitions

Exa Corp. (“Exa”)
On  November  17,  2017,  the  Company  acquired  100% 
of  Exa,  for  a  consideration  transferred  of  approximately 
€344.2  million.  Based  in  Burlington  (Massachusetts)  in  the 
United States, Exa is a global innovator in simulation software 
for product engineering.

The allocation of the purchase price resulted in €194.5 million 
of  goodwill.  The  primary  items  that  generated  goodwill 
include  mainly  the  value  of  the  synergies  between  Exa  and 
the Company’s activities.

Note 17  Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist of the following:

Other acquisitions
The  Company  acquired  a  majority  stake  in  Outscale  and 
completed  its  acquisition  of  100%  of  AITAC  B.V.  and  Expi 
GmbH  for  total  consideration  transferred  of  approximately 
€62.3 million in April, June and September 2017 respectively.

These transactions resulted in €37.1 million of goodwill.

(in millions of euros)

Software (1)

Customer relationships

Other intangible assets

Year ended December 31, 2018

Year ended December 31, 2017

Accumulated 
amortization 
and Impairment

€(753.4)

(701.4)

(18.5)

Gross

€1,394.9

1,184.0

32.2

Net

€641.5

482.6

13.7

Gross

€1,251.2

1,050.2

32.7

Accumulated 
amortization

€(645.7)

(603.6)

(18.3)

Net

€605.5

446.6

14.4

TOTAL INTANGIBLE ASSETS

€2,611.1

 €(1,473.3)

 €1,137.8 

€2,334.0

€(1,267.6)

€1,066.4

(1)  Including €(7.0) million of acquired software technologies impairment.

The change in the carrying amount of intangible assets as of December 31, 2018 is as follows:

(in millions of euros)

NET INTANGIBLE ASSETS AS OF JANUARY 1, 2018

Business combinations

Other additions

Amortization and impairment for the period (1)

Exchange differences and other changes

NET INTANGIBLE ASSETS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2018

(1)  Including €(7.0) million of acquired software technologies impairment.

Software

€605.5

131.2

8.5

(110.8)

7.1

€641.5

Customer 
relationships

Other intangible 
assets

Total intangible 
assets

€446.6

€14.4

€1,066.4

98.1

0.5

(75.9)

13.2

-

1.2

(0.8)

(1.1)

229.4

10.3

(187.4)

19.1

€482.6

€13.7

€1,137.8

The change in the carrying amount of intangible assets as of December 31, 2017 is as follows:

(in millions of euros)

NET INTANGIBLE ASSETS AS OF JANUARY 1, 2017

Business combinations

Other additions

Amortization for the period

Exchange differences and other changes

Software

€589.0

110.2

19.4

(89.5)

(23.6)

Customer 
relationships

Other intangible 
assets

Total intangible 
assets

€474.9

€15.2

€1,079.1

85.5

(3.0)

(77.6)

(33.2)

0.3

3.3

(1.1)

(3.4)

196.1

19.7

(168.2)

(60.2)

NET INTANGIBLE ASSETS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017

€605.5

€446.6

€14.4

€1,066.4

116 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Financial statements
Consolidated Financial Statements

4

Year ended December 31,

2018

2017

€1,923.7

€1,847.4

165.5

(15.0)

50.3

211.5

-

(135.3)

€2,124.5

€1,923.7

Note 18  Goodwill

The change in the carrying amount of goodwill as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 is as follows:

(in millions of euros)

GOODWILL AS OF JANUARY 1,

Business combinations

Impairment

Exchange differences and other changes

GOODWILL AS OF DECEMBER 31,

The  Company  performed  annual  impairment  tests  in  the 
fourth quarter of 2018 and 2017.

For  the  purpose  of  the  impairment  test,  the  Company 
identified  13  cash-generating  units  (“CGUs”)  or  groups  of 
CGUs  as  of  December  31,  2018,  generally  corresponding  to 
the Company’s main software products. Each CGU represents 
the  lowest  level  within  the  Company  at  which  goodwill  is 

Goodwill allocated to each CGU or groups of CGUs is as follows:

monitored for internal management purposes. Goodwill tested 
for impairment purposes was allocated to each CGU, or groups 
of CGUs that were expected to benefit from the synergies of 
the  combination.  In  2018,  a  change  in  organization  led  to  a 
partial reallocation of 3DEXCITE goodwill to CATIA CGU.

4

Impairment

Goodwill 
reallocation

Centric Software 
Inc.
acquisition

Other 
acquisitions

Exchange 
differences and 
other changes

(in millions of euros)

SIMULIA

BIOVIA

CATIA

ENOVIA

DELMIA

QUINTIQ

GEOVIA

3DEXCITE

CENTRIC PLM

Other

TOTAL

December 31, 
2017

€540.1

376.8

259.2

151.7

139.2

119.5

116.1

113.1

-

107.9

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

71.8

-

-

-

-

(15.0)

(71.8)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

115.3

-

€115.3

€22.2

3.4

24.7

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

€18.1

17.8

4.0

5.4

5.2

-

(4.1)

-

2.6

1.3

December 31, 
2018

€580.4

398.0

359.8

157.1

144.4

119.5

112.0

26.3

117.8

109.2

€1,923.7

€(15.0)

€50.3

€50.3

€2,124.5

The recoverable amount of each CGU or groups of CGUs has 
been  determined  based  on  a  value  in  use  calculation.  This 
calculation  uses  cash  flow  projections  based  on  financial 
budgets  covering  a  five-  to  ten-year  period.  The  ten-year 
period  projections  are  used  for  activities  that  have  longer 
development  cycles,  representing  approximately  29%  of 
the  Group’s  total  goodwill  as  of  December  31,  2018.  Key 
assumptions used to determine the value in use of assets are 
derived from management objectives for revenue growth and 
operating margin of each CGU or groups of CGUs. The pre-tax 
discount  rates  are  between  10.6%  and  12.1%.  Cash  flows 
beyond  that  five-  to  ten-year  period  have  been  extrapolated 

using  a  steady  growth  rate  comprised  between  2%  and  3%, 
reflecting long-term growth rates in the software industry.

Further  to  the  impairment  tests  performed,  the  goodwill 
initially  allocated  to  3DEXCITE  CGU  was  partially  impaired 
for  €(15.0)  million  and  recorded  in  the  line  item  Other 
operating  income  and  expenses.  In  accordance  with  the 
applicable  standards,  these  tests  were  conducted  before 
taking  into  account  the  change  in  organization  specified 
above. This impairment results mainly from lower margin and 
growth  rates  on  the  3DEXCITE  services  activity  as  well  as  a 
lower acceleration of the software distribution activity.

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

117

4 Financial statements

Consolidated Financial Statements

At  December  31,  2018,  based  on  management  estimates, 
the  Company  concluded  that  the  value  in  use  of  each 
other  CGU  or  groups  of  CGUs  exceeded  its  carrying  value. 
Management  believes  that  any  reasonable  possible  change 
in  key  assumptions  described  above  on  which  recoverable 
amount  is  based  would  not  cause  each  CGU  or  groups  of 
CGUs’ carrying amount to significantly exceed its recoverable 
amount.  In  particular,  an  increase  of  150  basis  points  in  the 
pre-tax  discount  rate  or  a  decrease  of  100  basis  points  in 

the  long-term  growth  rates  would  not  cause  each  CGU  or 
groups  of  CGUs’  carrying  amount  to  significantly  exceed  its 
recoverable amount, except GEOVIA for which an increase of 
30  basis  points  in  the  pre-tax  discount  rate  or  a  decrease  of 
40 basis points in the long-term growth rate would cause the 
recoverable amount to equal carrying amount and 3DEXCITE 
for which the recoverable amount equals the carrying amount.

Note 19  Other Liabilities

Other liabilities are comprised of the following:

(in millions of euros)

Value added tax and other taxes

Provisions, current (1)

Post employment benefits (2)

Derivatives, current (3)

Other current liabilities (4)

TOTAL OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

Post-employment benefits (2)

Provisions, non-current (1)

Accrual for deferred lease incentives

Employee profit sharing, non-current

Derivatives, non-current (3)

Other non-current liabilities(5)

Year ended December 31,

2018

€120.0

7.1

5.2

7.3

26.7

€166.4

€142.4

110.3

43.5

29.3

6.7

80.4

2017

€96.8

7.2

8.0

1.1

44.5

€157.6

€139.0

73.0

44.0

27.6

12.0

24.1

TOTAL OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

€412.6

€319.7

(1)  See reconciliation of provisions below.
(2)  See Note 22 Post-employment Benefits.
(3)  See Note 21 Derivatives and Currency and Interest Rate Risk Management.
(4)  In 2017, includes the remaining debt related to the acquisition of redeemable preference share linked to the finalization of the acquisition of 3DPLM for €27.2 million 

(see Note 23. Shareholders’ equity).

(5)  In 2018, includes the put option debt on Centric Software Inc.’s minority interests, net of the refundable advance (See Note 16 Business Combinations).

The change in the carrying value of provisions as of December 31, 2018 is as follows:

(in millions of euros)

PROVISIONS AS OF JANUARY 1, 2018

Additions

Utilization

Reversal of unused amounts

Business combinations

Exchange differences and other

Tax risks

€58.1

40.7

(1.7)

(2.5)

1.1

2.6

Claims, 
litigation 
and other

€9.6

3.1

(2.0)

(0.4)

1.0

(0.1)

PROVISIONS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2018

€98.4

€11.3

Restructuring Total provisions

€12.6

10.9

(7.3)

(7.5)

-

(1.0)

€7.8

€80.3

54.7

(11.0)

(10.4)

2.2

1.6

€117.4

118 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Financial statements
Consolidated Financial Statements

4

Note 20  Borrowings

In October 2015, the Company entered into a five-year term 
loan  facility  agreement,  which  maturity  could  be  extended 
by  two  additional  years,  for  €650  million.  The  facility  was 
immediately  fully  drawn  down  and  bears  interest  at  Euribor 
1  month  plus  0.50%  per  annum.  In  October  2016  then 

October  2017,  the  Company  exercised  the  option  extension 
for one year, bringing the new term to October 2022.

In June 2013, the Company entered into a term loan facility 
agreement  for  €350  million,  which  was  immediately  fully 
drawn down. The facility provides credit for a period of 6 years 
and bears interest at Euribor 1 month plus 0.55% per annum.

The table below provides a breakdown of total borrowings by contractual maturity date as of December 31, 2018:

(in millions of euros)

Term loan facilities in euro currency

Payments due by period

Total

Less than 1 year

1-3 years

€1,000.0

€350.0

-

3-5 years

€650.0

4

Note 21  Derivatives and Currency and Interest Rate Risk 

Management

The  fair  market  values  of  derivative 
instruments  were 
determined  by  financial  institutions  using  option  pricing 
models.

All  financial  instruments  are  related  to  the  foreign  currency 
hedging  strategy  of  the  Company  and  have  maturity  dates 
of  less  than  2  years  when  the  maturity  of  interest  rate 
swap  instruments  is  also  less  than  2  years.  Management 
believes  that  counter-party  risk  on  financial  instruments 
is  minimal  since  the  Company  deals  with  major  banks  and 
financial institutions.

A description of market risks to which the Company is exposed 
to is provided in paragraph 1.7.2 “Financial and Market Risks”.

Foreign currency risk

The Company operates internationally and transacts in various 
foreign currencies, primarily U.S. dollars and Japanese yen.

In  2018,  revenue  denominated  in  U.S.  dollars  represented 
35.1%  of  total  revenue,  compared  with  36.4%  in  2017. 
The  Company’s  operating  expenses  denominated  in  U.S. 
dollars  represented  32.6%  of  total  operating  expenses  in 
2018, compared with 33.3% in 2017.

As  a  result,  the  Company’s  net  operating  exposure  to  U.S. 
dollars  amounted  to  €338.2  million  in  2018  (9.7%  of  the 
Company’s total revenue). The average value of the U.S. dollar 
decreased  by  approximately  4%  against  the  euro  in  2018 
following  a  decrease  of  2%  in  2017,  resulting  in  a  negative 

impact  on  the  Company’s  revenue  and  operating  income  in 
2018 and in 2017.

In  2018,  revenue  denominated  in  Japanese  yen  represented 
11.9%  of  total  revenue,  compared  to  12.0%  in  2017.  The 
Company’s operating expenses denominated in Japanese yen 
represented  4.6%  of  total  operating  expenses  in  2018  and 
5.0% in 2017.

As  a  result,  the  Company’s  net  operating  exposure  to 
Japanese yen amounted to €286.6 million in 2018 (8.2% of 
the Company’s total revenue), and this exposure was in part 
hedged  through  market  instruments  at  a  level  of  €188.7 
million, as further described below. The average value of the 
Japanese  yen  decreased  by  approximately  3%  against  the 
euro in 2018, after a decrease in value of approximately 5% 
in  2017,  resulting  in  a  negative  impact  on  the  Company’s 
revenue and operating income in 2018 and 2017.

The Company usually hedges exchange rate risk related to its 
revenues  and  expenses  coming  from  usual  and  predictable 
activity  arising  in  the  normal  course  of  operations.  The 
Company may also cover occasional exchange rate risk arising 
from  specific  transactions,  such  as  acquisitions  paid  for  in 
foreign currencies. Hedging activities are generally carried out 
and  managed  by  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  for  its  own  account 
and  on  behalf  of  its  subsidiaries.  In  certain  cases,  however, 
the Company can authorize selected subsidiaries to enter into 
hedging instruments directly.

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

119

4 Financial statements

Consolidated Financial Statements

The table below sets forth, for the year ended December 31, 2018, the euro value of the Company’s revenue, operating expenses 
and net position, before and after hedging, denominated in U.S. dollars, Japanese yen and other currencies, principally the euro:

(in millions of euros)

Revenue

Operating expenses

NET POSITION

Hedge

NET POSITION AFTER HEDGE

With  all  other  variables  held  constant,  movements  in  euro/
U.S. dollar exchange rates by +10% or -10% would have had 
an impact of  €(30.7) and €37.6 million on operating income, 
respectively. In addition, with all other variables held constant, 
movements in euro/Japanese yen exchange rates by +10% or 
-10% would have had an impact of €(26.1) and €31.8 million 
on operating income, respectively.

To  manage  currency  exposure,  the  Company  generally  uses 
foreign exchange forward contracts. Except as indicated in the 
table below, the derivative instruments held by the Company 
are  designated  as  accounting  hedges,  have  high  correlation 

Year ended December 31, 2018

U.S. dollars

Japanese yen

Euro and other 
currencies

€1,221.2

(882.9)

€338.2

-

€338.2

€412.5

(125.9)

€286.6

188.7

€97.9

€1,843.8

(1,700.3)

€143.4

68.4

€75.1

Total

€3,477.4

(2,709.2)

€768.2

257.0

€511.2

with  the  underlying  exposure  and  are  highly  effective  in 
offsetting underlying price movements.

The  effectiveness  of  forward  contracts  and  currency  options 
is measured using forward rates and the forward value of the 
underlying  hedged  transaction.  During  2018  and  2017,  the 
portion of gains or losses from hedging instruments excluded 
from  the  assessment  of  effectiveness  and  the  ineffective 
portions of hedges was nil.

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the fair value of instruments used to manage the currency exposure was as follows:

(in millions of euros)

Forward exchange contract Japanese yen/euros – sale (1)

Forward exchange contract euros/Indian rupees – sale (1)

Forward exchange contract euros/U.S. dollars – sale (1)

Forward exchange contract U.S. dollars/Indian rupees – sale (1)

Forward exchange contract Japanese yen/U.S. dollars – sale (1)

Forward exchange contract British pounds/euros – sale (1)

Cross currency swaps Canadian dollars/euros (2)

Cross currency swaps Australian dollars/euros (2)

Other instruments (2)

2018

Nominal 
amount

€135.9

24.9

41.0

21.2

78.8

27.5

66.2

65.9

49.2

Year ended December 31,

2017

Fair value Nominal amount

Fair value

€(4.3)

1.3

(0.2)

-

0.2

0.4

3.3

6.9

(0.3)

€71.1

€12.6

23.7

42.5

15.5

-

22.5

68.6

69.6

51.2

-

(0.5)

0.7

-

(0.1)

0.8

3.2

(0.2)

(1)  Instruments entered into by the Company to hedge the foreign currency exchange risk of forecasted royalty flows.
(2)  Mainly derivatives not designated as hedging instruments. Changes in the derivatives’ fair value were recorded in other financial income and expense, net in the consolidated 

statement of income. Cross currency swaps mainly relate to the acquisition of Gemcom.

Interest rate risk

Except for their impact on the general economic environment, 
which  is  difficult  to  quantify,  the  Company  believes  that 
changes  in  interest  rates  in  2018  did  not  materially  affect 
its  revenue  and  earnings  before  financial  income  and  that  it 
would  be  the  same  in  the  future.  Therefore,  the  Company’s 
interest  rate  risk  is  primarily  a  risk  related  to  a  reduction  of 
financial revenue.

In  October  2015,  the  Company  entered  into  interest  rate 
swap  agreements  for  a  total  amount  of  €650  million  with 

the  objective  of  modifying  forecasted  interest  obligations 
relating  to  the  €650  million  new  French  term  loan  facility 
(see  Note  20  Borrowings)  so  that  the  interest  payable 
effectively becomes fixed at 0.72% from October 2015 until 
October 2020.

In  July  2013  and  October  2014,  the  Company  entered 
into  interest  rate  swap  agreements  for  a  total  amount  of 
€350  million  that  have  the  economic  effect  of  modifying 
forecasted  interest  obligations  relating  to  the  €350  million 
French  term  loan  facility  (see  Note  20  Borrowings)  so  that 
the interest payable effectively becomes fixed at 1.48% from 

120 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Financial statements
Consolidated Financial Statements

4

June 2014 until June 2018 and 1.04% from June 2018 until 
July 2019.

The effectiveness of interest rate swap agreements is measured 
using  forward  interest  rates.  In  2016,  hedge  accounting  has 
been  discontinued  as  interest  rate  swaps  no  longer  met  the 
effectiveness criteria for hedge accounting given the expected 
trend of negative interest rates. Consequently, changes in fair 
value of interest rate swaps are recognized in interest income 
and expense, net for €3.8 million in 2018 and for €8.4 million 
in  2017.  Accumulated  gains  and  losses  on  changes  in  fair 
value recognized in equity are reclassified to profit or loss in 
the periods when the hedged item affects profit or loss (€(4.0) 
in 2018 and €(5.5) million in 2017).

Financial  revenue,  which  is  composed  of  interest  income 
from  cash,  cash  equivalents  and  short-term  investments,  is 
sensitive to fluctuations in interest rates. As of December 31, 
2018, cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments 
totaled  €2,810  million,  including  €694  million  sensitive 
to  fluctuations  in  interest  rates  mostly  in  Europe.  With  all 
other variables held constant, an increase in interest rates of 
100  basis  points  would  have  had  a  positive  impact  in  2018 
of €6.7 million on financial income and a decrease in interest 
rates of 100 basis points would have had a negative impact of 
€6.6 million.

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the fair value of instruments used to manage the interest rate risk was as follows:

(in millions of euros)

Interest rate swaps in euros

Note 22  Post-employment Benefits

Contributions made to defined contribution plans were €25.1 
and €23.8 million in 2018 and 2017 respectively.

The Company provides defined benefit retirement indemnities 
to  the  employees  of  its  French  operations,  and  sponsors 
defined  benefit  pension  plans  for  certain  employees  in  the 
United States. The Company also has certain defined benefit 
plans in other countries, mainly in Germany and in Japan.

In  France,  defined  employee  benefits 
include  certain 
gratifications  paid  upon  anniversary  of  employment  and 
retirement  indemnities  that  are  based  upon  an  individual’s 
years of credited service and annualized salary at retirement. 
Retirement indemnity benefits vest and are settled as a lump 
sum paid to the employee upon the employee’s retirement.

2018

Nominal 
amount

€1,000.0

Year ended December 31,

2017

Fair value Nominal amount

€(8.1)

€1,000.0

Fair value

€(11.9)

4

In  June  2016,  the  Group  has  implemented  for  French 
subsidiaries  a  voluntary  early  retirement  plan  over  3  years. 
This  plan  allows  eligible  employees  to  retire  early  while 
receiving a replacement income until they can access to their 
full pension. This plan is treated as a post-employment benefit 
which estimated costs are based on an assumption of expected 
proportion of employees to enter the plan and accrued taking 
into account the employees estimated residual service period.

In  the  United  States,  pension  benefits  are  based  upon 
years  of  credited  service  and  the  employee’s  average  final 
salary.  Retirement  benefits  are  funded  by  the  Company’s 
contributions to segregated pension plan assets, in an amount 
that  is  sufficient  to  meet  or  exceed  the  minimum  annual 
funding  requirements  of  the  Employee  Retirement  Income 
Security  Act.  In  2011,  the  Company  decided  to  freeze  the 
American defined-benefit pension plan.

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

121

4 Financial statements

Consolidated Financial Statements

The projected benefit obligation was determined using the prospective method, based on the following assumptions:

Assumptions

Assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation are as follows:

Discount rate

1.80%*

4.60% 0.40% – 2.75%

1.80%*

3.80% 0.50% – 3.50%

Average rate of compensation increase

2.50% – 2.80%

N/A

2.50% – 5.00% 2.50% – 2.80%

N/A

2.50% – 5.00%

Year ended December 31, 2018

Year ended December 31, 2017

Europe

Americas

Asia

Europe

Americas

Asia

* 

Except for the voluntary early retirement plan implemented for French subsidiaries.

Components of net periodic benefit cost

The components of net periodic benefit cost were as follows:

(in millions of euros)

Service cost*

Interest cost on benefit obligations

Interest income on plan assets

Other

NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COST

Year ended December 31,

2018

€(11.5)

(4.6)

2.3

0.2

2017

€(15.5)

(4.5)

2.2

2.1

€(13.6)

€(15.7)

* 

In 2018 and in 2017, includes service costs related to the voluntary early retirement plan implemented for French subsidiaries for €3.0 and 8.4 million respectively.

Obligations and funded status

Changes in benefit obligations and plan assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:

(in millions of euros)

Benefit obligations at beginning of year

Service cost

Interest cost on benefit obligations

Remeasurement (gains) losses*

Benefits paid

Exchange rate differences and other changes

BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS AT END OF YEAR

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

Employer contribution

Interest income on plan assets

Benefits paid

Remeasurement (losses)

Exchange rate differences and other changes

FAIR VALUE OF PLAN ASSETS AT END OF YEAR

NET DEFINED BENEFIT LIABILITY

Year ended December 31,

2018

€227.4

11.5

4.6

3.6

(11.8)

3.4

€238.7

80.3

11.3

2.3

(3.2)

(1.7)

2.2

2017

€226.6

15.5

4.5

(4.7)

(7.7)

(6.9)

€227.4

78.7

3.0

2.2

(1.8)

3.5

(5.4)

€91.2

€80.3

€(147.6)

€(147.1)

*  Remeasurement gains and losses mainly arise from changes in financial assumptions. A decrease of 150 basis points in the discount rates would increase the obligation by €55.2 

million.

122 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

The benefit obligation by geographical location is as follows:

Europe

Americas

Asia

TOTAL BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS

The fair value of plan assets by geographical location is as follows:

Europe

Americas

TOTAL FAIR VALUE OF PLAN ASSETS

Plan assets

The weighted average asset allocations are as follows:

Debt instruments

Equity instruments

Other

TOTAL

Cash flows

Financial statements
Consolidated Financial Statements

4

Year ended December 31,

2018

70%

19%

11%

100%

2017

72%

18%

10%

100%

Year ended December 31,

2018

45%

55%

100%

2017

47%

53%

100%

Year ended December 31,

2018

58%

37%

5%

100%

2017

60%

34%

6%

100%

4

The Company does not expect to make any additional contributions to the hedge funds related to its pension plans in 2018.

The planned payments to the beneficiaries for future periods are presented in the following table:

(in millions of euros)

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024-2028

Total

13.8

12.4

11.0

10.4

12.0

75.4

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

123

4 Financial statements

Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 23  Shareholders’ Equity

Shareholders’ equity activity

As of December 31, 2018, Dassault Systèmes SE had 262,732,941 common shares issued with a nominal value of €0.50 per share.

Changes in shares outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:

(in number of shares)

SHARES ISSUED AS OF JANUARY 1,

Dividend paid in shares

Exercise of stock options

Cancellation of treasury stock

SHARES ISSUED AS OF DECEMBER 31,

Treasury stock as of December 31,

SHARES OUTSTANDING AS OF DECEMBER 31,

Year ended December 31,

2018

2017

260,932,531

257,996,603

1,034,543

1,011,090

1,488,924

1,924,838

(723,057)

-

262,732,941

260,932,531

(4,124,372)

(4,904,227)

258,608,569

256,028,304

The primary objective of the Company’s capital management 
is  to  ensure  that  it  maintains  a  strong  credit  rating  and 
healthy capital ratios in order to support its business and for 
the  purpose  of  increasing  the  profitability  of  shareholders’ 
equity  and  earnings  per  share.  The  Company  manages  its 
capital structure and adjusts it in light of changes in economic 
conditions.  To  maintain  or  adjust  the  capital  structure,  the 
Company may adjust the dividend payment to shareholders, 
return capital to shareholders or issue new shares. No changes 
were made in the objectives, policies or processes during the 
years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Dividend rights

Dassault Systèmes SE is required to maintain a legal reserve 
equal  to  10%  of  the  aggregate  nominal  value  of  its  issued 
share  capital.  The  legal  reserve  balance  was  €13.1  and 
€12.9 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, 
and  represents  a  component  of  retained  earnings  in  the 
consolidated balance sheet. The legal reserve is distributable 
only upon the liquidation of Dassault Systèmes SE.

Distributable  profit,  consisting  of  net  income  of  the  year 
increased  by  retained  earnings  from  prior  years  and  after 
deduction  for  legal  reserve  when  required,  is  available  for 
distribution  to  shareholders  of  the  Company  as  dividends. 
Allocation of this profit is subject to approval by the General 
Meeting  of  Shareholders  following  recommendations  by  the 
Board of Directors.

In  2018  and  2017,  the  Shareholders’  Meeting  approved  the 
distribution  of  a  dividend  of  €150.4  and  €134.5  million  for 
2017  and  2016  respectively,  and  offered  shareholders  the 

option to receive payment of their dividend in the form of new 
Dassault Systèmes shares. Shareholders who opted to receive 
payment in whole or in part of the 2017 and 2016 dividend 
in the form of new Dassault Systèmes SE shares represented 
approximately  74%  and  61%  of  Dassault  Systèmes’ 
shares,  respectively,  resulting  in  the  issuance  of  1,034,543 
and  1,011,090  new  ordinary  shares  in  2018  and  2017, 
respectively.  The  cash  dividend  was  paid  in  2018  and  2017 
in  an  aggregate  amount  of  €38.0  million  and  €51.3  million, 
respectively.

Dividends per share were €0.58 and €0.53 as of December 31, 
2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

No  dividend  was  paid  to  non-controlling  interest  in  2018 
and 2017.

Stock repurchase programs

The  General  Meeting  of  Shareholders  authorized  the  Board 
of  Directors  to  implement  a  share  repurchase  program 
limited  to  10,000,000  of  Dassault  Systèmes’  shares.  Under 
this  authorization,  the  Company  may  not  buy  shares  at  a 
price exceeding €150 per share or above a maximum annual 
aggregate amount of €500 million.

Furthermore,  the  Group  signed  a  liquidity  agreement  for 
an  initial  period  until  December  31,  2015,  automatically 
renewable for subsequent 12-month terms. On December 31, 
2018, 1,400,547 shares were purchased, at an average price 
of  €115.23,  and  1,393,150  shares  were  sold,  at  an  average 
price of €113.81.

124 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Components of other comprehensive income

(in millions of euros)

CASH FLOW HEDGES:

(Losses) Gains arising during the year

Less: reclassification adjustments for gains or (losses) included in the income statement

Financial statements
Consolidated Financial Statements

4

Year ended December 31,

2018

(7.9)

3.8

€(11.8)

2017

9.3

2.7

€6.6

Finalization of the acquisition of 3DPLM

On March 2, 2017, the Company finalized the acquisition of 
3D PLM Software Solutions Limited (3DPLM), its joint venture 
in  India  with  Geometric  Ltd,  increasing  its  share  in  3DPLM 
capital from 42% to 100%. This transaction was entered into 
in  April  2016  with  Geometric  Ltd  through  a  court-approved 
scheme  which  was  subject  to  shareholders,  High  Court  and 
other Indian statutory approvals.

In  exchange  for  the  ownership  in  3DPLM,  shareholders  of 
Geometric  Ltd.  received  one  listed  redeemable  preference 

share of Indian rupees 68 in 3DPLM against every one share 
of Geometric Ltd., refundable for a period of 15 months and 
with an annual 7 percent preferential dividend. In 2018, the 
Company  paid  €26.3  million  for  the  redemption  of  these 
preference shares.

3DPLM  being  already  fully  consolidated  in  the  Company’s 
consolidated financial statements, the transaction was treated 
as  an  equity  transaction  and  accounted  for  in  shareholders’ 
equity 
in  the  consolidated  financial  statements  ended 
December 31, 2017.

4

Note 24  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Adjustments for non-cash items consist of the following:

(in millions of euros)

Depreciation of property and equipment

Amortization of intangible assets

Non-cash share-based payment expense

Deferred taxes

Other(1)

Notes

14

17

6, 7

10

Year ended December 31,

2018

€57.3

180.4

83.4

(16.6)

86.0

2017

€49.5

168.2

92.5

(80.1)

(15.7)

ADJUSTMENTS FOR NON-CASH ITEMS

€390.5

€214.4

(1)  In  2018,  includes  impairment  loss  on  3DEXCITE  goodwill  for  €15,0  million  (see  Note  18.  Goodwill),  impairment  loss  on  acquired  intangible  assets  for  €7,0  million 

(see Note 17. Intangible Assets) and provisions for tax risks impacts (see Note 10. Income Taxes)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities consist of the following:

(in millions of euros)

(Increase) in trade accounts receivable and contract assets

Increase (Decrease) in accounts payable

Increase in accrued compensation

(Decrease) Increase in income tax payable

Increase in contract liabilities – Increase in unearned revenue

Changes in other assets and liabilities

CHANGES IN OPERATING ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Year ended December 31,

2018

2017

€(142.1)

€(111.2)

6.5

43.9

(71.8)

108.3

(0.1)

€(55.3)

(1.0)

28.5

22.1

86.6

(14.4)

€10.5

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

125

4 Financial statements

Consolidated Financial Statements

Acquisition  of  non-controlling  interests  consist  mainly  of 
the  payment  of  a  refundable  advance  to  Centric  minority 
shareholders for €75.2 million in 2018 (See Note 16 Business 
Combinations)  and  the  acquisition  of  acquisition  of  3DPLM 

further  shares  for  approximately  €26,3  million  in  2018  and 
€34,8 million in 2017 (See Note 23 Shareholders’ Equity).

Note 25  Commitments and Contingencies

Leases

The Company leases computer equipment, premises and office equipment under operating leases. Rent expense under operating 
leases was €87.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 and €82.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.

At December 31, 2018, future minimum annual rental commitments under non-cancelable lease obligations were as follows:

(in millions of euros)

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024 and thereafter

TOTAL FUTURE MINIMUM LEASE PAYMENTS

3DS Paris Campus (Headquarters facilities)
The  Company  has  leased  approximately  57,000  square 
meters of office space for its headquarters facilities located in 
Vélizy-Villacoublay, outside Paris, France since June 30, 2008. 
In  February  2013,  the  Company  entered  into  a  new  lease 
agreement for its headquarters facilities for a non- cancelable 
initial  term  of  10  years  beginning  with  the  delivery  of  an 
additional 13,000 square meters of office space in the fourth 
quarter of 2016. Close to that site, the Company also leases 
approximately  11,000  square  meters  more  in  a  building 
located  in  Meudon-La-Forêt,  since  October  2010.  Future 
minimum rental payments until the end of the leases amount 
to  approximately  €204.8  million  in  the  aggregate  and  have 
been included in the table presented above.

3DS Boston Campus
The  Company  leases  approximately  30,000  square  meters 
of  office  space  for  its  campus  located  in  the  United  States, 
regrouping the primary operating facilities of the Company’s 
main  American  activities.  The 
lease  agreement 
signed  June  1st,  2011  included  a  lease  term  of  12  years.  In 
September 2016, the lease has been extended for 25 months 
and will end June 30, 2026. Future minimum rental payments 
amount to approximately €90.8 million in the aggregate and 
have been included in the table presented above.

initial 

Operating leases

€88.1

78 .4

67.0

56.8

52.1

126.6

€469.0

Litigation and other proceedings

The Company is involved in litigation and other proceedings, 
such  as  civil,  commercial  and  tax  proceedings,  incidental  to 
normal operations.

The  Company  is  subject  to  ongoing  tax  audits  and  tax 
reassessments  in  jurisdictions  in  which  the  Company  has  or 
had operations. Certain of these reassessments, in particular 
those  related  to  acquisition  financing,  are  being  challenged 
by the Company which is strongly confident in the technical 
merits of its positions and will continue to defend them with 
the relevant tax authorities. In this context, the Company made 
payments to the French tax authorities for a total amount of 
€123.1 million from 2014 to 2016, but disputed them with 
the  relevant  authorities.  In  March  and  December  2017,  the 
Company  appealed  first  instance  judgments  in  relation  to 
this dispute.

It  is  not  possible  to  determine  with  certainty  the  outcome 
of  the  dispute  and  notably  the  resulting  expense  for  the 
Group, if any. However, in the opinion of management, after 
consultation with its lawyers, the resolution of such litigation 
and  proceedings  should  not  have  a  material  effect  on  the 
consolidated financial statements of the Company.

126 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Financial statements
Consolidated Financial Statements

4

Note 26  Related-Party Transactions

Compensation of key management personnel

The table below summarizes compensation granted to the members of the Group Executive Committee and to the Chairman of 
the Board of Directors as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:

(in millions of euros)

Short-term benefits (1)

Share-based compensation (2)

COMPENSATION OF KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL

Year ended December 31,

2018

€9.5

34.0

€43.5

2017

€11.1

37.1

€48.2

(1)  Including gross salaries, bonus, incentives, profit-sharing, directors’ fees and fringe benefits paid.
(2)  Expense recorded in the income statement for share-based payments (stock options and performance shares), including the expense related to the grants attributed by the Board 
of Directors at the meeting held on September 25, 2018, in advance in respect of 2019 (see Note 7 and paragraph 5.1.3.2 “Performance Shares and share subscription options” 
of 2017 Annual Report).

4

In certain circumstances, the Group Chief Executive Officer is 
entitled  to  an  indemnity  payment  upon  the  termination  of 
his  functions  as  Chief  Executive  Officer.  The  amount  of  the 
indemnity  due  would  be  equivalent  to  a  maximum  of  two 
years  of  compensation  as  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  would 
depend on satisfying the performance conditions established 
for calculating his variable compensation.

Other transactions with related parties

The Company licenses its products for internal use to Dassault 
Aviation SA, a sister company to the Company. The Chairman 
of Dassault Systèmes SE is, since May 29, 2018, the Chairman 
of  Groupe  Industriel  Marcel  Dassault  SAS  (Of  which  he  was 

Chief Executive Officer until that date), which controls Dassault 
Aviation  SA.  Dassault  Aviation  SA  licenses  the  Company’s 
products on commercial terms consistent with those granted to 
the Company’s other customers of similar size. These licenses 
generated  €17.2  million  and  €9.9  million  of  software 
revenue  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2018  and  2017, 
respectively. The Company also provides service and support 
to  Dassault  Aviation  SA.  Such  activity  generated  service 
revenues of €9.6 million and €5.0 million in the years ended 
December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The balances of 
trade accounts receivable with Dassault Aviation SA were €9.7 
million,  and  €1.7  million  at  December  31,  2018  and  2017, 
respectively.

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4 Financial statements

Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 27  Principal Statutory Auditors’ Fees and Services

The following table presents the amount of fees paid to each of the Company’s principal Statutory Auditors in 2018 and 2017:

(in millions of euros, excluding VAT)

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit

Ernst & Young et Autres

Amount

%

Amount

%

Certification of accounts

Audit opinion, review of statutory 
and consolidated financial statements (1):

 ›  issuer

 ›  other consolidated subsidiaries

SUBTOTAL

Other services

Other audit related services (2):

 ›  issuer

 ›  other consolidated subsidiaries

Other services (Legal, tax, social) (3):

 ›  issuer

 ›  other consolidated subsidiaries

SUBTOTAL

TOTAL

€0.7

1.4

2.1

€0.8

1.6

2.4

-

0.5

0.1

0.3

0.8

0.1

0.1

-

0.2

0.4

25%

47%

72%

0%

16%

2%

10%

28%

€2.9

€2.7

100%

29%

58%

87%

€0.4

0.5

1.0

€0.4

0.5

0.9

36%

48%

84%

25%

37%

62%

3%

4%

0%

6%

13%

100%

-

-

0.1

0.1

0.2

0.1

0.1

0.2

0.1

0.5

€1.1

€1.4

0%

1%

9%

6%

16%

100%

8%

6%

16%

8%

38%

100%

(1)  Audit fees consist of fees billed for the annual audit services engagement and other audit services for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, which are those services that 
only the Statutory Auditor reasonably can provide, and include the Group audit, statutory audits, consents, attest services, and services provided in connection with documents 
filed with the AMF.

(2)  Audit-related fees generally consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial 
statements or that are traditionally performed by the Statutory Auditor, and include due diligence services related to acquisitions, consultations concerning financial accounting 
and reporting standards, attestation services not required by statute or regulation, and information system reviews. In 2018 and 2017, they primarily included fees related to 
certain acquisitions.

(3)  Fees billed by members of the Statutory Auditors’ respective networks to consolidated subsidiaries are related to the support in the execution of software licensing reviews and to 
local and international tax compliance services, including the review of tax returns and tax services regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments and expatriate 
tax assistance and compliance.

128 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Financial statements
Consolidated Financial Statements

4

Note 28  Principal Dassault Systèmes Companies

The principal Dassault Systèmes SE subsidiaries included in the scope of consolidation as at December 31, 2018 are as follows:

Country

France

France

Germany

Germany

Germany

Consolidated companies

Dassault Data Services SAS

Outscale SAS

Dassault Systemes Deutschland GmbH

Dassault Systemes 3DExcite GmbH

CST – Computer Simulation Technology GmbH

Netherlands

Dassault Systemes B.V.

Italy

Sweden

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Canada

United States

United States

United States

United States

United States

United States

United States

China

India

India

Dassault Systemes Italia Srl

Dassault Systemes AB

Dassault Systemes UK Limited

Dassault Systemes Biovia Limited

Dassault Systèmes Canada Inc.

Centric Software, Inc.

Dassault Systemes Americas Corp.

Dassault Systemes Corp.

Dassault Systemes Simulia Corp.

Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Corporation

Spatial Corp.

Exa Corp.

Dassault Systemes (Shanghai) Information Technology Co., Ltd

3D PLM Software Solutions Limited

Dassault Systemes India Private Limited

South Korea

Dassault Systemes Korea Corp.

Japan

Japan

Singapore

Australia

Malaysia

Dassault Systemes K.K.

SolidWorks Japan K.K.

Dassault Systemes Singapore Pte. Ltd.

Dassault Systemes Australia Pty Ltd

Dassault Systemes Innovation Technologies Malaysia Sdn.Bhd

Note 29  Events after the reporting period

4

% of Interest

100%

89.63%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

63.19%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

Acquisition of IQMS

On January 3rd, 2019, the Group acquired 100% of IQMS, a manufacturing ERP software company, for a preliminary estimated 
purchase price of €377 million.

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4 Financial statements

Consolidated Financial Statements

4.1.2  Statutory Auditors’ Report on the Consolidated Financial 

Statements

This is a translation into English of the Statutory Auditors’ report on the financial statements of the Company issued in French 
and it is provided solely for the convenience of English speaking users.

This Statutory Auditors’ report includes information required by European Regulation and French law, such as information 
about the appointment of the Statutory Auditors or verification of the management report and other documents provided to 
shareholders. This report should be read in conjunction with, and construed in accordance with, French law and professional 
auditing standards applicable in France.

To the Shareholders of Dassault Systèmes SE,

Opinion

In  compliance  with  the  engagement  entrusted  to  us  by  your  Shareholders’  Meeting,  we  have  audited  the  accompanying 
consolidated financial statements of Dassault Systèmes SE (“the Group”) for the year ended December 31, 2018.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements give a true and fair view of the assets and liabilities and of the financial 
position of the Group as at December 31, 2018 and of the results of its operations for the year then ended in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union.

The audit opinion expressed above is consistent with our report to the Audit Committee.

Basis for opinion

Audit framework
We conducted our audit in accordance with professional standards applicable in France. We believe that the audit evidence we 
have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Statutory Auditors’ Responsibilities for the Audit of the 
Consolidated Financial Statements section of our report.

Independence
We  conducted  our  audit  engagement  in  compliance  with  the  independence  rules  applicable  to  us  for  the  period  from 
January 1, 2018 to the date of our report and specifically we did not provide any prohibited non-audit services referred to in 
Article 5(1) of Regulation (EU) no. 537/2014 or in the French Code of Ethics (Code de déontologie) for Statutory Auditors.

Emphasis of Matter
We draw attention to the following matter described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements presenting the impacts 
of changes in accounting methods related to the first time application of IFRS 9 “Financial instruments” and IFRS 15 “Revenue 
from Contracts with Customers”. Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter.

Justification of assessments – Key audit matters

In accordance with the requirements of articles L.823-9 and R.823-7 of the French Commercial Code (Code de commerce) relating 
to the justification of our assessments, we inform you of the key audit matters relating to risks of material misstatement that, in 
our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current period, 
as well as how we addressed those risks.

These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the consolidated financial statements as a whole, and in forming our 
opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on specific items of the consolidated financial statements.

130 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Financial statements
Consolidated Financial Statements

4

Recognition of revenue from complex contractual arrangements

Description of risk
As described in Note 2 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the consolidated financial statements, the Group derives 
revenue from multiple sources, chief among them software licenses, subscription, support and services.

Where  these  complex  contractual  arrangements  include  multiple  elements  sold  as  a  single  package,  determining  the  date  of 
recognition of the resulting revenue and how that revenue should be allocated between the various elements can be difficult and 
can require a significant degree of judgment from management.

The  revenue  for  each  element  of  a  multiple-element  arrangement  with  multiple  performance  obligations  is  allocated  to  each 
distinct  performance  obligation  based  on  their  standalone  selling  price.  With  respect  to  perpetual  software  licenses  only  sold 
bundled with one year of support, the stand-alone selling price is then determined by applying the residual approach. Allocating 
revenue between the various performance obligations requires analyses and, potentially, making adjustments, both of which can 
be complex.

In  addition,  when  a  sale  of  a  license  goes  along  with  a  service  essential  to  the  software  functionality,  the  two  performance 
obligations (software and service) are not distinct. Therefore, the license revenue is recognized in accordance with the pattern of 
recognition of the service obligation. Determining whether or not a service is essential to the functionality of a product requires 
significant  judgment  from  management,  as  does  analyzing  the  potential  future  profits  to  be  gained  from  the  corresponding 
long- term contract.

4

Moreover,  recognizing  revenue  from  complex  contractual  arrangements  typically  requires  an  in-depth  analysis  of  contractual 
terms and conditions, together with other relevant documentation shared with customers during negotiations, with a view to 
ascertaining the full scope and type of the elements the Group has committed to providing and thus recognizing the revenue for 
each element on the appropriate date and at the appropriate value.

For  the  above  reasons,  we  deemed  the  recognition  of  revenue  from  complex  multiple-element  arrangements  to  be  a  key 
audit matter.

How our audit addressed this risk
In  the  course  of  our  audit,  we  examined  the  internal  control  systems  relating  to  the  recognition  of  revenue  and  that  were 
implemented by the Group within its main shared services centers worldwide and we tested the key controls relating to these 
procedures that we considered to be the most relevant.

Throughout the year we performed analyses on all complex multiple-element arrangements deemed significant, as well as on a 
sample of randomly selected arrangements, with the aim of verifying that the management judgements in terms of allocation 
of revenue between the various elements was consistent with the Group’s accounting policies and whether the correct amount 
of revenue had been recognized with respect to the appropriate reporting period. Our works consisted primarily in analyzing the 
contractual  terms  and  conditions,  re-calculating  the  fair  value  of  each  element  tested,  analyzing  the  essentiality  criteria’s  for 
the provision of services associated with software sales and verifying the consistency of revenue assessments with the Group’s 
accounting policies and IFRS.

We also tested all significant manual accounting entries affecting revenue from complex contractual arrangements for consistency 
with the Group’s accounting policies.

Lastly, we examined the related disclosures provided in Notes 2 and 4 to the consolidated financial statements.

Business combinations and impairment of goodwill and non-current assets

Description of risk
Each year, the Group undertakes selected key acquisitions with a view to broadening its offering to customers. In these circumstances, 
the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the newly acquired entities are recognized at their fair value, on the 
acquisition date. The excess of the price of the acquisition over the fair value of the net acquired assets is recorded as goodwill. 

As of December 31, 2018, the Group’s non-current assets included goodwill of €2.125 million, software for €642 million and 
customer relationships for €483 million, deriving primarily from business combinations. In accordance with IAS 36, the Group 
performs annual impairment tests.

Given  (i)  the  materiality  of  the  amounts  in  question  in  the  Group’s  financial  statements  and  (ii)  the  valuation  methods  used  in 
acquisitions and in annual impairment tests, which rely in particular on projected future cash flows, we deemed the measurement 
of non-current assets to be a key audit matter.  In order to implement these techniques, management must rely on assumptions 
and make estimates. Regarding the specific matter of recently acquired companies, the degree of judgment involved in projecting 
future cash flows is all the more significant as projections cannot necessarily be compared with historical data from these companies.

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

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4 Financial statements

Consolidated Financial Statements

How our audit addressed this risk
For each acquisition, we examined the methods used to identify and measure the assets and liabilities acquired and to implement 
the annual impairment test of the related goodwill.

Our procedures consisted in taking note of the valuation techniques employed by the Group as well as the appropriateness of the 
main assumptions and estimates used, particularly in terms of future cash flows, long-term growth rates and discount rates. We 
also compared the initial cash flow forecasts with actual cash flows.

In  addition,  we  carried  out  our  own  sensitivity  analyses  to  supplement  our  assessment  of  the  appropriateness  of  the  key 
assumptions and inputs.

Lastly, we examined the related disclosures provided in Notes 2 and 18 to the consolidated financial statements.

Tax risks

Description of risk
The  Group  has  operations  in  many  countries  and  must  therefore  abide  by  multiple  different  laws  and  regulations.  This  is 
particularly the case for tax policy, which can be a source of risk for the Group in terms of how it is applied. The Group is involved 
in a certain number of tax disputes, chief among them a dispute brought against reassessments relating to acquisition financing. 
Accordingly, between 2014 and 2016, the Group made payments totaling €123.1 million to the French tax authorities further to 
adjustments of the tax bases for the relevant years audited.

The Group assesses its tax positions and the technical justifications therefor at the end of each quarterly reporting period.

Where a risk in terms of how the local tax rules are to be applied is identified, the Group measures and records a provision for tax 
risk if the occurrence of an outflow of resources appears likely.

On the other hand, when it makes a payment further to a disputed tax reassessment and where it deems its position in that 
dispute to be technically justified, the Group simultaneously records a tax credit for the refund it will likely receive (as was the 
case for the above-mentioned acquisition financing matter). In this case, there is a risk that the tax credit will not be recovered.

Given (i) the materiality of the ongoing tax disputes and (ii) the complex technical analyses required of management, we deemed 
the assessment of tax risks to be a key audit matter. These analyses are specific to each tax jurisdiction and require a significant 
degree of judgment from management. Moreover, they are ultimately subject to a final decision from the tax authorities concerned.

How our audit addressed this risk
With guidance from our experts in international and French tax law, we examined the main grounds for reassessment cited by 
the local tax authorities against the Group, as well as the decisions made by management with respect to tax risks and disputes 
deemed  significant.  We  also  reconciled  the  assumptions  and  estimates  used  to  account  for  tax  provisions  with  the  Group’s 
accounting policies and IFRS.

For the more significant disputes for which a tax credit is recognized, in particular the above-mentioned acquisition financing 
matter, we also carried out an analysis of the technical opinions and consultations obtained by the Group from independent tax 
lawyers with a view to assessing the consistency thereof with the decisions made by management and the accounting treatments 
applied.

Lastly, we examined the related disclosures provided in Notes 15 and 25 to the consolidated financial statements.

Specific verifications

We have also performed, in accordance with professional standards applicable in France, specific verifications required by laws 
and regulations of the Group’s information given in the management report of the Board of Directors.

We have no matters to report as to its fair presentation and its consistency with the consolidated financial statements.

We attest that the consolidated non-financial information statement required by Article L.225-102-1 of the French Commercial 
Code  is  presented  in  the  Group’s  information  given  in  the  management  report,  being  specified  that,  in  accordance  with 
Article  L.823-10  of  this  Code,  the  information  given  in  this  statement  have  not  been  verified  by  us  with  respect  to  the  fair 
presentation and consistency with the consolidated financial statements and has to be subject to a report by an independent 
third party.

132 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Financial statements
Consolidated Financial Statements

4

Report on other legal and regulatory requirements

Appointment of the Statutory Auditors
We  were  appointed  Statutory  Auditors  of  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  by  the  Shareholders’  Meetings  held  on  June  8,  2005 
for PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit and on May 27, 2010 for Ernst & Young et Autres.

As  at  December  31,  2018,  PricewaterhouseCoopers  Audit  and  Ernst  &  Young  et  Autres  were  in  the  fourteenth  year  and  the 
ninth year of total uninterrupted engagement, respectively.

Previously, Ernst & Young Audit was the Auditors of Dassault Systèmes SE since 1998.

Responsibilities of management and those charged with governance for the consolidated financial statements
Management  is  responsible  for  the  preparation  and  fair  presentation  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements  in  accordance 
with  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  (IFRS)  as  adopted  by  the  European  Union  and  for  such  internal  control  as 
management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the Company’s ability to continue 
as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting 
unless it is expected to liquidate the Company or to cease operations.

The Audit Committee is responsible for monitoring the financial reporting process and the effectiveness of internal control and 
risks management systems and where applicable, its internal audit, regarding the accounting and financial reporting procedures.

The consolidated financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors.

4

Statutory Auditors’ Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements

Objective and audit approach
Our  role  is  to  issue  a  report  on  the  consolidated  financial  statements.  Our  objective  is  to  obtain  reasonable  assurance  about 
whether the consolidated financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement. Reasonable assurance is a high 
level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with professional standards will always detect 
a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually 
or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these 
consolidated financial statements.

As  specified  in  Article  L.823-10-1  of  the  French  Commercial  Code  (Code de commerce),  our  statutory  audit  does  not  include 
assurance on the viability of the Company or the quality of management of the affairs of the Company.

As  part  of  an  audit  conducted  in  accordance  with  professional  standards  applicable  in  France,  the  Statutory  Auditor  exercises 
professional judgment throughout the audit and furthermore:

 › identifies and assesses the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or 
error, designs and performs audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtains audit evidence considered to be sufficient 
and appropriate to provide a basis for his opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is 
higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or 
the override of internal control;

 › obtains an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the 

circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the internal control;

 › evaluates  the  appropriateness  of  accounting  policies  used  and  the  reasonableness  of  accounting  estimates  and  related 

disclosures made by management in the consolidated financial statements;

 › assesses the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence 
obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Company’s 
ability to continue as a going concern. This assessment is based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of his audit 
report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Company to cease to continue as a going concern. If the Statutory 
Auditor concludes that a material uncertainty exists, there is a requirement to draw attention in the audit report to the related 
disclosures in the consolidated financial statements or, if such disclosures are not provided or inadequate, to modify the opinion 
expressed therein;

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4 Financial statements

Consolidated Financial Statements

 › evaluates the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements and assesses whether these statements represent 

the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation;

 › obtains sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities within the 
Group to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. The Statutory Auditor is responsible for the direction, 
supervision  and  performance  of  the  audit  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements  and  for  the  opinion  expressed  on  these 
consolidated financial statements.

Report to the Audit Committee
We submit to the Audit Committee a report which includes in particular a description of the scope of the audit and the audit 
program  implemented,  as  well  as  the  results  of  our  audit.  We  also  report,  if  any,  significant  deficiencies  in  internal  control 
regarding the accounting and financial reporting procedures that we have identified.

Our report to the Audit Committee includes the risks of material misstatement that, in our professional judgment, were of most 
significance in the audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current period and which are therefore the key audit 
matters that we are required to describe in this report.

We also provide the Audit Committee with the declaration provided for in Article 6 of Regulation (EU) N° 537/2014, confirming 
our independence within the meaning of the rules applicable in France such as they are set in particular by Articles L.822-10 
to  L.822-14  of  the  French  Commercial  Code  (Code de commerce)  and  in  the  French  Code  of  Ethics  (Code de déontologie)  for 
Statutory Auditors. Where appropriate, we discuss with the Audit Committee the risks that may reasonably be thought to bear on 
our independence, and the related safeguards.

Neuilly-sur-Seine and Paris La Défense, March 20, 2019

The Statutory Auditors

PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit

French original signed by:

Thierry Leroux

ERNST & YOUNG et Autres

French original signed by:

Nour-eddine Zanouda

134 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Financial statements
Parent company fi nancial statements

4

4.2  Parent company financial statements

4.2.1  Parent company financial statements and notes

The 2018 financial statements presented below are the individual parent company financial statements of Dassault Systèmes SE.

Presentation of the parent company financial statements and the valuation methods used

The financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018 have been prepared in accordance with the French General Chart 
of Accounts (Plan comptable général). They are presented in the same manner and prepared using the same valuation methods 
as the preceding year.

In  2018  operating  revenue  increased  8.5%  to  €1,613.8  million  from  €1,487.7  million  in  2017  principally  driven  by  the 
performance on the European and Asian markets. The portion of revenue earned from export sales amounted to €1,297.9 million, 
or 81.7% of net sales. Software revenue increased 7.5% to €1,199.7 million in 2018 from €1,115.5 million in 2017.

4

Operating expenses increased 11.2% to €1,291.0 million in 2018, from €1,160.7 million in 2017. The main drivers of this change 
were as follows:

 › the transmissions universelles de patrimoine or TUP have impacted all expenditures items mainly that relating to personnel 

costs following the full-year effect of the integration of 75 new employees during 2017;

 › the other purchases and external expenses increased mainly due to higher subcontracting costs related to client service contracts 

and to higher expenses relating to IT services principally for on-line service activities;

 › personnel costs grew resulting from the increase in the headcount, from the performance shares plans and from salary inflation;

 › depreciation, amortization and provisions increased mainly resulting from acquisitions and from the full-year impact of the 

delivery in May 2017 of a new building at the 3DS Campus;

 › other expenses increased 16.8% driven by the growth of the royalties due to other Group subsidiaries for Group products sales.

Operating income decreased 1.3% from €327.0 million in 2017 to €322.8 million in 2018.

Financial income for 2018 amounted to €169.5 million, compared with €69.4 million for the preceding year, showing an increase 
of  €100.1  million.  This  change  was  principally  due  to  net  favorable  changes  in  the  provisions  for  financial  risks  and  higher 
dividends paid by Group subsidiaries.

Exceptional  income  and  loss  amounted  to  a  loss  of  €55.2  million  in  2018  compared  to  a  loss  of  €19.7  million  in  2017. 
This is explained by thee lack of favorable items like in 2017 with a capital gain on a sale of a shareholding, and a favorable 
outcome of a dispute.

In 2018, income tax expense decreased to €49.8 million from €70.0 million in 2017. Income tax expense decrease is principally 
explained by the discontinuity of the 2017 exceptional contribution and the tax on dividends in addition to higher costs.

Net income increased to €331.2 million in 2018 from €257.8 million in 2017.

At  December  31,  2018,  cash  and  cash  equivalents  and  marketable  securities  stood  at  €1,058.3  million,  compared  with 
€764.8 million at December 31, 2017. This increase was mainly driven by cash provided by operating activities.

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

135

4 Financial statements

Parent company fi nancial statements

Statement of income

(in millions of euros)

OPERATING REVENUE

Revenue

Of which exports

Other revenue

OPERATING EXPENSE

Other purchases and external expenses

Taxes, duties and similar payments

Personnel Costs

Depreciation, amortization and provisions

Other operating expense

OPERATING INCOME

FINANCIAL INCOME AND EXPENSE, NET

CURRENT INCOME

EXCEPTIONAL INCOME/(LOSS)

EMPLOYEE PROFIT-SHARING

Contractual employee profit-sharing (intéressement)

Contractual employee profit-sharing (participation)

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

NET INCOME

Notes

3

4

5

6

7

Year ended December 31,

2018

1,613.8

1,589.4

1,297.9

24.4

2017

1,487.7

1,468.6

1,177.2

19.1

(1,291.0)

(1,160.7)

(488.2)

(29.0)

(504.2)

(76.9)

(192.7)

322.8

169.5

492.3

(55.2)

(56.1)

(27.9)

(28.2)

(49.8)

331.2

(467.9)

(28.5)

(429.0)

(70.3)

(165.0)

327.0

69.4

396.4

(19.7)

(48.9)

(24.5)

(24.4)

(70.0)

257.8

136 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Balance sheet

(in millions of euros)

Assets

NON-CURRENT ASSETS NET

Intangible Assets

Property and Equipment

Non-current Financial Assets

CURRENT ASSETS NET

Receivables

Marketable Securities

Treasury Shares

Cash and cash equivalents

PREPAID EXPENSES

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENT

TOTAL ASSETS

(in millions of euros)

Liabilities and equity

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Capital

Share and contribution premiums

Legal reserve

Retained earnings

Income (loss) for the fiscal year

Regulated provisions

PROVISIONS FOR CONTINGENCIES AND LOSSES

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

TRADE PAYABLES

UNEARNED REVENUE

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENT

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Financial statements
Parent company fi nancial statements

4

4

Year ended December 31,

Notes

2018

2017

3,521.2

3,483.1

10

11

12

13

14

14

308.4

52.0

3,160.8

1,954.6

554.3

970.3

342.0

88.0

63.8

43.9

345.4

49.4

3,088.3

1,482.7

474.1

692.0

243.8

72.8

65.4

40.5

5,583.5

5,071.7

Year ended December 31,

Notes

2018

2017

15

16

17

19

20

3,721.1

131.4

1,037.9

13.1

2,207.3

331.2

0.2

223.9

1,026.0

540.0

71.7

0.8

3,418.9

130.5

917.4

12.9

2,100.1

257.8

0.2

181.7

1,026.7

390.4

53.6

0.4

5,583.5

5,071.7

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

137

4 Financial statements

Parent company fi nancial statements

Notes to the Annual Financial Statements for Years 
Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

CONTENTS

Note 1  Description of Business 

and Key Events of the Year 

Note 2 

Summary of Significant 
Accounting Policies 

Note 3 

Revenue Breakdown 

Note 4 

Personnel Costs 

Note 5 

Financial Income and Expense, Net 

Note 6 

Exceptional Income/Loss 

Note 7 

Income Tax 

Note 8 

Performance Shares 

Note 9  Additional Information 

Note 10 

Intangible Assets 

Note 11  Property and Equipment 

Note 12  Non-Current Financial Assets 

Note 13  Receivables 

139

139

142

142

143

144

144

145

147

147

148

148

149

Note 14  Treasury 

Note 15  Shareholders’ Equity 

Note 16  Provisions for Contingencies 

and Losses 

Note 17  Financial Liabilities 

Note 18  Elements Concerning 

Related Companies 

Note 19  Trade Payables 

Note 20  Prepaid Expenses and Unearned 

Revenue 

Note 21  Financial Commitments 

Note 22  Other Commitments and 
Contingencies 

Note 23  Additional Information 

Note 24 

Information Relating to Subsidiaries 
and Shareholdings 

149

150

152

153

153

154

154

155

156

157

157

138 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Financial statements
Parent company fi nancial statements

4

Note 1  Description of Business and Key Events of the Year

Description of business

Dassault Systèmes SE provides end-to-end software solutions 
and  services,  designed  to  support  companies’  innovation 
processes, from specification and design of a new product, to 
its manufacturing, supply and sale to the customer, through all 
stages of digital mock-up, simulation, and realistic 3D virtual 
experiences representing user experience.

In 2018 Dassault Systèmes SE’s global customer base includes 
companies in 12 industrial sectors: Transportation & Mobility; 
Industrial  Equipment;  Aerospace  &  Defense;  Financial  & 
Business Services; High-Tech; Life Sciences; Energy, Process & 
Utilities;  Consumer  Goods  &  Retail;  Natural  Resources; 
Architecture, Engineering & Construction; Consumer Packaged 
Goods & Retail and Marine & Offshore. To serve its customers, 
Dassault  Systèmes  SE  has  developed  a  broad  software 
applications portfolio, comprised of 3D modeling applications, 

simulation  applications,  social  and  collaborative  applications, 
and  information  intelligence  applications,  all  powered  by  its 
3DEXPERIENCE platform.

Dassault  Systèmes  SE  is  a  European  company  (Societas 
Europaea) incorporated under the laws of France. The Company’s 
registered  office  is  located  at  10,  rue  Marcel  Dassault,  in 
Vélizy- Villacoublay,  France.  The  Dassault  Systèmes  SE 
shares are listed in France on Euronext Paris. These financial 
statements  were  established  under  the  responsibility  of  the 
Board of Directors on March 20, 2019.

Key Events of the Year

As part of its program to simplify the organization of its legal 
entities  throughout  the  world,  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  carried 
out the merger operation (or TUP) of Dassault Systèmes Biovia 
SARL on July 3, 2018.

4

Note 2  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The financial year lasts for 12 months from January 1 through 
December 31.

The  annual  financial  statements  for  the  fiscal  year  ended 
December 31, 2018 have been prepared and are presented in 
accordance  with  the  accounting  ANC  rule  n°2016-07  dated 
November  4,  2016  and  updating  the  ANC  rule  n°2014-
03  related  to  the  French  General  Chart  of  Accounts  (PCG). 
In  particular,  the  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in 
accordance  with  the  principle  of  prudence,  the  principle  of 
continuity of accounting methods from one year to the next, 
the  independence  of  financial  years,  and  the  assumption 
that the business is a going concern. Assets and liabilities are 
initially recorded at historical cost.

Significant accounting polices applied are as follows:

Revenue

Dassault  Systèmes  SE  derives  revenue  from  three  primary 
sources: (1) licenses, other software revenue (which includes 
the  development  of  additional  functionalities  of  standard 
products  requested  by  clients),  subscription  and  support 
license  updates  and  technical 
(which 
support); (2) consulting and training services; and (3) royalties 
from  distribution  agreements  signed  primarily  with  the 
Group’s subsidiaries.

includes  software 

Revenues are disclosed net of taxes collected from customers 
and remitted to governmental authorities.

when  the  contract  has  commercial  substance  and  when 
collection consideration is probable. A performance obligation 
is  a  promise  in  a  contract  with  a  client  to  transfer  products 
or  services  that  are  distinct  from  the  other  promises  of 
the contract.

Revenue  is  recognized  when,  or  as,  control  of  a  promised 
product or service is transferred to a client, in an amount that 
reflects  the  consideration  to  which  Dassault  Systèmes  SE 
expects  to  be  entitled  in  exchange  for  those  products  or 
services.

Dassault  Systèmes  SE’s  products  are  also  sold  by 
value- added  resellers  (VARs)  that  are  assessed  as  principal 
in  the  transaction  because  they  generally  have  the  primary 
responsibility for fulfillment to the end-customer. As a result, 
Dassault Systèmes SE recognizes revenue in the amount of the 
fee it expects to be entitled to, i.e. the consideration paid by 
the distributor, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria 
have been met.

Licenses, subscription, support and other software 
revenue
Software license revenue represents fees earned from granting 
customers licenses to use the Dassault Systèmes SE’s software. 
Dassault  Systèmes  SE’s  software  license  revenue  consists 
of  perpetual  and  periodic  license  sales  of  software  products. 
Software license revenue is recognized at a point in time for an 
arrangement when control is transferred to the client.

Dassault  Systèmes  SE  accounts  for  a  contract  with  a  client 
when  there  is  a  written  agreement  that  creates  legally 
enforceable rights and obligations, including payment terms, 

Subscription  generally  have  a  one-year  term  and  represent 
two  obligations  including  the  license  and  the  support  of 
the software.

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

139

4 Financial statements

Parent company fi nancial statements

Support  revenue  represents  periodic  fees  associated  with 
the  sale  of  unspecified  product  updates  on  a  when-and-if-
available  basis  and  technical  support.  Support  agreements 
are entered into in connection with the initial software license 
purchase.  Support  may  be  renewed  by  the  customer  at  the 
conclusion of each term. Revenue from support is recognized 
on a straight-line basis over the term of the support agreement 
as  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  has  a  standing  ready  obligation  to 
provide services.

Software  revenue  relating  to  the  development  of  additional 
functionalities  of  standard  products  requested  by  clients  is 
recognized when the development work is performed.

The  recurring  revenue  from  subscription  and  support  is 
accounted for in software revenue.

Revenue  under  arrangements  with  multiple  performance 
obligations, which typically include software licenses, support 
and/or services agreements sold together is allocated to each 
distinct  performance  obligation  based  on  their  standalone 
selling price.

is  the  price  at  which 
The  stand-alone  selling  price 
Dassault  Systèmes  SE  would  sell  a  promised  product  or 
service separately to a client. Dassault Systèmes SE generally 
establishes stand-alone selling price based on the observable 
prices  of  products  or  services  sold  separately  in  comparable 
circumstances to similar clients. Estimating stand-alone selling 
price is a formal process that includes review and approval by 
Dassault Systèmes SE’s management.

In certain instances, e.g. perpetual software licenses only sold 
bundled  with  one  year  of  support,  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  is 
not  able  to  establish  a  standalone  selling  price  range  based 
on  observable  prices.  The  stand-alone  selling  price  is  then 
determined by applying the residual approach.

When a sale of a license goes along with a service essential to 
the  software  functionality,  the  two  performance  obligations 
(software and service) are not distinct. Therefore, the license 
revenue  is  recognized  in  accordance  with  the  pattern  of 
recognition of the service obligation.

Services Revenue
Services  revenue  consist  primarily  of  fees  from  consulting 
services in methodology for design, deployment and support, 
and  training  services.  Services  generally  do  not  require 
significant modification or customization of software products 
and  are  accounted  for  separately  to  the  extent  they  are  not 
essential to the functionality of software products.

Performance obligation from fixed price contracts are usually 
satisfied  over  the  time.  The  revenue  is  recognized  using 
percentage of completion based on the labor costs incurred to 
date as a percentage of the total estimated labor costs to fulfill 
the contract.

Service revenues derived from time and material contracts are 
recognized over the time on an output basis as labor hours are 
delivered and/or direct expenses are incurred.

Research and development

Research  costs  are  expensed  as 
incurred.  Technological 
feasibility  is  not  demonstrated  before  a  working  prototype 
has  been  completed.  Technological  feasibility  is  generally 
demonstrated  shortly  before  the  commercial  release  of 
software  products.  As  a  consequence,  costs  incurred  after 
technological  feasibility 
is  established  and  that  could 
potentially be capitalized are not material.

Research  and  development  tax  credits  are  recognized  as  a 
deduction to  the income tax expense.

Intangible assets, property and equipment

Intangible  assets,  property  and  equipment  are  recognized  at 
cost, including ancillary expenses, when they are purchased, 
at  their  production  cost  when  they  are  produced  internally, 
and at their integration value.

Under  the  ANC  rule  n°2015-06  dated  November  23,  2015, 
technical  deficits  from  mergers  (TUP)  and  goodwill  have 
been  allocated  to  their  underlying  assets  and  amortized  if 
necessary since January 1, 2016. Residual goodwill considered 
is  not  amortized  but  subject  to  yearly 
as  permanent 
impairment tests.

The useful life of intangible assets, property and equipment is presented below:

Amortization using the straight-line method

Intangible assets

Software

Technologies

Customer assets

Tangible assets

Computer equipment

Fixtures and fittings

Office furniture

140 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Amortization period

3 to 5 years

5 to 10 years

5 to 10 years

3 to 5 years

Over the term of the lease

10 years

Financial statements
Parent company fi nancial statements

4

Non-current Financial Assets

Derivatives

Investments  in  subsidiaries  are  recognized  at  cost  without 
revaluation  of  the  transaction  currencies.  Expenses  directly 
related  to  the  acquisition  of  equity  securities  are  included  in 
the acquisition cost of these securities. Loans and advances to 
subsidiaries are valued at their net realizable value.

Dassault Systèmes SE can manage exposure to foreign currency 
and interest rates with regards to revenue and cost generated 
by its ongoing and predictable activity. Dassault Systèmes SE 
can also mitigate a given foreign currency exposure linked to 
specific operations.

At  least  once  a  year,  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  reviews  the  net 
realizable value of its investments and loans and advances to 
subsidiaries. In particular, the net realizable value of securities 
takes into account the amount of shareholders’ equity, long-
term profitability and strategic factors. An impairment loss is 
recognized if the net realizable value is less than the carrying 
value for a long period of time.

Marketable Securities

Marketable  securities  are  initially  recorded  at  cost  and  are 
depreciated,  when  applicable,  by  referring  to  their  quoted 
price in an active market at year end.

to 

order 

hedge 

In 
exposure, 
Dassault  Systèmes  SE  uses,  as  needed,  foreign  exchange 
contracts  or  financial  instruments  for  which  total  maximum 
losses are known from the outset.

currency 

foreign 

Interest rate derivatives
Financial  income  and  expense  resulting  from  the  use  of 
derivatives are recorded in the income statement in the same 
manner as income and expense from the covered transactions 
when the derivatives are considered to be hedging transactions 
from  an  accounting  perspective.  If  the  instruments  do  not 
qualify as hedging, they are accounted for as follows:

 › net unrealized losses are fully reserved;

4

Receivables and payables

 › net  gains  are  recognized  in  the  income  statement  upon 

Trade receivables are reported at their net receivable value and 
trade payables are reported at their nominal value. For trade 
receivables, an allowance is recorded when the net realizable 
value is lower than the carrying value taking into account, in 
particular, aging and risk of non-collectability.

Foreign currency transactions

Transactions  in  foreign  currencies  are  recorded  in  euros  in 
the income statement at the monthly average exchange rate, 
except  for  significant  transactions  which  are  booked  at  the 
daily exchange rate. Receivables, payables and cash in foreign 
currencies are converted to euros in the balance sheet at the 
closing  exchange  rate  or  at  the  hedged  rate  when  they  are 
subject to exchange rate hedging. The conversion differences 
are  recorded  on  the  balance  sheet  in  “Unrealized  Exchange 
Losses/Gains”.  In  the  event  of  unrealized  losses,  a  provision 
for contingencies (exchange loss) is recorded.

Provisions for Contingencies and losses

Provisions  for  contingencies  and  losses  are  recognized  when 
liabilities  to  cover  are  probable  to  generate  outflows  of 
resources resulting from a present obligation. These provisions 
are  estimated  to  take  into  account  the  most  probable 
hypothesis at the closing date.

settlement.

Exchange rate derivatives
Exchange rate derivatives are included in Dassault Systèmes SE’s 
currency  position.  Unrealized  losses  on  these  derivatives  are 
taken into account in determining the provision for unrealized 
exchange losses.

Isolated open position
Any transaction that does not qualify as a hedge is classified 
in a category called “isolated open position”. The accounting 
treatment is as follows:

 › derivatives  are  recorded  in  the  balance  sheet  at  their  fair 

value;

 › a  provision  for  unrealized  losses  derivatives  is  booked 

impacting the profit and loss account.

As a consequence, changes in the value of derivatives that do 
not qualify as hedge are recorded in adjustment accounts (as 
well as interest rate options are currently recorded according 
to the French General Chart of Accounts).

Tax credit in favor of competitiveness 
and employment (CICE)

Dassault  Systèmes  SE  recognizes  the  tax  credit  in  favor 
of  competitiveness  and  employment  (the  Crédit  d'Impôt 
pour  la  Compétitivité  et  l'Emploi,  or  CICE)  as  an  offset  to 
personnel costs.

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

141

4 Financial statements

Parent company fi nancial statements

Notes on the Income Statement

Note 3  Revenue Breakdown

(in millions of euros)

Licenses revenue

Subscription and Support revenue

Royalties

TOTAL SOFTWARE REVENUE

Services revenue

Other revenue

TOTAL REVENUE

The breakdown of software revenue by geographic area is as follows:

(in millions of euros)

Europe

Asia

Americas

TOTAL SOFTWARE REVENUE

Note 4  Personnel Costs

Personnel costs are comprised of the following:

(in millions of euros)

Salaries and wages

Social security costs

TOTAL PERSONNEL COSTS

Average Headcount by Category

Salaried employees by category

Managers

Supervisors and technicians

Employees

TOTAL AVERAGE HEADCOUNT (IN FULL TIME EQUIVALENTS)*

*  Apprentices and professional training contractors excluded.

The Company headcount increased to support growing sales and shared services centers.

142 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Year ended December 31,

2018

148.4

381.8

669.5

2017

128.2

354.2

633.1

1,199.7

1,115.5

46.2

343.5

40.4

312.7

1,589.4

1,468.6

Year ended December 31,

2018

664.0

338.5

197.2

2017

656.9

280.9

177.7

1,199.7

1,115.5

Year ended December 31,

2018

345.4

158.8

504.2

2017

288.9

140.1

429.0

Year ended December 31,

2018

3,213

124

37

3,374

2017

3,098

116

49

3,263

Financial statements
Parent company fi nancial statements

4

Tax credit in favor of competitiveness and employment (CICE)

The tax credit in favor of competitiveness and employment (the Crédit d(cid:1)Impôt pour la Compétitivité et l(cid:1)Emploi, or CICE) is 
based on total compensation due for the current period. In 2018, an amount of €1.8 million of CICE was recognized compared to 
€2.0 million in 2017, and was allocated to funding working capital requirements.

Compensation of Executives

Total compensation paid by Dassault Systèmes to the executive officers is paid by Dassault Systèmes SE, a company incorporated 
under French law. The total gross compensation paid to executive officers by Dassault Systèmes SE during 2018 was as follows:

(in thousands of euros)

Salaries

Benefits

Directors’ fees*

TOTAL COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVES

* 

Compensation is based on payments made. 2018 directors’ fees represent €73,700 paid in 2019.

Note 5  Financial Income and Expense, Net

Net financial income and expense is as follows:

(in millions of euros)

Dividends received

Interest income

Interest expense

INTEREST INCOME AND EXPENSE, NET

Revenue from disposals of investment securities

Net foreign exchange income (expense), net other financial contingencies

Net reversal (additions) of provisions for impairment

FINANCIAL INCOME AND EXPENSE, NET

Year ended December 31,

2018

4,536

28

73

2017

4,427

22

73

4,637

4,522

4

Year ended December 31,

2018

125.1

10.1

(13.2)

122.0

7.9

4.3

35.3

169.5

2017

83.2

11.3

(11.9)

82.6

4.0

2.3

(19.5)

69.4

Changes  in  provisions  for  impairment  result  from  impairment  test  updates  (see  Note  2  Summary  of  Significant  Accounting 
Policies and Note 24 Information relating to Subsidiaries and Shareholdings).

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

143

4 Financial statements

Parent company fi nancial statements

Note 6  Exceptional Income/Loss

Exceptional loss for the year ended December 31, 2018 was 
€55.2 million compared to a loss of €19.7 million for the year 
ended December 31, 2017. The evolution in 2018 was driven 
by the lack of favorable items like in 2017 with a capital gain on 
a sale of a shareholding, and a favorable outcome of a dispute. 
The  impact  of  the  shares  granted  to  Mr.  Bernard  Charlès, 
Vice  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Directors  and  Chief  Executive 
Officer as part of a plan of progressively associating him with 
the  Company’s  capital,  was  recorded  as  an  exceptional  item 
(see Note 8 Performance Shares).

A  company  agreement  regarding  employment  forecasting, 
competencies  and  social  transformation  (GPEC)  has  been 
signed  in  June  2016  for  three  years  with  no  automatic 
renewal  (see  Note  16  Provisions  for  Contingencies  and 
Losses).  The  goal  of  this  agreement  is  to  implement  means 
and  measures  allowing  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  to  reach  three 
strategic objectives:

 › anticipation  of  competencies  needed  to  sustain  the 

Company’s development;

Note 7 

Income Tax

The tax group included 10 entities at the end of December 2018.

Under  the  tax  integration  agreement,  it  is  agreed  that  the 
income  tax  expense  of  tax-integrated  companies  will  be  the 
same as it would have been if each subsidiary had not been a 
member of the Group. Without the tax integration agreements, 

 › training  modalities  for  employees  to  acquire  those 

competencies;

 › internal  and  external  employment  evolution  plan, 

in 

interaction with its ecosystem.

This  agreement  applies  to  all  employees  of  the  French 
subsidiaries  of  the  Group.  It  includes  innovating  structures 
which enable the sharing of competencies, the development 
of entrepreneurial projects, the research of new but non-rival 
jobs  outside  the  Group  and  the  facilitation  of  the  transition 
between work and retirement on a voluntary basis.

The costs relating to this agreement are recorded as exceptional 
expenses and amounted to €1.9 million in 2018 compared to 
€7.0 million in 2017.

the income tax expense of Dassault Systèmes SE, the head of 
the tax group, would have been €50.5 million in 2018.

The  breakdown  of  income  tax  between  current  income  and  exceptional  income  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2018, 
was as follows:

(in thousands of euros)

Current income

Exceptional income

TOTAL

Income 
before tax

Tax 
(expense) credit

Income after 
income tax

492.3

(111.3)

381.0

(89.0)

39.2

(49.8)

403.3

(72.1)

331.2

The effective income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2018 was 13.1% against 21.4% in 2017. This decrease is notably 
driven by higher dividends paid by Group subsidiaries which are not taxed double, and by net favorable changes in the provisions 
for financial contingencies which are non-taxable.

144 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Financial statements
Parent company fi nancial statements

4

Note 8  Performance Shares

Pursuant to an authorization granted by the shareholders at 
the  General  Meeting  of  Shareholders  held  on  September  4, 
2015, the Board of Directors at the meeting held on May 22, 
2018 decided to grant 815,730 performance shares to some 
employees and executives (Plan 2018-A) and 300,000 shares 
to Mr. Bernard Charlès, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors 
and Chief Executive Officer as part of a plan of progressively 
associating  him  with  the  Company’s  capital  (Plan  2018- B). 
Such shares shall be acquired as at May 22, 2021. They shall 
be  vested  subject  to  the  condition  that  the  beneficiary  is 
an  employee  or  a  Director  of  the  Company  at  the  end  of  a 
two- year presence period and subject to the achievement of 
a condition based on the Company non-IFRS diluted earnings 
per share growth. This condition is based on a targeted growth 
between the non-IFRS diluted earnings per share of the Group 
for the year 2020, excluding foreign currency effects, and the 
one achieved in the year 2017 (non-vesting condition).

As  explained  in  paragraph  5.1.3.2  “Performance  shares  and 
share  subscription  options”  of  the  2017  Annual  Document, 
the Board of Directors at the meeting held on September 25, 
2018 approved an advance share grant in respect of 2019 for 
several managers and employees of the Group (performance 
shares  are  usually  authorized 
in  May  by  the  General 
Meeting  of  Shareholders)  in  order  to  remain  eligible  for  the 

tax  regime  associated  with  the  authorization  granted  by 
the  General  Meeting  of  September  4,  2015  and  expiring  on 
November  4,  2018.  Therefore,  the  Board  of  Directors  at  the 
meeting held on September 25, 2018 used this authorization 
to grant in advance in respect of 2019 496,700 performance 
shares to some employees and executives (Plan 2019-A) and 
300,000 shares to Mr. Bernard Charlès, Vice Chairman of the 
Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer as part of a plan 
of  progressively  associating  him  with  the  Company’s  capital 
(Plan 2019-B). Regarding the approval of this advance share 
grant in respect of 2019 for several managers and employees 
of the Group, the Board specified that the allocation in 2019 
would  not  apply  to  the  beneficiaries  of  this  advance  share 
grant.  2019-A  and  2019-B  performance  shares  shall  be 
acquired as at May 23, 2022. They shall be vested subject to 
the condition that the beneficiary is an employee or a Director 
of the Company at the end of a two-year and eight months 
presence period and subject to the achievement of a condition 
based  on  the  Company  non-IFRS  diluted  earnings  per  share 
growth. This condition is based on a targeted growth between 
the non-IFRS diluted earnings per share of the Group for the 
year  2021,  excluding  foreign  currency  effects,  and  the  one 
achieved in the year 2018 (non-vesting condition).

4

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A summary of the Company’s performance shares plans is as follows:

Plans

2014-A

2014-B

2015-A

2015-B

2016-A

2016-B

2017-A

2017-B

2018-A

2018-B

2019-A

2019-B

Date of General 
Meeting 
of Shareholders

05/30/ 
2013

05/30/ 
2013

09/04/ 
2015

09/04/ 
2015

09/04/ 
2015

09/04/ 
2015

09/04/ 
2015

09/04/ 
2015

09/04/ 
2015

09/04/ 
2015

09/04/ 
2015

09/04/ 
2015

Date of grant by 
Board of Directors

02/21/ 
2014

02/21/ 
2014

09/04/ 
2015

09/04/ 
2015

05/26/ 
2016

05/26/ 
2016

05/23/ 
2017

05/23/ 
2017

05/22/ 
2018

05/22/ 
2018

09/25/ 
2018

09/25/ 
2018

Total number of 
shares granted

Restated total 
number of shares 
granted(1)

Acquisition period 
(in years)(2)

Performance 
conditions

Performance 
conditions is 
reached
at December 31, 
2018

529,940 150,000 734,600 300,000 782,950 300,000 801,700 300,000 815,730 300,000 496,700 300,000

1,059,880 300,000 734,600 300,000 782,950 300,000 801,700 300,000 815,730 300,000 496,700 300,000

Four

Four

Two

Two

See Note(4)

See 
Note(4)

See 
Note(4)

See 
Note(4)

Two or 
three(3)

See 
Note(5)

Two or 
three(3)

See 
Note(5)

Three

Three

Three

Three

Three 
years and 
eight 
months

Three 
years and 
eight 
months

See 
Note(6)

See 
Note(6)

See 
Note(7)

See 
Note(7)

See 
Note(8)

See 
Note(8)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

See 
Note(9)

See 
Note(9)

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

(1)  For shares granted before July 17, 2014, total number of shares granted has been restated to reflect the two-for-one stock split effected on July 17, 2014.
(2)  Subject to the condition that the beneficiary be an employee or a Director of the Company at the acquisition date, with the exception of 2017-A, 2017-B, 2018-A and 2018-B 

plans, for which the presence period is two years and 2019-A and 2019-B plans for which the presence period is two years and eight months.

(3)  Share acquisition divided into two tranches, the first having vested in May 26, 2018 and the second vesting in May 26, 2019.
(4)  Performance condition measured based on two alternative criteria, the growth of the non-IFRS diluted earnings per share of the Group or the outperformance of the price of the 
Dassault Systèmes share compared to the performance of the CAC 40 index (market condition) for each of the years 2015, 2016 and 2017 for 2014-A and 2014-B Shares, and 
for the year 2016 for 2015-A and 2015-B Shares, compared to the year 2014. Such growth or difference must be at least equal to a threshold established by the Board of Directors. 
The 2015-B Shares granted to Mr. Bernard Charlès, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, are also subject to an additional performance condition 
related to variable compensation dependent on achieving performance criteria previously established by the Board of Directors.

(5)  Performance condition for the first tranche will be measured based on the average performance of two criteria: the growth of the non-IFRS diluted earnings per share of the Group 
for the year 2017, excluding foreign currency effects, compared to the year 2015 (non-market condition), and the outperformance of the price of the Dassault Systèmes share 
compared to the performance of the CAC 40 index between February 2016 and February 2018 (market condition). Such growth and outperformance must be at least equal to a 
threshold established by the Board of Directors. Performance condition for the second tranche will be measured based on two cumulative criteria: the growth of the non-IFRS 
diluted earnings per share of the Group for the year 2018, excluding foreign currency effects, compared to the year 2015 (non-market condition), and the outperformance of the 
price  of  the  Dassault  Systèmes  share  compared  to  the  performance  of  the  CAC  40  index  between  February  2016  and  February  2019  (market  condition).  Such  growth  and 
outperformance must be at least equal to a threshold established by the Board of Directors. The 2016-B shares granted to Mr. Bernard Charlès, Vice-Chairman of the Board of 
Directors and Chief Executive Officer, are also subject to an additional performance condition related to his variable compensation itself dependent on achieving performance criteria 
previously established by the Board of Directors.

(6)  Performance condition based on a targeted growth between the non-IFRS diluted earnings per share of the Group for the year 2019, excluding foreign currency effects, and the 
one achieved in the year 2016 (non-vesting condition). Such growth must be at least equal to a threshold (expressed as a percentage) established by the Board of Directors granting 
the shares.

(7)  Performance condition based on a targeted growth between the non-IFRS diluted earnings per share of the Group for the year 2020, excluding foreign currency effects, and the 
one achieved in the year 2017 (non-vesting condition). Such growth must be at least equal to a threshold (expressed as a percentage) established by the Board of Directors granting 
the shares.

(8)  Performance condition based on a targeted growth between the non-IFRS diluted earnings per share of the Group for the year 2021, excluding foreign currency effects, and the 
one achieved in the year 2018 (non-vesting condition). Such growth must be at least equal to a threshold (expressed as a percentage) established by the Board of Directors granting 
the shares.

(9)  Tranche 1 performance condition reached and Tranche 2 performance condition will be measured by March 20, 2019 Board of Directors.

The expense related to performance shares plans, for personnel of subsidiaries of Dassault Systèmes SE is recharged when the 
shares  are  definitively  attributed  to  beneficiaries.  During  the  vesting  period,  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  accrues  only  for  the  costs 
related to the performance shares attributed to employees contributing directly to its activity.

146 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Financial statements
Parent company fi nancial statements

4

Note 9  Additional Information

Research and development expense

In 2018, Dassault Systèmes SE recorded a total of €294.8 million of research and development expenses, which corresponds 
to 24.6% of software revenue. This amount reflects a full-cost basis including IT and facility costs, as well as employee profit 
sharing, net of recharges and grants.

Notes to the Balance Sheet

Note 10  Intangible Assets

(in millions of euros)

Goodwill

Software, technology and other

TOTAL GROSS VALUE

Goodwill

Software, technology and other

TOTAL AMORTIZATION AND PROVISIONS

Goodwill

Software, technology and other

TOTAL NET VALUE

4

2017

353.3

177.7

531.0

(72.6)

(113.0)

(185.6)

280.7

64.7

345.4

Year ended December 31,

Additions

Disposals

9.1

12.8

21.9

(32.9)

(16.4)

(49.3)

(23.8)

(3.6)

(27.4)

-

(21.3)

(21.3)

-

11.7

11.7

-

(9.6)

(9.6)

2018

362.4

169.2

531.6

(105.5)

(117.7)

(223.2)

256.9

51.5

308.4

Residual goodwill considered as permanent, amounted to €85.6 million net of provisions.

Increase of intangible assets was mainly driven by the TUP carried out in 2018 (see Note 1 Description of Business and Key 
Events of the Year), and by customer base and technology acquisitions.

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Note 11  Property and Equipment

(in millions of euros)

Machinery and equipment

Fixtures and fittings

Office furniture and equipment

TOTAL GROSS VALUE

Machinery and equipment

Fixtures and fittings

Office furniture and equipment

TOTAL DEPRECIATION

Machinery and equipment

Fixtures and fittings

Office furniture and equipment

TOTAL NET VALUE

The acquisitions were mainly related to hardware and IT servers.

The decrease resulted principally from hardware renewal.

Note 12  Non-Current Financial Assets

(in millions of euros)

Investments in subsidiaries

Loans and advances to subsidiaries

Treasury Shares

TOTAL GROSS VALUE

Provision for impairment

TOTAL PROVISION FOR IMPAIRMENT

Investments in subsidiaries

Loans and advances to subsidiaries

Treasury Shares

TOTAL NET VALUE

2017

98.3

34.9

16.8

150.0

(70.6)

(17.4)

(12.6)

(100.6)

27.7

17.5

4.2

49.4

Year ended December 31,

Additions

Disposals

17.0

4.1

0.6

21.7

(15.0)

(2.9)

(1.1)

(19.0)

2.0

1.2

(0.5)

2.7

(21.0)

-

(4.7)

(25.7)

20.9

-

4.7

25.6

(0.1)

-

-

(0.1)

Year ended December 31,

2017

Additions

Disposals

2,809.5

295.0

71.6

3,176.1

(87.8)

(87.8)

2,721.7

295.0

71.6

3,088.3

105.2

2.2

3.1

110.5

(0.7)

(0.7)

105.2

1.5

3.1

109.8

(6.2)

(6.5)

(59.6)

(72.3)

35.0

35.0

28.8

(6.5)

(59.6)

(37.3)

2018

94.3

39.0

12.7

146.0

(64.7)

(20.3)

(9.0)

(94.0)

29.6

18.7

3.7

52.0

2018

2,908.5

290.7

15.1

3,214.3

(53.5)

(53.5)

2,855.7

290.0

15.1

3,160.8

The increase in investments in subsidiaries were mainly related to the recapitalization of Group entities.

148 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

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Parent company fi nancial statements

4

Year ended December 31, 2018

1 to 30 days

31 to 60 days

61 to 90 days

91 days and 
over

Total
(1 day and over)

2.4

0.4%

2.2

0.4%

0.5

0.1%

3.1

0.5%

2,443

8.2

1.4%

23.1

Note 13  Receivables

External unpaid issued invoices are split as follows:

(in millions of euros)

(A) overdue split

Number of bills

Total amount of external invoices 
(VAT excluded)

Percentage of total external revenue 
(VAT excluded)

0 day 
(indicative)

6,846

118.9

20.7%

Total amount of trade receivables excluded from (A) and related to claims or not yet issued (VAT excluded)

Reference payment terms applied by Dassault Systèmes SE with third parties are contractual deadlines ranging from 30 days 
from the end of the month to 60 days net.

4

The share of overdue above one year related to other receivables is not material.

Note 14  Treasury

Marketable Securities

At December 31, 2018, marketable securities amounted to €970.3 million compared with €692.0 million at December 31, 2017. 
They are mainly held in euro denominated monetary investments. The balance as of December 31, 2018 included €(8.1) million 
related to treasury instruments.

The increase in marketable securities is principally attributable to the cash provided by operating activities.

Treasury Shares

Share repurchases are analyzed below as at December 31, in 2018:

Treasury shares directly managed by Dassault Systèmes SE(1)

Treasury shares managed through liquidity agreement(2)

TREASURY SHARES AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2018

Number of 
shares 
authorized and 
issued

3,480,335

140,423

3,620,758

Average price
(in euros)

Total
(in millions of euros)

98.27

107.37

98.62

342.0

15.1

357.1

(1)  The General Meeting of Shareholders authorized the Board of Directors to implement a share repurchase program limited to 10,000,000 of Dassault Systèmes’ shares. Under this 
authorization, the Company may not buy shares at a price exceeding €150 per share or above a maximum annual aggregate amount of €500 million. In 2018, 1,716,950 shares 
were purchased, at an average price of €118.53, and 1,781,145 shares were delivered to the beneficiaries of performance shares plans, at an average purchase price of €59.11.
(2)  The Group signed a liquidity agreement for an initial period until December 31, 2015, automatically renewable for subsequent 12-month terms. In 2018, 1,400,547 shares were 

purchased, at an average price of €115.23, and 1,393,150 shares were sold, at an average price of €113.81.

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Note 15  Shareholders’ Equity

Share Capital

Changes in share capital during the year ended December 31, 2018 were as follows:

SHARES AS OF JANUARY 1, 2018

Shares issued pursuant to exercise of share subscription options

Capital increase*

Capital decrease

SHARES AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2018

* 

See “Dividend rights” below.

Shareholder base

On December 31, the share capital of Dassault Systèmes SE was held by:

(%)

Public

Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault

Charles Edelstenne (1)

Bernard Charlès

Treasury stock (2) and indirect treasury stock (3)

Directors and senior management (4)

TOTAL

On December 31, the voting rights in Dassault Systèmes SE were held by:

(in % of exercisable voting rights)(1)

Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault

Public

Charles Edelstenne (1)

Bernard Charlès

Directors and senior management (4)

TOTAL

Number of 
shares 
authorized and 
issued

260,932,531

1,488,924

1,034,543

(723,057)

262,732,941

Par value
(in euros)

Capital
(in euros)

0.50

0.50

0.50

0.50

0.50

130,466,265

744,462

517,271

(361,528)

131,366,470

2018

49.64

40.70

6.01

1.46 (5)

1.57

0.62

2017

49.44

40.87

6.03

1.26(5)

1.88

0.52

100.00

100.00

2018

55.02

34.51

8.14

1.74(5)

0.59

2017

55.30

34.40

8.17

1.61(5)

0.52

100.00

100.00

(1)  Including shares held in trust for the benefit of his family and managed by Mr. Edelstenne.

At December 31, 2018, Mr. Edelstenne held 4,175,158 shares with all ownership rights and 3,382 shares through two family companies which he manages, representing a total 
of  1.59%  of  the  capital  and  2.14%  of  the  exercisable  voting  rights,  as  well  as  11,616,045  shares  with  “usage”  rights  (usufruit).  For  the  usage  rights  with  respect  to  these 
11,616,045 shares, representing 6.03% of the exercisable voting rights, Mr. Edelstenne can only exercise the right to vote on decisions of the General Meeting concerning the 
allocation of profits; the holders of the bare property rights (nue-propriété) exercise the right to vote for other resolutions in compliance with Article 11 of the by-laws.

(2)  Including 140,423 shares through the liquidity agreement as of December 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2017, such number was 131,026 shares.
(3)  Shares held by SW Securities LLC. This company is a subsidiary of Dassault Systèmes SE, Dassault Systèmes’ shares held by it do not have voting rights.
(4)  Excluding Mr. Edelstenne and Mr. Charlès, “management” includes the officers listed in paragraph 5.1.2 “The Executive Committee”.
(5)  For further information, see Table 5 of paragraph 5.3.1 “Compensation of the Company’s Corporate Officers (mandataires sociaux)”.

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4

Stock Option Plan

A summary of the stock option activity is as follows:

OUTSTANDING AS OF JANUARY 1, 2018

Number of options granted

Exercised

Forfeited

OUTSTANDING AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2018

Exercisable

2018

2017

Weighted 
average exercise 
price
(in euros)

65.30

110.00

46.13

74.25

85.13

67.81

Number of 
options

5,695,244

1,985,201

(1,488,924)

(502,201)

5,689,320

2,073,363

Number of 
options

5,961,562

2,050,370

(1,924,838)

(391,850)

5,695,244

1,881,887

Weighted 
average exercise 
price
(in euros)

49.31

82.00

33.25

66.86

65.30

47.89

A summary of the remaining contractual life and the exercise price of options outstanding as of December 31, 2018 is presented 
below:

4

Stock option plan

2014-01

2015-01

2016-01

2017-01

2018-01

OUTSTANDING AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2018

Movements in Shareholders’ Equity

Number of 
options

Remaining life 
(years)

Exercise price
(in euros)

67,494

920,462

1,181,088

1,591,285

1,928,991

5,689,320

3.40

6.68

7.40

8.39

9.39

8.19

45.50

62.00

69.00

82.00

110.00

85.13

2018

131.4

1,037.9

13.1

2,207.3

331.2

0.2

3,721.1

Movements in shareholders’ equity for the year ended December 31, 2018 were as follows:

(in millions of euros)

Share Capital

Share and contribution premiums

Legal reserve

Retained earnings

Income (loss) for the fiscal year

Regulated provisions

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

2017

130.5

917.4

12.9

2,100.1

257.8

0.2

Appropriation of 
2017 earnings

-

-

0.2

107.2

(257.8)

-

3,418.9

(150.4)

Effect of 
exercising 
options

0.9

120.5

-

-

-

(0.0)

121.4

Net income for 
2018 fiscal year

-

-

-

-

331.2

-

331.2

Movements in shareholder’s equity result from the issuances of new shares from stock option plans, or from the payment of 
dividends net of share capital decreases.

Dividend rights

The  Combined  General  Meeting  of  Shareholders  held  on 
May  22,  2018  approved  a  dividend  of  €150.4  million.  The 
General  Meeting  approved  offering  shareholders  the  option 
to receive payment of their dividend for 2017 in the form of 

new Dassault Systèmes SE shares. As a result, 1,034,543 new 
ordinary shares were created. The cash dividend was paid in 
the total amount of €38.0 million.

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Note 16  Provisions for Contingencies and Losses

Movements of provisions for contingencies and losses were as follows:

(in millions of euros)

Provisions for performance shares

Provisions for exchange losses

Provisions for post-employment benefits

Other provisions for contingencies and losses

Provisions for jubilee awards

TOTAL PROVISIONS

Year ended December 31,

2017

97. 1

28. 6

27. 1

24. 7

4. 2

Additions

Utilization

150. 5

(105. 3)

35. 7

5. 0

12. 3

0. 4

(28. 5)

(5. 0)

(22. 4)

(0. 3)

181. 7

203. 9

(161. 5)

Reversal of 
unused amounts

-

-

-

(0. 2)

-

(0. 2)

2018

142. 3

35. 8

27. 1

14. 4

4. 3

223. 9

Changes in provisions for contingencies and losses impacted captions of the income statement as follows:

Additions

Utilization

Reversal of 
unused amounts

114.3

46.1

43.5

203.9

(83.8)

(42.8)

(34.9)

(161.5)

(0.2)

-

-

(0.2)

return on plan. Dassault Systèmes SE has an insurance policy 
with  Sogecap,  a  life  insurance  company  affiliated  with  the 
Société Générale,  intended  to  cover  the  retirement  payment 
commitments. Pursuant to this policy, Dassault Systèmes SE 
has  invested  a  total  of  €14.6  million.  Actuarial  impacts  on 
the cost of past services is spread in profit using the corridor 
method.  They  totaled  €14.8  million  to  be  spread  over  an 
average residual employee service of 21.07 years.

(in millions of euros)

Operating income

Financial income and expense, net

Exceptional income/(loss)

TOTAL

Provisions for Post-employment Benefits

Dassault Systèmes SE’s commitment in terms of post- employment 
benefits was evaluated and recognized using the prospective 
actuarial  future  rights  pro  rata  method  with  the  use  of  a 
corridor.

This method takes into account rights acquired by employees 
on  the  date  of  their  retirement,  computed  on  the  basis  of 
the  employees’  seniority  and  annual  salary  at  the  time  of 
retirement. These rights are acquired and paid to employees 
when they retire as a fixed amount.

The  projected  benefit  obligation  at  December  31,  2018  was 
determined  based  on  the  following  assumptions:  retirement 
between  60  and  65  years  of  age,  discount  rate  of  1.80%, 
average  increase  in  salaries  of  2.80%  and  a  3.00%  expected 

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4

Note 17  Financial Liabilities

Financial liabilities are as follows:

(in millions of euros)

Bank loans and borrowings

Mandatory employee profit-sharing scheme

Other financial liabilities

TOTAL FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

Less than 1 year

1 to 5 years

350.4

2.9

0.0

353.3

650.0

14.9

7.8

672.7

Year ended December 31,

2018

1,000.4

17.8

7.8

2017

1,000.5

18.2

8.0

1,026.0

1,026.7

In  June  2013,  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  entered  into  a  six-year 
term  ending  on  July  25,  2019  loan  facility  agreement  for 
€350 million. The facility was immediately drawn down and 
bears interest at Euribor 1-month plus 0.55% per annum.

In  October  2015,  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  entered  into  a  new 
loan  facility  agreement,  which  maturity 
five-year  term 

could be extended by two additional years at the Company’s 
option, for €650 million. The facility was immediately drawn 
down and bears interest at Euribor 1-month plus 0.50% per 
annum.  In  October  2016  and  October  2017,  the  Company 
exercised the option extension for one year, which extends the 
termination date to its new maturity in October 2022.

4

Note 18  Elements Concerning Related Companies

(in millions of euros)

Loans receivable

Trade accounts receivable and related items

Current accounts receivable

Accounts payable and related items

Current accounts with credit balances

Finance income: dividends collected and net interest received

Year ended December 31,

2018

282. 1

116. 7

73. 3

57. 7

188. 2

132. 1

2017

288. 6

97. 7

98. 1

26. 2

116. 8

93. 2

Current accounts with debit and credit balances sharply fluctuated as a result of the cash provided by operating activities of the 
subsidiaries, and of the share capital increase of one of these entities.

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Note 19  Trade Payables

External unpaid received invoices are split as follows:

(in millions of euros)

(A) overdue split

Number of invoices

Total amount of external invoices 
(VAT excluded)

Percentage of total external purchases 
(VAT excluded)

0 day 
(indicative)

2,622

Year ended December 31, 2018

1 to 30 days

31 to 60 days

61 to 90 days

91 days 
and over

Total
(1 day and over)

1,641

2.5

1.0%

34.6

11.2

4.4%

1.9

0.8%

0.3

(0.0)

0.1%

-0.0%

0.3

0.1%

Total amount of trade payables excluded from (A) related to invoices not yet recognized (VAT excluded)

Reference payment terms applied by Dassault Systèmes SE with third parties are contractual deadlines of 45 days from the end 
of the month. Late payments mainly result from the lack of compliance with procurement rules.

The share of overdue above one year related to other trade payables amounts to €25.2 million in 2018. It includes the provision 
for social security contributions related to performance shares with vesting periods equal or greater than one year.

Note 20  Prepaid Expenses and Unearned Revenue

Prepaid  expenses  are  mainly  made  of  IT  services  paid  in  advance.  Prepaid  expenses  amounted  to  €63.8  million  in  2018 
from €65.4 million in 2017.

Unearned revenue is composed primarily of deferred software, subscription and support revenue relating to periods subsequent 
to year end. Unearned revenue amounted to €71.7 million in 2018 compared to €53.6 million in 2017.

154 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

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4

Note 21  Financial Commitments

Financial Instruments

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the fair value of instruments used to manage currency and interest rate exposure was as follows:

(in millions of euros)

Interest rate swaps in euros (1)(5)

Forward exchange contract Japanese yen/euros – sale (3)

Cross currency swaps Canadian dollars/euros (4)

Cross currency swaps Australian dollars/euros (4)

Forward exchange contract euros/U.S. dollars – sale (2)

Forward exchange contract euros/U.S. dollars – buy (2)

Forward exchange contract Japanese yen /U.S. dollars – sale (2)

Forward exchange contract Japanese yen /U.S. dollars – buy (2)

Forward exchange contract British pounds/euros – sale (3)

Other instruments (5)

Year ended December 31,

2018

Nominal 
amount

1,000.0

135.9

66.2

65.9

41.0

41.0

78.8

78.8

27.5

21.8

Fair value

(8.1)

(4.3)

3.3

6.9

(0.2)

0.2

0.2

(0.2)

0.4

(0.1)

2017

Nominal 
amount

1,000.0

71.1

68.6

69.6

42.5

42.5

-

-

22.5

19.2

Fair value

(11.9)

12.6

0.8

3.2

(0.5)

0.5

-

-

(0.1)

0.1

4

(1)  Term loan facilities obtained by Dassault Systèmes SE in June 2013 and October 2015 respectively for €350 million and €650 million (see Note 17 Financial Liabilities). Transaction 

recorded as isolated open position (see Note 14 Treasury for the balance sheet impact).

(2)  Dassault Systèmes SE has entered into hedging agreements for its subsidiaries.
(3)  Instruments (hedge accounting) entered into by the Company to hedge the foreign currency exchange risk of forecasted royalty flows.
(4)  Hedging contracts with regards to loans made to subsidiaries to finance acquisitions; these instruments are not designated as hedging instruments.
(5)  Mainly derivatives designated as isolated open position.

The  Company  usually  hedges  exchange  rate  risk  related 
to 
its  revenues  and  expenses  coming  from  usual  and 
predictable activity arising in the normal course of operations. 
The  Company  may  also  cover  occasional  exchange  rate  risk 
arising from specific transactions, such as acquisitions paid for 
in foreign currencies. Hedging activities are generally carried 
out and managed by Dassault Systèmes SE for its own account 
and on behalf of its subsidiaries. In certain cases, however, the 
Company  can  authorize  selected  subsidiaries  to  enter  into 
hedging instruments directly.

The  fair  market  values  of  derivative 
instruments  were 
determined  by  financial  institutions  using  market  prices  and 
option pricing models.

At the end of 2018, foreign exchange contracts have maturity 
dates  of  less  than  two  years.  Swaps  of  cross  currency  and 
interest rates have also a maturity shorter than two years.

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Increases and Reductions in Future Income Tax Payable

Increases  and  reductions  in  future  income  tax  payable  have  been  evaluated  on  the  basis  of  the  standard  corporate  tax  rate, 
plus extraordinary contributions when applicable.

(in millions of euros)

Nature of temporary differences

SHORT TERM (32.02% TAX RATE FOR 2018 AND 34.43% FOR 2017)

Provision for mandatory profit-sharing

Depreciation of receivables

Other

LONG TERM (25.83% TAX RATE FOR 2018 AND 2017)

Provision for post-employment benefits

TOTAL TEMPORARY DIFFERENCES

Net reduction of the future corporate tax debt

(32.02% tax rate for 2018 and 34.43% for 2017)

(25.83% tax rate for 2018 and 2017)

Year ended December 31,

2018

2017

43. 1

28. 2

13. 7

1. 2

32. 6

32. 6

75. 7

13. 8

8. 4

40. 1

24. 5

12. 9

2. 7

37. 1

37. 1

77. 2

13. 8

9. 6

Note 22  Other Commitments and Contingencies

Leases

Dassault Systèmes SE has leased approximately 57,000 square 
meters of office space for its headquarters facilities located in 
Vélizy-Villacoublay, outside Paris, France since June 30, 2008. 
In  February  2013,  the  Company  entered  into  a  new  lease 
agreement for its headquarters facilities for a non-cancelable 
initial  term  of  10  years  beginning  with  the  delivery  of  an 
additional 13,000 square meters of office space in the fourth 
quarter of 2016.

On December 31, 2018, commitments stood at €222.1 million 
for  real  estate  and  equipment  rentals  (compared  with 
including 
€234.8  million  as  of  December  31,  2017) 
€194.0  million  relating  to  the  lease  for  the  headquarters  in 
Vélizy-Villacoublay  (compared  with  €214.0  million  as  of 
December  31,  2017);  and  €10.9  million  (compared  with 
€12.7 million as of December 31, 2017) related to the lease 
of the “Terre Europa” site, next to the headquarters, effective 
as from July 2011.

Litigation and other proceedings

Dassault  Systèmes  SE  is  involved  in  litigation  and  other 
proceedings,  such  as  civil,  commercial  and  tax  proceedings, 
incidental to normal operations.

Dassault Systèmes SE is subject to ongoing tax audits and tax 
reassessments.  Certain  of  these  reassessments,  in  particular 
those  related  to  acquisition  financing,  are  being  challenged 

by  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  which  is  strongly  confident  in  the 
technical  merits  of  its  positions  and  will  continue  to  defend 
them  with  the  relevant  tax  authorities.  In  this  context, 
Dassault  Systèmes  SE  made  payments  to  the  French  tax 
authorities  for  a  total  amount  of  €123.1  million  from  2014 
to 2016, but disputed them with the relevant authorities. In 
March  and  December  2017,  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  appealed 
first instance judgments in relation to this dispute.

It  is  not  possible  to  determine  with  certainty  the  outcome 
of  the  dispute  and  notably  the  resulting  expense  for 
Dassault  Systèmes  SE,  if  any.  However,  in  the  opinion  of 
management, after consultation with counsels, the resolution 
of such litigation and proceedings should not have a material 
effect on the financial statements of the Company.

Guarantee pledged

The  Group  has  a  central  cash  management  operated  by  a 
banking  institution.  In  this  context,  the  parent  company 
of  the  bank  offered  a  guarantee  to  one  entity  of  the  Group 
in  the  amount  of  $500  million,  and  at  the  same  time 
Dassault Systèmes SE offered a guarantee to the bank for the 
same amount.

Moreover,  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  offered  guarantees  in  the 
framework of contracts between subsidiaries and third parties 
for a total amount of €45.7 million.

The Company also offered a guarantee to secure the acquisition 
and payment of IQMS by one of its subsidiaries.

156 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Financial statements
Parent company fi nancial statements

4

Note 23  Additional Information

Events after the reporting period

None.

Identity of the Consolidating Company

Dassault Systèmes SE’s business is included in the consolidated financial statements of Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault SAS, 
whose registered office is located at 9, Rond-Point des Champs-Élysées – Marcel Dassault, 75008 Paris, France.

Note 24  Information Relating to Subsidiaries and Shareholdings

As Dassault Systèmes SE publishes consolidated accounts, information relating to subsidiaries and shareholdings are presented 
in aggregated form.

4

(in millions of euros)

Gross book value of shares(1)

Net book value of shares(1)

Loans and advances

Guarantees provided(2)

Dividend rights received

(1)  Acquisition costs are excluded
(2)  See Note 22 Other Commitments and Contingencies

Subsidiaries

Participations

Total

French

276.8

276.8

137.5

–

–

Foreign

2,631.7

2,578.9

144.6

482.4

125.1

French

Foreign

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2,908.5

2,855.7

282.1

482.4

125.1

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4.2.2  Selected financial and other information 

for Dassault Systèmes SE over the last five years

(in euros)

Share capital

Share Capital

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

128,182,039

128,357,093

128,998,301

130,466,265

131,366,470

Number of shares authorized and issued (2)

256,364,077

256,714,186

257,996,603

260,932,531

262,732,941

Statement of income data

Revenue

Result before income tax, profit sharing, amortization 
and provisions

Result before income tax, profit sharing, amortization 
and provisions and reversals of provisions

Income tax

Regulated employee profit-sharing

Optional employee profit-sharing

Net income

Data per share

Result after income tax and profit sharing and before 
amortization and provisions

Basic net income per share

Dividend per share

Personnel

Average headcount (2)

1,125,687,175 1,260,845,593 1,350,178,886 1,468,591,921 1,589,407,627

359,636,561

533,131,911

508,202,894

567,265,426

598,767,852

304,131,981

447,874,625

429,982,212

463,298,523

485,909,988

45,164,304

76,133,045

57,113,129

69,972,918

49,799,790

17,921,044

21,163,228

23,457,774

24,439,598

28,178,726

17,921,044

21,163,228

23,457,773

24,463,855

27,919,810

183,005,154

299,471,749

269,585,830

257,812,287

331,248,341

0.87

0.71

0.43

1.28

1.17

0.47

1.26

1.04

0.53

1.32

0.99

0.58

1.45

1.26

0,65(1)

2,672

2,880 

3,030

3,263

3,374

Personnel costs paid during the year

203,666,853

229,015,587

255,040,681

288,877,319

345,379,869

Social security contributions paid during the year

99,949,422

111,452,364

121,906,769

140,138,953

158,857,795

(1)  To be proposed for approval at the General Meeting scheduled for May 23, 2019.
(2)  Apprentices and professional training contractors are excluded.

158 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

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Parent company fi nancial statements

4

4.2.3  Statutory Auditors’ Report on the parent company financial 

statements

This is a translation into English of the Statutory Auditors’ report on the financial statements of the Company issued in French 
and it is provided solely for the convenience of English speaking users.

This Statutory auditors’ report includes information required by European Regulation and French law, such as information 
about the appointment of the Statutory Auditors or verification of the management report and other documents provided to 
shareholders. This report should be read in conjunction with, and construed in accordance with, French law and professional 
auditing standards applicable in France.

To the Shareholders of Dassault Systèmes SE,

Opinion

In compliance with the engagement entrusted to us by your Shareholders’ Meeting, we have audited the accompanying financial 
statements of Dassault Systèmes SE (“the Company”) for the year ended December 31, 2018.

In  our  opinion,  the  financial  statements  give  a  true  and  fair  view  of  the  assets  and  liabilities  and  of  the  financial  position  of 
the Company as at December 31, 2018 and of the results of its operations for the year then ended in accordance with French 
accounting principles.

4

The audit opinion expressed above is consistent with our report to the Audit Committee.

Basis for opinion

Audit framework
We conducted our audit in accordance with professional standards applicable in France. We believe that the audit evidence we 
have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Statutory Auditors’ Responsibilities for the Audit of the 
Financial Statements section of our report.

Independence
We conducted our audit engagement in compliance with the independence rules applicable to us for the period from January 1, 
2018 to the date of our report and specifically we did not provide any prohibited non-audit services referred to in Article 5(1) 
of Regulation (EU) no. 537/2014 or in the French Code of e thics (Code de déontologie) for s tatutory a uditors.

Justification of assessments – Key audit matters

In accordance with the requirements of articles L.823-9 and R.823-7 of the French Commercial Code (Code de commerce) relating 
to the justification of our assessments, we inform you of the key audit matters relating to risks of material misstatement that, 
in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the financial statements of the current period, as well as 
how we addressed those risks.

These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion 
thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on specific items of the financial statements.

Recognition of revenue from complex contractual arrangements

Description of risk
As described in Note 2 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the financial statements, the Company derives revenue 
from multiple sources, chief among them software licenses, subscription, support and services.

Where  these  complex  contractual  arrangements  include  multiple  elements  sold  as  a  single  package,  determining  the  date  of 
recognition of the resulting revenue and how that revenue should be allocated between the various elements can be difficult and 
can require a significant degree of judgment from management.

The  revenue  for  each  element  of  a  multiple-element  arrangement  with  multiple  performance  obligations  is  allocated  to  each 
distinct  performance  obligation  based  on  their  standalone  selling  price.  With  respect  to  perpetual  software  licenses  only  sold 

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4 Financial statements

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bundled with one year of support, the stand-alone selling price is then determined by applying the residual approach. Allocating 
revenue between the various performance obligations requires analyses and, potentially, making adjustments, both of which can 
be complex.

In  addition,  when  a  sale  of  a  license  goes  along  with  a  service  essential  to  the  software  functionality,  the  two  performance 
obligations (software and service) are not distinct. Therefore, the license revenue is recognized in accordance with the pattern of 
recognition of the service obligation. Determining whether or not a service is essential to the functionality of a product requires 
significant judgment from management, as does analyzing the potential future profits to be gained from the corresponding long-
term contract.

Moreover,  recognizing  revenue  from  complex  contractual  arrangements  typically  requires  an  in-depth  analysis  of  contractual 
terms and conditions, together with other relevant documentation shared with customers during negotiations, with a view to 
ascertaining the full scope and type of the elements the Company has committed to providing and thus recognizing the revenue 
for each element on the appropriate date and at the appropriate value.

For the above reasons, we deemed the recognition of revenue from complex multiple-element arrangements to be a key audit 
matter.

How our audit addressed this risk
In  the  course  of  our  audit,  we  examined  the  internal  control  systems  relating  to  the  recognition  of  revenue  and  that  were 
implemented by the Company and we tested the key controls relating to these procedures that we considered to be the most 
relevant.

Throughout the year we performed analyses on all complex multiple-element arrangements deemed significant, as well as on a 
sample of randomly selected arrangements, with the aim of verifying that the management judgements in terms of allocation of 
revenue between the various elements was consistent with the Company’s accounting policies and whether the correct amount 
of revenue had been recognized with respect to the appropriate reporting period. Our works consisted primarily in analyzing the 
contractual terms and conditions, re-calculating the fair value of each element tested, analyzing the essentiality criteria’s for the 
provision of services associated with software sales and verifying the consistency of revenue assessments with the Company’s 
accounting policies and French accounting principles.

We also tested all significant manual accounting entries affecting revenue from complex contractual arrangements for consistency 
with the Company’s accounting policies.

Lastly, we examined the related disclosures provided in Notes 2 and 3 to the financial statements.

Valuation of investments in subsidiaries and loans and advances to subsidiaries

Description of risk
As described in Note 24  to the financial statements, investments in subsidiaries and loans and advances to subsidiaries amounted 
to €2.856 million and €282 million respectively at December 31, 2018, therefore representing some of the largest assets on the 
balance sheet. They are carried at cost and may be impaired, as applicable, based on their value in use.

As indicated in Note 2 to the financial statements, the calculation of value in use takes into account the share of equity in the 
relevant subsidiaries at the reporting date, together with their long-term profitability and strategic factors. Estimating the book 
value therefore requires management to exercise judgment, relying on forecasts to define the profitability outlook.

Accordingly,  due  to  the  inherent  uncertainty  of  certain  components  of  the  valuation,  in  particular  the  likelihood  of  achieving 
projections, we deemed the valuation of investments in subsidiaries and loans and advances to subsidiaries to be a key audit 
matter.

How our audit addressed this risk
In order to assess the estimated values in use of investments in subsidiaries and loans and advances to subsidiaries, based on 
the  information  provided  to  us,  our  audit  work  consisted  primarily  in  reconciling  the  estimated  values  in  use  determined  by 
management with the valuation method and underlying data.

For valuations based on historical data, we verified that the equity values used were consistent with the financial statements of 
the entities concerned. For valuations based on forecast data, we obtained management’s analyses on the profitability outlook 
and the strategic factors relating to these entities. We also performed the verification of the consistency of the assumptions used 
with the economic environment at the reporting date and at the date on which the financial statements were prepared.

Where the value in use was lower than the acquisition value of an investment, we made sure that the appropriate asset impairment 
had been recorded and if applicable, a provision for contingencies to any loans or advances granted to that investment.

Lastly, we considered the related disclosures provided in Notes 2 and 24  to the financial statements.

160 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

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Parent company fi nancial statements

4

Tax risks

Description of risk
The  Company  has  operations  in  many  countries  and  must  therefore  abide  by  multiple  different  laws  and  regulations.  This  is 
particularly the case for tax policy, which can be a source of risk for the Company in terms of how it is applied. The Company is 
involved in a certain number of tax disputes, chief among them a dispute brought against reassessments relating to acquisition 
financing.  Accordingly,  between  2014  and  2016,  the  Company  made  payments  totaling  €123.1  million  to  the  French  tax 
authorities further to adjustments of the tax bases for the relevant years audited.

The Company assesses its tax positions and the technical justifications therefor at the end of each quarterly reporting period.

Where a risk in terms of how the local tax rules are to be applied is identified, the Company measures and records a provision for 
tax risk if the occurrence of an outflow of resources appears likely.

On the other hand, when it makes a payment further to a disputed tax reassessment and where it deems its position in that 
dispute to be technically justified, the Company simultaneously records a tax credit for the refund it will likely receive (as was the 
case for the above-mentioned acquisition financing matter). In this case, there is a risk that the tax credit will not be recovered.

Given (i) the materiality of the ongoing tax disputes and (ii) the complex technical analyses required of management, we deemed 
the assessment of tax risks to be a key audit matter. These analyses are specific to each tax jurisdiction and require a significant 
degree of judgment from management. Moreover, they are ultimately subject to a final decision from the tax authorities concerned.

4

How our audit addressed this risk
With guidance from our experts in international and French tax law, we examined the main grounds for reassessment cited by the 
local tax authorities against the Company, as well as the decisions made by management with respect to tax risks and disputes 
deemed significant. We also reconciled the assumptions and estimates used to account for tax provisions with the Company’s 
accounting policies and French accounting principles.

For the more significant disputes for which a tax credit is recognized, in particular the above-mentioned acquisition financing 
matter, we also carried out an analysis of the technical opinions and consultations obtained by the Company from independent 
tax  lawyers  with  a  view  to  assessing  the  consistency  thereof  with  the  decisions  made  by  management  and  the  accounting 
treatments applied.

Lastly, we examined the related disclosures provided in Note 22 to the financial statements.

Specific verifications

We have also performed, in accordance with professional standards applicable in France, specific verifications required by laws 
and regulations.

Information given in the management report and in the other documents with respect to the financial position 
and the financial statements provided to the Shareholders
We have no matters to report as to its fair presentation and its consistency with the financial statements of the information given 
in the management report of the Board of Directors and in the other documents with respect to the financial position and the 
financial statements provided to the Shareholders.

We attest the fair presentation and the consistency with the financial statements of the information relating to the payment 
terms required by Article D.441-4 of the French Commercial Code.

Report on corporate governance
We attest that the Board of Directors’ report on corporate governance sets out the information required by Articles L. 225-37-3 
and L. 225-37-4 of the French Commercial Code.

Concerning the information given in accordance with the requirements of Article L. 225-37-3 of the French Commercial Code 
(Code de commerce) relating to remunerations and benefits received by the directors and any other commitments made in their 
favour, we have verified its consistency with the financial statements, or with the underlying information used to prepare these 
financial  statements  and,  where  applicable,  with  the  information  obtained  by  your  company  from  controlling  and  controlled 
companies. Based on these procedures, we attest the accuracy and fair presentation of this information.

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With respect to the information relating to items that your company considered likely to have an impact in the event of a public 
purchase offer or exchange, provided pursuant to Article L. 225-37-5 of the French Commercial Code, we have agreed these to 
the source documents communicated to us. Based on our work, we have no observations to make on this information.

Other information

In  accordance  with  French  law,  we  have  verified  that  the  required  information  concerning  the  purchase  of  investments  and 
controlling  interests  and  the  identity  of  the  shareholders  and  holders  of  the  voting  rights  has  been  properly  disclosed  in  the 
management report.

Report on other legal and regulatory requirements

Appointment of the Statutory Auditors
We  were  appointed  Statutory  Auditors  of  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  by  the  Shareholders’  Meetings  held  on  June  8,  2005  for 
PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit and on May 27, 2010 for Ernst & Young et Autres.

As at December 31, 2018, PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit and Ernst & Young et Autres were in the fourteenth year and the ninth 
year of total uninterrupted engagement, respectively.

Previously, Ernst & Young Audit was the Auditors of Dassault Systèmes SE since 1998.

Responsibilities of management and those charged with governance for the financial statements
Management  is  responsible  for  the  preparation  and  fair  presentation  of  the  financial  statements  in  accordance  with  French 
accounting principles and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial 
statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the Company’s ability to continue as a going 
concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless it is 
expected to liquidate the Company or to cease operations.

The Audit Committee is responsible for monitoring the financial reporting process and the effectiveness of internal control and 
risks management systems and where applicable, its internal audit, regarding the accounting and financial reporting procedures.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors.

Statutory Auditors’ Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements

Objective and audit approach
Our  role  is  to  issue  a  report  on  the  financial  statements.  Our  objective  is  to  obtain  reasonable  assurance  about  whether  the 
financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not 
a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with professional standards will always detect a material misstatement when 
it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could 
reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

As  specified  in  Article  L.823-10-1  of  the  French  Commercial  Code  (Code de commerce),  our  statutory  audit  does  not  include 
assurance on the viability of the Company or the quality of management of the affairs of the Company.

As  part  of  an  audit  conducted  in  accordance  with  professional  standards  applicable  in  France,  the  s tatutory  a uditor  exercises 
professional judgment throughout the audit and furthermore:

 › I dentifies and assesses the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, designs 
and performs audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtains audit evidence considered to be sufficient and appropriate 
to provide a basis for his opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for 
one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of 
internal control.

 › O btains an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the 

circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the internal control.

 › E valuates  the  appropriateness  of  accounting  policies  used  and  the  reasonableness  of  accounting  estimates  and  related 

disclosures made by management in the financial statements.

 › A ssesses the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence 
obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Company’s 

162 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Financial statements
Parent company fi nancial statements

4

ability to continue as a going concern. This assessment is based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of his audit 
report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Company to cease to continue as a going concern. If the s tatutory 
a uditor concludes that a material uncertainty exists, there is a requirement to draw attention in the audit report to the related 
disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are not provided or inadequate, to modify the opinion expressed 
therein.

 › E valuates the overall presentation of the financial statements and assesses whether these statements represent the underlying 

transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.

Report to the Audit Committee
We submit to the Audit Committee a report which includes in particular a description of the scope of the audit and the audit 
program  implemented,  as  well  as  the  results  of  our  audit.  We  also  report,  if  any,  significant  deficiencies  in  internal  control 
regarding the accounting and financial reporting procedures that we have identified.

Our report to the Audit Committee includes the risks of material misstatement that, in our professional judgment, were of most 
significance in the audit of the financial statements of the current period and which are therefore the key audit matters that we 
are required to describe in this report.

We also provide the Audit Committee with the declaration provided for in Article 6 of Regulation (EU) N° 537/2014, confirming 
our independence within the meaning of the rules applicable in France such as they are set in particular by Articles L.822-10 to 
L.822-14 of the French Commercial Code (c ode de commerce) and in the French Code of Ethics (c  ode de déontologie) for s tatutory 
a uditors.  Where  appropriate,  we  discuss  with  the  Audit  Committee  the  risks  that  may  reasonably  be  thought  to  bear  on  our 
independence, and the related safeguards.

4

Neuilly-sur-Seine and Paris La Défense, March 20, 2019

The Statutory Auditors

French original signed by

PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit

Thierry Leroux

ERNST & YOUNG et Autres

Nour-eddine Zanouda

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

163

4 Financial statements

Parent company fi nancial statements

4.2.4  Statutory Auditors’ Report on Related Party Agreements and 

Commitments

This is a free translation into English of a report issued in French and it is provided solely for the convenience of English speaking 
users. This report should be read in conjunction with, and construed in accordance with, French law and professional standards 
applicable in France.

To the Shareholders,

In our capacity as s tatutory a uditors of your company, we hereby report on certain related party agreements and commitments.

We  are  required  to  inform  you,  on  the  basis  of  the  information  provided  to  us,  of  the  terms,  the  conditions  and  the  reasons 
justifying the company’s interest of those agreements and commitments indicated to us, or that we may have identified in the 
performance of our engagement. We are not required to comment as to whether they are beneficial or appropriate or to ascertain 
the existence of any such agreements and commitments. It is your responsibility, in accordance with Article R.225-31 of the 
French Commercial Code (Code de commerce), to evaluate the benefits resulting from these agreements and commitments prior 
to their approval.

In addition, we are required, where applicable, to inform you in accordance with Article R.225-31 of the French Commercial Code 
(Code de commerce) concerning the implementation, during the last financial year, of the agreements and commitments already 
approved by the General Meeting of Shareholders.

We performed those procedures which we considered necessary to comply with professional guidance issued by the national 
auditing  body (Compagnie N ationale des Commissaires aux Comptes)  relating  to  this  type  of  engagement.  These  procedures 
consisted in verifying that the information provided to us is consistent with the documentation from which it has been extracted.

Agreements and commitments submitted for approval by the General Meeting of Shareholders

We hereby inform you that we have not been advised of any agreements or commitments authorized in the course of the year to 
be submitted to the General Meeting of Shareholders for approval in accordance with Article L.225-38 of the French c ommercial 
c ode (Code de Commerce).

Agreements and commitments approved in prior years

We  hereby  inform  you  that  we  have  not  been  advised  of  any  agreements  or  commitments  already  approved  by  the  General 
Meeting of Shareholders, whose implementation continued during the year.

In addition, we have been advised that the following agreements and commitments which were approved by the General Meeting 
of Shareholders in prior years were not implemented during the year.

1. With Mr. Bernard Charlès, d irecteur g énéral

Nature and purpose
Indemnity in the event of the removal of Mr. Bernard Charlès from corporate office 

Conditions
At its meeting on 15 March 2018 , on the occasion of the renewal of Mr Bernard Charlès’ term of office as d irecteur g énéral, the 
Board of Directors authorized, upon the proposal of the Remuneration and Selection Committee, the renewal of the agreement 
granting Mr Bernard Charlès a compensation in case of the termination of his functions as d irecteur g énéral according to the terms 
adopted by the Board of Directors at its meetings on 27 May 2010, 28 March 2008 and 27 March 2009. 

At its meeting on 15 March 2018 , the Board of Directors decided to make no change to the conditions, as defined by the Board 
of Directors at its meeting on 27 May 2010, 28 March 2008 and 27 March 2009 , in which this compensation would be due 
in view of the recommendations of the Remuneration and Selection Committee and in accordance with the recommendations 
integrated  into  the  AFEP/MEDEF  Consolidated  Corporate  Governance  Code (Code de gouvernement d’entreprise consolidé)  of 
December 2008.

The amount of the indemnity due would be equivalent to a maximum of two years of remuneration of the d irecteur g énéral and 
would depend on meeting performance targets established for the calculation of his variable remuneration.

The amount paid would be calculated as a prorated percentage of the variable remuneration paid during the three years prior to 
the departure in relation to the target variable remuneration for these same years.

164 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Financial statements
Parent company fi nancial statements

4

Thus, the amount due would be calculated according to the following formula:

 › total gross remuneration (including variable remuneration but excluding benefits in kind and directors’ fees) due in respect of 

his corporate office for the two years ended prior to the date of departure, 

 › multiplied  by  the  figure  resulting  from  the  division  i)  of  the  amount  of  the  variable  remuneration  paid  to  the  d irecteur 
g énéral during the three years ended prior to the date of the departure (numerator), by ii) the amount of the target variable 
remuneration decided for each of these same years by the Board of Directors according to the achievement of the targets fixed 
for the company (denominator).

The indemnity may only be paid in the event of a change of control or strategy duly established by the Board of Directors that 
results in a forced departure within the following twelve months. It could also be paid in a scenario of a forced departure without 
being related to poor results of the company or to mismanagement ; the Board of Directors can then decide to grant all or part of 
the termination compensation.

The indemnity will not be due in a situation where Mr Bernard Charlès  leaves the company on his own initiative to take up a new 
position, or changes position within the g roup, or if he is able to claim a pension within a short time period.

Besides,  in  the  event  of  exceptional  events  that  could  seriously  damage  the  g roup’s  image  or  income  and  have  a  significant 
negative impact on the stock market share price of your company, according to the assessment of the Board of Directors, or in 
the event of misconduct independent of his functions and incompatible with the normal performance of his office as d irecteur 
g énéral, the Board of Directors may establish that the indemnity will not be due.

4

2.  With the board members of your company, in connection with the insurance policy “Civil liability 

of the directors and the corporate officers” signed with the company Insurance Allianz

a. Nature and purpose
Advance to the Board M embers of their expenses of possible legal defense instituted against them in the exercise of their mandate.

Conditions
In its meeting on 24 July  1996, the Board of Directors authorized the decision to have your company advance their expenses 
to a legal and compensations that the board members might have if their personal civil liability would be questioned, in case 
the  insurance  policy  signed  with  the  company  CHARTIS  Insurance  (Allianz),  would  not  cover  these  advances  and  financial 
consequences.

b. Nature and purpose
Payment of the possible legal defense expenses of Board M embers taking place in the United Sates.

Conditions
In its meeting on 23 September  2003, the Board of Directors authorized the decision to have your company pay the fees and 
travel expenses that board members of the company and of its subsidiaries might have to meet to prepare their personal defense 
before a civil, criminal or administrative jurisdiction of the United States if this defense were to be exercised within the scope of 
an inquiry or investigations being carried out against your company.

Payment of these expenses is ensured on the three-part condition that the board members and senior executives concerned are 
assisted by lawyers selected by the company, that the company remains in control of its strategic choices in terms of procedure 
and methods of defense and that the expenses incurred be reasonable.

Neuilly-sur-Seine and Paris-La Défense, March 21th   2019 

The Statutory Auditors

French original signed by

PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit

Thierry Leroux

ERNST & YOUNG et Autres

Nour-E ddine Zanouda

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

165

4 Financial statements

Legal and Arbitration Proceedings

4.3  Legal and Arbitration Proceedings

In the ordinary course of business, the Company is involved from time to time in litigation, tax audits or regulatory inquiries. 
The Company is subject to ongoing tax audits and tax reassessments in jurisdictions in which it has or had operations. Certain 
reassessments have been contested and the Company is under discussion with the relevant tax authorities. To the Company’s 
knowledge, there is no outstanding, suspended or pending government proceeding, litigation or arbitration, which has had during 
the last twelve months preceding the publication of this Annual Report (Document de référence), or is likely to have, a significant 
impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

166 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

5

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

CONTENTS

5.1  The Board’s Corporate 
Governance Report 

168

5.2  Internal Control Procedures 
and Risk Management 

5.1.1  Composition and Practices of the Board of Directors  168

5.2.1  Definition and objectives of internal control 

5.1.2  The Executive Committee 

183

5.2.2  Internal Control Participants and Organization 

203

203

203

5.1.3  Principles established by the Board of Directors 

5.2.3  Internal Control and Risk Management Procedures  204

pertaining to compensation of the Executive 
Officers and directors 

5.1.4  Summary of the Compensation and Benefits due 
to Corporate Officers (mandataires sociaux) 

5.1.5  Application of the AFEP-MEDEF Code 

5.1.6  Other information required by Articles L. 225-37 

et seq. of the French Commercial Code 

183

187

199

200

5.2.4  Internal Control Procedures Relating 

to the Preparation and Treatment of Financial 
and Accounting Information 

5.2.5  Evaluation of Internal Control 

5.2.6  Limitations of Internal Control 

5.3  Transactions in Dassault Systèmes 
shares by the Management 
of the Company 

5.4  Statutory Auditors 

5.5  Declarations regarding 

the administrative Bodies 
and Senior Management 

205

206

206

207

210

210

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

167

5 Corporate governance

The Board’s Corporate Governance Report

5.1  The Board’s Corporate Governance Report

Report of the Board to the Combined General Meeting 
of May 23, 2019
To the Shareholders of Dassault Systèmes,

The  purpose  of  this  report  is  to  describe  inter  alia  the 
composition and practices of the Board of Directors of Dassault 
Systèmes  SE,  the  application  thereto  of  the  principle  of 
balanced  representation  of  men  and  women,  and  the  policy 
and details of the executives’ remuneration.

This  report  was  drawn  up  in  accordance  with  the  French 
Commercial Code and the regulations of the Financial Markets 
Authority  (AMF),  based  on  work  carried  out  by  the  Finance, 

Legal and Internal Audit departments of Dassault Systèmes. It 
has been reviewed by the Audit Committee and approved by 
the Board of Directors on March 20, 2019.

Since  its  IPO  in  1996,  Dassault  Systèmes  has  sought  to 
implement  the  best  international  standards  of  corporate 
governance.  Dassault  Systèmes  currently  adheres  to   the 
recommendations of the AFEP-MEDEF Code (available on the 
MEDEF website: www.medef.com) and therefore summarizes 
in a table the reasons why it does not apply certain of these 
recommendations  (see  paragraph  5.1.5  “Application  of  the 
AFEP-MEDEF Code”).

5.1.1  Composition and Practices of the Board of Directors

5.1.1.1 

Composition of the Board of Directors

As of the date of this Annual Report, the Board of Directors of 
Dassault Systèmes SE comprises 13 members whose term of 
office is four renewable years:

 › Charles Edelstenne (Chairman);

 › Bernard Charlès (Vice-Chairman);

 › Thibault de Tersant;

 › Xavier Cauchois;

 › Jean-Pierre Chahid-Nouraï;

 › Catherine Dassault;

 › Arnoud De Meyer;

 › Odile Desforges;

 › Soumitra Dutta;

 › Tanneguy de Fromont de Bouaille

 (director representing employees);

 › Marie-Hélène Habert-Dassault;

 › Laurence Lescourret;

 › Toshiko Mori.

Since  the  terms  of  office  of  Jean-Pierre  Chahid-Nouraï  and 
Arnoud  De  Meyer  expire  on  May  23,  2019,  the  Board  of 
Directors will have 11 members from that date.

In  the  composition  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  the  Company 
seeks  a  balance  between  experienced  and  new  directors, 

between independent and non-independent, between women 
and men, as well as the diversity of profiles, nationalities and 
qualifications. The Company monitors the composition of the 
Board  by  making  projections  based  on  all  of  these  criteria, 
which  has  resulted  in  greater  diversity  within  the  Board, 
regardless  of  the  criterion  considered.  Thus,  in  the  last  two 
years,  a  woman  was  appointed  Chair  of  the  Compensation 
and  Nomination  Committee,  the  proportions  of  women, 
foreign directors and independent directors in the Board have 
increased respectively.

As  at  December  31,  2018,  the  proportion  of  independent 
directors  as  per  the  AFEP-MEDEF  Code  (i.e.  excluding 
the  director  representing  the  employees)  was  58%.  From 
May  23,  2019,  independent  directors  will  make  up  50%  of 
the Board. This is higher than the ratio recommended by the 
Code for controlled companies (1/3).

To assess such independence, Dassault Systèmes SE bases its 
decision  on  the  definition  of  the  AFEP-MEDEF  Code,  which 
has been incorporated into the internal regulation of the Board 
of  Directors,  whereby  a  director  is  independent  when  he  or 
she  has  no  relationship  whatsoever  with  Dassault  Systèmes 
SE,  the  Group  or  its  management  which  might  compromise 
his or her free judgment. At its meeting of March 20, 2019, 
the  Board  of  Directors  assessed,  as  it  does  every  year,  the 
independence  of  its  members,  and  concluded  that  seven 
independent:  Mrs.  Desforges,  Mrs.  Mori, 
directors  are 
Mrs. Lescourret, Mr. Chahid-Nouraï, Mr. De Meyer, Mr. Dutta 
and Mr. Cauchois. This decision by the Board is based on the 
answers from the directors to a questionnaire.

168 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Corporate governance
The Board’s Corporate Governance Report

5

As  none  of  the  independent  directors  have  a  business 
relationship with the Company , the Board of Directors had to 
express  an  opinion,  as  at  present,  neither  on  the  materiality 
of any such relationship nor on the criteria used to assess it.

Dassault Systèmes SE is also committed to ensure a significant 
female  representation  on  the  Board,  which  is,  with  42%  of 
women  directors  (excluding  the  director  representing  the 
employees  in  accordance  with  law)  above  the  minimum 
of  40%  set  forth  by  law.  From  May  23,  2019,  women  will 
make up 50% of the Board. For details on how the company 

seeks  gender  equality  within  the  Executive  Committee  and 
the  results  regarding  gender  equality  within  the  top  10%  of  
positions with  responsibility, see paragraph 5.1.6.5.

Lastly,  in  terms  of  internationalization,  the  Board  has  three 
non-French  members  –  a  Belgian,  a  Japanese  and  an  Indian 
director – accounting for 23% of the members.

The  average  age  of  the  directors  is   62   at  the  date  of  this 
Annual Report.

The above information is summarized in the table below.

COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF DASSAULT SYSTÈMES SE

PERSONAL INFORMATION

EXPERIENCE

POSITION ON THE BOARD

Age Gender Nationality

Number of 
shares 
authorized 
and issued

Number of 
appointments 
in listed 
companies (2)

Independence

Initial date of 
appointment

Expiry of 
the term of 
office

Length of 
service on 
the Board

PARTICIPATION
IN BOARD 
COMMITTEES

DIRECTOR

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Charles Edelstenne

Bernard Charlès

DIRECTOR

Thibault de Tersant

Xavier Cauchois

Jean-Pierre 
Chahid- Nouraï

Catherine Dassault

Arnoud De Meyer

Odile Desforges

Soumitra Dutta

Marie-Hélène 
Habert-Dassault

Laurence Lescourret

Toshiko Mori

DIRECTOR 
REPRESENTING 
EMPLOYEES

81

61

61

61

80

51

64

69

55

53

45

67

M

M

M

M

M

F

France 15,794,585

France 3,840,441

France

124,572

France

300

France

France

M Belgium

F

M

F

F

F

France

India

France

France

Japan

2,077

1,419

1,184

300

100

500

115

600

Tanneguy de Fromont 
de Bouaille

64

M

France

13,307

(1)  Re-appointment proposed to the General Meeting of May 23, 2019.
(2)  Number including the appointment held within Dassault Systèmes SE.

5

2

2

1

1

2

1

4

2

3

1

1

1

04/08/1993

2022 26 years

04/08/1993

2022 26 years

04/08/1993

2022 26 years

X 05/22/2018

2022

1 year

X 04/15/2005

2019 14 years

07/20/2016

2019(1)

3 years

X 04/15/2005

2019 14 years

X 05/30/2013

X 05/23/2017

2021

2021

6 years

2 years

07/23/2014

X 05/26/2016

2020

2020

5 years

3 years

X 05/26/2011

2019(1)

8 years

06/24/2016

2020

3 years

5

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

169

5 Corporate governance

The Board’s Corporate Governance Report

The roles and duties performed by the Dassault Systèmes SE Corporate Officers (mandataires sociaux) in 2018 are indicated in 
the table below:

CHARLES EDELSTENNE – CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

Biography: Charles Edelstenne is currently Chairman of the Board 
of  Directors  after  having  subsequently  occupied  the  positions 
of  Manager  and  then  Chairman  and  Chief  Executive  Officer  of 
Dassault Systèmes of which he is the founder.

He is also Chairman of Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault (1).

Charles  Edelstenne  is  as  well  Honorary  Chairman  and  Director 
of  Dassault  Aviation  after  having  occupied  the  positions  of 
Vice  President  responsible  for  economic  and  financial  affairs 
(1986- 2000), General Secretary (1975-1986) and Chairman and 
Chief Executive Officer (2000-2013).

He holds a chartered accountant qualification.

Term  expires:  General  Meeting  called  to  approve  the  financial 
statements for the year ending December 31, 2021

Date of first appointment: 04/08/1993

Dassault  Systèmes  shares  owned  at  December  31,  2018: 
15,794,585 (including a majority of beneficial ownership shares)

Attendance rate at the 2018 Board of Directors’ meetings: 100%

Age: 81

Nationality: French

Professional address: Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault 
– 9 Rond Point des Champs-Élysées – Marcel Dassault, 
75008 Paris – France

Other current positions and directorships:

Within  the  Dassault  Group,  in  France:  Chairman  of  Groupe 
Industriel  Marcel  Dassault  SAS  (GIMD)  since  May  29,  2018 , 
Honorary  Chairman  and  Director  of  Dassault  Aviation  SA 
(listed  company),  Director  of  Sogitec  Industries  SA,  Chairman 
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Dassault Médias SA, 
Chairman  of  Rond  Point  Immobilier  SAS,  Chairman  of  Rond 
Point  Holding  SASU,  Manager  of  Rond  Point  Investissements 
EURL, Manager of SCI de Maison Rouge, Chief Executive Officer 
of  Dassault  Wine  Estates  SASU,  Chairman  and  member  of  the 
Board of Directors of Groupe Figaro SAS, Chairman of Société du 
Figaro SAS

Within  the  Dassault  Group,  outside  France:  Director  of  SABCA 
(listed  company)  (Belgium),  Director  of  Dassault  Falcon  Jet 
Corporation (United States), Chairman and member of the Board 
of Dassault Belgique Aviation SA

Outside  the  Dassault  Group:  Director  of  Thales  and  Carrefour 
(listed  companies)  and  Banque  Lepercq  de  Neuflize  &  Co.  Inc. 
(USA); Honorary Chairman of Gifas(2), Manager of the non-trading 
companies Arie, Arie 2, Nili and Nili 2

Other positions held, and expired, during the past five years:

Chief Executive Officer and member of the Supervisory Board of 
GIMD until May 28, 2018

Director of Dassault Médias SA and Figaro Benchmark SASU until 
May 2018

Chairman of Gifas and Cidef (3)

Chairman  and  CEO  of  Dassault  Aviation  SA  (listed  company), 
Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Dassault  Falcon  Jet  Corporation  and 
Chairman of Dassault International, Inc.

(1)  GIMD is the main shareholder of Dassault Systèmes SE (see paragraph 6.3.2 “Controlling Shareholder”).
(2)  Groupement des Industries Françaises Aéronautiques et Spatiales.
(3)  Conseil des industries de défense françaises.

170 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Corporate governance
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5

BERNARD CHARLÈS – VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Biography: Bernard Charlès has been Vice-Chairman of the Board 
(since  2016)  and  Chief  Executive  Officer  of  Dassault  Systèmes 
since 2002. Since 1995, Mr. Charlès has had executive functions, 
which  he  shared  with  Mr.  Edelstenne.  Prior  to  holding  this 
position,  Mr.  Charlès  served  as  Director  of  the  New  Technology, 
Research and Development and Strategy department from 1986 
to 1988 and as Director of Strategy, Research and Development 
from 1988 to 1995.

Term  expires:  General  Meeting  called  to  approve  the  financial 
statements for the year ending December 31, 2021

Date of first appointment: 04/08/1993

Dassault Systèmes shares owned at December 31, 2018:

3,840,441

Attendance rate at the 2018 Board of Directors’ meetings: 100%

Age: 61

Nationality: French

Professional 
Marcel- Dassault, 78140 Vélizy-Villacoublay – France

address:  Dassault  Systèmes  –  10 

rue 

Main  position:  Vice-Chairman  of  the  Board  and  Chief  Executive 
Officer of Dassault Systèmes

Main other current positions and directorships:

Within the Dassault Systèmes Group, outside France: Chairman 
of  the  Board  of  Dassault  Systemes  Corp.,  Dassault  Systemes 
SolidWorks  Corp.,  Dassault  Systemes  Simulia  Corp.,  IQMS  and 
Centric Software Inc. (United States); Chairman of the Advisory 
Board  (statutory  body)  of  Dassault  Systemes  3DExcite  GmbH 
(Germany)

Outside  the  Dassault  Systèmes  Group,  in  France: Independent 
Director of Sanofi (listed company)

Other  positions  held,  and  expired,  during  the  past  five  years 
(all inside the Dassault Systèmes Group, outside France):

Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Biovia  Corp.  (United  States)  and 
Dassault Systèmes Canada Software Inc. (Canada); Chairman of 
the Supervisory Board of RealTime Technology AG (Germany)

5

THIBAULT DE TERSANT – SENIOR EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT AND GENERAL SECRETARY

Biography:  Thibault  de  Tersant  has  been  Senior  Executive  Vice-
President  and  General  Secretary  of  Dassault  Systèmes  since 
February  5,  2018.  He  had  previously  served  as  Senior  Executive 
Vice-President  and  Chief  Financial  Officer  of  Dassault  Systèmes 
since  2003.  He  joined  Dassault  Systèmes  in  1988  as  Executive 
Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Dassault 
Systèmes, Mr de Tersant served as a finance executive at Dassault 
International.

Term  expires:  General  Meeting  called  to  approve  the  financial 
statements for the year ending December 31, 2021

Date of first appointment: 04/08/1993

Age: 61

Nationality: French

Professional 
Marcel- Dassault, 78140 Vélizy-Villacoublay – France

address:  Dassault  Systèmes  –  10 

rue 

Main  position:  Senior  Executive  Vice-President  and  General 
Secretary of Dassault Systèmes

Main other current positions and directorships:

With  the  Dassault  Systèmes  Group,  in  France:  President  of 
Dassault Systèmes International SAS

Dassault Systèmes shares owned at December 31, 2018:

Chairman of the Board of La Fondation Dassault Systèmes

124,572

Attendance rate at the 2018 Board of Directors’ meetings: 100%

Within the Dassault Systèmes Group, outside France: Chairman 
of the Board of Spatial Corp., Director of Dassault Systemes Corp., 
Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Corp., Dassault Systemes Simulia 
Corp., IQMS and Centric Software, Inc. (United States); member 
of  the  Advisory  Board  (statutory  body)  of  Dassault  Systemes 
3DExcite GmbH (Germany)

Outside  the  Dassault  Systèmes  Group:  Director  of  Temenos 
(listed  company)  (Switzerland);  Director  of  DFCG  (the  French 
National  Association  of  Chief  Financial  Officers  and  Financial 
Controllers)

Other  positions  held,  and  expired,  during  the  past  five  years 
(all inside the Dassault Systèmes Group, outside France):

Director  of  Biovia  Corp.  (United  States)  and  Dassault  Systemes 
Canada Software Inc. (Canada)

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XAVIER CAUCHOIS – INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

Member of the Audit Committee since May 22, 2018
Chairman of the Audit Committee from  the end 
of the General Meeting of May 23, 2019

Biography: Xavier Cauchois has more than 30 years of experience 
in  the  audit,  as  a  partner  of  PwC  France  in  the  Paris  office. 
He  had  several  management  positions  within  PwC  France  and 
at the European level. He notably accompanied its clients in the 
technology,  telecoms,  medias  sectors,  as  well  as  in  the  health 
sector and more generally in the industry.

He was head of PwC Europe and France in the Technology sector 
until 2009 and member of the Global Strategic Committee for the 
Audit from 2005 to 2008.

He was member of the Executive Committee France in charge of 
“Partners & Strategy” from 2013 to 2016.

Term  expires:  General  Meeting  called  to  approve  the  financial 
statements for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Date of first appointment: 05/22/2018

Age: 61

Nationality: French

Professional  address:  Dassault  Systèmes  –  10  rue  Marcel 
Dassault, 78140 Vélizy-Villacoublay – France

Main position: Director.

Other current positions and directorships: None

Other positions held during the past five years: Manager of PwC 
Business Services Director of GIE PricewaterhouseCoopers

Dassault Systèmes shares owned at December 31, 2018: 300

Partner at PwC Audit

Attendance rate at the 2018 Board of Directors’ meetings: 100%

Attendance rate at the 2018 Audit Committee’s meetings: 100%

JEAN-PIERRE CHAHID-NOURAÏ – INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

Chairman of the Audit Committee until the end of the General Meeting 
of May 23, 2019
Member and Chairman of the Compensation and Nomination 
Committee (until the end of the Board meeting of March 15, 2018)

is  an 

Jean-Pierre  Chahid-Nouraï 

Biography: 
independent 
consultant. He was a managing director (administrateur délégué) 
of  Finanval  Conseil  from  1992  to  2007.  Former  member 
of  the  Michelin  management  and  Chief  Financial  Officer, 
Mr. Chahid- Nouraï was also an investment banker at MM. Lazard 
Frères et Cie, Banque Veuve Morin-Pons, Financière Indosuez and 
S.G. Warburg, as well as a consultant with McKinsey & Co. At the 
same time, he taught finance at ESSEC, the Centre de Formation 
à  l’Analyse  Financière,  INSEAD  and  CEDEP  (Centre  Européen 
d’Éducation Permanente).

Age: 80

Nationality: French

Professional  address:  56  rue  de  Boulainvilliers,  75016  Paris  – 
France

Main position: Director.

Term expires: General Meeting of May 23, 2019

Other current positions and directorships:

Date of first appointment: 04/15/2005

None

Dassault Systèmes shares owned at December 31, 2018: 2,077

Other positions held, and expired, during the past five years:

Attendance rate at the 2018 Board of Directors’ meetings: 100%

Director of the Fondation Stanislas pour l’Éducation

Attendance rate at the 2018 Audit Committee’s meetings: 100%

Attendance  rate  at  the  2018  Compensation  and  Nomination 
Committee’s meetings: 100%

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CATHERINE DASSAULT – DIRECTOR

Biography: Catherine Dassault sits on the Board of the Institut de 
l’Engagement, which helps young volunteers enrolled in France’s 
Civic Service scheme to pursue their studies, find a job or set up 
their own business. Before devoting her time to helping develop 
and  fund  medical  research  and  education,  Catherine  Dassault 
studied  law  and  psychology  and  worked  in  the  advertising  and 
communications industry.

Age: 51

Nationality: French

Professional  address:  Groupe  Industriel  Marcel  Dassault  – 
9  Rond-Point  des  Champs-Élysées  –  Marcel  Dassault,  75008 
Paris – France

Main  position:  Active  member  of  associations  recognized  to  be 
of public interest

Term expires: General Meeting of May 23, 2019

Other current positions and directorships:

Date of first appointment: 07/20/2016

Director of Dassault Aviation SA (listed company)

Dassault Systèmes shares owned at December 31, 2018: 1,419

Director of l’Institut de l’engagement

Attendance rate at the 2018 Board of Directors’ meetings: 100%

Manager of Green Spark Invest SARL

Other positions held, and expired, during the past five years:

Member  of  the  Organizing  Committee  and  the  Honorary 
Committee of the French Alzheimer’s Research Association

ARNOUD DE MEYER – INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

Chairman of the Scientific Committee (until the end of the Board 
meeting of March 15, 2018)
Member of the Compensation and Nomination Committee (until the 
end of the Board meeting of March 15, 2018)

Biography: Arnoud De Meyer is a specialist in the management of 
innovation and has published numerous articles and books on this 
subject. Mr. De Meyer was President of Singapore Management 
University  until  the  end  of  December  2018.  He  was  previously 
Management  Professor  and  Director  of  Judge  Business  School 
(University  of  Cambridge,  U.K.)  and  Professor  of  Technology 
Management at INSEAD and Deputy -Dean of INSEAD in France 
in  charge  of  Administration  and  External  Relations.  He  has  also 
taught  at  Waseda  University  and  Keio  Business  School  in  Japan 
and created the INSEAD Campus in Singapore.

Age: 64

Nationality: Belgian

Professional address: Singapore Management University – 
81 Victoria Street, Singapore 188065 – Singapore

Main  position:  President  of  Singapore  Management  University 
until the end of December 2018

5

Term expires: General Meeting of May 23, 2019

Other current positions and directorships:

Date of first appointment: 04/15/2005

Dassault Systèmes shares owned at December 31, 2018: 1,184

Attendance rate at the 2018 Board of Directors’ meetings: 87.5%

Attendance  rate  at  the  2018  Scientific  Committee’s  meetings: 
100%

Attendance  rate  at  the  2018  Compensation  and  Nomination 
Committee’s meetings: 100%

Outside  France:  Director  of  Viva  Energy  Australia  Pty.  Ltd, 
Singapore  International  Chamber  of  Commerce,  SMU  Ventures 
Pte. Ltd, member of the Board of Directors of Singapore National 
Research  Foundation,  Director  of  the  Singapore  Symphony 
Orchestra

Other positions held, and expired, during the past five years:

Director of Temasek Management Services Pte Ltd

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

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ODILE DESFORGES – INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

Member of the Audit Committee

Biography:  Odile  Desforges  graduated  from  the  École  Centrale 
Paris  in  1973.  She  began  her  career  at  the  Transport  Research 
Institute,  before  joining  Renault  in  1981  as  Planner  and  then 
Product Engineer. In 1986, she joined the Purchasing department 
as  manager  for  external  equipments.  She  then  became  Body 
Equipment  Purchasing  General  Manager  for  Renault/Volvo 
Purchasing Organization, then for Renault. In 1999, she became 
Executive  Vice-President  of  Renault-VI  Mack  Group,  before 
becoming in 2001 President of Volvo Group’s 3P Business Unit.

In  2003,  she  was  appointed  Senior  Vice-President,  Purchasing, 
and  Chairwoman  and  -managing  director  of  Renault  Nissan 
Purchasing  Organization  (RNPO).  Between  March  1,  2009  and 
July 1, 2012, she was Executive Vice-President, Engineering and 
Quality, and a member of the Group Executive Committee.

Term  expires:  General  Meeting  called  to  approve  the  financial 
statements for the year ending December 31, 2020

Date of first appointment: 05/30/2013

Dassault Systèmes shares owned at December 31, 2018: 300

Attendance rate at the 2018 Board of Directors’ meetings: 100%

Attendance rate at the 2018 Audit Committee’s meetings: 100%

Age: 69

Nationality: French

Professional address: 3, rue Henri Heine, 75016 Paris – France

Main position: Director.

Other current positions and directorships:

In France: Director of Safran, Faurecia and Imerys 
(listed companies)

Outside France: Director of Johnson Matthey Plc 
(United Kingdom)

Other positions held, and expired, during the past five years:

Director of RNBV, RNTBCI, Renault Espana SA and Sequana

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Age: 55

Nationality: Indian

Professional address: College of Business – Cornell University – 
Ithaca, New York (USA)

Main  position:  Former  Dean  and  Professor  of  Operations, 
Technology and Information Management, SC Johnson College of 
Business Cornell University

Other current positions and directorships:

Director of Sodexo (listed company) and Chairman of the Board 
of The Global Business Schools Network (GBSN) (United States)

5

SOUMITRA DUTTA – INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

Member of the Compensation and Nomination Committee 
(at the end of the Board meeting of December 8, 2017)
Member of the Scientific Committee

Biography: Soumitra Dutta began his career in 1985 as a research 
assistant  at  University  of  California,  Berkeley,  USA.  Between 
1988 and 1990, he gained further research experience at General 
Electric.  He  then  joined  Insead,  the  international  management 
school based in Fontainebleau (France), where he served as lecturer 
then dean of technology and e-learning. In 1999, he set up eLab@
Insead,  the  school’s  research  and  analytics  center  focused  on 
big  data  analytics  for  businesses,  which  he  headed  until  2012. 
In  2002,  he  was  named  dean  of  Executive  Education  at  Insead. 
During  his  tenure  at  Insead,  Soumitra  Dutta  also  participated  in 
setting up and managing three strategy consultancies specialized 
in new technologies and innovation, which he developed before 
selling them. In 2012, he was appointed Dean of the Samuel Curtis 
Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University in 
New York, and in 2016 became the founding dean of the Cornell 
College of Business, comprising Cornell’s three accredited business 
programs:  the  School  of  Hotel  Administration,  the  Charles  H. 
Dyson  School  of  Applied  Economics  and  Management,  and  the 
Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management.

Term  expires:  General  Meeting  called  to  approve  the  financial 
statements for the year ended December 31, 2020

Date of first appointment: 05/23/2017

Dassault Systèmes shares owned at December 31, 2018: 100

Other positions held during the past five years:

Attendance rate at the 2018 Board of Directors’ meetings: 87.5%

Attendance  rate  at  the  2018  Scientific  Committee’s  meetings: 
100%

Attendance  rate  at  the  2018  Compensation  and  Nomination 
Committee’s meetings: 100%

* 

Soumitra Dutta acquired 100 ADRs in March 2018.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Association to Advance 
Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

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TANNEGUY DE FROMONT DE BOUAILLE – DIRECTOR REPRESENTING THE EMPLOYEES

Biography:  Tanneguy  de  Fromont  de  Bouaille  is  the  director 
representing  the  employees  appointed  by  the  CFE-CGC.  He  has 
been recruited by Dassault Systèmes in 1992 and currently serves 
as Consumer Goods and Retail Industry Sales Director, after having 
been  employed  as  General  Manager  of  Dassault  Data  Services 
(between  1992  and  2004),  and  Europe  Sales  Administration 
Director for ENOVIA (between 2004 and 2012). He previously held 
technical  functions  and  then  commercial  agency  management 
functions  with  Cap  Gemini  France  and  Cap  Gemini  America. 
Tanneguy de Fromont de Bouaille graduated from École Centrale 
Lyon and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Term  expires:  General  Meeting  called  to  approve  the  financial 
statements for the year ending December 31, 2019

Date of first appointment: 06/24/2016

Age: 64

Nationality: French

Professional  address:  Dassault  Systèmes  -10,  rue  Marcel 
Dassault, 78140 Velizy-Villacoublay – France

Main  position:  Consumer  Goods  and  Retail  Industry  Sales 
Director of Dassault Systèmes

Other current positions and directorships:

None

Other positions held, and expired, during the past five years:

Dassault Systèmes shares owned at December 31, 2018:

None

13,307

Attendance rate at the 2018 Board of Directors’ meetings: 100%

MARIE-HÉLÈNE HABERT-DASSAULT – DIRECTOR

Biography:  Marie-Hélène  Habert-Dassault  has  been  Group 
Director of Communication and Patronage since 1998. She joined 
the Dassault Group in 1991 as Deputy Director of Communications 
after  having  started  her  career  at  DDB  Publicité  in  London  as 
a  media  planning  consultant.  She  holds  a  Master’s  degree  in 
Business  Law  and  Taxation,  a  business  law  practitioner  diploma 
(Assas, 1988) and a Master’s in Strategy and Marketing (Sciences 
Po, 1989).

Term  expires:  General  Meeting  called  to  approve  the  financial 
statements for the year ending December 31, 2019

Date of first appointment: 07/23/2014

Dassault Systèmes shares owned at December 31, 2018: 500*

Attendance rate at the 2018 Board of Directors’ meetings: 100%

*  Marie-Hélène Habert-Dassault is a shareholder of GIMD.

Age: 53

Nationality: French

Professional address: Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault – 
9 Rond-Point des Champs-Élysées – Marcel Dassault, 75008 
Paris – France

Main  position:  Director  of  Communication  and  Patronage, 
Dassault Group

Other current positions and directorships:

Within  the  Dassault  Group:  Chair  of  the  Supervisory  Board 
of  GIMD,  Vice-Chair  of  the  Supervisory  Board  of  Immobilière 
Dassault, Chair of the Supervisory Board of Rond Point Immobilier 
SAS, member of the Board of Directors of Dassault Aviation (listed 
company), member of the HDF Strategy Committee, Director and 
Vice-Chair of the Serge Dassault Foundation, Director of Artcurial

Outside  the  Dassault  Group:  Director  of  Biomérieux  (listed 
company),  General  Manager  of  H  Investissements,  General 
Manager of HDH, Director of Siparex, manager of SCI Duquesne, 
member of the Board of Directors of Fondation Fondamental

Other positions held, and expired, during the past five years:

Member of Strategic Committee of Dassault Développement

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Age: 45

Nationality: French

Professional address: ESSEC Business School – Avenue Bernard 
Hirsch – 95021 Cergy-Pontoise – France

Main position: Associate professor in the Finance department – 
ESSEC Business School

5

LAURENCE LESCOURRET – INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

Member of the Audit Committee
Member of the Compensation and Nomination Committee 
(at the end of the Board meeting of December 8, 2017)
Member of the Compensation and Nomination Committee 
(at the end of the Board meeting of March 15, 2018)

Biography:  Laurence  Lescourret  has  been  an  associate  professor 
at the Finance department of ESSEC Business School since 2010. 
She is also a Director of ESSEC’s “Capital Markets and Regulation” 
Excellence  Center  and  an  affiliate  academic  researcher  at  the 
Centre de Recherche en Économie et Statistique (CREST).

She  holds  a  PhD  in  finance  from  HEC  Paris  (2003),  a  Master  in 
management  from  EDHEC,  a  Master  “104  Finance”  from  Paris 
Dauphine University, and a Master in political economy analysis 
from the École d’Économie de Paris.

Between  2004  and  2011,  she  was  first  an  assistant  professor, 
co- director  and  ultimately  Director  of  the  ESSEC  Finance 
department. She also taught at ENSAE between 2000 and 2010.

As an academic researcher, she is the author of several publications 
on  organizing  and  regulating  capital  markets  and  has  received 
distinction for her work. She was the 2013 recipient of the Vega 
Prize from the Federation of European Securities Exchanges and 
received  the  2015  award  for  best  research  Article  on  derivative 
products  granted  by  the  IFSID  (Montreal Institute of Structured 
Finance and Derivatives).

Term  expires:  General  Meeting  called  to  approve  the  financial 
statements for the year ending December 31, 2019

Other current positions and directorships:

Independent Director of Le Crédit Lyonnais SA

Date of first appointment: 05/26/2016

Other positions held, and expired, during the past five years:

Dassault Systèmes shares owned at December 31, 2018: 115

None

Attendance rate at the 2018 Board of Directors’ meetings: 100%

Attendance rate at the 2018 Audit Committee’s meetings: 100%

Attendance  rate  at  the  2018  Compensation  and  Nomination 
Committee’s meetings: 100%

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

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Age: 67

Nationality: Japanese

Professional  address:  Toshiko  Mori  Architect,  199  Lafayette 
Street, New York, NY 10012 – USA

Main position: Founder of Toshiko Mori Architect PLLC

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TOSHIKO MORI – INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

Member of the Scientific Committee

Biography: Toshiko Mori is the Robert P. Hubbard Professor in the 
Practice of Architecture at Harvard University’s Graduate School of 
Design and was the Chairman of the department of Architecture 
from  2002  to  2008.  She  is  principal  of  Toshiko  Mori  Architect, 
and founder of VisionArc, a think-tank promoting global dialogue 
for  a  sustainable  future.  She  has  been  honored  with  numerous 
awards:  several  American  Institute  of  Architects  New-York 
Awards; the Academy Award in Architecture from the American 
Academy of Arts and Letters; the American Institute of Architects 
New-York  Chapter  Medal  of  Honor;  the  2016  Tau  Sigma  Delta 
National Honor Society Gold Medal; the 2019 Topaz Medallion for 
Architectural Education from the American Institute of Architects 
&  Association  of  Collegiate  Schools  of  Architecture,_the  2018 
Maine  in  America  from  the  Farnsworth  Art  Museum;  and  the 
2019  OMI  Arts  Leadership  Award.  Her  project  in  Senegal  won 
the Plan 2016 award in Culture, was a finalist for the Aga Khan 
2014-2016  award,  and  won  the  Architizer  2016  A+  awards  for 
Architecture + Community and Architecture + Humanitarianism. 
The project was also recently awarded the American Institute of 
Architects 2017 Institute Honor Award. Architectural Digest listed 
her  amongst  their  biennial  AD100  in  2014,  2016,  2017,  2018 
and 2019.

She  is  a  member  of  the  World  Economic  Forum  Global  Future 
Council on Cities and Urbanization and member of the American 
Academy of Arts & Sciences. Lastly she is a partner of Paracoustica, 
a  non-profit  organization  which  brings  music  to  underserved 
communities.

Term expires: General Meeting of May 23, 2019

Other current positions and directorships:

Date of first appointment: 05/26/2011

Dassault Systèmes shares owned at December 31, 2018: 600

Attendance rate at the 2018 Board of Directors’ meetings: 100%

Attendance  rate  at  the  2018  Scientific  Committee’s  meetings: 
100%

Outside France: Robert P. Hubbard Professor in Harvard Graduate 
School of Design, member of the American Institute of Architects 
College of Fellows, member of the World Economic Forum Global 
Future Council on Future of Cities and Urbanism, member of the 
Advisory Board of A + U Magazine, member of the G1 Summit 
(Japan),  advisor  to  Isamu  Noguchi  Museum,  director  of  James 
Carpenter Design Associates Inc. (USA)

Other positions held, and expired, during the past five years:

President  of  World  Economic  Forum  Global  Agenda  Council 
on Design

Member  of  the  World  Economic  Forum  Global  Agenda  Council 
on Design & Innovation

Member of the Alvar Aalto Medal 2017 jury

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5.1.1.2 

Practices of the Board of Directors

Separation of the offices of Chairman and Chief 
Executive Officer
Dassault  Systèmes  separated  the  offices  of  Chairman  of  the 
Board  and  Chief  Executive  Officer.  In  addition  to  the  balance 
of  powers  that  this  offers,  it  enables  the  Chairman  and  the 
Chief Executive Officer to concentrate on their specific remits 
(described  below)  within  an  experienced  and  harmonious 
management  team  (Mr.  Charles  Edelstenne  previously  held 
both roles as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dassault 
Systèmes SE).

Mr.  Charles  Edelstenne,  Chairman  of  the  Board,  organizes 
and supervises the work of the Board and reports thereon at 
the  General  Shareholders’  Meeting.  He  oversees  the  smooth 
running of the Board and committees of Dassault Systèmes SE 
and compliance with best governance practices, and ensures 
that the directors are able to fulfill their duties.

in  particular 

Mr.  Bernard  Charlès,  Vice-Chairman  of  the  Board  and  Chief 
Executive Officer keeps him regularly informed of significant 
matters  concerning  the  Company  and 
its 
strategy,  organization  and  investment  projects.  Mr.  Charles 
Edelstenne  also  oversees  maintaining  quality  relations  with 
shareholders  in  close  coordination  with  measures  taken  in 
this area by Mr. Bernard Charlès. To report on this mission, an 
overview of the shareholding in the Company and its evolution 
is  presented  and  discussed  each  year  during  the  Board  of 
Directors’  meetings.  All  of  these  tasks  of  the  Chairman  of 
the Board are directed toward serving the Company, and his 
actions  are  taken  into  account  in  reviewing  and  determining 
his compensation.

The  Chief  Executive  Officer  is  vested  by  law  with  the  most 
comprehensive  powers  to  represent  Dassault  Systèmes 
in 
SE,  subject  to  the 
paragraph  5.1.1.4  “Powers  of  the  Chief  Executive  Officer” 
below.  He  represents  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  in  its  dealings 
with third parties.

limitations  of  powers 

indicated 

The  Board  of  Directors  has  set  up  a  number  of  special 
committees to help it perform its tasks: the Audit Committee 
(established  in  1996),  the  Compensation  and  Nomination 
Committee  and  the  Scientific  Committee  (established  in 
2005).  The  committees  report  regularly  to  the  Board  as 
to  the  performance  of  their  missions.  The  composition 
of  these  committees  and  their  practices  are  described  in 
paragraph  5.1.1.3  “Composition,  Practices  and  Activities  of 
the Board Committees”.

The  General  Meeting  of  May  22,  2018  approved  the 
re- appointment  of  Mr.  Charles  Edelstenne  and  Mr.  Bernard 
Charlès to the Board. On the same day, the Board of Directors 
re-appointed  Mr.  Edelstenne  as  Chairman  of  the  Board  and 
Mr. Charlès as Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

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Main provisions of the Board’s internal regulation
The Board of Directors has established an internal regulation 
 amended  on  December  7,  2018   to  clarify  the  rules  for  the 
prevention  and  management  of  conflicts  of  interest  and  the 
option  for  directors  to  receive  training  in  corporate  social 
responsibility  (CSR)  as  recommended  by  the  AFEP-MEDEF 
Code.

The Audit Committee has its own charter.

The  internal  regulation  stipulates  the  frequency  of  the 
Board  meetings  take  place  and  how  Board  members  may 
participate in them. It also provides rules on the information 
and  disclosure  provided  to  the  Board  members  on  a  regular 
basis (e.g. information on off-balance sheet commitments and 
the  cash  position)  and  in  case  of  event  which  might  have  a 
material  impact  on  the  Company’s  prospects,  outlook  or  on 
the implementation of the Company’s strategy.

The internal regulation requires that, each year:

 › the Board reviews the independence of the directors;

 › the  independent  directors  meet  on  one  occasion  without 
the  other  directors  to  have  a  general  discussion  on  the 
practices of the Board of Directors, and if applicable, debate 
specific subjects; and

 › the  Board  discusses  its  practices.  Every  three  years,  the 

Board conducts a formal review.

In  terms  of  confidentiality  obligations,  the  Board  regulation 
stipulates  that  the  directors,  or  any  persons  attending 
meetings  of  the  Board  or  one  of  its  committees,  must  keep 
confidential  all  information  obtained  in  connection  with 
the  fulfillment  of  their  duties.  In  terms  of  preventing  and 
managing  conflicts  of  interest,  all  directors  are  required  to 
notify the Board of any actual or potential conflicts of interest 
with  the  Group  and,  in  such  circumstances,  to  abstain  from 
the  discussion  and  from  the  vote  taken  on  such  matters. 
Specifically, the involvement of a director in a transaction in 
which the Group has a direct interest, or which has come to 
their attention in their capacity as director, must be notified to 
the Board prior to its conclusion. In addition, directors are not 
permitted to use their title or position to obtain benefits of any 
kind, for themselves or third parties. In terms of the number of 
positions held in other companies, each director is required to 
inform the Board of any other position held in another French 
or foreign company, including in their committees. Moreover, 
the  executive  officers  (dirigeants mandataires sociaux)  must 
first  obtain  the  approval  from  the  Board  prior  to  accepting  a 
new term of office in a listed company. The internal regulation 
also requires them to hold, directly or indirectly, a significant 
number  of  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  shares  in  view  of  the 
directors’ fees allocated (except the director representing the 
employees) and to comply with the Company ’s rules on the 
prevention of insider trading.

5

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The Board of Directors’ activities in 2018
The  Board  of  Directors  met  eight  times  in  2018,  with  an 
attendance rate of 98.02%.

The Board’s review of its practices and performance
The  Board  of  Directors  is  constantly  seeking  to  improve  its 
practices. To this end:

In addition to the deliberations on its agenda pursuant to the 
law (notice of the General Meeting, the drafting of this report 
and the annual management report), the Board also discussed 
principally the following issues:

 › the  Group  strategy  (definition  and  review  of  strategic 
directions,  review,  and  approval  where  necessary,  of 
partnership, acquisition and guarantee transactions);

 › the  financial  statements  and  the  budget  (approval  of 
the  2017  annual  financial  statements  and  consolidated 
financial statements, the consolidated financial statements 
for the first half of 2018, the 2018 forward accounts and 
the review of the 2018 quarterly results); the Board is kept 
informed  as  to  the  Group’s  financial  position  by  reports 
from the Audit Committee and presentations made at each 
meeting  by  the  Senior  Executive  Vice-President  and  Chief 
Financial Officer;

 › the review of the assessment of the internal control system;

 › the compensation of directors and allocation of shares and 

share subscription options;

 › the policy on equal employment and pay;

 › the amendment of the Board’s internal regulation;

 › the Board’s composition and practices (including verification 
of  the  independent  status  of  independent  directors  and 
assessment of the Board);

 › the compliance of Dassault Systèmes SE with the rules and 

recommendations on corporate governance;

 › the review of the policies to prevent and detect corruption 

and influence-peddling.

Directors’ training
All  the  directors  are  invited  to  attend  an  annual  information 
day  launched  in  2015  for  the  independent  directors  and  a 
3DEXPERIENCE Forum which the Group organizes every year, 
notably  in  France,  the  United  States  and  Japan,  to  receive 
feedback  from  its  clients  and  partners  in  these  markets. 
In accordance with the AFEP-MEDEF Code, each director may 
request, if he or she considers it necessary, additional training 
in  specific  aspects  of  Dassault  Systèmes,  its  businesses, 
business sector and CSR issues.

Tanneguy  de  Fromont  de  Bouaille  benefits  from  training 
specifically  design  to  his  office  of  director  representing  the 
employees.

Finally,  the  members  of  the  Audit  Committee  receive,  upon 
appointment, information on the specific accounting, financial 
and operational aspects of the Group.

 › it  asks  the  independent  directors  for  their  comments  on 
the subject. The independent directors meet every year to 
discuss the Board’s practices. In 2018, a presentation was 
made  to  them  on  this  topic,  after  which  they  were  able 
to  have  a  discussion  without  the  presence  of  the  Dassault 
Systèmes  teams,  before  reporting  on  their  discussion  to 
the Board;

 › it  holds  a  debate  at  least  once  a  year  on  its  practices  and 
conducts  a  formal  review  every  three  years,  in  accordance 
with  its  internal  regulation  and  the  AFEP-MEDEF  Code. 
During  the  debate  on  Board  practices  and  the  formal 
review  that  took  place  in  2018,  the  directors  expressed 
their  satisfaction  with  both  the  work  and  practices  of  the 
Board  and  each  of  its  committees.  T hey  suggested  that 
Audit  Committee  meetings  should  be  held  the  day  before 
Board  meetings,  particularly  for  the  preparation  of  the 
annual  financial  statements.  The  management  has  taken 
this  request  into  account  and  has  modified  the  calendar 
of  meetings  of  the  Board  and  its  committees  accordingly. 
The directors also expressed a wish to see various strategic 
issues  discussed  ahead  of  the  Board  meetings.  A  decision 
was therefore taken to expand the meeting of independent 
directors  to  allow  them  to  discuss  not  only  governance 
but  also  strategic  issues  in  an  holistic  manner.  Scientific 
or  financial  prospects  of  the  Company’s  strategy  being 
indeed  described  at  the  Scientific  Committee  or  the  Audit 
Committee  respectively,  it  has  been  agreed  upon  that 
those  two  Committees  would  exchange  during  the  joint 
meeting  of  independent  directors,  it  being  specified  that 
the independent directors are all members of either one of 
those two Committees.

The  Board  declared  that  it  was  satisfied  with  the  effective 
contribution of each director to its work, notably on the basis 
of  the  attendance  and  the  involvement  of  each  director.  The 
Compensation  and  Nomination  Committee  is  in  charge  of 
discussing  the  effective  contribution  of  the  independent 
directors to the Board’s work.

5.1.1.3 

Composition, Practices and Activities 
of the Board committees

Audit Committee
The Audit Committee consists solely of independent directors: 
Mrs.  Odile  Desforges,  Mrs.  Laurence  Lescourret,  Mr.  Xavier 
Cauchois  (member  of  the  Audit  Committee  since  May  22, 
2018) and Mr. Jean-Pierre Chahid-Nouraï (who will leave the 
Board and therefore the Audit Committee on May 23, 2019). 
Mr.  Jean-Pierre  Chahid-Nouraï  chairs  the  Audit  Committee 
until the end of the General Assembly of May 23, 2019 from 
which date, Mr. Xavier Cauchois will chair the committee. All 
have financial or accounting expertise.

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It is the task of the Audit Committee to oversee:

 › matters  related  to  the  preparation  and  the  auditing  of 
accounting  and  financial  information,  in  compliance  with 
the applicable regulations and its Charter;

 › the  preparation  process  for  financial  information,  the 
effectiveness of the internal control and risk management 
systems, the audit by the Statutory Auditors of the annual 
financial statements and consolidated financial statements 
and the independence of the Statutory Auditors; and

 › the  relationship  between  Dassault  Systèmes  and 

its 
Statutory  Auditors.  In  this  regard,  the  Audit  Committee 
is  involved  in  appointing  and  reappointing  the  Statutory 
Auditors and in approving their appointment for non-audit 
related missions. It monitors the Statutory Auditors to ensure 
they fulfill their mission and takes account of the findings 
and  conclusions  of  the  Haut Conseil du Commissariat aux 
comptes after audits have been conducted.

On  all 
recommendations to the Board of Directors.

these  matters, 

this  Committee 

reports 

its 

The  Audit  Committee  also  provides  the  Board  with  regular 
reports on its activities, the results of the process of certification 
of  the  financial  statements  by  the  Statutory  Auditors,  how 
this  process  contributed  to  the  integrity  of  the  financial 
information  and  the  role  it  played  in  this  process.  It  informs 
the Board immediately of any difficulties it encounters.

It  approves  the  annual  plan  for  internal  audits  and  gives  its 
opinion on the department’s organization. Lastly, it authorizes 
the  Statutory  Auditors  to  provide  services  other  than  the 
certification of the financial statements.

In  the  performance  of  its  missions,  the  Audit  Committee  is 
given  presentations  by  the  Group’s  financial  management, 
particularly regarding risks and, as the case may be, off-balance 
sheet  commitments,  and  during  the  audit  of  the  financial 
statements,  a  presentation  from  the  Statutory  Auditor  on 
the results of the statutory audit and the accounting options 
selected. With regard to the efficiency of the internal control 
and risk management systems, the Statutory Auditors informs 
the Audit Committee of their main findings and the Internal 
Audit Director reports to the Audit Committee the conclusions 
of his work. In addition, the Committee may call on external 
experts, having assessed their expertise and independence.

In  2018,  the  Audit  Committee  met  eight  times,  including 
three  meetings  at  the  head  office,  which  were  attended  by 
the Senior Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, 
the  Company  Finance  Vice-President,  the  Group  Controller, 
the  Financial  Reporting  Director,  the  Internal  Audit  Director, 
the  General  Counsel  and  the  Statutory  Auditors  of  the 
Company, with which regular discussions were held without 
the management in attendance. The meetings preceding the 
disclosure  of  the  quarterly  results  took  place  by  conference 
call. The attendance rate for meetings of the Audit Committee 
in 2018 was 100%.

Corporate governance
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5

5

During  2018,  the  Audit  Committee  had  the  opportunity  to 
discuss, or to give its opinion on, various topics brought to its 
attention, including:

 › a review of the Company’s performance, its targets and the 
consolidated  and  parent  company  financial  statements  as 
part of the quarterly and annual closings; 

 › approval of services not related to the audit;

 › presentation  on  the  significant  changes  in  accounting 
standards  (IFRS  or  French)  and  their  impacts,  particularly 
IFRS 15 and IFRS 16;

 › validation and follow-up of an internal audit plan for fiscal 

year 2018;

 › review and assessment of the internal control system in 2017 
and validation and follow-up of the 2018 internal audit;

 › drafting of the external audit plan and budget for 2018;

 › a review of the activity and functioning of the Treasury and 

Financing departments;

 › a review of the position of compliance matters (GDPR, Sapin 

II, recent tax news and risks, financial communication);

 › possible acquisitions of target companies, as well as a review 

of the Group’s corporate simplification plan.

Compensation and Nomination Committee
The  Compensation  and  Nomination  Committee  is  comprised 
solely  of  independent  directors:  until  March  15,  2018,  the 
Committee  was  comprised  of  Mr.  Jean-Pierre  Chahid-Nouraï, 
Mr. Arnoud De Meyer and, since the end of the December 8, 
2017 Board meeting and to ensure an efficient transition, Ms. 
Laurence Lescourret and Mr. Soumitra Dutta. Since March 15, 
2018, the Committee is composed of Ms. Laurence Lescourret 
and Mr. Soumitra Dutta, both independent. Mr. Chahid-Nouraï 
was  Chairman  of  the  Committee  until  the  Board  meeting  of 
March  15,  2018  and,  at  the  end  of  this  meeting,  has  been 
succeeded by Ms. Laurence Lescourret.

The main duties of this Committee are:

 › to  propose  to  the  Board  of  Directors  the  amounts  for 
compensation  and  benefits  of  the  executive  officers 
(dirigeants mandataires sociaux), including the formulas and 
the  rules  to  apply  for  determining  variable  compensation, 
and to verify the application of these rules;

 › to  evaluate  the  overall  amount  and  the  allocation  of  the 

directors’ fees;

 › to  propose  to  the  Board  the  nomination  or  renewal  of 
directors and examine the independence of those who are 
so  identified,  based  on  the  criteria  set  out  in  the  AFEP-
MEDEF Code;

 › to  examine  the  Company’s  policy  for  nominating,  and  to 
be informed of the compensation policy for the managers, 
including non-executive officers;

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 › to  discuss  the  employee  profit-sharing  and  incentive  plan 
comprised  of  grants  of  performance  shares  and  share 
subscription options; and

 › to  propose  to  the  Board  of  Directors  solutions  in  case  of 
vacancy  of  the  position  of  Chairman  of  the  Board  and  of 
Chief Executive Officer. Thus, further to a proposal from the 
Compensation  and  Nomination  Committee,  the  Board  of 
Directors  decided  in  2016  to  appoint  Mr.  Bernard  Charlès 
as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors to perform the 
duties of the Chairman of the Board in the event of incapacity 
or vacancy. In addition, the Committee meets regularly the 
members  of  the  Company  Executive  Committee  as  well 
as  members  of  the  management  teams  and  oversees  the 
preparation  of  the  Chief  Executive  Officer’s  succession 
through an annual review with the Chief Executive Officer 
of the composition of the Executive Committee and of the 
short-term and mid-term succession plan for its members.

When  the  Compensation  and  Nomination  Committee  carries 
out its nomination work, it liaises with Mr. Charles Edelstenne, 
Chairman of the Board and Mr. Bernard Charlès, Vice-Chairman 
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.

In relation to its duties, the Committee met four times in 2018, 
with  an  attendance  rate  of  93.75%.  During  these  meetings, 
the  Committee  made  recommendations  to  the  Board  in  the 
following topics:

 › the  composition  of  the  Board  of  Directors  and 

its 

Committees;

 › the  independence  of  directors,  which  was  reviewed  in 
relation to the responses of each director to a questionnaire;

 › the  compensation  of  executive  officers 

(dirigeants 

mandataires sociaux);

 › the  share  plans  and  share  subscription  option  plans  for 

Group directors and employees;

 › the share plan for  Group directors and employees in advance 

of the 2019 provisional allocation;

 › the amount and allocation of the attendance fees allocated 

to directors.

On  a  general  and  ongoing  basis,  the  Compensation  and 
Nomination Committee monitors the compliance of Dassault 
Systèmes with the law and best practice in the area of corporate 
governance,  particularly  with  regard  to  the  composition  of 
the Board.

Scientific Committee
Like the other Board committees, the Scientific Committee is 
composed solely of independent directors: Mrs. Toshiko Mori, 
Mr. Arnoud De Meyer (who will leave the Board and therefore 
the Scientific Committee on May 23, 2019) and Mr. Soumitra 
Dutta. Mr. Arnoud De Meyer was Chairman of the Committee 
until the Board meeting of March 15, 2018 and, at the end of 
the meeting, was succeeded by Mr. Soumitra Dutta. It meets at 
least once a year. The Committee reviews the main directions 
of  research  and  development,  as  well  as  the  Company’s 
technological achievements and makes recommendations on 
these  matters.  The  persons  with  principal  responsibility  for 
these  matters  within  Dassault  Systèmes  are  invited  to  the 
Committee’s meetings.

The  Scientific  Committee  met  twice  in  2018,  with  an 
attendance  rate  of  100%.  At  these  meetings,  it  reviewed  a 
number  of  topics  central  to  Dassault  Systèmes  strategy  and 
in particular:

 › 3DEXPERIENCE  Operations  through  the  visit  of  the  Usine 

du Futur (ICO);

 › the  systems’  cyber  system  strategy 

(acquisition  of 

NoMagic);

 › the  fashion  and  consumer  goods  sector  (acquisition  of 
Centric  PLM,  which  forms  the  basis  for  a  PLM  “for  all”, 
focused on the consumer);

 › health sector, as an extension of Pharma & Biotech offers to 

the clinic, to carry out clinical trials.

5.1.1.4 

Powers of the Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to French law, the Chief Executive Officer represents 
Dassault Systèmes SE in dealings with third parties within the 
limits  set  by  the  corporate  purpose  of  the  Company  and  by 
the powers reserved by law to the shareholders or the Board 
of Directors.

However, under the Dassault Systèmes SE’s by-laws, certain 
decisions  of  the  Chief  Executive  Officer  are  submitted  to  the 
prior  approval  of  the  Board.  This  concerns,  in  particular,  the 
acquisition or the disposal of an entity, shareholding or asset 
(excluding internal transactions) or the use of external funding 
(bank  loan  or  capital  market  issue),  if  the  amount  of  the 
transaction  exceeds  a  threshold  set  each  year  by  the  Board. 
This  threshold,  which  was  set  by  the  Board  on  March  20, 
2019, is €500 million.

On March 20, 2019, the Board also renewed its authorization to 
the Chief Executive Officer to grant guarantees, endorsements 
or  securities  in  the  name  of  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  up  to  an 
aggregate amount of €500 million.

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5.1.2  The Executive Committee

Chaired by Mr. Bernard Charlès, Vice-Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, the Executive Committee gathers together 
the managers of the main Dassault Systèmes business areas and functions.

In 2018, the Executive Committee was composed as follows:

Bernard Charlès (1)

Dominique Florack

Vice Chairman, Chief Executive Officer

President, Research and Development

Pascal Daloz

Executive Vice-President, Brands and Corporate Development until February 4, 2018 and then Chief 
Financial Officer and Corporate Strategy Officer

Thibault de Tersant (2)

Senior Executive Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer until February 4, 2018 and then General Secretary

Bruno Latchague

Sylvain Laurent

Olivier Ribet

Laurent Blanchard

Laurence Barthès

Florence Verzelen

Senior EVP, Global Brands, Indirect channels, North America, South America

Executive Vice-President, Worldwide Business Transformation, Asia-Oceania

Executive Vice-President, EMEAR(3) since October 1, 2018

Executice Vice-President, EMEAR(3) Operations, Alliances until September 30, 2018

Executive Vice-President, Chief People and Information Officer

Executive Vice-President, Industry Solutions, Marketing, Global Affairs since January 15, 2018

(1)  Mr. Bernard Charlès is an executive officer (dirigeant mandataire social exécutif) as defined by the AFEP-MEDEF Code.
(2)  Mr. Thibault de Tersant is also a director of Dassault Systèmes SE.
(3)  Europe Middle East Africa Russia.

5

5.1.3  Principles established by the Board of Directors pertaining 

to compensation of the Executive Officers and directors

Dassault  Systèmes  SE’s  compensation  policy  is  designed  to 
attract, motivate and retain highly qualified individuals, with 
the aim of ensuring the success of Dassault Systèmes. Indeed, 
this success depends on the achievement of its objectives, in 
particular,  strategic,  business  and  financial  objectives,  over 
the medium and long term. In setting criteria for determining 
compensation,  Dassault  Systèmes  seeks  to  strike  a  balance 
between  short,  medium  and  long-term  financial  objectives, 
 take  into  account  the  creation  of  stockholder  value  and 
recognize individual performance.

The annual compensation of the executive officers (dirigeants 
mandataires  sociaux)  is  set  by  the  Board  on  the  basis  of 
recommendations  of  the  Compensation  and  Nomination 
Committee. Such Committee bases its recommendations on a 
benchmark of compensations granted to Presidents of Boards 
of Directors or Supervisory Boards and CEOs of French groups 
part of the SBF 120 index, and of compensations granted to 
CEOs  (also  founders  in  a  majority  of  cases)  of  international 
technology companies.

Also,  in  accordance  with  Article  L.  225-100  of  the  French 
Commercial Code, the compensation elements due or granted 
for  the  last  fiscal  year  to  Charles  Edelstenne,  Chairman,  and 
Bernard Charlès, Vice-Chairman and CEO, will be subject to a 
shareholders’ vote.(1)

The  payment  of  the  variable  or  exceptional  compensation 
elements for 2018, resulting from the implementation of the 
compensation policy applicable to Mr. Charles Edelstenne and 
Mr. Bernard Charlès and approved by the General Meeting held 
on May 22, 2018, is thus subject to shareholder approval at 
the  next  General  Meeting  (see  paragraph  7.1  “Presentation 
of  the  resolutions  proposed  by  the  Board  of  Directors  to  the 
General Meeting on May 23, 2019”).

Besides, in accordance with Article L. 225-37-2 of the French 
Commercial  Code,  the  principles  and  criteria  applicable  to 
the  determination,  distribution  and  to  the  granting  of  the 
fixed, variable and, as the case may be, exceptional elements 
which  are  part  of  the  total  compensation  and  benefits  of  all 
kinds  attributable  to  Mr.  Charles  Edelstenne,  Chairman  of 
the  Board,  and  to  Mr.  Bernard  Charlès,  Vice-Chairman  of  the 

(1)  In  2018,  such  resolutions  relating  to  compensation  elements  due  or  granted  for  the  2017  fiscal  year  to  Charles  Edelstenne  (9th  resolution)  and  to 

Bernard Charlès (10th resolution) were approved by 98.19% and 80.58%, respectively.  .

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Board  and  CEO,  for  the  purposes  of  their  duty  during  2019 
and  which  form  part  of  the  compensation  policy  relating  to 
them, will be subject to a vote in the next General Meeting (see 
paragraph 7.1 “Presentation of the resolutions proposed by the 
Board of Directors to the General Meeting on May 23, 2019”). 
In accordance with Article L. 225-100 of French Commercial 
Code, the payment of the variable or exceptional compensation 
elements resulting of the implementation of the compensation 
policy, for the 2019 fiscal year, will be subject to a vote of the 
shareholders during the General Meeting convened to approve 
the 2019 annual accounts.

5.1.3.1 

Fixed, variable and exceptional 
compensation and benefits in kind

The  annual  compensation  of  the  Chairman  of  the  Board  is  a 
fixed  amount.  However,  the  compensation  of  each  member 
of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Group  is  comprised  of  a 
fixed portion and a variable portion. The variable portion may 
represent  a  significant  part  of  the  total  compensation  if  the 
annual  targets  are  achieved  or  outperformed.  The  targets 
are  reviewed  every  year  in  order  to  be  consistent  with  the 
Company’s  strategic  orientations  and 
individual 
management targets.

include 

The members of the Executive Committee within the French 
scope, except for Bernard Charlès, Vice-Chairman of the Board 
and Chief Executive Officer, are also eligible for profit-sharing 
payments in the same manner as other employees of Dassault 
Systèmes SE.

Each year, the Board of Directors sets:

 › the amount of the compensation (fixed only in accordance 
with the recommendation of the AFEP-MEDEF Code) of Mr. 

Charles Edelstenne, Chairman of the Board. At its meeting 
on March 20, 2019, the Board of Directors set the amount 
of  fixed  compensation  for  2019  at  €982,000,  unchanged 
since 2014;

 › the  annual  compensation  of  Mr.  Bernard  Charlès, 

Vice- Chairman of the Board and CEO.

For  his  office  as  CEO,  the  annual  target  compensation  with 
objectives  achieved  of  Mr.  Bernard  Charlès  is  comprised  of  a 
fixed  portion  for  50%,  paid  monthly,  and  a  variable  portion 
for 50%, paid annually in relation to the achievement of the 
performance criteria previously set by the Board of Directors. 
The  level  of  achievement  of  the  objectives  determines  the 
amount  actually  paid  for  the  variable  compensation,  which 
can result in a payment below the target, or above the target 
up to 140%. Any significant change in his fixed compensation 
is made over the long term and relates to the increase in the 
Group’s scope and market footprint.

At its meeting on March 20, 2019, upon the recommendation 
of  the  Compensation  and  Nomination  Committee,  the 
Board  set  the  variable  portion  of  the  Chief  Executive 
Officer’s  compensation  paid  in  2019  (in  respect  of  2018) 
at  €1,506,760 ,  equivalent  to  108.4 %  of  the  annual  target 
variable compensation. This decision followed a review of the 
achievement of the performance criteria set in 2018.

The categories of performance criteria, each equally weighted, 
are set forth in the following table with an indication, for each 
of  them,  of  the  level  of  payment  resulting  from  the  level  of 
satisfaction  of  the  quantifiable  and  qualitative  objectives 
in 2018.

Performance criteria categories

Diluted net earnings per share on a non-IFRS consolidated basis (hereinafter referred to as the “EPS”) in line 
with the objectives communicated by Dassault Systèmes for the year

Company’s efficiency processes, measured by the fact that the non-IFRS operating margin is in line with 
the objectives announced by Dassault Systèmes for the year

Dassault Systèmes’ competitive position, measured by the evolution of the increase in the turnover 
compared to the competitors and the increase of the weight of the diversification industries in the global 
software turnover

Composition of product portfolio

Implementation of the Group’s short-, medium- and long-term strategy contributing to future growth

Type

Quantifiable

Quantifiable

Quantifiable

Qualitative

Qualitative

116 %

106 %

100 %

115 %

105 %

During  its  meeting  held  on  March  20,  2019,  the  Board  of 
Directors also set the foregoing performance criteria categories 
to assess the payment of the CEO’s variable compensation for 
2019.  In  2019,  those  performance  criteria  categories  show, 
as  for  2018,  a  limit  of  40%  to  the  purely  qualitative  part  of 
this variable compensation. In order to protect the Company’s 
competitive position, the Board of Directors considered that it 
was not appropriate to disclose further details of the qualitative 
performance criteria. These qualitative and quantifiable criteria, 
which  are  discussed  by  the  Compensation  and  Nomination 
Committee  and  the  Board,  are  both  internal  and  external  in 
nature and depend on the Group’s annual performance or its 

multi-year strategy (medium and long- term). The Company’s 
long-term strategy is based on its raison d'être, which aims at 
contributing to sustainable development in all its components: 
to provide business and people with 3D experience universes 
(3DEXPERIENCE) to imagine sustainable innovations, capable 
of  harmonizing  products,  nature  and  life.  This  raison d'être, 
published in February 2012 and driven by the Chief Executive 
Officer himself, determines not only the choice of acquisitions 
and product developments, each 3DS brand carrying a promise 
of sustainable innovation, but also the culture and the values 
of the Company and each of its organizations. In other words, 
Social and Environmental Responsibility is at the core of the 

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Company’s strategy and its achievements, as acknowledged by 
the various sustainable development indexes and international 
rankings.  Thus,  each  class  of  performance  criteria  derives 
from the Company’s raison d'être; they cannot be dissociated 
(see  “3DEXPERIENCE  platform  for  Sustainability:  apps  and 
solutions for sustainable development” in paragraph 2.3.1).

At its meeting on March 20, 2019, the Board of Directors set 
the 2019 annual target compensation (with targets achieved) 
for the Chief Executive Officer at €2,780,000. This is composed 
of a fixed amount of €1,390,000 (unchanged since 2018) and 
a variable portion, the amount of which will depend upon the 
achievement of the targets and will be subject to the approval 
of  the  General  Shareholders’  Meeting  called  to  approve  the 
2019  financial  statements.  Accordingly,  the  Chief  Executive 
Officer’s annual compensation (with targets achieved) remains  
unchanged in 2019 compared with 2018.

Mr.  Bernard  Charlès,  as  Chief  Executive  Officer,  receives 
benefits  in-kind  in  the  form  of  the  use  of  a  vehicle  provided 
by  Dassault  Systèmes  SE,  as  indicated  in  paragraph  5.1.4. 
“Summary of Compensation and Benefits Due to Directors”.

As  regards  his  office  as  Vice-Chairman  of  the  Board, 
Mr.  Bernard  Charlès  has  not  been  granted  nor  has  received 
any  compensation  in  2018.  All  compensation  paid  by  the 
Company to Mr. Bernard Charlès is paid by Dassault Systèmes 
SE,  a  company  incorporated  under  the  laws  of  France  (see 
paragraph 5.1.4.1 – Table 2).

Finally,  Mr.  Charles  Edelstenne,  Chairman  of  the  Board, 
and  Mr.  Bernard  Charlès,  Vice-Chairman  of  the  Board  and 
Chief  Executive  Officer,  have  not  been  granted  in  2018  any 
exceptional compensation or any multi-annual compensation. 
They are not beneficiaries of an additional retirement plan or 
any indemnity under a non-competition clause.

5.1.3.2 

Performance shares and share 
subscription options

The  members  of  the  Group’s  Executive  Committee  are  given 
long-term  incentives  notably  through  grants  of  Dassault 
Systèmes performance shares or share subscription options to 
associate them with the development and performance of the 
Company. In general, performance shares or share subscription 
options  may  be  granted  to  key  employees  of  the  Company, 
the  number  granted  to  each  of  them  being  dependent  on 
level  of  responsibility.  (see 
individual  performance  and 
paragraph  5.1.4.2  “Interests  of  Executive  Management  and 
Employees in the Share Capital of Dassault Systèmes SE”).

Grants of share subscription options and performance shares 
generally  occur  during  identical  periods.  However,  there 
may  have  been  rare  exceptions  to  this  rule,  given  the  recent 
changes  in  the  tax  and  legal  frameworks,  or   the  compliance 
with the rules regarding knowledge of inside information by 
the corporate officers.

The General Meeting of September 4, 2015 set the maximum 
number  of  shares  that  could  be  granted  to  the  executive 
officers at 35% of the overall amount approved, assessed on 
the date of the grant, or 1,823,545 shares at May 22, 2018 
and 1,830,787 shares at September 25, 2018.

Within  the  framework  of  this  authorization,  the  Board  of 
Directors  which  met  on  May  22,  2018,  decided,  on  the 
recommendation  of  the  Compensation  and  Nomination 
Committee,  to  grant  300,000  shares  (“2018-B”  shares)  to 
Mr.  Bernard  Charlès,   Vice-Chairman  of  the  Board  and  Chief 
Executive  Officer,  as  part  of  the  gradual  process  of  making 
Bernard  Charlès  a  company  shareholder  that  began  several 
years ago, with the aim of recognizing his entrepreneurial role 
during more than 30 years with the Company and providing 
him  with  an  equity  interest  comparable  to  that  of  founders 
of companies in the same sector or more generally his peers 
in  technology  companies  around  the  world.  This  number  of 
300,000  shares  granted  remains  unchanged  since  2005, 
which is the year of first grant to the CEO (taking into account 
the two-for-one share split on July 17, 2014).

These 2018-B shares represent 5.80% of the overall amount 
approved by the General Meeting of September 4, 2015.

The  shares  allocated  to  the  CEO  will  be  vested  on  May  22, 
2021  provided,  per  the  requirements  of  the  AFEP-MEDEF 
Code, the beneficiary remains with the Company and fulfills 
the  performance  condition.  These  conditions  are  identical 
to  those  of  the  2018-A  performance  shares  plan  for  certain 
employees  of  the  Company.  The  performance  condition  is 
based  on  the  Company’s  intrinsic  performance  as  measured 
by  the  increase  in  EPS  (neutralized  from  currency  effects) 
between 2017 and 2020. The increase must be at least equal 
to  a  threshold  (expressed  as  a  percentage)  set  by  the  Board 
that allocated the shares in question.

As  mentioned  in  paragraph  5.1.3.2  of  the  2017  Annual 
Report  and  during  the  General  Meeting  of  Shareholders 
of  May  22,  2018,  the  Board  decided  on  September  25, 
2018  to  allocate  performance  shares  (plan  2019)  to  several 
managers  and  employees  of  the  Company  in  anticipation  of 
the  allocation  considered  for  2019  (performance  shares  are 
generally granted in May at the end of the General Meeting 
of Shareholders) in order to benefit from the legal regime of 
the  authorization  of  the  General  Meeting  of  September  4, 
2015 which was to expire on November 4, 2018. The Board 
specified  that  the  allocation  that  would  be  made  in  2019 
would not apply to the beneficiaries of this anticipation. Thus, 
the Board of September 25, 2018 used this authorization to 
grant  by  anticipation  300,000  shares  named  “2019-B”  to 
Mr. Bernard Charlès, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors 
and Chief Executive Officer, as part of the gradual process of 
associating him with the Company’s capital that began several 
years ago, with the aim of recognizing his entrepreneurial role 
during more than 30 years with the Company and providing 

5

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him with an equity interest comparable to that of founders of 
companies in the same sector, and more generally, of his peers 
in technology companies around the world.

5.1.3.3 

Indemnity due in the event of the 
imposed departure of Mr. Bernard 
Charlès

As part of the review of all components of Mr. Bernard Charlès’ 
compensation  for  2019,  the  Compensation  and  Nomination 
Committee confirmed on March 20, 2019 that no performance 
shares will be granted to Mr. Bernard Charlès in 2019, taking 
into account the share grant of 300,000 2019-B shares from 
which he benefited on September 25, 2018 by anticipation.

These 2019-B shares represent 5.71% of the global allocation 
decided by the General Meeting of September 4, 2015.

The  2019-B  shares  granted  to  the  Chief  Executive  Officer 
will  vest  on  May  23,  2022,  subject,  in  accordance  with  the 
AFEP-MEDEF Code, to the satisfaction of a presence condition 
and  a  performance  condition.  These  conditions  are  identical 
to those provided for under the 2019-A share plan for certain 
Company employees. The performance condition is based on 
the intrinsic performance of the Company as measured by the 
growth of the EPS (neutralized from currency effects) achieved 
in 2021 compared to the EPS in 2018, growth that should be 
at least equal to a threshold (expressed in percentage) set by 
the Board which granted these shares.

In  accordance  with  the  AFEP-MEDEF  Code  and  AMF 
recommendations,  the  Board  meeting  of  May  22,  2018 
resolved  that  the  Vice-Chairman  of  the  Board  and  CEO  shall 
maintain  at least 15% of the total amount of the shares vested 
to  him  under  the  2018-B  grant;  and  the  Board  meeting  of 
September  25,  2018  resolved  that  the  Vice-Chairman  of 
the  Board  and  CEO  shall  maintain   at  least  15%  of  the  total 
amount of the shares vested to him under the 2019-B grant. 
This  percentage  is  calculated  after  deduction  of  the  number 
of shares, which would be necessary to sell to pay taxes due, 
social  charges  and  expenses  related  to  the  sale  of  the  total 
number of shares vested.

Thus, the Vice-Chairman of the Board and CEO shall maintain 
under registered form, until the end of his functions as CEO, 
15% of the total number of shares acquired under all grants of 
performance shares to his profit since 2007, calculated after 
deduction of the number of shares which would be necessary 
to sell to pay taxes due, social charges and expenses related to 
the sale of the total number of shares vested.

Mr.  Bernard  Charlès  also  formally  agreed  not  to  use  forward 
contracts in order to secure a capital gain in connection with 
the sale of performance shares or the exercise of stock options, 
until  the  expiry  of  the  legal  holding  period.  The  Dassault 
Systèmes’ insider trading rules already impose such restriction.

Further information concerning share subscription options and 
performance shares is provided in paragraph 5.1.4 “Summary 
of compensation and benefits due to corporate officers”. Aside 
from Dassault Systèmes SE, no other Group company granted 
shares or options to corporate officers in 2018.

In accordance with the French Commercial Code and the AFEP-
MEDEF Code, the principle and the amount of the indemnity 
paid to the Chief Executive Officer upon the termination of his 
functions are subject to conditions, in particular performance 
conditions.  Thus  the  indemnity  would  be  due  in  case  of  a 
change in control or strategy duly acknowledged by the Board 
of  Directors,  which  results  in  an  imposed  departure  (départ 
contraint) in the subsequent 12 months. The indemnity may 
also  be  paid  if  the  imposed  departure  is  not  linked  to  poor 
results  of  the  Company  or  to  mismanagement  by  the  Chief 
Executive  Officer,  the  Board  of  Directors  being  entitled  to 
decide to pay all or part of the indemnity.

However,  the  indemnity  would  not  be  due  in  the  event  the 
Chief  Executive  Officer  were  to  leave  the  Company  on  his 
own initiative to take a new position elsewhere, or were to be 
assigned a new position within the Company, or if he were to 
receive retirement benefits shortly after leaving. Furthermore, 
in the event of exceptional circumstances seriously damaging 
the  image  or  results  of  the  Company  and  significantly 
reducing, in the opinion of the Board, the market price of the 
Company’s  shares  or  in  the  event  of  misconduct  other  than 
in connection with his corporate functions (faute séparable de 
ses fonctions) and incompatible with the normal performance 
of  his  mandate,  the  Board  may  decide  that  the  indemnity 
payment is not due.

The  amount  of  the  indemnity  due  to  the  Chief  Executive 
Officer  in  the  event  of  the  termination  of  his  functions  will 
be  equivalent  to  a  maximum  of  two  years  of  compensation 
as  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  will  depend  on  satisfying  the 
performance conditions established for calculating his variable 
compensation.  The  amount  paid  would  be  calculated  pro 
rata with respect to the percentage of variable compensation 
which was paid during the three years preceding his departure 
as  compared  to  the  targeted  variable  compensation  for  such 
years.  The  amount  due  would  be  calculated  by  using  the 
following formula:

 › the  aggregate  gross  compensation  (including  variable 
compensation  but  excluding  compensation  in  kind  and 
directors’ fees) due in connection with his position for the 
two years ended prior to the date of departure;

 › multiplied  by  the  quotient  of  (i)  the  amount  of  variable 
compensation  actually  paid  during  the  three  fiscal  years 
completed  prior  to  the  date  of  departure  with  regard  to 
their respective years of reference (numerator), divided by 
(ii) the amount of target variable compensation determined 
for  each  of  these  years  by  the  Board  of  Directors  on  the 
basis  of  achievement  of  the  objectives  set  for  the  Group 
(denominator).

The  indemnity  is  thus  subject  to  performance  conditions 
related to achieving targets fixed for the variable compensation.

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5

5.1.3.4  Directors’ fees

As Chairman of the Board and director respectively, Mr. Charles 
Edelstenne and Mr. Bernard Charlès receive directors’ fees (see 
paragraph 5.1.4 “Summary of the Compensation and Benefits 
Due to Corporate Officers (mandataires sociaux)”).

The  General  Meeting  of  May  23,  2017  set  the  maximum 
annual amount of directors’ fees at €500,000 for the current 
and future fiscal years, until a further decision by the General 
Meeting on this issue.

For 2018, the amount of the directors’ fees actually granted to 
the Dassault Systèmes SE directors was €484,181, of which 
€228,981 was for their positions (fixed portion) and €255,200 
was for attendance of meetings of the Board of Directors and 
its  committees  (variable  portion).  In  accordance  with  the 

AFEP-MEDEF Code, the variable portion of the directors’ fees 
is structurally greater.

The  distribution  of  the  directors’  fees  among  the  directors 
for 2018 is based on the following principles, which were set 
by  the  Board  of  Directors  at  its  meeting  on  May  22,  2018: 
€16,500 per director, an additional €16,500 for the Chairman 
of  the  Board  and  an  extra  €4,400  for  the  Chairman  of  the 
Audit  Committee  (these  amounts  are  prorated  for  the  actual 
time  served  in  those  posts  during  the  year);  €2,200  per 
director for actual attendance at a Board meeting; €4,400 per 
member  of  the  Audit  Committee  for  actual  attendance  at  a 
committee meeting; €2,200 per member of the Compensation 
and  Nomination  Committee  or  Scientific  Committee,  for 
actual  attendance  at  a  committee  meeting;  €1,100  for  each 
attendance via conference call or videoconference at a meeting 
of the Board of Directors or one of its committees.

5.1.4  Summary of the Compensation and Benefits d ue to Corporate 

Officers (mandataires sociaux)

5

5.1.4.1 

Compensation of the Corporate 
Officers (mandataires sociaux)

The tables below provide a summary, in accordance with the 
recommendations of the AMF and the AFEP-MEDEF Code, of 
the compensation and benefits paid to the corporate officers 

of  Dassault  Systèmes  SE,  pursuant  to  Article  L.  225-37-3 
of  the  French  Commercial  Code  (see  also  paragraphs  5.1.3 
“Principles established by the Board of Directors pertaining to 
compensation of the executive officers and directors”, 5.1.4.2 
“Interests  of  Executive  Management  and  Employees  in  the 
Share Capital of Dassault Systèmes SE”).

TABLE 1: SUMMARY OF COMPENSATION AND OPTIONS AND SHARES GRANTED TO EACH EXECUTIVE OFFICER

(in euros)

Charles Edelstenne, Chairman of the Board

Compensation due for the year (detailed in Table 2)(1)

Value of the variable multi-year compensation granted during the year

Value of the stock options granted during the year (detailed in Table 4)

Value of the performance shares granted during the year (detailed in Table 6)

Value of the other long-term compensation plans

Bernard Charlès, Vice-Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

Compensation due for the year (detailed in Table 2)(1)

Value of the variable multi-year compensation granted during the year

Value of the stock options granted during the year (detailed in Table 4)

Value of the performance shares granted during the year (detailed in Table 6)

Value of the other long-term compensation plans

2018

2017

1,027,100

1,027,100

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

2,944,726 

2,783,284

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

See below

See below

(1)  All compensation paid by the Company to Mr. Charles Edelstenne and Mr. Bernard Charlès is paid by Dassault Systèmes SE, a company incorporated under the laws of France

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VALUE OF THE SHARES GRANTED TO BERNARD CHARLÈS, VICE CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, AS PART 
OF THE GRADUAL PROCESS OF ASSOCIATING HIM WITH THE COMPANY’S CAPITAL

These  shares  are  granted  to  Bernard  Charlès,  Vice-Chairman 
of  the  Board  and  Chief  Executive  Officer  as  part  of  the 
gradual  process  of  associating  him  with  the  Company’s 
capital  that  began  several  years  ago,  with  the  aim  of 
recognizing  his  entrepreneurial  role  during  more  than  30 

years  with  the  Company  and  providing  him  with  an  equity 
interest  comparable  to  that  of  founders  of  companies  in  the 
same  sector,  and  more  generally,  of  his  peers  in  technology 
companies around the world.

(in euros)

Bernard Charlès, Vice-Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

2018

2017

Value of the shares granted during the year (detailed in Table 6-A) (1) 

19,950,608 (2)  13,004,841(2)

(1)  Value based on the method chosen for the consolidated financial statements before the spreading of the expense and taking into account the performance criteria.
(2)  i.e. 300,000 2018-B shares granted in 2018.
(3)  i.e. 300,000 2017-B shares granted in 2017.

As mentioned in paragraph 5.1.3.2 of the 2017 Annual Report 
and during the General Meeting of Shareholders of May 22, 
2018, on September 25, 2018, the Board decided to allocate 
performance  shares  (plan  2019)  to  several  managers  and 
employees of the Company (including Mr. Bernard Charlès) in 
order to benefit from the legal regime of the authorization of the 
General Meeting of September 4, 2015 which was to expire on 

November 4, 2018. The Board thus proceeded by anticipation 
to the allocation considered for 2019 (performance shares are 
generally granted in May at the end of the General Meeting of 
Shareholders). In 2019, no performance shares will be granted 
to Mr. Bernard Charlès.

(in euros)

Bernard Charlès, Vice-Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

2019 
(in advance)

2018

Value of the shares granted during the year (detailed in Table 6-B) (1)

21,734,506 (2)  19,950,608(3)

(1)  Value based on the method chosen for the consolidated financial statements before the spreading of the expense and taking into account the performance criteria.
(2)  i.e. 300,000 2019-B shares granted in advance in 2018.
(3)  i.e. 300,000 2018-B shares granted in 2018.

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5

TABLE 2: SUMMARY OF THE COMPENSATION OF EACH EXECUTIVE OFFICER
The gross compensation before tax of the executive officers (dirigeants mandataires sociaux) is set forth in the table below. All 
compensation paid by the Company to the executive officers is paid by Dassault Systèmes SE, a company incorporated under the 
laws of France.

They do not receive any compensation from the Company other than the fees shown in the table below.

(in euros)

Charles Edelstenne, Chairman of the Board

Fixed compensation (1)

Annual variable compensation

Multi-year variable compensation

Extraordinary compensation

Directors’ fees (2)

Benefits in kind (3)

TOTAL

Bernard Charlès, Vice-Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive 
Officer(4)

Fixed compensation

Annual variable compensation(5)

Multi-year variable compensation

Extraordinary compensation

Directors’ fees

Benefits in kind (9)

TOTAL

2018

2017

Amounts due 
for the year

Amount paid in 
2018

Amounts due for 
the year

Amount paid in 
2017

982,000

982,000

982,000

982,000

N/A

N/A

N/A

45,100

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

45,100

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

45,100

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

45,100

N/A

1,027,100

1,027,100

1,027,100

1,027,100

1,390,000

1,390,000

1,325,000

1,325,000

1,506,760  (6)

1,417,750 (7)

1,417,750 (7)

1,378,000 (8)

N/A

N/A

28,600

19,366

N/A

N/A

28,600

19,366

N/A

N/A

28,600

11,934

N/A

N/A

27,500

11,934

2,944,726 

2,855,716

2,783,284

2,742,434

5

(1)  GIMD paid Mr. Charles Edelstenne, first as GIMD’s Chief Executive Officer until May 28, 2018, and then as GIMD’s Chairman from  May 29, 2018, a gross compensation of 

€804,828 in 2018 and 2017.

(2)  GIMD paid Mr. Charles Edelstenne, as a member of GIMD’s Supervisory Board, directors’ fees of €27,286 in 2018 and €28,137 in 2017.
(3)  GIMD granted benefits in kind relating to the use of a car for Mr. Charles Edelstenne, valued at €10,440 in 2018 and €10,411 in 2017.
(4)  With the exception of directors’ fees, Dassault Systèmes has paid Bernard Charlès each of the compensation elements referred to in the table above in respect of his office as Chief 

Executive Officer of Dassault Systèmes. In 2018, Mr. Charlès did not receive any compensation in consideration of his office as Vice-Chairman of the Board.

(5)  The rules governing the determination of variable compensation of the Chief Executive Officer are described in paragraph 5.1.3 “Principles established by the Board of Directors 

pertaining to compensation of the Executive Officers and directors”.

(6)  Variable portion due for 2018 and paid in 2019.
(7)  Variable portion due for 2017 and paid in 2018.
(8)  Variable portion due for 2016 and paid in 2017.
(9)  These benefits in kind are linked to the use of a vehicle made available to Bernard Charlès by Dassault Systèmes SE.

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TABLE 3: GROSS DIRECTORS’ FEES AND OTHER COMPENSATION RECEIVED BY NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
The directors do not receive any compensation from the Company other than the fees shown in the table below, except Charles 
Edelstenne and Bernard Charlès, whose compensation is detailed in Table 2 above, and Thibault de Tersant, director and General 
Secretary, and Tanneguy de Fromont de Bouaille (director representing the employees), whose compensation is detailed in the 
tables below.

All compensation paid by the Company to the non-executive directors is paid by Dassault Systèmes SE, a company incorporated 
under the laws of France.

(in euros)

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS (MANDATAIRES SOCIAUX NON-DIRIGEANTS)

Thibault de Tersant*

Jean-Pierre Chahid-Nouraï

Catherine Dassault (director since July 20, 2016)

Nicole Dassault (director until May 27, 2016) (1)

Arnoud De Meyer

Odile Desforges 

Soumitra Dutta (director since May 23, 2017)

Tanneguy de Fromont de Bouaille* (2)
(director representing the employees since June 24, 2016)

Marie-Hélène Habert-Dassault (3)

Laurence Lescourret (director since May 26, 2016)

Toshiko Mori

Xavier Cauchois (director since May 22, 2018)

TOTAL

Directors’ fees paid 
in 2018 for fiscal 
year 2017

Directors’ fees paid 
in 2017 for fiscal 
year 2016

28,600

58,300

28,600

-

38,500

47,300

16,681

28,600

57,200

11,793

6,627

38,500

42,900

–

28,600(2)

14,111(2)

28,600

47,300

33,000

-

27,500

25,318

28,600

-

355,481

281,149

(1)  In 2018 and 2017, GIMD paid Nicole Dassault directors’ fees of €4,858 and €11,667, respectively, for her role as member of the Supervisory Board of GIMD.
(2)  The director fees due to Mr. de Fromont de Bouaille, the director representing employees, were paid to the CFE-CGC.
(3)  In 2018 and 2017, GIMD paid Marie-Hélène Habert-Dassault directors’ fees of €27,286 and €28,137, respectively, for her role as member of the Supervisory Board of GIMD, and 
compensation of €349,548 and €347,495 for her role as Director of Communication and Patronage, Dassault Group. GIMD also granted her a bonus in an amount of €10,000 and 
€10,000 and benefits in kind relating to the use of a car, valued at €3,324 and €3,314. In 2018, GIMD also paid Marie-Hélène Habert-Dassault, for her role as Chairman of the 
Supervisory Board of GIMD, €10,000.
The overall compensation received by Thibault de Tersant and Tanneguy de Fromont de Bouaille in 2018 and 2017 is set out below: 

* 

Thibault de Tersant, Director, Senior Executive Vice-President and General Secretary

Fixed compensation

Annual variable compensation

Multi-year variable compensation

Extraordinary compensation(3 )

Directors’ fees

Benefits in kind(4 )

TOTAL

Compensation paid 
in 2018

Compensation paid 
in 2017

490 000

253 000(1)

-

3 295

28 600

9 056

490 000

250 000 (2)

-

2 119

28 600

9 867

783 951

780 586

(1)  Variable portion due for 2017. Thibault de Tersant also received €36,926 in respect of mandatory and contractual profit-sharing for 2017.
(2)  Variable portion due for 2016. Thibault de Tersant also received €37,135 in respect of mandatory and contractual profit-sharing for 2016.
 (3 )  The extraordinary compensation relates to an adjustment paid in connection with the computation of paid leave indemnities.
(4)  These benefits in kind relate to the use of a car provided by Dassault Systèmes SE.

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Tanneguy de Fromont de Bouaille, director representing the employees (1)

Fixed compensation

Annual variable compensation

Multi-year variable compensation

Extraordinary compensation(4)

Directors’ fees

Benefits in kind

TOTAL

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5

Compensation paid 
in 2018

Compensation paid 
in 2017

119,851

26,221 (2)

-

797

-

-

118,350

25,376 (3)

-

1,246

-

-

146,869

144,972

(1)  Dassault Systèmes SE has paid to Tanneguy de Fromont de Bouaille each of the compensation elements referred to in the table above with respect to his employment contract as 
Consumer Goods and Retail Industry Sales Director. Mr. de Fromont de Bouaille did not receive any directors’ fees in respect of his office as Dassault Systèmes SE in 2018 and 2019 
paid the directors’ fees due for 2017 and 2018, directly to the CFE-CGC for the director representing employees.

(2)  Variable portion due for 2017. Tanneguy de Fromont de Bouaille also received €31,630 in respect of mandatory and contractual profit-sharing for 2017.
(3)  Variable portion due for 2016. Tanneguy de Fromont de Bouaille also received €32,789 in respect of mandatory and contractual profit-sharing for 2016.
(4)  The extraordinary compensation relates to (i) an adjustment paid in connection with the computation of paid leave indemnities and (ii) fees paid in connection with professional 

travels.

Other elements relating to the compensation of the directors are described in paragraph 5.1.3.4 “Directors’ Fees”.

TABLE 4: SHARE SUBSCRIPTION OR PURCHASE OPTIONS GRANTED IN 2018 TO EACH EXECUTIVE OFFICER BY THE 
ISSUER AND BY ANY OF THE GROUP COMPANIES

5

(in euros)

Charles Edelstenne

TOTAL

Bernard Charlès

TOTAL

No. and date of 
the plan

Type of options 
(purchase or 
subscription)

Value of the 
options

Number of options 
granted in 2018

Exercise price Exercise period

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

TABLE 5: SHARE SUBSCRIPTION OR PURCHASE OPTIONS EXERCISED DURING 2018 BY EACH EXECUTIVE OFFICER

(in euros)

Charles Edelstenne

Bernard Charlès

TOTAL

No. and date of 
the plan

Number of 
options exercised 
in 2018

-

2010-01*

–

100,000

100,000

Exercise price

–

€23.50

* 

The 2010-01 plan was granted on May 27, 2010 and expired on May 26, 2018. On April 27, 2018, Mr. Bernard Charlès exercised all of the share subscription options granted to 
him in 2010. In 2018, Mr. Bernard Charlès retained all of the 100,000 shares resulting from this exercise.

From a general perspective, Mr. Bernard Charlès retains the Dassault Systèmes’ shares acquired upon the exercise of the share 
subscription options.

On December 31, 2018, Mr. Bernard Charlès held 3,840,441 shares, representing 1.46% of Dassault Systèmes’ share capital. 
On December 31, 2017, Mr. Bernard Charlès held 3,290,441 shares, representing 1.26% of Dassault Systèmes’ share capital.

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TABLE 6-A: 2018 SHARES GRANTED DURING 2018 TO EACH EXECUTIVE OFFICER BY THE ISSUER AND BY ANY OF 
THE GROUP COMPANIES

Charles Edelstenne

Bernard Charlès

TOTAL

No. and date of 
the plan

Number of performance 
shares granted in 2018

Value of the 
shares
(in euros) (1)

Date of acquisition

Date of 
availability

Performance 
conditions

–

2018-B
05/22/2018

N/A

–

–

–

300,000(2)

19,950,608

05/22/2021 05/23/2021

300,000

–

Yes

(1)  Value based on the method chosen for the consolidated financial statements before the spreading of the expense and taking into account the performance criteria.
(2)  Such shares are granted to Bernard Charlès, Vice-Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, as part of the gradual process of associating him with the Company’s capital 
that began several years ago, with the aim of recognizing his entrepreneurial role during more than 30 years with the Group and providing him with an equity interest comparable 
to that of founders of companies in the same sector, and more generally, of his peers in technology companies around the world.

TABLE 6-B: 2019 SHARES GRANTED IN ADVANCE DURING 2018 TO EACH EXECUTIVE OFFICER BY THE ISSUER AND 
BY ANY OF THE GROUP COMPANIES
As  mentioned  in  paragraph  5.1.3.2  of  the  2017  Annual 
Report  and  during  the  General  Meeting  of  Shareholders  of 
May 22, 2018, on September 25, 2018, the Board decided to 
allocate performance shares (plan 2019) to several managers 
and  employees  of  the  Company  (including  Mr.  Bernard 
Charlès)  in  order  to  benefit  from  the  legal  regime  of  the 

authorization  of  the  General  Meeting  of  September  4,  2015 
which  was  to  expire  on  November  4,  2018.  The  Board  thus 
proceeded  by  anticipation  to  the  allocation  considered  for 
2019 (performance shares are generally granted in May at the 
end of the General Meeting of Shareholders).

In 2019, no performance shares will be granted to Mr. Bernard Charlès.

Charles Edelstenne

Bernard Charlès

TOTAL

No. and date of 
the plan

Number of performance 
shares granted in 2018

Value of the 
shares
(in euros) (1)

Date of acquisition

Date of 
availability

Performance 
conditions

–

2019-B
09/25/2018

N/A

–

–

–

300,000(2)

21,734,506

05/23/2022 05/23/2022

300,000

–

Yes

(1)  Value based on the method chosen for the consolidated financial statements before the spreading of the expense and taking into account the performance criteria.
(2)  These shares were granted to Bernard Charlès, Vice-Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, in advance of 2019, as part of the gradual process of associating him with 
the Company’s capital that began several years ago, with the aim of recognizing his entrepreneurial role during more than 30 years with the Company and providing him with an 
equity  interest  comparable  to  that  of  founders  of  companies  in  the  same  sector,  and  more  generally,  of  his  peers  in  technology  companies  around  the  world.  In  2019,  no 
performance share will be granted Mr. Bernard Charlès.

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TABLE 7: SHARES THAT BECAME AVAILABLE DURING 2018 FOR EACH EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Bernard Charlès

TOTAL

No. and date of the plan

2014-B
02/21/2014

2016-B (Tranche 1)
05/26/2016

Number of shares 
that became 
available in 2018

Vesting 
conditions(1)

300,000 (2)

150,000

450,000

(1)  Such shares have been granted to Bernard Charlès, Vice-Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, as part of the gradual process of associating him with the Company’s 
capital that began several years ago, with the aim of recognizing his entrepreneurial role during more than 30 years with the Company and providing him with an equity interest 
comparable to that of founders of companies in the same sector, and more generally, of his peers in technology companies around the world. In accordance with law, a portion of 
such shares is subject to lock-up (see paragraph 5.1.3.2 “Performance Shares and Share Subscription Options”).

(2)  The quantity of 300,000 shares reflects the Dassault Systèmes two-for-one stock split on July 17, 2014, and the resulting increase in the number of shares available.

From  a  general  perspective,  Mr.  Bernard  Charlès  retains  the 
Dassault Systèmes’ shares acquired at the end of the vesting 
period for the allocated shares.

In  2018,  Mr.  Bernard  Charlès  retained  the  300,000  shares 
acquired  in  February  2018  (2014-B  plan  allocated  in  2014) 
and the 150,000 shares acquired in May 2018 (2016-B plan 
Tranch 1 allocated in 2016).

On December 31, 2018, Mr. Bernard Charlès held 3,840,441 
shares,  representing  1.46%  of  Dassault  Systèmes’  share 
capital.  On  December  31,  2017,  Mr.  Bernard  Charlès  held 
3,290,441 shares, representing 1.26% of Dassault Systèmes’ 
share capital.

5

TABLE 8: HISTORY OF SHARE SUBSCRIPTION AND PURCHASE OPTIONS GRANTED
See paragraph 5.1.4.2 “Interests of Executive Management and Employees in the Share Capital of Dassault Systèmes SE” below.

TABLE 9: SHARE SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS GRANTED TO THE TOP TEN EMPLOYEES WHO ARE NOT EXECUTIVE 
DIRECTORS, AND OPTIONS EXERCISED BY THESE EMPLOYEES
See paragraph 5.1.4.2 “Interests of Executive Management and Employees in the Share Capital of Dassault Systèmes SE” below.

TABLE 10: HISTORY OF PERFORMANCE SHARES GRANTED
See paragraph 5.1.4.2 “Interests of Executive Management and Employees in the Share Capital of Dassault Systèmes SE” below.

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TABLE 11: MONITORING OF THE AFEP-MEDEF’S RECOMMENDATIONS
As  indicated  in  the  table  below,  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  complies  with  the  main  recommendations  of  the  AFEP-MEDEF  Code 
regarding compensation and benefits granted to executive officers (dirigeants mandataires sociaux).

Employment agreement

Additional retirement plan

Indemnities or benefits due 
or which may become due 
in the event of termination 
of or change in functions

Indemnities related to a 
non-competition clause

Yes

No

X

X

Executive officers

Charles Edelstenne

Chairman of the Board
Director since (1st appointment): 
04/08/1993
Term: until the annual General 
Meeting to be held in 2022

Bernard Charlès

Vice-Chairman of the Board and Chief 
Executive Officer
1st appointment as CEO: 
04/08/1993
Term: until the annual General 
Meeting to be held in 2022

Yes

No

X

Yes

No

X

Yes

X

X*

No

X

X

* 

The conditions for payment and the amount of the indemnities owed are described in paragraph 5.1.3.3 “Indemnities due in the event of the imposed departure of Mr. Bernard Charlès”.

There  is  no  specific  additional  retirement  plan  (régime 
complémentaire  de  retraite)  for  the  executive  officers. 
The  companies  controlled  by  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  have 
not  paid  any  compensation  or  granted  any  other  benefits  in 
kind to the executive officers (dirigeants mandataires sociaux) 
mentioned above.

The  Table  10  “Summary  of 
variable  multi-annual 
compensations for each executive officer (dirigeant mandataire 
social)”  recommended  by  the  AFEP-MEDEF  Code  is  not 
relevant as no such variable multi-annual compensations have 
been  granted  to  any  executive  officer  (dirigeant mandataire 
social) of Dassault Systèmes SE.

5.1.4.2 

Interests of Executive Management 
and Employees in the Share Capital 
of Dassault Systèmes SE

Dassault Systèmes share subscription options
As  of  December  31,  2018,  there  were  five  active  share 
subscription  options  plans  for  the  benefit  of  certain  Group 
managers  and  employees.  The  exercise  price  of  share 
subscription  options,  for  all  the  plans,  was  fixed  without 
a discount.

more than 5% of Dassault Systèmes SE’s share capital. At its 
meeting  on  May  22,  2018,  the  Board  of  Directors  used  this 
authorization  to  grant  to  989  beneficiaries  1,985,201  share 
subscription options (the “2018-01 options”), the exercise of 
which  is  subject  to  them  remaining  with  the  Company  and 
performance  conditions  for  each  reference  year  2018,  2019 
and 2020.

The  new  shares  created  by  the  exercise  of  options  between 
January  1  and  the  date  of  the  Annual  General  Meeting 
deciding  on  the  allocation  of  profit  related  to  the  most 
recently  completed  fiscal  year  are  entitled  to  receive  the 
dividend  distributed  with  respect  to  that  year.  As  a  result, 
the new shares are traded on the same line as the previously 
existing shares.

However,  the  new  shares  created  as  from  the  day  after  this 
Annual  General  Meeting  do  not  have  a  right  to  receive  this 
dividend.  Those  shares  are  temporarily  listed  on  a  second 
trading  line  until  the  date  the  shares  trade  ex-dividend 
(i.e. without the right to receive the dividend to be distributed 
on Dassault Systèmes shares).

The following table provides certain information on the stock 
options plans in effect during 2018.

The General Meeting of May 26, 2016 authorized the Board 
of  Directors  to  grant  options  to  subscribe  or  to  purchase 
Company shares for a period of 38 months, provided that the 
total of all outstanding stock options does not give a right to 

HISTORY OF SHARE SUBSCRIPTION AND PURCHASE 
OPTIONS GRANTED
(Corresponding  to  Table  8  of  the  AMF  Position-
Recommendation No. 2009-16)

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For all the grants prior to July 17, 2014, the figures in this table (options, shares and exercise price) reflect the two-for-one split 
of the Dassault Systèmes share effective on July 17, 2014 and the correlative multiplication of the number of shares that may 
be exercised.

Stock option plan

General Meeting

Board of Directors

Total Number of shares to be 
subscribed pursuant to options 
exercise

 › by corporate officers 
(mandataires sociaux)

Bernard Charlès

Thibault de Tersant

Starting point for exercising the 
options

Expiry date

Exercise price (in euros)

Terms of exercise

Total number of shares subscribed 
pursuant to options exercised as of 
12/31/2018

Cumulative number of options 
canceled or lapsed as at 
12/31/2018

Number of options outstanding as 
of 12/31/2018

Number of shares subscribed 
pursuant to options exercised 
between 01/01/2019 and 
02/28/2019

Number of options canceled or null 
and void between 01/01/2019 and 
02/28/2019

Number of options outstanding as 
of 02/28/2019

Total number of shares subscribed 
pursuant to options exercised as of 
02/28/2019

2010-01

2014-01

2015-01

2016-01

2017-01

2018-01

Total

05/27/2010 05/30/2013 05/30/2013 05/26/2016 05/26/2016 05/26/2016

05/27/2010 05/26/2014 09/04/2015 05/26/2016 05/23/2017 05/22/2018

2,480,000

624,450

1,965,555

1,947,785

2,050,370

1,985,201

11,053,361

220,000

100,000 (1)

120,000

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

220,000

100,000

120,000

05/27/2014 02/21/2016 09/04/2016 05/26/2017 05/23/2018 05/22/2019

05/26/2018 05/25/2022 09/03/2025 05/25/2026 05/22/2027 05/21/2028

23.50

45.50

62.00

69.00

82.00

110.00

See note (2)

See note (3)

See note (4)

See note(5)

See note(6)

2,271,400

180,780

701,108

455,166

173,450

0

3,781,904

5

208,600

376,176

343,985

311,531

285,635

56,210

1,582,137

0

0

0

0

67,494

920,462

1,181,088

1,591,285

1,928,991

5,689,320

4,869

130,121

34,132

29,905

0

199,027 

0

3,641 

15,349 

20,129 

29,050 

68,169 

62,625

786,700

1,131,607

1,545,251

1,899,941

5,426,124

2,271,400

185,649

831,226

489,298

199,355

0

3,976,928 

(1)  The options granted to the Chief Executive Officer are subject to performance conditions related to his variable compensation actually paid out over three years, the amount of 

which is itself dependent upon the satisfaction of the performance criteria defined by the Board of Directors of Dassault Systèmes SE.

(2)  The 2014-01 options are exercisable by one-third tranches as from February 21, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively, provided that the beneficiary remains with the Company and 

fulfills the performance conditions related to the target for his or her respective brand.

(3)  The 2015-01 options are exercisable by one-third tranches as from September 4, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively, provided that the beneficiary remains with the Company 
and fulfills the performance condition relating to the diluted net earnings per share on a non-IFRS consolidated basis (hereinafter referred to as the “EPS”), and/or the achievement 
of the target for his or her respective brand.

(4)  The 2016-01 options are exercisable by one-third tranches as from May 26, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively, provided that the beneficiary remains with the Company and 

fulfills the performance condition relating to the EPS (neutralized from currency effects), and/or the achievement of the target for his or her respective brand.

(5)  The 2017-01 options are exercisable by one-third tranches as from May 23, 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively, provided that the beneficiary remains with the Company and 

fulfills the performance condition relating to the EPS (neutralized from currency effects), and/or the achievement of the target for his or her respective brand.

(6)  The 2018-01 options are exercisable exercisable by one-third tranches as from May 22, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively, provided that the beneficiary remains with the 
Company and fulfills the performance condition relating to the EPS (neutralized from currency effects), and/or the achievement of the target for his or her respective brand.

For information regarding the dilutive effect on share capital 
by  the  exercise  of  options,  see  also  paragraph  6.2.1  “Share 
Capital at February 28, 2019”.

As  of  December  31,  2018,  no  director  held  share 
subscription options.

For  information  regarding  the  equity  interests  in  Dassault 
Systèmes SE of the corporate officers (mandataires sociaux), 
see paragraphs 5.1.1 “Composition and Practices of the Board 
of Directors” and 6.3 “Information about the Shareholders” in 
this Annual Report (Document de référence).

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SHARE SUBSCRIPTION AND PURCHASE OPTIONS OF THE TOP TEN EMPLOYEES OF DASSAULT SYSTÈMES WHO ARE 
NOT EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND THE OPTIONS THEY EXERCISED DURING 2018
(Corresponding to Table 9 of the AMF Position-Recommendation No. 2009-16)

The following table shows, on aggregate, the total number and weighted average exercise price of options granted to, and options 
exercised by, the ten Group employees who obtained or exercised the largest number of Dassault Systèmes stock options during 
2018 and who are not corporate officers of Dassault Systèmes SE.

Total number 
of options

Weighted 
average price 
per option

Plan 
no. 2010-01

Plan 
no. 2014-01

Plan 
no. 2015-01

Plan 
no. 2016-01

Plan 
no. 2017-01

Plan 
no. 2018-01

Stock options granted in 
2018 to the ten employees 
who received the largest 
number of stock options

Stock options exercised in 
2018 by the ten 
employees who subscribed 
for the largest number of 
stock options*

292,250

€110.00

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

292,250

325,691

€48.49

298,100

18,332

14,583

14,583

N/A

N/A

* 

For all the grants prior to July 17, 2014, the figures in this table (options and exercise price) reflect the two-for-one split of the Dassault Systèmes share effective on July 17, 2014 
and the correlative multiplication of the number of shares that may be exercised.

Performance shares
The  General  Meeting  of  September  4,  2015  authorized  the 
Board  of  Directors  to  grant  Dassault  Systèmes  shares  for  up 
to a maximum of 2% of Dassault Systèmes SE’s capital at the 
date  of  the  grant  by  the  Board  (i.e.  5,210,131  shares  as  at 
May  22,  2018  and  5,230,822  shares  as  at  September  25, 
2018). This authorization is valid for a 38-month period.

The Board meeting of May 22, 2018 used this authorization 
to  grant  815,730  “2018-A”  performance  shares  to  729 
beneficiaries,  and  300,000  “2018-B”  shares  to  Bernard 
Charlès,  Vice-Chairman  of  the  Board  and  Chief  Executive 
Officer (see paragraph 5.1.3.2 “Performance Shares and Share 
Subscription  Options”).  This  “2018-B”  grant  is  compliant 
with the resolution of the General Meeting, which limited the 
portion of shares that could be granted to Bernard Charlès to 
35% of the overall amount of shares as of the date of the grant 
(i.e. 1,823,545 shares as at May 22, 2018).

As  mentioned  in  paragraph  5.1.3.2  of  the  2017  Annual 
Report  and  during  the  General  Meeting  of  Shareholders  of 
May  22,  2018,  on  September  25,  2018,  the  Board  decided 
to  allocate  performance  shares  (plan  2019)  to  several 
managers  and  employees  of  the  Company  in  anticipation  of 

the  allocation  considered  for  2019  (performance  shares  are 
generally granted in May at the end of the General Meeting of 
Shareholders) in order to benefit from the legal regime of the 
authorization  of  the  General  Meeting  of  September  4,  2015 
which  was  to  expire  on  November  4,  2018.  Therefore,  the 
Board meeting of September 25, 2018 used this authorization 
to  grant  496,700  “2019-A”  performance  shares  in  advance 
to 62 beneficiaries, and 300,000 “2019-B” shares to Bernard 
Charlès,  Vice-Chairman  of  the  Board  and  Chief  Executive 
Officer  (see  paragraph  5.1.3.2  “Performance  Shares  and 
Share Subscription Options”). This “2019-B” advance grant is 
compliant with the resolution of the General Meeting, which 
limited the portion of shares that could be granted to Bernard 
Charlès  to  35%  of  the  overall  amount  of  shares  as  of  the 
date of the grant (i.e. 1,830,787 shares as at September 25, 
2018). The allocation that would be made in 2019 to several 
managers and employees of the Company would not apply to 
the beneficiaries of this allocation of September 25, 2018; in 
2019, no performance shares will therefore be granted to M. 
Bernard Charlès.

The following table provides certain information on the stock 
options plans in effect during 2018.

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HISTORY OF PERFORMANCE SHARES GRANTED
(Corresponding to Table 10 of the AMF Position-Recommendation No. 2009-16)

For all the grants prior to July 17, 2014, the figures in this table reflect the two-for-one split of the Dassault Systèmes share 
effective on July 17, 2014 and the correlative multiplication of the number of shares.

Plan Number

General Meeting

2014-A

2016-A

2017-A

2018-A

2019-A

Total

05/30/2013

09/04/2015

09/04/2015

09/04/2015

09/04/2015

Date of the Board meeting

02/21/2014

05/26/2016

05/23/2017

05/22/2018

09/25/2018

Total number of shares granted 
including the number granted to:

1,059,880

782,950

801,700

815,730

496,700

3,956,960

 › to corporate officers (mandataires 

40,000

40,000

40,000

40,000

30,000

190,000

sociaux)

Bernard Charlès

Thibault de Tersant

Vesting date of shares

Date of end of holding period

Performance conditions

Number of shares vested as at 
02/28/2019

Cumulative nulber of shares canceled or 
lapsed as at 12/31/2018

Performance shares remaining at the 
end of fiscal year

–

–

–

–

–

–

40,000

40,000

40,000

40,000

30,000

190,000

02/21/2018

05/26/2018 
(Tranche 1) and 
05/26/2019 
(Tranche 2)

05/23/2020

05/22/2021

05/23/2022

N/A

Yes (1)

N/A

Yes (2)

959,920

371,225

N/A

Yes(3)

–

N/A

Yes (4)

–

N/A

Yes (5)

1,331,145

5

99,960

57,325

70,300

39,750

–

267,335

–

354,400

731,400

775,980

496,700

2,358,480

(1)  The 2014-A shares will be fully vested at the end of the vesting period, provided that the beneficiary remains with the Company and, each year for three years, fulfills at least one 
of the following performance conditions: growth in the EPS compared to 2014, and such growth must be at least equal to the percentage fixed at the Board meeting at which the 
shares were granted, or the Dassault Systèmes share must outperform the CAC 40 index by a minimum percentage fixed at the same Board meeting.

(2)  The  2016-A  shares  will  be  fully  vested  at  the  end  of  the  vesting  period,  provided  that  the  beneficiary  remains  with  the  Company  and  fulfills  at  least  one  of  the  following 
performance conditions (based on alternative or cumulative criteria, depending on the tranche in question), the achievement of which will be measured in 2018 and 2019: growth 
in EPS relative to 2015, such growth having to be at least equal to the percentage set at the Board meeting at which the shares were granted, and/or Dassault Systèmes shares 
outperforming the CAC 40 index by a minimum percentage set at the same Board meeting.

(3)  The  2017-A  shares  will  be  fully  vested  at  the  end  of  the  vesting  period,  provided  that  the  beneficiary  remains  with  the  Company  and  fulfills  at  least  one  of  the  following 
performance conditions, the achievement of which will be measured in 2020: growth in the EPS compared to 2016, and such growth must be at least equal to the percentage fixed 
at the Board meeting at which the shares were granted.

(4)  The  2018-A  shares  will  be  fully  vested  at  the  end  of  the  vesting  period,  provided  that  the  beneficiary  remains  with  the  Company  and  fulfills  at  least  one  of  the  following 
performance conditions, the achievement of which will be measured in 2021: growth in the EPS compared to 2017, and such growth must be at least equal to the percentage fixed 
at the Board meeting at which the shares were granted.

(5)  The  2019-A  shares  will  be  fully  vested  at  the  end  of  the  vesting  period,  provided  that  the  beneficiary  remains  with  the  Company  and  fulfills  at  least  one  of  the  following 
performance conditions, the achievement of which will be measured in 2022: growth in the EPS compared to 2018, and such growth must be at least equal to the percentage fixed 
at the Board meeting at which the shares were granted.

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HISTORY OF SHARE GRANTS TO BERNARD CHARLÈS, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE 
OFFICER, IN RESPECT OF THE GRADUAL PROCESS OF ASSOCIATING BERNARD CHARLÈS WITH THE COMPANY’S 
SHARE CAPITAL.
(See also paragraph 5.1.3.2 “Performance Shares and Share Subscription Options”)

For all the grants prior to July 17, 2014, the figures in this table reflect the two-for-one split of the Dassault Systèmes share 
effective on July 17, 2014 and the correlative multiplication of the number of shares.

Plan Details

General Meeting

Board of Directors

Total number of shares 
granted to Bernard Charlès

Vesting date of shares

Date of end of holding 
period (1)

Performance conditions

Number of shares acquired 
by Bernard Charlès as at 
02/28/2019

2009

2010

2010-03

2010-05

2014-B

2015-B

2016-B

2017-B

2018-B

2019-B

06/06/ 
2007

11/27/ 
2009

05/27/ 
2010

05/27/ 
2010

05/27/ 
2010

09/29/ 
2011

05/27/ 
2010

09/07/ 
2012

05/30/ 
2013

02/21/ 
2014

09/04/ 
2015

09/04/ 
2015

09/04/ 
2015

05/26/ 
2016

09/04/ 
2015

05/23/ 
2017

09/04/ 
2015

05/22/ 
2018

09/04/ 
2015

09/25/ 
2018

300,000 300,000 300,000 300,000

300,000 300,000

300,000 300,000 300,000 300,000

11/27/ 
2011

05/27/ 
2012

09/29/ 
2013

09/07/ 
2014

02/21/ 
2018

09/04/ 
2017

05/23/ 
2020

05/22/ 
2021

05/23/ 
2022

05/26/2018 
(Tranche 1) 
and 
05/26/2019 
(Tranche 2)

11/27/ 
2013

05/27/ 
2014

09/29/ 
2015

09/07/ 
2016

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

See 
note (2)

See 
note (3)

See 
note (4)

See 
note (5)

See 
note (6)

See 
note (7)

See 
note (8)

See 
note(9)

See 
note(10)

See 
note(11)

300,000 300,000 300,000 300,000 300,000(12) 300,000

150,000(12)

–

–

–

(1)  Non applicable to the shares subject to the legal lock-up commitment set by the Board of Directors (see paragraph 5.1.3.2 “Performance Shares and Share Subscription Options”).
(2)  Performance condition related to variable compensation actually paid to the Chief Executive Officer in respect of the 2009 and 2010 fiscal years, the amount of which is itself 

dependent on achieving performance criteria previously established by the Board.

(3)  Performance condition related to variable compensation actually paid to the Chief Executive Officer in respect of the 2010 and 2011 fiscal years, the amount of which is itself 

dependent on achieving performance criteria previously established by the Board.

(4)  Performance condition related to variable compensation actually paid to the Chief Executive Officer in respect of the 2011 and 2012 fiscal years, the amount of which is itself 

dependent on achieving performance criteria previously established by the Board.

(5)  Performance condition related to variable compensation actually paid to the Chief Executive Officer in respect of the 2012 and 2013 fiscal years, the amount of which is itself 

dependent on achieving performance criteria previously established by the Board.

(6)  The same performance condition as that stipulated for the 2014-A performance shares granted by the Board on the same day to certain employees of the Group.
(7)  Performance condition (i) identical to the one stipulated for the 2015-A performance shares and (ii) an additional condition tied to the variable compensation actually paid to the 
Chief Executive Officer with respect to the 2015 and 2016 fiscal years, the amount of which is itself dependent on the achievement of performance criteria previously established 
by the Board.

(8)  Performance condition (i) identical to the one stipulated for the 2016-A performance shares and (ii) an additional condition tied to the variable compensation actually paid to the 
Chief Executive Officer with respect to the 2016, 2017 and 2018 fiscal years, the amount of which is itself dependent on the achievement of performance criteria previously 
established by the Board (see paragraph 5.1.3.2 “Performance Shares and Share Subscription Options”).

(9)  The same performance condition as that stipulated for the 2017-A performance shares granted by the Board on the same day to certain employees of the Group.
(10) Performance condition identical to the one stipulated for the 2018-A performance shares (see paragraph 5.1.3.2 “Performance Shares and Share Subscription Options”).
(11) Performance condition identical to the one stipulated for the 2019-A performance shares (see paragraph 5.1.3.2 “Performance Shares and Share Subscription Options”).
(12) From a general perspective, Mr. Bernard Charlès retains the Dassault Systèmes’ shares acquired at the end of the vesting period for the allocated shares. In 2018, Mr. Bernard 
Charlès retained the 300,000 shares acquired in February 2018 (2014-B plan allocated in 2014) and the 150,000 shares acquired in May 2018 (2016-B plan Tranch 1 allocated 
in 2016). On December 31, 2018, Mr. Bernard Charlès held 3,840,441 shares, representing 1.46% of Dassault Systèmes’ share capital. On December 31, 2017, Mr. Bernard Charlès 
held 3,290,441 shares, representing 1.26% of Dassault Systèmes’ share capital.

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Corporate governance
The Board’s Corporate Governance Report

5

5.1.5  Application of the AFEP-MEDEF Code

Dassault Systèmes refers to the recommendations of the AFEP-MEDEF Code (revised in June 2018) and reviews its corporate 
governance practices on a regular basis in order to achieve continual improvement in this area.

As permitted by such Code and the law, Dassault Systèmes SE has not adopted all of the Code’s recommendations, or has adopted 
certain provisions in modified form, in view of its particular situation or due to its compliance with other provisions of the Code. 
These are summarized in the table below, together with the reasons for their exclusion/modification.

Recommendations 
of the AFEP-MEDEF Code

Explanation

Proportion of performance shares in 
the compensation of executive officers 
(dirigeants mandataires sociaux)
(Article 24.3.3)

Appointment of the director 
representing employees to the 
Compensation and Nomination 
Committee
(Article 17.1)

Loss of independent director status on 
the 12th anniversary of the 
appointment as director
(Article 8.5.6)

Number of shares that the executive 
officers are required to hold in 
registered form
(Article 22)

5

A significant portion of the shares granted to Mr. Bernard Charlès, Vice-Chairman of the Board and 
Chief Executive Officer, form part of the gradual process of associating him with the Company’s 
capital, which began several years ago, with the goal of recognizing his entrepreneurial role during 
more than 30 years with the Group and providing him with an equity interest comparable to that 
of founders of companies in the same sector, and more generally, of his peers in technology 
companies around the world.

The Board of Directors did not wish to alter the composition of the Compensation and Nomination 
Committee and considers that its current composition – 100% independent directors – is the best 
guarantee of its effectiveness. The Compensation and Nomination Committee’s discussions are 
carefully reported and the Committee’s recommendations are debated during the Board of 
Directors’ meetings. All directors, including the director representing the employees, have the 
opportunity to express their opinions on the subjects dealt with by the Committee.

Messrs. De Meyer and Chahid-Nouraï are deemed independent by the Board despite the length 
of their mandates as Dassault Systèmes SE directors.
Their mandates were renewed on May 28, 2015 for a period of four years, while both had been 
company directors for ten years on the basis of the current AFEP-MEDEF Code then in force, which 
stipulates that a director loses independent status at the end of the mandate during which their 
term of office exceeds 12 years (Article 9.4, Note 10). Accordingly, Messrs. De Meyer and 
Chahid-Nouraï should lose their independent status at the end of their term of office following the 
General Meeting held to approve the 2018 financial statements.
However, the November 2016 revision of the Code now stipulates that a director loses independent 
status on their 12th anniversary. Based on this version of the Code, Messrs. De Meyer and 
Chahid-Nouraï should have lost their independent status in 2018.
The Board therefore considers it appropriate to apply the recommendation of the Code in force on 
the date of renewal of the two directors’ mandates, whereby the loss of independence occurs at the 
end of the mandate during which the term of office exceeds 12 years, i.e. 2020.
Nevertheless, because it is committed to the best possible corporate governance standards, the 
Board has decided to evolve the composition of the Compensation and Nomination Committee as 
follows:
 › at the end of the Board meeting of December 8, 2017, appointment of Ms. Lescourret and 

Mr. Dutta as members of the Committee; and

 › at the end of the Board meeting on March 15, 2018, departure of Messrs. De Meyer and 

Chahid-Nouraï and appointment of Ms. Laurence Lescourret as Committee Chair.

In addition, on May 22, 2018, Xavier Cauchois was appointed to the Board and became a member 
of the Audit Committee.
As a reminder, the terms of office of Mr. De Meyer and Mr. Chahid-Nouraï expire on May 23, 2019. 
They will not be re-appointed.

Due to Mr. Edelstenne’s role as founder, and his shareholding (more than 8% of the voting rights), 
the Board considered that it was unnecessary to set a minimum quantity of shares to be held in 
registered form.

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5.1.6  Other information required by Articles L. 225-37 et seq. 

of the French Commercial Code

No agreement was entered into directly or indirectly between, 
on  the  one  hand,  one  of  Dassault  Systèmes  SE’s  corporate 
officers  (mandataires sociaux)  or  shareholders  owning  more 
than  10%  of  voting  rights  and,  on  the  other  hand,  another 
company  in  which  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  owns  more  than 
50% of the share capital.

27 of the by-laws of Dassault Systèmes (see paragraph 6.1.2 
“Memorandum and Specific By-Laws Provisions”).

In the case of the separation of the ownership of the shares, 
the voting right belongs to the bare owner (nu-propriétaire), 
except for decisions relating to the allocation of profits, where 
it belongs to the beneficial owner (usufruitier).

5.1.6.1 

Specific conditions related to 
shareholder participation in the 
General Meeting

Shareholders  participate  in  the  General  Meetings  of  the 
Company in accordance with applicable law and the Company’s 
by-laws (Articles 24 to 33). Thus, every shareholder has the 
right  to  participate  in  General  Meetings  and  deliberations 
either personally or via a proxy, regardless of the number of 
shares  held,  according  to  the  conditions  specified  by  Article 

5.1.6.2 

Table summarizing the current 
delegations granted by the General 
Meeting in respect of capital increases

The  following  table  summarizes  the  delegations  and 
authorizations  granted  by  the  General  Meeting  to  the  Board 
of  Directors  and  with  effect  during  the  2018  fiscal  year  and 
as of the date of this Annual Report (Document de référence). 
It  includes  authorizations  to  increase  share  capital  and  to 
repurchase and cancel the Company’s own shares.

Resolutions and General 
Meetings (“GM”)

Description of the delegation of authority granted to the Board of Directors

Utilization in 
the fiscal year

SHARES BUYBACK AND CANCELLATION OF SHARES

15th resolution
GM of 05/22/2018

16th resolution
GM of 05/22/2018

ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES

17th resolution
GM of 05/23/2017

18th resolution
GM of 05/23/2017

Authorization: purchase Dassault Systèmes shares.
Duration: approximately 12 months (expiring at the GM approving the financial 
statements for the fiscal year ended on 12/31/2018).
Cap: 10 million shares within the limit of €500 million and a maximum price per share 
of €150.

See paragraph 6.2.4 
“Stock repurchase 
programs”

Authorization: cancel shares purchased under the buyback program.
Duration: approximately 12 months (expiring at the GM approving the financial 
statements for the fiscal year ended on 12/31/2018).
Cap: 10% of share capital in a 24-month period.

See paragraph 6.2.4 
“Stock repurchase 
programs”

Authorization: increase the share capital by issuance of shares or securities giving right 
to shares of Dassault Systèmes SE and issue securities giving right to debt securities, 
with preemptive right of shareholders.
Duration: 26 months, i.e. until 07/23/2019.
Cap: For a maximum nominal amount of €12 million for shares or securities – For a 
maximum nominal amount of €750 million for debt securities.

Authorization: increase the share capital by issuing shares or securities giving right to 
shares of Dassault Systèmes SE or the right to receive debt securities and issuing 
securities giving the right to future equity securities, with a waiver of the preemptive 
right of shareholders, by way of a public offering.
Duration: 26 months, i.e. until 07/23/2019.
Cap: For a maximum nominal amount of €12 million for shares or securities. For a 
maximum nominal amount of €750 million for debt securities (to be deducted from 
the caps set out in the 17th resolution).

None

None

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The Board’s Corporate Governance Report

5

Resolutions and General 
Meetings (“GM”)

19th resolution
GM of 05/23/2017

Description of the delegation of authority granted to the Board of Directors

Authorization: increase the share capital and issue securities giving right to debt 
securities, without preemptive rights of shareholders, under the delegation referred to 
in the previous line, by a private placement, under section II of the Article L. 411-2 of 
the French Monetary and Financial Code.
Duration: 26 months, i.e. until 07/23/2019.
Cap: For a maximum nominal amount of €12 million (to be deducted from the cap 
set out in the 17th resolution).

Utilization in 
the fiscal year

None

20th resolution
GM of 05/23/2017

21st resolution
GM of 05/23/2017

Authorization: increase the share capital by incorporation of reserves, profits 
or premiums.
Duration: 26 months, i.e. until 07/23/2019.
Cap: For a maximum nominal amount of €12 million (to be deducted from the cap set 
out in the 17th resolution).

None

Authorization: increase the share capital to remunerate contributions in kind of shares 
or equity-linked securities.
Duration: 26 months, i.e. until 07/23/2019.
Cap: 10% of share capital.

None

ISSUANCE FOR THE BENEFIT OF EMPLOYEES AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

17th resolution
GM of 05/22/2018

1st resolution
GM of 09/04/2015

15th resolution
GM of 05/26/2016

Authorization: grant free shares, existing or to be issued, for the benefit of certain 
employees and/or corporate officers of the Company and its affiliated entities as 
defined in Article L. 225-197-2 of the French Commercial Code.
Duration: 38 months, i.e. until 07/22/2021.
Cap: 2% of share capital.

Authorization: grant free shares, existing or to be issued, for the benefit of certain 
employees and/or corporate officers of the Company and its affiliated entities as 
defined in Article L. 225-197-2 of the French Commercial Code.
Duration: 38 months, i.e. until 11/04/2018.
Cap: 2% of share capital.

Authorization: grant stock options giving right to subscribe to new shares or purchase 
existing shares for the benefit of certain employees and/or corporate officers of 
Dassault Systèmes SE and its affiliated entities as defined in Article L. 225-180 of the 
French Commercial Code.
Duration: 38 months, i.e. until 07/26/2019.
Cap: 5% of share capital.

18th resolution
GM of 05/22/2018

Authorization: increase the share capital for the benefit of members of a corporate 
savings plan of Dassault Systèmes SE and its affiliated entities.
Duration: 26 months, i.e. until 07/22/2020.
Cap: For a maximum nominal amount of €5 million (to be deducted from the cap set 
out in the 17th resolution of the General Meeting on 05/23/2017).

None

Described in 
paragraph 5.1.4.2 
“Interests of Executive 
Management and 
Employees in the Share 
Capital of Dassault 
Systèmes SE”

Described in 
paragraph 5.1.4.2 
“Interests of Executive 
Management and 
Employees in the Share 
Capital of Dassault 
Systèmes SE”

None

The  authorizations  to  purchase  Dassault  Systèmes  shares 
and  to  cancel  these  purchased  shares  expire  at  the  end 
of  the  General  Meeting  to  be  held  on  May  23,  2019.  It 
is  thus  proposed  to  this  General  Meeting  to  renew  these 
authorizations  (see  paragraph  6.2.4.2  “Description  of  the 
Share Repurchase Program Proposed to the General Meeting 
on May 23, 2019”). It will also be proposed that the General 

Meeting  renew  the  delegations  relating  to  the  issuance  of 
Dassault  Systèmes  securities  and  the  delegation  to  issue 
Dassault Systèmes share subscription options, which expire in 
July 2019 (see paragraph 7.1. “Presentation of the resolutions 
proposed by the Board of Directors to the General Meeting on 
May 23, 2019”).

5

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5.1.6.3  Draft resolutions prepared by the 

5.1.6.5  Gender equality within the Executive 

Board pursuant to the General 
Meeting vote on the compensation 
policy

The draft resolutions in respect of the vote on the compensation 
policy are set out in paragraph 7.2 “Draft Resolutions Proposed 
by the Board of Directors to the General Meeting on May 23, 
2019”.

 5.1.6.4 

Possible consequences in case of a 
public tender offer

The information required by Article L. 225-37-5 of the French 
Commercial Code is indicated in paragraphs 6.3 “Information 
about  the  Shareholders”  (concerning  control  of  GIMD), 
5.1.6.2  “Table  summarizing  the  current  delegations  granted 
by the General Meeting in respect of capital increases”, 6.2.4 
“Stock  Repurchase  Programs”  (concerning  acquisition  by 
Dassault Systèmes SE of its treasury shares), 6.1.2.2 “General 
Meetings”  (concerning  the  conditions  for  exercising  voting 
rights)  and  5.1.3.3  “Indemnities  Due  in  the  Event  of  the 
Imposed Departure (départ contraint) of Mr. Bernard Charlès” 
in this 2018 Annual Report (Document de référence).

The  Annual  Report  (Document de référence)  is  available  on 
the AMF website (www.amf-france.org) and on the Dassault 
Systèmes website (www.3ds.com). A press release is issued to 
announce when the Annual Report (Document de référence) 
becomes available.

Committee and top positions of 
responsibility

Dassault Systèmes has a strong ambition in terms of gender 
equality,  including  within  the  Executive  Committee  and 
positions of responsibility. 

Initiatives are thus spearheaded within the Company in favour 
of  women’s  recruitment,  the  ability  to  hire  more  female 
engineers  being  however  very  limited  as  they  are  under 
represented in engineering schools and the High-tech sector. 

Initiatives  are  also  spearheaded  in  order  to  understand  their 
specific needs and in favour of various professional experiences 
as  well  as  to  support  women  gaining  responsibility  in  a 
successful manner. 

Initiative) 

Internal  community, 
The  3DS  WIN  (Women 
launched  in  2012,  continues  to  foster  a  network  of  women 
and men determined to encourage, inspire and mentor women 
to  develop  their  careers  within  Dassault  Systèmes.  In  2018, 
numerous initiatives were set up with the aim of promoting and 
reinforcing  female  leadership,  for  instance  the  participation 
to the Women’s Forum or the organization of events locally. 
At the level of Dassault Systèmes SE, the proportion of women 
in  the  top  10%  of  positions  with  responsibility   is  monitored 
on  the  basis  of  targets  assessed  annually.  As  of  today,  the 
proportion of women in those positions equals to 30 %

Charles Edelstenne

Chairman of the Board

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Corporate governance
Internal Control Procedures and Risk Management

5

5.2 

Internal Control Procedures and Risk 
Management

As  Dassault Systèmes was listed on the stock market in the United States until the end of 2008, Dassault Systèmes defined 
and  implemented  an  internal  control  procedure  based  mainly  on  the  COSO  (Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the 
Treadway Commission) framework, as well as on the AMF’s suggested reference framework regarding internal control updated 
on July 22, 2010.

This report on internal control procedures applies to Dassault Systèmes SE and its consolidated subsidiaries.

5.2.1  Definition and objectives of internal control

According  to  the  COSO  accounting  basis,  internal  control  is 
a  process  implemented  by  the  Board  of  Directors,  managers 
and  employees,  aimed  at  providing  a  reasonable  guarantee 
with regard to achieving the following objectives: performing 
and  optimizing  operations,  the  reliability  of  financial  and 
accounting  information,  and  compliance  with  the  laws  and 
regulations in force.

The internal control procedures within the Company, whether 
at  the  level  of  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  or  its  subsidiaries,  are 
designed to:

 › improve  the  performance  and  efficiency  of  operations 
through  optimized  use  of  available  resources  (an  objective 
inspired by the COSO framework);

 › ensure the reliability, quality and availability of financial data 
(an objective inspired by the COSO and AMF frameworks);

 › ensure that operations comply with legislation in effect and 
the Company’s internal procedures (an objective inspired by 
the COSO and AMF frameworks);

5

 › guarantee  the  security  of  assets,  particularly  intellectual 
property,  the  human  and  financial  resources  and  the 
image  of  the  Company  (an  objective  inspired  by  the  AMF 
framework);

 › prevent risks of error or fraud (an objective inspired by the 

COSO and AMF frameworks).

5.2.2 

Internal Control Participants and Organization

All  corporate  governance  bodies  participate 
implementation of the internal control processes.

in 

the 

The  Board  of  Directors,  concerned  with  the  issue  of  internal 
control,  created  in  1996  an  Audit  Committee,  with  the 
mission described above (see paragraph 5.1.1.3 “Composition, 
Practices and Activities of the Board Committees”.

In  parallel,  the  Company’s  management  has  established  the 
following bodies:

 › a  Disclosure  Committee,  responsible  for  deciding  whether 
an  information  is  considered  as  inside  information,  and 
if  the  publication  of  such  information  may  be  deferred, 
ensuring compliance with the conditions allowing a deferral 
of publication, documenting the process and informing the 
AMF at the time of publication;

 › an Insider Committee responsible for setting and applying 
the rules aimed at preventing insider trading. In particular, 

this  Committee  informs  all  interested  parties  (employees, 
directors,  consultants,  etc.)  of  the  periods  in  which  they 
are  prohibited  from  buying  or  selling  Dassault  Systèmes 
securities.  These  blackout  periods  are  longer  than  those 
set forth by law. In addition, as they have regular access to 
privileged and insider information in relation to their roles, 
the  Group  managers  must  obtain  the  Insider  Committee’s 
prior approval for any transactions involving the Company’s 
securities (as defined in the Group’s Insider Trading Rules). 
The Company complies with laws and regulations regarding 
the prevention of insider trading on a general basis;

 › an  Internal  Audit  department  reporting  to  the  General 
Secretary  and  to  the  Group  Financial  Officer  on  the  one 
hand  and  to  the  Audit  Committee  on  the  other  hand, 
one  of  its  main  missions  is  to  evaluate  the  relevance  of 
Dassault  Systèmes’  internal  control  processes,  to  alert 
the  management  and  the  Audit  Committee  regarding 

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Internal Control Procedures and Risk Management

possible  deficiencies  or  risks,  and  to  propose  measures 
that  will  limit  the  risks  and  improve  the  efficiency  of 
operations.  The  Internal  Audit  department  also  has  the 
responsibility for the annual assessment, on behalf of the 
management, of the internal control mechanisms related to 
financial reporting;

 › a  Compliance  department  reporting  to  the  General 
Secretary  and  to  the  Chief  Executive  Officer,  responsible 
for  ensuring  the  implementation  and  respect  of  the  Code 
of  Business  Conduct,  as  well  as  the  Company’s  specific 
policies, recommendations and procedures regarding ethics 
and compliance. This department is supported by an Ethics 
Committee  which  meets  every  month  and  investigates 
any alleged non-conformities brought to its knowledge, in 
particular through the whistleblowing procedure.

The  internal  control  is  also  based  on  the  principle  of  giving 
responsibility  to  each  of  the  departments  and  subsidiaries 
of  the  Company  in  its  respective  area  of  expertise,  and  on 
delegations  of  powers  to  certain  members  of  the  Executive 

Committee of the Company, such delegations having specific 
fields of application.

Moreover, the subsidiaries’ local chief executive and financial 
officers are responsible for preparing the subsidiaries’ financial 
statements which are included in the Company’s consolidated 
financial statements, and the annual financial statements and 
management reports for each of their respective subsidiaries, 
whether  the  accounts  are  prepared  by  their  own  financial 
teams or by shared internal financial and accounting services 
centers  located  particularly  in  Malaysia,  Japan,  the  United 
States and France.

The Company’s Financial Planning and Analysis department 
is  responsible  for  directing  the  financial  objectives  of  the 
Company  in  accordance  with  budget  monitoring  procedures 
and,  in  this  respect,  performs  specific  controls  and  analyzes 
of the quarterly accounts. It is also responsible for identifying, 
analyzing  and  warning  of  any  differences  from  the  previous 
year,  the  previous  quarter  and  the  Company’s  budget 
objectives, which are subject to a quarterly update.

5.2.3 

Internal Control and Risk Management Procedures

The internal control mechanisms developed by the Company 
promote internal control in the following areas:

 › control report: The professional ethics of the Company are 
set forth in the Code of Business Conduct, which describes 
the manner in which Dassault Systèmes expects its business 
to  be  conducted  and  which  may  serve  as  a  reference  tool 
for  all  Group  employees  to  help  guide  their  behavior  and 
their  interactions  in  their  professional  work.  The  Code 
of  Business  Conduct,  which  applies  to  all  employees 
of  Dassault  Systèmes  and  is  available  on  the  Group’s 
internet site and online community platform, addresses, in 
particular (i) compliance with regulations applicable to the 
Company’s  business,  (ii)  individual  interactions  within  the 
Company  and  with  its  ecosystem,  and  (iii)  protecting  the 
Company’s assets (in particular, the Company’s intellectual 
property and that of its clients and partners). The Code also 
includes specific policies on the fight against corruption and 
influence-peddling, conflicts of interest and insider trading. 
The distribution of these policies is accompanied by training, 
which  is  specifically  provided  to  any  new  employee  and 
to  employees  joining  the  Group  as  part  of  the  integration 
process for such acquisitions;

 › risk  analysis:  The  main  risks  which  may  impact  the 
performance  of  the  Company  are  identified,  assessed  and 
regularly  reviewed  by  the  management  of  the  Company. 
These risks are described in paragraph 1.7.1 “Risks Related 
to  the  Company’s  Business”.  This  paragraph  specifies  the 
measures taken by the Group to manage or limit these risks 
whenever possible.

Operational  risks  are  essentially  managed  by  subsidiaries. 
Certain  risks,  particularly  in  the  area  of  IP  protection,  ethics 
and  financial  risks  are  specifically  monitored  by  Dassault 
Systèmes SE as well as locally monitored;

 › protection and monitoring activities:

1)  protecting its intellectual property is an on-going concern 
for the Group. This protection is ensured by implementing 
and monitoring corporate processes designed to verify the 
Company’s rights before it markets its software products. 
The  Company  also  protects  its  inventions  through  a 
reasonable and well-considered approach to filing patents 
in several jurisdictions. The Company’s principal brands are 
also registered in a large number of countries. The Group is 
continuing to actively develop its program designed to fight 
against infringement concerning its products,

2)  information systems security, which is critical to ensuring 
the  protection  of  the  source  codes  for  the  Company’s 
tested  and 
is  continually  evaluated, 
applications, 
strengthened in the areas of network access or performance, 
anti-virus  protection,  and  the  physical  security  of  servers 
and other information system facilities,

3)  the implementation of place internal preventive measures 
to  continue  operations  and  limit  the  impact  of  a  major 
damage.  As  a  result,  several  secured  computer  systems 
protect  source  codes  and  all  electronic  data  stored  on  the 
servers,  work  stations  and  laptop  computers  used  in  the 
different entities of the Company. The computer protection 
systems are maintained in different sites.

204 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Corporate governance
Internal Control Procedures and Risk Management

5

4)  the  internal  control  policies  related  to  the  main  processes 
within  the  Company  (information  technology  security, 
sales  administration,  human  resources,  protection  of 
intellectual  property,  closing  and  publication  of  financial 
statements,  treasury  management,  client  credit  risk 
management)  are  formalized  and  updated  at  the  level  of 
both Dassault Systèmes SE and its main subsidiaries or the 
related shared services centers,

5)  key control points making it possible to prevent or detect 
risks  impacting  the  financial  information  in  the  Group’s 
significant entities are documented;

 › monitoring:  The  Company  has  deployed  processes 
to  monitor,  review  and  analyze  on  a  regular  basis  its 
performance  at  the  level  of  its  main  entities,  brands, 
distribution  channels  and  geographical  areas  (governance, 

budget  reviews,  activity  reviews).  In  addition,  quarterly 
communication  meetings  are  also  held  to  ensure  a  better 
dissemination of the Group’s strategy to all its employees 
and discussions facilitating its implementation;

 › audit  missions:  In  2018,  the  Internal  Audit  department 
carried  out  different  missions  within  the  Company’s 
subsidiaries to verify compliance of the local internal control 
procedures  with  the  Company  objectives.  These  missions, 
authorized by the Audit Committee, result in the issuance of 
recommendations to the local management teams and the 
implementation  of  action  plans  when  deemed  necessary 
to  reinforce  the  audited  processes  and  organizations. 
The  Internal  Audit  department  carries  out  a  review  of  the 
implementation of these plans.

5.2.4 

Internal Control Procedures Relating to the Preparation 
and Treatment of Financial and Accounting Information

5

With  respect  to  the  internal  control  processes  related  to  the 
preparation  of  financial  and  accounting  information,  the 
Company’s focus has been to:

2)  the use of consolidation tools that make data transmission 
and  processing  secure  and  allow  the  elimination  of  intra-
group transactions,

 › implement  a  quarterly  control  system  to  update  budget 
objectives and identify and analyze any variation from the 
objectives set by the Financial department of the Company 
and from the previous quarter and fiscal year.

Thus,  each  of  the  subsidiaries  prepares  a  detailed  and 
documented  presentation  of  its  sales  activity  for  the  past 
quarter and the year, and performs a comparative analysis of 
its  financial  results  (revenues  and  costs)  in  comparison  with 
the  budget  targets  of  the  current  year  and  compared  to  the 
same quarter for the previous year.

Budget projections are reviewed, analyzed and updated each 
quarter  by  the  teams  of  the  Financial  department  to  take 
into  account  all  changes  in  the  market  and  the  economic 
environment,  particularly  as  regards  exchange  rates,  and 
to  present  realistic  objectives  to  shareholders  and  financial 
markets;

 › improve  the  reliability  of 

its  consolidation  tools  and 
processes 
in  order  to  establish  and  publish  required 
financial  information  every  quarter  as  soon  as  possible. 
The  consolidation  procedure  as  defined  by  Dassault 
Systèmes SE is based on:

1)  giving  responsibility  to  the  chief  financial  officers  in  the 
subsidiaries,  who  are  required  to  certify  the  quarterly 
statements  transmitted  to  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  and  to 
provide detailed business reviews and analyses before the 
accounts are consolidated,

3)  standardization  of  processes  and  information  systems, 
particularly with respect to centralizing and recording most 
of the transactions at shared service centers,

4)  the  implementation  of  an  annual  process  to  monitor  off-
balance sheet commitments and related-party agreements 
(conventions réglementées),

5)  a  detailed  review  by  the  Group’s  financial  division  of 
the  quarterly  accounts  of  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  and  its 
subsidiaries,

6)  the  detailed  analysis  by  the  Company’s  accounting 
department  of  all  the  material  software  license  and/
or  service  transactions  in  order  to  validate  their  correct 
accounting recognition;

 › systematize  the  processes  by  which  the  Audit  Committee 
and the Board of Directors review financial information prior 
to publication;

 › structure 

its 

financial 

communications 

to  ensure 
simultaneous  and  equivalent  publication  of  information 
on  its  principal  markets  of  financial  results  or  any  other 
information  that  could  have  an  impact  on  the  price  of 
its shares.

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

205

5 Corporate governance

Internal Control Procedures and Risk Management

5.2.5  Evaluation of Internal Control

Since its voluntary delisting from the NASDAQ in October 2008, 
Dassault Systèmes SE is no longer subject to the requirements 
of the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act with regard to the assessment 
of  its  internal  control  procedures.  The  Company  therefore 
evaluates  the  internal  control  procedures  applicable  to  its 
principal  processes  and  subsidiaries 
in  accordance  with 
European Regulations.

As the Company management aims to maintain a high level 
of internal control within the Company, detailed assessment 
work  (particularly  on  key  performance  indicators)  was  again 

performed  in  2018,  as  part  of  the  process  of  achieving 
continuous  improvement  and  for  the  purpose  of  preparing 
targeted  action  plans  and  audits.  In  this  respect,  the  scope 
of  Group  entities  subjected  to  internal  control  evaluations, 
in  the  form  of  self-evaluation  questionnaires  and  internal 
control  reviews  conducted 
immediately 
following  acquisition  may  be  expanded  to  entities  that  had 
previously been considered immaterial and to newly acquired 
companies. The results of the evaluation of the internal control 
are  presented  to  the  Audit  Committee.  In  addition,  Internal 
Control’s efficiency is assessed by the Statutory Auditors.

in  the  months 

5.2.6  Limitations of  Internal Control

The  internal  control  system  cannot  provide  an  absolute 
guarantee that the Company’s objectives in this area will be 
achieved.  Inherent  limitations  apply  to  all  internal  control 
systems,  related  in  particular  to  the  exercise  of  individual 

judgments,  or  dysfunctions  which  may  occur  as  a  result  of 
human failure or simple error or incertainties in relation to  the 
external environment.

206 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Corporate governance
Transactions in Dassault Systèmes shares by the Management of the Company

5

5.3  Transactions in Dassault Systèmes shares 
by the Management of the Company

Pursuant to Article 223-26 of the AMF General Regulations, the table below shows transactions involving securities issued by 
Dassault  Systèmes  carried  out  in  2018  by  directors  or  members  of  the  Group  Executive  Committee,  or  by  persons  related  to 
them (according to Article L. 621-18-2 of the French Monetary and Financial Code) on the basis of the declarations made by the 
relevant parties to the AMF, available on www.amf-france.org.

Person concerned

Nature of the transaction

Sale of shares

Sale of shares

Sale of shares

Sale of shares

Unit price
(in euros)

Volume

95.8947

10,000

98.3300

3,480

99.7971

4,620

100.7750

1,900

Acquisition of shares

0.0000

14,000

Acquisition of shares

0.0000

300,000

5

Date
Place

02/08/2018
Euronext Paris

02/13/2018
Euronext Paris

02/14/2018
Euronext Paris

02/15/2018
Euronext Paris

02/21/2018
Euronext Paris

02/21/2018
Euronext Paris

02/21/2018
Euronext Paris

02/21/2018
Euronext Paris

02/21/2018
Euronext Paris

02/21/2018
Euronext Paris

02/21/2018
Euronext Paris

02/21/2018
Euronext Paris

02/21/2018
Euronext Paris

02/21/2018
Euronext Paris

02/22/2018
Euronext Paris

02/23/2018
Euronext Paris

02/26/2018
Euronext Paris

02/27/2018
Euronext Paris

02/27/2018
Euronext Paris

Thibault de Tersant

Laurence Baucher

Laurence Baucher

Laurence Baucher

Laurence Baucher

Bernard Charlès

Monica Menghini

Laurence Baucher

Laurence Baucher

Laurence Baucher

Thibault de Tersant

Laurence Baucher

Thibault de Tersant

Acquisition of shares

0.0000

40,000

Dominique Florack

Acquisition of shares

0.0000

60,000

Bruno Latchague

Acquisition of shares

0.0000

40,000

Pascal Daloz

Sylvain Laurent

Acquisition of shares

0.0000

34,000

Acquisition of shares

0.0000

26,000

Philippe Forestier

Acquisition of shares

0.0000

8,000

Individual related to Philippe Forestier

Acquisition of shares

0.0000

1,600

Acquisition of shares

0.0000

36,000

Sale of shares

Sale of shares

Sale of shares

Sale of shares

Sale of shares

Sale of shares

103.8500

104.4500

800

900

105.3000

1,800

105.4246

10,000

105.9500

900

105.9000

26,000

03/06/2018
Over the counter market Sylvain Laurent

04/26/2018
Euronext Paris

Dominique Florack

Exercise of purchase option

23.5000

200,000

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

207

5 Corporate governance

Transactions in Dassault Systèmes shares by the Management of the Company

Date
Place

04/27/2018
Euronext Paris

04/27/2018
Euronext Paris

05/02/2018
Euronext Paris

05/14/2018
Euronext Paris

05/15/2018
Euronext Paris

05/16/2018
Euronext Paris

05/18/2018
Euronext Paris

05/22/2018
Euronext Paris

Person concerned

Bernard Charlès

Bernard Charlès

Thibault de Tersant

Bruno Latchague

Bruno Latchague

Bruno Latchague

Laurence Baucher-Barthès

Laurence Baucher-Barthès

Nature of the transaction

Unit price
(in euros)

Volume

Exercise of purchase option

23.5000

100,000

Pledge following finance raised

23.5000

29,520

Sale of shares

Sale of shares

Sale of shares

Sale of shares

Sale of shares

Sale of shares

108.0931

10,000

110.1505

29,000

110.1064

8,603

110.0000

2,397

111.8500

900

112.6500

1,800

05/23/2018
Over the counter market Bruno Latchague

Exercisability of stock options

0.0000

46,666

05/24/2018
Euronext Paris

Laurence Baucher-Barthès

Sale of shares

113.4500

900

05/26/2018
Over the counter market Bruno Latchague

Exercisability of stock options

0.0000

46,666

05/26/2018
Euronext Paris

05/26/2018
Euronext Paris

05/26/2018
Euronext Paris

05/26/2018
Euronext Paris

05/26/2018
Euronext Paris

05/26/2018
Euronext Paris

05/26/2018
Euronext Paris

Bernard Charlès

Acquisition of shares

0.0000

150,000

Laurence Baucher-Barthès

Acquisition of shares

0.0000

9,000

Thibault de Tersant

Acquisition of shares

0.0000

20,000

Dominique Florack

Acquisition of shares

0.0000

32,500

Pascal Daloz

Sylvain Laurent

Acquisition of shares

0.0000

25,000

Acquisition of shares

0.0000

13,000

Laurent Blanchard

Acquisition of shares

0.0000

13,000

05/31/2018
Over the counter market Sylvain Laurent

Sale of shares

119.1000

13,000

06/06/2018
Euronext Paris

06/19/2018
Euronext Paris

06/19/2018
Euronext Paris

06/19/2018
Euronext Paris

06/19/2018
Euronext Paris

06/19/2018
Euronext Paris

06/19/2018
Euronext Paris

06/19/2018
Euronext Paris

Legal entity related to Charles Edelstenne (GIMD) Sale of shares

121.6640

280,000

Thibault de Tersant

Reinvestment of dividends in shares

108.5800

538

Jean-Pierre Chahid-Nouraï

Reinvestment of dividends in shares

108.5800

Dominique Florack

Reinvestment of dividends in shares

108.5800

Pascal Daloz

Reinvestment of dividends in shares

108.5800

Laurence Baucher-Barthès

Reinvestment of dividends in shares

108.5800

Individual related to Laurence Baucher-Barthès

Reinvestment of dividends in shares

108.5800

7

159

120

155

2

Charles Edelstenne

Reinvestment of dividends in shares

108.5800

2,665

208 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Corporate governance
Transactions in Dassault Systèmes shares by the Management of the Company

5

Person concerned

Nature of the transaction

Unit price
(in euros)

Volume

Charles Edelstenne

Reinvestment of dividends in shares

108.5800

21,242

Individual related to Charles Edelstenne

Reinvestment of dividends in shares

108.5800

31,566

Legal entity related to Charles Edelstenne

Reinvestment of dividends in shares

108.5800

Legal entity related to Charles Edelstenne

Reinvestment of dividends in shares

108.5800

9

9

Legal entity related to Charles Edelstenne (GIMD) Reinvestment of dividends in shares

108.5800

569,639

Individual related to Bernard Charlès

Reinvestment of dividends in shares

108.5800

814

Bernard Charlès

Bernard Charlès

Reinvestment of dividends in shares

108.5800

10,278

Reinvestment of dividends in shares

108.5800

3,844

Thibault de Tersant

Sale of shares

129.8379

10,000

5

Sale of shares(1)

130.0624

10,278

Sale of shares(1)

130.000

3,844

Exercisability of stock options

0.0000

46,666

Sale of shares

Sale of shares

Sale of shares

110.6256

5,880

110.4500

22,120

105.4359

10,000

Date
Place

06/19/2018
Euronext Paris

06/19/2018
Euronext Paris

06/19/2018
Euronext Paris

06/19/2018
Euronext Paris

06/19/2018
Euronext Paris

06/19/2018
Euronext Paris

06/19/2018
Euronext Paris

06/19/2018
Euronext Paris

07/27/2018
Euronext Paris

08/13/2018
Euronext Paris

08/13/2018
Euronext Paris

Bernard Charlès

Bernard Charlès

09/04/2018
Over the counter market Bruno Latchague

10/25/2018
Euronext Paris

Sylvain Laurent

10/26/2018
Over the counter market Sylvain Laurent

Thibault de Tersant

10/30/2018
Euronext Paris

12/05/2018
Euronext Paris

Xavier Cauchois

Acquisition of shares

106.8000

300

(1)  Shares resulting from the 2018 dividend payment sold in order to finance the exercise, in 2018, of the 100,000 Dassault Systèmes’ stock options granted in 2010.

From a general perspective, Mr. Bernard Charlès retains the Dassault Systèmes’ shares acquired either from the exercise of share 
subscription options or at the end of the vesting period for the allocated shares.

In 2018, Mr. Bernard Charlès retained the 100,000 shares subscribed in April 2018 as part of the exercise of all share subscription 
options, which expired on May 26, 2018 (allocated in 2010), the 300,000 shares acquired in February 2018 (allocated in 2014) 
and the 150,000 shares acquired in May 2018 (allocated in 2016).

On December 31, 2018, Mr. Bernard Charlès held 3,840,441 shares, representing 1.46% of Dassault Systèmes’ share capital. On 
December 31, 2017, Mr. Bernard Charlès held 3,290,441 shares, representing 1.26% of Dassault Systèmes’ share capital.

TRANSACTIONS CARRIED OUT BY GIMD, A LEGAL ENTITY RELATED TO CHARLES EDELSTENNE, CHAIRMAN OF THE 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND TO MARIE-HÉLÈNE HABERT-DASSAULT, DIRECTOR

Date
Place

06/06/2018
Euronext Paris

06/19/2018
Euronext Paris

Nature of the transaction

Unit price
(in euros)

Volume

Sale of shares 121.6640

280,000

Reinvestment of dividends in shares 108.5800

569,639

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

209

5 Corporate governance

Statutory Auditors

5.4  Statutory Auditors

Principal Statutory Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers  Audit,  member  of  the  Compagnie 
Régionale  des  Commissaires  aux  comptes  de  Versailles, 
63,  rue  de  Villiers  –  92200  Neuilly-sur-Seine,  represented 
by  Thierry  Leroux,  whose  first  mandate  began  on  June  8, 
2005 and was renewed on May 23, 2017 for a period of six 
fiscal  years  expiring  at  the  General  Meeting  of  Shareholders 
approving the financial statements for the fiscal year ending 
on December 31, 2022.

Ernst & Young et Autres, member of the Compagnie Régionale 
des Commissaires aux comptes de Versailles,  1/2,  place  des 
Saisons – 92400 Courbevoie – Paris La Défense 1, represented 
by  Nour-Eddine  Zanouda,  whose  first  mandate  began  on 
May 27, 2010 was renewed on May 26, 2016 for a period of 

six fiscal years expiring at the General Meeting of Shareholders 
approving the financial statements for the fiscal year ending 
on December 31, 2021.

Deputy Statutory Auditors
The company Auditex, whose registered office is at 1/2, place 
des Saisons – 92400 Courbevoie – Paris La -Défense 1, whose 
mandate  was  renewed  on  May  26,  2016  and  will  expire  at 
the General Meeting of Shareholders approving the financial 
statements for the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2021.

Principal Auditors’ fees and services
See Note 27 to the consolidated financial statements.

5.5  Declarations regarding the administrative Bodies 

and Senior Management

To Dassault Systèmes SE’s knowledge:

 › there  is  no  family  relationship  between  the  directors,  or 
between a director and a member of the Executive Committee 
(see  paragraph  5.1.2  above  for  the  list  of  members)  with 
the exception of Ms. Marie-Hélène Habert- Dassault and her 
sister-in-law Ms. Catherine Dassault;

 › in the past five years, none of the directors or members of 
the  Group’s  Executive  Committee  has  been  convicted  of 
fraud, been declared bankrupt or their property impounded 
or liquidated, been subject to an official accusation and/ or 
penalty  delivered  by  legal  or  regulatory  authorities,  or 
been  prohibited  by  a  court  from  becoming  a  member  of 
an  administrative,  management  or  supervisory  body  of  a 

company,  or  from  being  involved  in  the  management  or 
direction of the affairs of a company;

 › there are no potential conflicts of interest between the duties 
to the Company of the members of the Board of Directors and 
their private interests and/or other duties, and no director 
or  member  of  the  Group’s  Executive  Committee  has  been 
named to the Board or to an administrative, management or 
supervisory body as a result of an agreement between the 
Company’s main shareholders, customers, suppliers or any 
other persons;

 › no director or member of the Group’s Executive Committee 
is  party  to  a  service  contract  with  Dassault  Systèmes  SE, 
or one of its subsidiaries, which provides him or her with a 
personal benefit.

210 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

6

INFORMATION ABOUT 
DASSAULT SYSTÈMES SE, 
THE SHARE CAPITAL AND 
THE OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE

CONTENTS

6.1  Information about 

Dassault Systèmes SE 

6.1.1  General Information 

6.1.2  Memorandum and Specific By-Laws Provisions 

6.2  Information about 

the Share Capital 

6.2.1  Share Capital at February 28, 2019 

6.2.2  Potential Share Capital 

6.2.3  Changes in Dassault Systèmes SE Share Capital 

over the Past Three Years 

6.2.4  Stock Buyback Programs 

212

212

213

216

216

216

217

218

6.3  Information about 

the Shareholders 

6.3.1  Shareholder Base and Double Voting Rights 

6.3.2  Controlling Shareholder 

6.3.3  Shareholder Agreements 

6.4  Stock Market Information 

219

219

221

222

224

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

211

6 Information about Dassault Systèmes SE, the share capital and the ownership structure

Information about Dassault Systèmes SE

6.1 

Information about Dassault Systèmes SE

6.1.1  General Information

6.1.1.1 

Commercial Name and Registered 
Office

Dassault Systèmes

10, rue Marcel Dassault – 78140 Vélizy-Villacoublay, France

Telephone: +33 (0)1 61 62 61 62

6.1.1.2 

Legal form – Applicable Law – 
Place of Registration and Registration 
Number – APE code

Dassault  Systèmes  SE  is  a  European  company  (Societas 
Europaea)  incorporated  and  registered  under  French  law, 
governed  by  the  provisions  of  Council  Regulation  (EC) 
no.  2157/2001  as  well  as  by  French  provisions  in  force  at 
any time (hereinafter the “Law”). The Company is registered 
with  the  Versailles  trade  and  companies  registry  under 
number 322 306 440. The Company’s APE code is 5829 C.

Dassault Systèmes SE is governed by a Board of Directors.

6.1.1.3  Date of Incorporation and Term

Dassault  Systèmes  SE  was  incorporated  as  a  limited  liability 
company  (société à responsabilité limitée)  on  June  9,  1981 
for  a  99-year  term  starting  on  the  date  of  its  registration 
(until August 4, 2080). The Company was transformed into a 
public limited liability company (société anonyme) on April 8, 
1993 and then into a European company (Societas Europaea) 
on June 15, 2015.

6.1.1.4 

Corporate Purpose

to  Article  2  of 

Pursuant 
the  Company’s  by-laws, 
Dassault  Systèmes  SE’s  corporate  purpose,  in  France  and 
abroad, is:

 › the design, development, production, marketing, purchase, 
sale,  brokerage,  rental,  maintenance  and  the  provision 
of  after-sale  services  of  software,  digital  content  and/or 
computer hardware;

 › the  supply  and  providing  of  services  of  data  centers, 
including  the  supply  of  online  software  services  as  a 
service and the operation and supply of the corresponding 
infrastructures;

 › the supply and providing of services to users notably in the 
area of training, demonstration, methodology, display and 
utilization; and

 › the  supply  and  sale  of  computer  resources,  together  or 
separate  from  the  supply  or  sale  of  software  or  services, 
notably  in  the  areas  of  3D  design,  solutions,  modeling, 
planning, 
simulation,  manufacturing, 
collaboration, lifecycle management, business intelligence, 
marketing  or  3D  for  public  at  large  in  the  domains  of 
products, nature and life.

operations 

The purpose of the Company shall also be:

 › the  creation,  acquisition, 

rental  and  management-
lease  of  any  on-going  business,  signing  leases,  and  the 
establishment and operation of any facilities;

 › the  acquisition,  operation  or  sale  of  any  industrial  or 
intellectual property rights as well as any knowhow in the 
field of computers; and

 › more  generally,  taking  an  interest  in  any  business  or 
company  created  or  to  be  created  as  well  as  in  any  legal, 
economic, financial, industrial, civil commercial, personal or 
real property enterprise connected directly or indirectly, in 
whole or in part, with the purposes above or any similar or 
related purposes.

6.1.1.5 

Fiscal Year

The 12-month fiscal year covers the period from January 1 to 
December 31 of each year.

6.1.1.6 

Branches, Secondary establishments

Dassault  Systèmes  SE  has  no  branch.  Dassault  Systèmes  SE 
has  13  secondary  establishments  as  of  February  28,  2019, 
located at the following addresses:

 › 76  Route  de  la  Demi-Lune  –  Les  collines  de  l’Arche,  Le 

Madeleine Puteaux – 92057 Paris La Défense

 › ZAC  du  Bois  de  Côtes  –  304  Route  National  6  –  69760 

Limonest

 › 5 rue de l’Halbrane, Technocampus Océan, ZAC Croix Rouge 

– 44340 Bouguenais

 › 15 rue Claude Chappe, bâtiment B – Zac des Champs blancs 

– 35510 Cesson-Sevigné

 › Rue Evariste Galois, ZAC St-Philippe II, lot 24, Quartier des 

Lucioles – 06410 Biot

 › 10 Place de la Madeleine – 75008 Paris

 › 20  Boulevard  Eugène  Deruelle,  bâtiment  A,  Immeuble  Le 

Britannia – 69003 Lyon

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 › 35  rue  Haroun  Tazieff,  Immeuble  Ecoparc  Océnais  1  B  – 

54320 Maxeville

 › 53 avenue de l’Europe – 13090 Aix-en-Provence

 › 1-3 rue Jeanne Braconnier, Immeuble Terre Europa – 92360 

Meudon

 › 120 rue René Descartes – 29280 Plouzané

 › 37  Chemin  des  Ramassiers,  ZAC  des  Ramassiers  –  31770 

Colomiers

 › 1 Allée Lavoisier – 59650 Villeneuve d’Ascq

6.1.1.7  Documents on Display

Dassault  Systèmes  SE’s  by-laws,  minutes  of  the  General 
Meetings  and  Board  of  Directors’  reports  to  the  General 
Meetings,  reports  of  the  Statutory  Auditors,  financial 
statements  for  the  last  three  years  and,  more  generally, 
all  documents  provided  or  made  available  to  shareholders 
pursuant to the Law may be viewed at Dassault Systèmes SE’s 
registered office.

Some  of  these  documents  are  also  available  on  the  Group’s 
website (www.3ds.com/investors/regulated-information).

6.1.2  Memorandum and Specific By-Laws Provisions

Dassault  Systèmes’  By-Laws  have  been  amended  further 
to  the  General  Meeting  dated  May  22,  2018  so  that  such 
By- Laws are in compliance with (i) Article L. 823-1 para. 2 of 
the French Commercial Code, as amended by law 2016-1691 
dated  December  9,  2016,  relating  to  the  possibility  to  avoid 
the  appointment  of  a  deputy  auditor  where  the  Statutory 
Auditor  is  neither  a  natural  person  nor  a  single-member 
company and (ii) Article L.225-36 of the French Commercial 
Code,  as  amended  by  the  same  law,  authorizing  the  Board 
of  Directors  to  transfer  the  registered  office  within  French 
territory,  subject  to  ratification  of  this  decision  by  the  next 
Ordinary General Meeting.

6.1.2.1  Allocation of Profits 

(Article 36 of the Company’s 
By-Laws)

The  profits  for  each  year,  less  any  losses  from  prior  periods, 
where  appropriate,  are  first  allocated  to  the  reserves  as 
required  by  Law.  An  amount  of  5%  is  deducted  to  form  the 
legal  reserve  fund.  This  deduction  ceases  to  be  compulsory 
when said fund reaches one-tenth of share capital; it becomes 
compulsory  once  again  when  the  legal  reserve  falls  below 
this amount.

The  distributable  profit  is  composed  of  the  profit  from  the 
year less any losses from prior periods as well as the amounts 
allocated  to  reserves  as  required  by  Law  or  the  Company’s 
by- laws, and increased by retained profits.

The  General  Meeting  then  deducts  from  this  distributable 
profit  the  amounts  deemed  appropriate  to  allocate  to  any 
optional,  ordinary  or  special  reserves  or  to  the  retained 
earnings account.

As  appropriate,  any  remaining  balance  is  distributed  to  all 
shares proportionately to the unredeemed paid-up value.

However, except in the event of a share capital reduction, no 
distribution  can  be  made  to  shareholders  if  the  equity  is,  or 
would be as a result of the distribution, less than the amount 
of the share capital plus the reserves that cannot be distributed 
under the law or the by-laws.

The General Meeting may decide to distribute amounts taken 
from  available  reserves,  either  to  pay  or  increase  a  dividend, 
or  distribute  a  special  dividend.  In  this  case,  the  resolution 
explicitly  identifies  from  which  reserves  these  amounts  are 
to be withdrawn. Nevertheless, the dividends are distributed 
in  order  of  priority  starting  with  the  distributable  profit  of 
the year.

After the approval of the financial statements by the General 
Meeting,  any  losses  are  recorded  in  a  special  account  and 
carried forward against the profits of future years, until they 
have been eliminated.

In case of stripping of the ownership of the shares, Article 11 
of  the  by-laws  reserves  for  beneficial  owners  the  right  to 
vote  on  decisions  relating  to  the  allocation  of  profits  (see 
paragraph 6.1.2.3 “Shares and Voting Rights”).

6.1.2.2  General Meetings

Notice and agenda of meeting (Articles 25 and 26 
of the Company’s by-laws)
General Meetings are convened by the Board of Directors or, 
if the Board of Directors fails to convene a General Meeting, 
by  the  Statutory  Auditor(s).  One  or  more  shareholders  who 
together hold at least 10% of the subscribed capital may also 
request  the  Board  of  Directors  to  call  and  set  the  agenda  of 
such General Meetings. The request to convene the meeting 
shall set out the items to be put on the agenda.

Notice  of  the  meeting  is  made  through  an  announcement 
placed  in  a  journal  of  legal  notices  in  the  department  of  the 
registered office, and in the French Bulletin of required legal 
notices  (Bulletin des annonces légales obligatoires  –  BALO). 
Shareholders holding registered shares for at least one month 
from  the  date  of  the  announcement  are  also  notified  of  all 
General Meetings by letter sent by standard mail or, at their 
request and expense, by registered letter. The General Meeting 
cannot be held less than 15 days after the announcement is 
published or the letter is sent to registered holders.

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One or more shareholders, representing at least the required 
percentage  of  capital,  also  have  the  possibility  of  requesting 
that items and proposed resolutions be added to the agenda in 
accordance with the Law.

Conditions for admission (Article 27 of the Company’s 
by-laws)
Every  shareholder  has  the  right  to  participate  in  General 
Meetings either in person or by proxy, provided his/her shares 
are fully paid-up and:

 › for  holders  of  registered  shares,  that  they  are  held  in 
a  registered  account  (directly  or  through  a  financial 
intermediary)  at  0:00  a.m.  (Paris  time)  on  the  second 
business day preceding the meeting;

 › for holders of shares in bearer form, that they are recorded 
in a bearer securities account maintained by the accredited 
intermediary  at  0:00  a.m.  (Paris  time)  on  the  second 
business day preceding the meeting.

The  registration  of  shares  in  a  bearer  securities  account 
maintained by the accredited intermediary shall be validated 
by  a  shareholding  certificate  (attestation  de  participation) 
issued  by  the  accredited  intermediary  to  the  holder  of  the 
shares.  This  certificate  must  be  attached  to  the  voting  or 
proxy form or to the request for an admission card issued in 
the  shareholder’s  name.  A  certificate  can  also  be  issued  to 
a  shareholder  who  wishes  to  attend  in  person  the  General 
Meeting and who has not received an admission card by the 
second business day preceding the meeting.

Shareholders may vote by mail using a form that will be sent to 
them under the conditions indicated by the notice of meeting. 
The form, duly completed and accompanied, as the case may 
be, by a shareholding certificate (attestation de participation), 
must be received by Dassault Systèmes SE at least three days 
before the date of the General Meeting, or it will not be taken 
into consideration.

A shareholder may be represented by his/her spouse or by any 
other natural or legal person who has been appointed as proxy, 
under the conditions provided by Law. The shareholders who 
are legal entities are represented by the natural persons duly 
authorized to represent them with respect to third parties or by 
any person to whom the power of proxy has been transferred.

A  shareholder,  who  is  a  non-French  resident  as  defined  in 
Article  102  of  the  French  Civil  Code,  may  be  represented  at 
General  Meetings  by  an  accredited  intermediary  registered 
according  to  the  provisions  of  the  Law.  Such  shareholder 
will be considered present in calculating the quorum and the 
results of voting.

If  the  Board  of  Directors  so  decides  when  convening  the 
General  Meeting,  any  shareholder  may  also  participate  and 
vote  at  the  meeting  by  video-conference  or  by  any  other 
means  of  telecommunications  permitting  him/her  to  be 
identified  and  to  participate  effectively.  Such  participation 
must comply with the conditions and means provided for by 
Law. Such shareholder will be accounted for in calculating the 
quorum and the results of voting.

Actions required to amend shareholders’ rights 
(Articles 13, 31 and 32 of the Company’s by-laws)
Only  an  Extraordinary  General  Meeting  can  amend 
shareholders’  rights  in  compliance  with  the  provisions  of 
the Law.

Except as may be otherwise provided for under the provisions 
of the Law and with the exception of reverse share splits carried 
out in accordance with the Law, no majority may impose on 
shareholders an increase in their commitments. If new classes 
of shares are created, only an Extraordinary General Meeting 
and  a  Special  Meeting  of  Shareholders  of  the  specific  class 
of shares may approve an amendment to the rights of these 
classes of shares.

6.1.2.3 

Shares and Voting Rights

Rights, privileges and restrictions 
attached to each class of shares (Articles 13 and 39 of 
the Company’s by-laws)
All  the  shares  are  of  the  same  class  and  carry,  under  the 
Company’s  by-laws,  the  same  rights  to  the  allocation  of 
profits and any amounts distributed in the event of liquidation 
(see  also  paragraph  6.1.2.1  “Allocation  of  Profits  (Article  36 
of the Company’s By-Laws)”). However, a double voting right 
is awarded to any fully paid-up share held in registered form 
for  at  least  two  consecutive  years  in  the  name  of  the  same 
holder (see paragraph “Double voting rights (Article 29 of the 
Company’s by-laws)” below).

Conditions for exercising voting rights 
(Articles 11 and 29 of the Company’s by-laws)
The right to vote attached to shares or dividend-right shares is 
proportional to the portion of capital they represent.

Voting  is  carried  out  by  show  of  hands,  by  roll  call  or  secret 
ballot,  as  decided  by  the  secretariat  of  the  meeting  or 
the  shareholders.  Shareholders  may  also  vote  by  mail,  by 
video- conference  or  by  any  other  means  of  communication, 
as indicated in the preceding paragraph. For the calculation of 
the majority, the votes cast shall not include votes attaching to 
shares in respect of which the shareholder has not taken part 
in the vote or has returned a blank or spoilt ballot paper.

In  case  of  stripping  of  the  ownership  of  the  shares,  the 
voting right attached to the share belongs to the bare owner 
(nu- propriétaire),  except  for  the  decisions  relating  to  the 
allocation  of  profits  for  which  it  belongs  to  the  beneficial 
owner (usufruitier).

Double voting rights (Article 29 of the Company’s 
by- laws)
Each  share  gives  the  right  to  one  vote.  Nevertheless,  since 
2002,  a  double  vote  has  been  awarded  to  all  fully  paid-up 
shares  held  in  registered  form  for  at  least  two  consecutive 
years in the name of the same holder. In the case of a capital 
increase  by  incorporation  of  reserves,  profits  or  premiums, 
this double voting right will be attached on the date of their 

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issuance to free registered new shares allotted to a shareholder 
in  consideration  for  his  or  her  old  shares  giving  rise  to 
such right.

6.1.2.5 

Terms in the By-Laws, a Charter 
or Regulation of Dassault Systèmes 
SE Which Could Delay, Postpone 
or Prevent a Change in Control

Under  the  Law,  any  share  converted  into  a  bearer  share  or 
changing hands shall lose the right to the double voting right 
except  in  the  case  of  a  transfer  from  a  registered  account  to 
another registered account at inheritance or a gift inter vivos to 
a spouse or a relative entitled to succeed to the donor’s estate. 
The double voting right may also be cancelled by a resolution 
of  the  shareholders  at  an  Extraordinary  General  Meeting, 
provided the approval of the Special Meeting of Shareholders 
having a double voting right.

Limitations on voting rights
The  by-laws  contain  no  restrictions  on  the  exercise  of 
voting  rights  attached  to  Dassault  Systèmes  shares  except 
in the event of stripping of the ownership of the shares (see 
paragraph “Conditions for exercising voting rights (Articles 11 
and 29 of the Company’s by-laws)” above).

6.1.2.4  Declarations Concerning Crossing 

of the Ownership Thresholds 
(Article 13 of the Company’s By-
Laws)

In addition to the legal obligation to inform Dassault Systèmes SE 
and  the  Financial  Markets  Authority  (AMF)  in  the  event 
a  shareholder’s  interest  passes  the  thresholds  set  out  in 
Article L. 233-7 of the French Commercial Code, any natural 
or  legal  person,  acting  alone  or  in  concert  with  others,  who 
acquires directly or indirectly shares representing at least 2.5% 
of Dassault Systèmes SE’s share capital or voting rights, or a 
multiple thereof, must inform Dassault Systèmes SE of the total 
number  of  shares  or  voting  rights  it  holds.  This  information 
must be sent to Dassault Systèmes SE by registered letter with 
return  receipt  requested,  within  four  trading  days  following 
the date of acquisition or disposal.

This  declaration  must  be  made  each  time  the  number  of 
shares  held  exceeds  or  falls  below  this  threshold  of  2.5% 
(or  one  of  its  multiples),  up  to  50%  (inclusive)  of  the  total 
number  of  Dassault  Systèmes  shares  or  voting  rights.  The 
shareholder  must  certify  in  each  declaration  that  it  includes 
all shares or voting rights held or owned, in accordance with 
Article  L.  233- 7  et  seq.  of  the  French  Commercial  Code. 
The declaration must also indicate the date or dates on which 
the acquisitions or divestitures occurred.

In  the  event  of  non-compliance  with  this  requirement,  the 
shares  exceeding  the  fraction  of  2.5%  which  should  have 
been  declared  will  lose  their  voting  rights,  upon  the  request 
recorded in the minutes of the General Meeting of one or more 
shareholders holding a portion of Dassault Systèmes SE share 
capital  or  voting  rights  equal  to  at  least  2.5%  of  the  capital 
or voting rights. The voting rights will be lost for all General 
Meetings held until the expiration of two years following the 
date on which the required declaration is made.

Other  than  the  aforementioned  double  voting  right  (see 
paragraph 6.1.2.3 “Shares and Voting Rights”) and the reporting 
obligation when holdings exceed 2.5% (see paragraph 6.1.2.4 
“Declarations  Concerning  Crossing  of 
the  Ownership 
Thresholds  (Article  13  of  the  By-Laws)”),  Article  10  of  the 
by- laws provides that Dassault Systèmes SE may, at any time 
and in compliance with the provisions of the Law, request that 
a central depositary maintaining the Company’s share register, 
provide it with the name (or corporate name for legal entities), 
the nationality, the year of birth or the year of incorporation 
and  the  postal  and,  where  applicable,  e-mail  address  of 
holders  of  Dassault  Systèmes  shares  in  bearer  form  which 
grant, immediately or over time, the right to vote at General 
Meetings,  as  well  as  the  number  of  shares  held  by  each  of 
these  shareholders  and,  where  appropriate,  any  restrictions 
applicable to such shares.

6.1.2.6 

Terms in the Company’s By-Laws 
Concerning Modifications in Share 
Capital Which Are More Restrictive 
than the Law

The  by-laws  of  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  do  not  contain  any 
provisions governing changes in share capital which are more 
restrictive than those provided by Law.

6

6.1.2.7 

Terms in the Company’s By-Laws 
Concerning the Directors and 
Members of the Executive Committee 
(Article 14, 15 and 19 of the 
Company’s by-laws)

The Company shall be administrated by a Board of Directors 
established  in  accordance  with  the  Law.  Directors  shall  be 
appointed for 4 years, renewed or revoked by shareholders at 
an  Ordinary  General  Meeting.  The  number  of  directors  aged 
70  or  over  cannot  exceed  half  the  members  of  the  Board  of 
Directors at any time. The Board of Directors also includes a 
director representing employees, appointed by the trade union 
organization that has obtained the highest number of votes in 
the first round of the Works Council Members in the Company 
and its direct or indirect subsidiaries whose registered office is 
located on French territory.

From  among  its  individual  members,  the  Board  of  Directors 
shall elect a Chairman who may not be more than eighty-five 
years  of  age,  and  set  his  term  of  office.  The  Chairman  shall 
organize  and  supervise  the  work  of  the  Board  of  Directors, 
and reports on the same at the shareholders general meeting, 
and  shall  watch  over  the  running  of  the  corporate  bodies 
of  the  Company.  The  Board  of  Directors  may  also  elect  a 
Vice- Chairman  who  will  serve  as  Chairman  on  an  interim 
basis, in the case of (i) a temporary incapacity or death of the 

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Chairman or (ii) an absence or unavailability of the Chairman 
to preside over a meeting of the Board of Directors.

Depending  on  the  decision  of  the  Board  of  Directors, 
the general management of the Company shall be undertaken 
either by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or by another 
individual appointed by the Board of Directors and who shall 
take  the  title  of  Directeur  général.  The  Directeur  général 
shall  be  vested  with  the  broadest  powers  to  act  under  any 
circumstance on behalf of the Company. He shall exercise these 

powers within the limits of the corporate purpose and subject 
to  the  powers  expressly  attributed  by  Law  to  shareholders 
meetings  and  the  Board  of  Directors.  The  Directeur général 
represents the Company in its relations with third parties. The 
Directeur général may be dismissed at any time by the Board 
of Directors. If dismissal is without cause, costs for damages 
and related interest may arise, unless the Directeur général is 
also Chairman of the Board of Directors.

6.2 

Information about the Share Capital

6.2.1  Share Capital at February 28, 2019

As of February 28, 2019, the Company’s share capital was comprised of 262,927,968 fully paid-up shares with a par value of 
€0.50 each. As of December 31, 2018, the Company’s share capital was €131,366,470.50 divided into 262,732,941 shares.

6.2.2  Potential Share Capital

As  of  February  28,  2019,  outstanding  share  subscription 
options  (whether  or  not  exercisable)  would,  if  all  were 
exercised,  result  in  the  issuance  of  5,426,124  new  shares, 
representing  2.02%  of  the  Company’s  share  capital  at  that 
date (on a diluted basis).

On the same date, based on the closing price of the Company’s 
shares on February 28, 2019 (€128.65 per share), the exercise 
of all exercisable issued options, whose exercise price was less 
than that closing price, would have resulted in the issuance of 
1,871,545 new shares, representing 0.71% of the Company’s 
share capital at that date (on a diluted basis). The dilutive effect 
per share at December 31, 2018 is also set forth in Note 11 to 
the consolidated financial statements.

In  connection  with  the  acquisition  of  SolidWorks  in  1997, 
Dassault  Systèmes  SE  issued  shares  to  the  holders  of  share 
subscription  options  and  warrants  issued  by  SolidWorks 
prior  to  this  acquisition.  These  Dassault  Systèmes  shares 
have  historically  been  held  by  the  Group’s  wholly-owned 
U.S. subsidiary, SW Securities LLC. No other SolidWorks share 
subscription  options  or  warrants  remain  outstanding  at  this 
time. As of December 31, 2018, and as of February 28, 2019, 

SW  Securities  LLC  held  503,614  shares,  or  approximately 
0.19% on February 28, 2019, of the Company’s share capital. 
Similar to treasury stock, the shares held by SW Securities LLC 
do not carry voting rights and are not eligible for dividends.

Other  than  the  share  subscription  options  granted 
in 
connection  with  stock  option  plans  and  performance  share 
grants  as  described  in  paragraph  5.1.4.1  “Compensation  of 
the  Company’s  corporate  officers”  and  paragraph  5.1.4.2 
in 
“Interests  of  Executive  Management  and  Employees 
the  Share  Capital  of  Dassault  Systèmes  SE”,  there  are 
no  other  securities  giving  a  right  to  subscribe  shares  of 
Dassault Systèmes SE, and there is no agreement which could 
result  in  a  capital  increase.  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  has  not 
issued any securities which do not represent an interest in its 
share capital.

Pledges of shares

To  the  Company’s  knowledge,  there  was  no  pledge  of 
Dassault Systèmes shares in registered form and representing a 
significant portion of its share capital as of February 28, 2019.

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6.2.3  Changes in Dassault Systèmes SE Share Capital 

over the Past Three Years

Date

Nominal amount of 
changes in share 
capital
(in euros)

Operation

Amount in share 
capital
(in euros)

Number of shares 
created or 
canceled

Total number 
of shares

February 29, 2016

Capital increase resulting from the exercise 
of share subscription options

June 22, 2016

Capital increase by a dividend payment 
in shares

February 28, 2017

Capital increase resulting from the exercise 
of share subscription options

June 26, 2017

February 28, 2018

March 15, 2018

June 14, 2018

Capital increase by a dividend payment 
in shares

Capital increase resulting from the exercise 
of share subscription options

Share capital reduction through cancellation 
of treasury stock

Capital increase by a dividend payment 
in shares

February 28, 2019

Capital increase resulting from the exercise 
of share subscription options

716,980.50

128,425,174

1,433,961

256,850,348

140,367

128,565,541

280,734

257,131,082

522,937.50 129,088,478.50

1,045,875

258,176,957

505,545 129,594,023.50

1,011,090

259,188,047

1,020,798 130,614,821.50

2,041,596

261,229,643

(361,528.50)

130,253,293

(723,057)

260,506,586

517,271.50 130,770,564.50

1,034,543

261,541,129

693,419.50

131,463,984

1,386,839

262,927,968

The changes in equity resulting from the transactions  through December 31, 2018 set forth above are included in the “Consolidated 
Statements of Shareholders’ Equity” in the consolidated financial statements.

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6.2.4  Stock Buyback Programs

6.2.4.1 

Transactions carried out 
by Dassault Systèmes SE in 2018 
and early 2019

Transactions carried out by Dassault Systèmes SE 
in 2018
During 2018 financial year, Dassault Systèmes SE purchased, 
under the authorizations granted to the Board of Directors by 
the  General  Meetings  of  May  23,  2017  and  May  22,  2018, 
1,716,950 of its own shares (excluding shares acquired through 
the liquidity agreement a report of which is presented below).

These shares were purchased at an average price of €118.53 
per share, giving a total cost of €203,510,303.39 (excluding 
taxes). The transaction costs paid by the Company in connection 
with  these  shares  repurchased  amounted  to  €69,807.20  all 
taxes  included  (plus  the  tax  on  financial  transactions  for  an 
amount of €610,530.91).

These 1,716,950 shares were wholly allocated to the coverage 
of  the  Company’s  obligations  resulting  from  performance 
share  grants.  No  share  has  been  allocated  to  a  purpose  of 
cancellation.

The  shares  repurchased  before  2018  were  allocated  to  the 
following purposes:

 › cover the Company’s obligations resulting from performance 

share grants decided prior to 2018: 3,544,530 shares;

 › cancellation: 723,057 shares; and

 › liquidity  agreement  entered  into  with  Oddo  BHF  SCA 

mentioned below: 133,026 shares.

The Company directly held, on December 31, 2018, 3,620,758 
(including 140,423 shares through the liquidity agreement) of 
its own shares of a nominal value of €0.50 each, which had 
been repurchased at an average price of €98.62, representing 
approximately  1.38%  of  share  capital  at  that  date.  Out  of 
these 3,620,758 shares, 3,480,335 shares are at the disposal 
of  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  and  are  wholly  allocated  to  cover 
the  Company’s  obligations  resulting  from  performance 
shares  grants.

into  a 

Pursuant to the authorization granted in 2014, on January 5, 
2015,  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  entered 
liquidity 
agreement  in  accordance  with  the  Code  of  Ethics  of  the 
AFEI  (French  association  of  investment  firms)  recognized 
by  the  Financial  Markets  Authority  (AMF),  with  Oddo  BHF 
SCA implemented from January 7, 2015 for an initial period 
ending  on  December  31,  2015,  automatically  renewable 
for  subsequent  12-month  terms.  This  agreement  has  been 
amended on October 26, 2017, in order to, inter alia, increase 
the amount of the fees to €70,000 per year and to increase by 
€5,000,000 the resources assigned to the liquidity agreement. 
On  December  13,  2018,  an  additional  contribution  of 

€5,000,000 has been made, increasing the resources assigned 
to the liquidity agreement from €15,000,000 to €20,000,000. 
 This agreement is being amended in order to comply with the 
new requirements of the decision n°2018-01 of July 2, 2018 
taken by the Financial Markets Authority (AMF). 

During  2018,  1,400,547  shares  have  been  purchased  and 
1,393,150 shares have been sold within the framework of the 
liquidity agreement. As at December 31, 2018, the following 
resources appeared on the liquidity account:

 › 140,423 Dassault Systèmes shares; and

 › €8,228,580.74 in cash.

Transactions carried out by Dassault Systèmes SE 
between January 1 and February 28, 2019
Since  the  beginning  of  2019  and  until  February  28,  2019, 
Dassault Systèmes SE has acquired 250,129 and sold 311,552 
of  its  own  shares.  All  of  these  acquisitions  and  disposals 
have  been  completed  within  the  framework  of  the  liquidity 
agreement.

During  fiscal  year  2018  and  since  the  start  of  2019,  the 
Company  has  not  performed  any  transactions  on  derivative 
securities linked to its shares nor has it purchased or sold any 
of  its  shares  by  exercising  them  or  through  the  maturity  of 
such derivative securities.

6.2.4.2  Description of the Stock Buyback 
Program Proposed to the General 
Meeting on May 23, 2019

Pursuant  to  Article  241-2  et seq.  of  the  Financial  Markets 
Authority  (AMF)  General  Regulation  and  Article  L.  451-3  of 
the  French  Monetary  and  Financial  Code,  and  in  accordance 
with  European  Regulations,  this  description  relates  to  the 
terms and objectives of the Company’s stock buyback program 
that will be submitted for approval at the General Meeting of 
May 23, 2019.

Breakdown of treasury stock by purpose as of the date 
of this document
As  of  February  28,  2019,  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  held 
3,559,335 of its own shares directly and 503,614 indirectly. 
These  3,559,335  shares  were  allocated  to  the  following 
objectives:

 › coverage of the Company’s obligations resulting from share 
grants decided in 2016, 2017 and 2018: 3,480,335 shares;

 › cancellation: 0 shares;

 › liquidity  agreement  signed  with  Oddo  BHF  SCA  on 
January  5,  2015,  renewed  for  the  financial  year  2019: 
79,000 shares.

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6

Purposes of the new repurchase program
1)  Cancel shares in order to increase the return on equity and 

earnings per share.

2)  Meet  obligations  related  to  stock  option  grants  or  other 
allocations of shares to employees or corporate officers of 
Dassault Systèmes SE or of an affiliated company.

3)  Provide shares upon exercise of rights attached to equities 

giving right to shares of Dassault Systèmes SE.

4)  Stimulate the market or provide liquidity for the Company’s 
shares through the intermediary of an investment services 
provider  by  means  of  a  liquidity  contract  complying  with 
the  decision  no.  2018-01  of  July  2,  2018  taken  by  the 
Financial Markets Authority (AMF).

5)  Carry out any market practice which may be authorized by 

the law or by the Financial Markets Authority (AMF).

The purposes 1 to 3 above comply with the terms of paragraph 2, 
Article  5  of  the  European  Regulation  no.  596/2014  dated 
April 16, 2014, and the purpose 4 complies with the decision 
no. 2018-01 of July 2, 2018 taken by the Financial Markets 
Authority (AMF).

The  General  Meeting  of  May  23,  2019  will  also  be  asked 
to  authorize  the  Board  of  Directors  to  cancel,  as  the  case 
may be, all or part of the shares which it may repurchase in 
connection with the share buyback program and to carry out 
the corresponding reduction in share capital.

Maximum amount allocated to the stock buyback 
program, maximum number and characteristics of the 
securities that the Company proposes to acquire and 
maximum purchase price
The  Board  of  Directors  may  repurchase  Dassault  Systèmes 
shares  representing  up  to  10,000,000  shares.  The  purchase 
price  of  the  shares  would  be  capped  at  €180  per  share  and 
subject to the limits stipulated by the applicable regulations. 
The  maximum  amount  of  the  funds  used  for  the  purpose  of 
buying back shares would be €600 million.

Duration of the stock buyback program
The  program  would  last  about  12  months,  starting  on 
the  General  Meeting  of  May  23,  2019.  This  authorization 
should be valid until the Ordinary General Meeting approving 
the  financial  statements  for  the  financial  year  ending 
December 31, 2019.

6.3 

Information about the Shareholders

6.3.1  Shareholder Base and Double Voting Rights

The  table  below  sets  forth  certain  information  concerning 
Dassault  Systèmes  SE’s  shareholder  base  over  the  last  three 
fiscal  years.  Pursuant  to  the  Financial  Markets  Authority 
(AMF) recommendation no. 2009-16, it specifies:

 › the theoretical or “gross” voting rights, taking into account 
the  voting  rights  attached  to  the  shares  without  voting 
rights,  in  accordance  with  Article  223-11  of  the  General 
Regulations of the Financial Markets Authority (AMF) and 
used  as  a  denominator  by  shareholders  to  calculate  their 
percentage of shares held and voting rights for the purposes 
of  regulatory  declarations  (in  particular  the  declarations 
with regards to exceeding the threshold); and

 › the  voting  rights  that  can  be  exercised  at  the  General 
Meeting or “nets”, not taking into account shares without 
voting rights.

Double voting rights are attributed to all fully paid-up shares 
held  in  registered  form  for  at  least  two  consecutive  years  in 
the name of the same holder.

The major shareholders of Dassault Systèmes SE do not hold 
voting  rights  which  are  different  from  voting  rights  of  other 
shareholders (such as double voting rights).

6

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Information about the Shareholders

Shareholders

AS OF 31 DECEMBER 2018

Shares

% of capital

Theoretical 
voting rights

% of theoretical 
voting rights

Voting rights 
exercisable in 
the General 
Meeting

% of voting 
rights 
exercisable in 
the General 
Meeting

Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault

106,929,968

40.70% 212,887,614

54.44% 212,887,614

Charles Edelstenne (1)

Bernard Charlès

Treasury stock (2)

Indirect treasury stock (3)

Directors and senior management (4)

Public

TOTAL

AS OF 31 DECEMBER 2017

15,794,585

6.01%

31,475,119

8.05%

31,475,119

3,840,441

1.46% (5)

6,730,882

1.72% (5)

6,730,882

3,620,758 (2)

503,614

1,617,539

130,426,036

262,732,941

1.38%

0.19%

0.62%

3,620,758

503,614

2,301,056

0.93%

0.13%

0.59%

–

–

2,301,056

49.64% 133,510,919

34.14% 133,510,919

100% 391,029,962

100% 386,905,590

Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault

106,640,329

40.87% 212,356,975

54.61% 212,356,975

Charles Edelstenne (1)

Bernard Charlès

Treasury stock (2)

Indirect treasury stock (3)

Directors and senior management (4)

Public

TOTAL

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2016

15,739,094

6.03%

31,357,600

8.06%

31,357,600

3,290,441

1.26% (5)

6,180,882

1.59% (5)

6,180,882

4,398,613 (2)

503,614

1,350,188

129,010,252

260,932,531

1.69%

0.19%

0.52%

4,398,613

503,614

2,004,115

1.13%

0.13%

0.52%

–

–

2,004,115

49.44% 132,089,585

33.97% 132,089,585

100% 388,891,384

100% 383,987,157

Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault

105,957,646

41.07% 211,344,292

54.95% 211,344,292

Charles Edelstenne (1)

Bernard Charlès

Treasury stock (2)

Indirect treasury stock (3)

Directors and senior management (4)

Public

TOTAL

15,680,534

6.08%

31,243,478

8.12%

31,243,478

2,890,441

1.12% (5)

5,642,265

1.47% (5)

5,642,265

3,852,903 (2)

503,614

942,166

128,169,299

257,996,603

1.49%

0.20%

0.37%

3,852,903

503,614

1,214,470

1.00%

0.13%

0.32%

–

–

1,214,470

49.67% 130,838,680

34.01% 130,838,680

100% 384,639,702

100% 380,283,185

55.02%

8.14%

1.74% (5)

–

–

0.59%

34.51%

100%

55.30%

8.17%

1.61% (5)

–

–

0.52%

34.40%

100%

55.58%

8.21%

1.48% (5)

–

–

0.32%

34.41%

100%

(1)  Including shares held in trust for the benefit of his family and managed by Mr. Edelstenne.

At December 31, 2018, Mr. Edelstenne held 4,175,158 shares with all ownership rights and 3,382 shares through two family companies which he manages, representing a total 
of  1.59%  of  the  capital  and  2.14%  of  the  exercisable  voting  rights,  as  well  as  11,616,045  shares  with  “usage”  rights  (usufruit).  For  the  usage  rights  with  respect  to  these 
11,616,045  shares,  representing  6.03%  of  the  exercisable  voting  rights,  Mr.  Edelstenne  can  only  exercise  the  right  to  vote  on  decisions  of  the  General  Meeting  concerning 
the allocation of profits; the holders of the bare property rights (nue-propriété) exercise the right to vote for other resolutions in compliance with Article 11 of the by-laws.
For details related to Mr. Edelstenne’s shareholding as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, see paragraph 6.3.1. of Annual Reports for 2017 and 2016 respectively.

(2)  Including 140,423 shares through the liquidity agreement as of December 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2017, such number was 131,026 shares.
(3)  Shares held by SW Securities LLC. This company is a subsidiary of Dassault Systèmes SE, Dassault Systèmes’ shares held by it do not have voting rights.
(4)  Excluding Mr. Edelstenne and Mr. Charlès, “management” includes the officers listed in paragraph 5.1.2 “The Executive Committee”.
(5)  For further information, see Table 5 of paragraph 5.1.4.1 “Compensation of the Company’s Corporate Officers (mandataires sociaux)”.

Investment 

MFS 
notified 
management 
Dassault  Systèmes  SE  that  as  of  September  17,  2015  the 
funds managed by companies within its group held more than 
2.5% of the share capital of Dassault Systèmes SE.

(MFS) 

The overall number of voting rights amounted to 391,029,962 
as  at  December  31,  2018  (the  number  of  exercisable  voting 
rights  was  386,905,590)  and,  as  at  February  28,  2019, 
391,199,489  (with  the  number  of  exercisable  voting  rights 
amounting  to  387,136,540).  The  difference  between  the 
number of theoretical and exercisable voting rights is explained 
by the treasury stock and shares controlled by the Company.

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6

Based on shareholders’ obligations to declare if they exceed the 
threshold, there are no other shareholders (except as indicated 
above) who held 2.5% (threshold set forth in the Company’s 
by-laws),  directly  or  indirectly,  alone  or  in  agreement  with 
other shareholders or more than 5% of the Company’s share 
capital or voting rights at December 31, 2018.

Although Dassault Systèmes SE voluntarily delisted its shares 
from  NASDAQ  in  October  2008,  it  continues  to  maintain  its 
ADR  (“American  Depositary  Receipts”)  program,  which  are 
still  traded  on  the  over-the-counter  market  (see  paragraph 
6.4  “Stock  Market  Information”).  On  February  28,  2019, 
there  were  5,321,134  American  Depositary  Shares  (“ADS”) 
outstanding and the number of recorded ADS holders, holding 
them either for themselves or for third parties amounted to 49.

In  January  2019,  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  commissioned  a 
survey on the Company’s shares from an external specialized 
services  provider.  According  to  this  survey,  institutional 
investors holding more than 2,000 shares each numbered 501 
and held 41.8% of the Dassault Systèmes SE share capital as 
at December 31, 2018.

As at February 28, 2019, Dassault Systèmes SE held 79,000 
shares  within  the  framework  of  the  liquidity  agreement 
entered into with Oddo et Cie, and 3,480,335 treasury shares. 
Out  of  these  3,480,335  treasury  shares,  1,716,950  shares 
have  been  bought  during  the  buyback  program  adopted  by 
the General Meeting of May 22, 2018 and the remaining, i.e. 
1,763,385 shares within the framework of a program of earlier 
buybacks.  These  3,480,335  shares  represent  approximately 
1.32% of the share capital as at February 28, 2019, with no 
voting rights or dividend rights being attached to these shares.

At  December  31,  2018,  136,810,796  Dassault  Systèmes 
shares  (i.e.  approximately  52.07%  of  the  capital)  are  held  in 
registered  form;  they  provide  entitlement  to  261,125,993 
exercisable  voting  rights  (i.e.  approximately  66.78%  of  the 
gross voting rights).

In  accordance  with  Article  L.  225-102  of  the  French 
Commercial  Code,  the  number  of  Dassault  Systèmes  shares 
held  by  employees  through  the  corporate  savings  plan  (plan 
d'épargne entreprise)  was  560,125  shares  at  December  31, 
2018, or approximately 0.21% of the total number of shares 
at that date (i.e. 262,732,941 outstanding shares).

6.3.2  Controlling Shareholder

GIMD  (Groupe  Industriel  Marcel  Dassault)  is  the  principal 
shareholder of Dassault Systèmes SE with, as of December 31, 
2018, 40.70% of the share capital and 55.02% of the exercisable 
voting  rights  (i.e.  54.44%  of  theoretical  voting  rights).  With 
more than 50% of the voting rights of Dassault Systèmes SE, 
GIMD controls Dassault Systèmes. GIMD is wholly-owned by 
the members of the Dassault family.

The Board of Directors of Dassault Systèmes SE is made up of 
58% of independent directors and from May 23, 2019, will be 
made up of 50% of independent directors(3), i.e. a proportion 
exceeding  the  requirement  stipulated  in  the  AFEP-MEDEF 
Code  for  controlled  companies.,  All  the  committees  under 
the Board (Audit Committee, Compensation and Nomination 

Committee,  Scientific  Committee)  are  only  made  up  of 
independent directors, as a guarantee of a balanced exercise of 
control by GIMD as prescribed by the AMF General Regulation.

As  GIMD  possesses  more  than  one  third  but  less  than  half 
of  the  shares  and  more  than  half  of  the  voting  rights  in  the 
Company, GIMD may not increase its stake by more than 1% 
of the total number of shares of the Company in a period of 
12  consecutive  months,  unless  it  launches  a  public  tender 
offer on all the equity securities issued by Dassault Systèmes, 
except for an exemption from the obligation to make an offer 
based on Article 234-9 (6°) of the Financial Markets Authority 
(AMF)  General  Regulation,  which  the  latter  can  grant  at  its 
discretion.

6

(3)  The director who represents employees is not taken into account for the calculation of the number of independent directors, in compliance with the 

recommendations of the AFEP-MEDEF Code.

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Information about the Shareholders

6.3.3  Shareholder Agreements

In  2011,  2013,  2014,  2015,  2017  and  2018,  Dassault  Systèmes  was  informed  about  collective  undertakings  concluded 
concerning  the  holding  of  shares  whose  characteristics  are  summarized  in  the  tables  hereafter  in  accordance  with  Financial 
Markets Authority (AMF) recommendation no. 2009-16.

Collective undertakings concluded in 2018

System

Date of signing

Duration of collective undertakings

Contractual duration of the agreement

Conditions for renewal

Article 787 B of the French Tax Code

April 24, 2018

At least two years

Undetermined with cases of termination

No specific conditions stipulated

Capital and voting rights % concerned by the agreement (at the date of its 
execution)

24.30% of the share capital and 32.58% of the voting 
rights

Names of the signatories having the capacity of executives (1)

Mr. Charles Edelstenne
Mr. Bernard Charlès

Name(s) of the signatorie(s) having close links with executives

Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault

Names of the signatories holding at least 5% of the capital and/or voting rights 
of Dassault Systèmes SE

Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault
Mr. Charles Edelstenne and beneficiaries (2)

(1)  Pursuant to Article 885 O bis of the French Tax Code, now article 975 III, 1, 1° of the French Tax Code.
(2)  See Note 1 under the table of paragraph 6.3.1 “Shareholder Base and Double Voting Rights”.

Collective undertakings concluded in 2017

System

Date of signing

Duration of collective undertakings

Contractual duration of the agreement

Conditions for renewal

Article 787 B of the French Tax Code

March 30, 2017

At least two years

Undetermined with cases of termination

No specific conditions stipulated

Capital and voting rights % concerned by the agreement (at the date of its 
execution)

24.52% of the share capital and 32.91% of the voting 
rights

Names of the signatories having the capacity of executives (1)

Mr. Charles Edelstenne
Mr. Bernard Charlès

Name(s) of the signatorie(s) having close links with executives

Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault

Names of the signatories holding at least 5% of the capital and/or voting rights 
of Dassault Systèmes SE

Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault
Mr. Charles Edelstenne and beneficiaries (2)

(1)  Pursuant to Article 885 O bis of the French Tax Code.
(2)  See Note 1 under the table of paragraph 6.3.1 “Shareholder Base and Double Voting Rights”.

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Collective undertakings concluded in 2015

System

Date of signing

Duration of collective undertakings

At least two years

December 17, 2015

Article 787 B of the French Tax Code

Article 787 B of the French Tax Code

December 17, 2015

At least two years

Contractual duration of the agreement

Undetermined with cases of termination

Undetermined with cases of termination

Conditions for renewal

No specific conditions stipulated

No specific conditions stipulated

Capital and voting rights % concerned by 
the agreement (at the date of its execution)

24.85% of the share capital and 33.33% of the 
voting rights

24.66% of the share capital and 33.20% of 
the voting rights

Names of the signatories having the capacity 
of executives (1)

Mr. Charles Edelstenne
Mr. Bernard Charlès

Mr. Charles Edelstenne
Mr. Bernard Charlès

Name(s) of the signatorie(s) having close 
links with executives

Names of the signatories holding at least 5% 
of the capital and/or voting rights 
of Dassault Systèmes SE

Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault

Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault

Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault
Mr. Charles Edelstenne and beneficiaries (2)

Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault
Mr. Charles Edelstenne and beneficiaries (2)

(1)  Pursuant to Article 885 O bis of the French Tax Code.
(2)  See Note 1 under the table of paragraph 6.3.1 “Shareholder Base and Double Voting Rights”.

Collective undertakings concluded in 2014

System

Date of signing

Duration of collective undertakings

At least two years

February 27, 2014

Article 787 B of the French Tax Code

Article 787 B of the FrenchTax Code

December 16 and 17, 2014

At least two years

Contractual duration of the agreement

Undetermined with cases of termination

Undetermined with cases of termination

Conditions for renewal

No specific conditions stipulated

No specific conditions stipulated

Capital and voting rights % concerned by 
the agreement (at the date of its execution)

25.0% of the share capital and 33.8% 
of the voting rights

24.7% of the share capital and 33.4% of the 
voting rights

6

Names of the signatories having the capacity 
of executives (1)

Mr. Charles Edelstenne
Mr. Bernard Charlès

Mr. Charles Edelstenne
Mr. Bernard Charlès

Name(s) of the signatorie(s) having close 
links with executives

Names of the signatories holding at least 5% 
of the capital and/or voting rights 
of Dassault Systèmes SE

Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault

Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault

Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault
Mr. Charles Edelstenne and beneficiaries (2)

Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault
Mr. Charles Edelstenne and beneficiaries (2)

(1)  Pursuant to Article 885 O bis of the French Tax Code.
(2)  See Note 1 under the table of paragraph 6.3.1 “Shareholder Base and Double Voting Rights”.

System

Date of signing

Duration of collective undertakings

At least two years

July 11, 2011

October 29, 2013

At least two years

Collective undertakings concluded in 2011 
still in force

Collective undertaking concluded in 2013

Article 787 B of the French Tax Code

Article 787 B of the French Tax Code

Contractual duration of the agreement

Undetermined with cases of termination

Undetermined with cases of termination

Conditions for renewal

No specific conditions stipulated

No specific conditions stipulated

Capital and voting rights % concerned by the 
agreement (at its date of execution)

29.6% of the share capital and 41.8% of the 
voting rights

28.2% of the share capital and 41.7% of the 
voting rights

Names of the signatories having the capacity 
of executives (1)

Mr. Charles Edelstenne
Mr. Bernard Charlès

Mr. Charles Edelstenne
Mr. Bernard Charlès

Name(s) of the signatorie(s) having close 
links with executives

Names of the signatories holding at least 5% 
of the capital and/or voting rights 
of Dassault Systèmes SE

Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault

Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault

Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault
Mr. Charles Edelstenne and beneficiaries (2)

Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault
Mr. Charles Edelstenne and beneficiaries (2)

(1)  Pursuant to Article 885 O bis of the French Tax Code.
(2)  See Note 1 under the table of paragraph 6.3.1 “Shareholder Base and Double Voting Rights”.

The same shares can be subject to several joint lock-up agreements.

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Stock Market Information

6.4  Stock Market Information

Stock Exchange
listed  on 
Shares  of  Dassault  Systèmes  have  been 
Compartment A of Euronext Paris (ISIN code FR0000130650) 
since June 28, 1996. Its shares were also listed on the NASDAQ 
in  the  form  of  ADS  (American  Depositary  Shares)  under  the 
symbol  DASTY  until  October  16,  2008.  The  ADS  are  still 
traded under this symbol on the U.S. over-the-counter market. 

One ADS represents one ordinary share (see paragraph 6.3.1 
“Shareholding and Double Voting Rights”).

For  dividend  policy,  see  the  paragraph  7.1  “Presentation  of 
the  Resolutions  Proposed  by  the  Board  of  Directors  to  the 
General Meeting on May 23, 2019”.

Share price history and trading volumes of Dassault Systèmes shares from January 1, 2018

(in euros except for Volume of shares traded)

January 2018

February 2018

March 2018

April 2018

May 2018

June 2018

July 2018

August 2018

September 2018

October 2018

November 2018

December 2018

January 2019

February 2019

Volume of 
shares traded

Share price on 
last day of 
the month

Highest share 
price during 
the month

Lowest share 
price during 
the month

6,006,684

8,703,879

6,658,650

6,069,722

6,670,185

7,030,692

6,349,903

5,059,233

9,397,466

11,466,481

10,568,072

6,946,295

7,828,788

6,420,251

€92.88

€106.25

€110.40

€107.25

€120.15

€120.00

€127.80

€139.60

€128.75

€110.85

€111.65

€103.70

€109.55

€128.65

€94.50

€106.25

€111.70

€111.45

€120.15

€125.65

€130.80

€139.60

€139.90

€129.45

€111.80

€111.10

€111.70

€129.20

€88.30

€95.00

€102.50

€104.60

€107.75

€119.00

€118.80

€126.60

€126.40

€106.10

€101.40

€99.70

€96.28

€109.70

Person Responsible for Financial Communications
François-José Bordonado

Vice-President, Investor Relations

To  obtain  all  financial  information  and  documents  published 
by the Company, please contact:

Indicative Timetable for the Publication 
of Financial Information for 2019
 › First quarter of 2019: April 24, 2019

 › Second quarter of 2019: July 24, 2019

 › Third quarter of 2019: October 24, 2019

 › Fourth quarter of 2019: February 5, 2020

Investor Relations Service
10, rue Marcel Dassault – CS 40501

78946 Vélizy-Villacoublay Cedex – France

Telephone: +33 (0)1 61 62 69 24

e-mail: investors@3ds.com

224 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

7

GENERAL MEETING

CONTENTS

7.1  Presentation of the resolutions 

proposed by the Board of Directors 
to the General Meeting of May 23, 
2019 

226

7.1.1  Annual financial statements and allocation 

of the results 

7.1.2  Consolidated financial statements 

7.1.3  Related-party agreements (conventions 

réglementées) 

7.1.4  Compensation elements due or granted with 

respect to 2018 to Mr. Charles Edelstenne, 
Chairman of the Board, and to Mr. Bernard 
Charlès, Vice-Chairman of the Board and Chief 
Executive Officer 

226

227

227

228

7.1.5  Policies and criteria used to determine, distribute 

and allocate the fixed, variable and exceptional 
components of the total compensation and 
benefits of all kinds granted to the Chairman of 
the Board and to the Vice-Chairman of the Board 
and Chief Executive Officer 

7.1.6  Re-appointment of two directors 

230

230

7.1.7  Authorization to repurchase shares of the Company  230

7.1.8  Delegations of authority and powers to increase 

the share capital 

7.1.9  Financial authorizations for issuances reserved 

to employees and corporate officers 

231

232

7.2  Text of the draft resolutions 

proposed by the Board of Directors 
to the General Meeting of 
May 23, 2019 

233

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7 General Meeting

Presentation of the resolutions proposed by the Board of Directors to the General Meeting of May 23, 2019

7.1  Presentation of the resolutions proposed by the 

Board of Directors to the General Meeting of  
May 23, 2019

7.1.1  Annual financial statements and allocation of the results

We  invite  you  to  approve  the  annual  financial  statements  of 
Dassault  Systèmes  SE  (or  the  “Company”  for  the  purposes 
of  the  present  Chapter  7  “General  Meeting”)  for  the  year 
ended  December  31,  2018,  prepared  on  the  basis  of  French 
in 
accounting  principles,  as  they  have  been  presented 
paragraph 4.2 “Parent company financial statements”.

Dassault  Systèmes  SE  has  paid  dividends  every  year  since 
1986. The decision to distribute dividends and their amount 
depends on the profits and the financial position of Dassault 
Systèmes SE as well as other factors. Dividends, which have 
been distributed but are not collected by a shareholder, revert 
to the French State at the end of the five-year period following 
the date of their payment.

Based  on  the  financial  statements  and  the  management  report  of  the  Board  of  Directors  included  in  this  Annual  Report 
(Document de référence), a profit of €331,252,669.66 (1) has been realized for the year ended December 31, 2018, which we 
propose that you allocate as follows:

 › to the legal reserve

 › to a Special Reserve Account(2)

 › for distribution to the 262,927,968 shares forming the capital as of 02/28/2019 of a dividend of 

(€0.65  x 262,927,968 shares) (3)

 › to retained earnings

which, increased by the retained earnings from previous years of €2,207,342,151.44, brings the amount of 
retained earnings to

€75,164.90

€34,000.00

€170,903,179.20 

€160,240,325.56 

€2,367,582,477.00 

(1)  After  allocation  to  the  legal  reserve  and  the  Special  Reserve  Account,  this  profit  increased  by  the  retained  earnings  from  previous  years  of  €2,207,342,151.44  results  in  a 

distributable profit of €2,538,485,656.20. 

(2)  In compliance with Article 238 bis AB, paragraph 5, of the French General Tax Code.
(3)  The aggregate amount of the dividend will be increased, based on the number of new shares created between March 1, 2019 and the date of the General Meeting of May 23, 2019, 
consecutively to the exercise of share subscription options, it being specified that the maximum number of shares which could be issued upon the exercise of subscription options 
is 3,080,934, i.e. a maximum amount of a supplementary dividend of €2,002,607.10.

Further  new  shares  created  by  exercise  of  options  until  the 
date of the Annual General Meeting deciding on the allocation 
of profit related to the preceding year will receive the dividend 
distributed with respect to that year (see paragraphs 5.1.4.2 
“Interests  of  Executive  Management  and  Employees  in  the 
Share Capital of Dassault Systèmes SE” and 6.4 “Stock Market 
Information”).

Therefore, we propose that the General Meeting of May 23, 
2019  approves  for  the  year  2018  the  distribution  of  (i)  a 
dividend of €0.65  per share comprising the capital as of the date 
of this General Meeting, resulting – on the basis of the number 
of shares comprising the share capital as of February 28, 2019 
– in an aggregate amount of €170,903,179.20  and (ii) where 
applicable,  an  additional  aggregate  maximum  amount  of 
€2,002,607.10 , which corresponds to the maximum number 
of new shares which could be issued between March 1, 2019 
and the date of the General Meeting (i.e. 3,080,934 shares).

Shares  will  be  traded  ex-dividend  as  of  May  29 ,  2019, 
and dividends made payable on May 31 , 2019.

On  the  date  of  payment,  the  amount  of  the  dividend 
corresponding to (i) the treasury shares of Dassault Systèmes 
 and (ii) Dassault Systèmes  shares held by SW Securities LLC, a 
company which is controlled by the Dassault Systèmes Group, 
will be allocated to “retained earnings”, in accordance with the 
provisions  of  Article  L.  225-210  of  the  French  Commercial 
Code  and  the  contractual  provisions  in  force  between  SW 
Securities LLC and Dassault Systèmes .

In  addition,  prior  to  distribution  of  the  dividend,  the  Board 
of  Directors,  or  if  so  delegated,  the  Chief  Executive  Officer, 
will  determine  the  number  of  additional  shares  issued  as  a 
result  of  the  exercise  of  share  subscription  options  between 
March  1  and  the  date  of  the  General  Meeting  on  May  23, 
2019.  The  amount  required  for  payment  of  dividends  for 
shares issued during this period will be taken from “retained 
earnings”.

The  amount  thus  distributed  to  shareholders  will,  as  the 
case  may  be  upon  exercise  of  an  individual  option  of  the 
shareholders,  either  be  subject  to  the  flat  tax  of  12.8%,  or 

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7

be  taken  into  account  for  determining  shareholders’  total 
revenue subject to the progressive rate of income tax for the 
year during which it was received (article 200A of the French 
Tax Code) after application of an uncapped deduction of 40% 
(as provided by Article 158-3-2 of the French Tax Code). The 

dividend  may  be  subject  to  a  non-discharging  income  tax 
withholding  at  a  rate  of  12.8%  (as  provided  by  Article  117 
quater of the French Tax Code).

Pursuant to Article 243 bis of the French Tax Code, it is noted that dividends per share paid over the last three years have been 
as follows:

Dividend (in euros)

Number of shares eligible for dividends 

2017

0.58

2016

0.53

2015

0.47

259,243,696

258,532,488

257,154,032

7.1.2  Consolidated financial statements

In  addition  to  the  2018  parent  company  annual  financial  statements,  it  is  also  proposed  to  approve  the  Dassault  Systèmes 
consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2018,  prepared  in  accordance  with  IFRS  standards  as 
described in paragraph 4.1.1 “Consolidated Financial Statements” of this Annual Report.

7.1.3  Related-party agreements (conventions réglementées)

The following agreements, which were approved in accordance 
with Articles L. 225-38 et seq. of the French Commercial Code, 
were in effect during the year ended December 31, 2018:

 › the  following  undertakings  made  by  the  Company  in 
connection with its “Directors and corporate officers liability 
insurance policy”:

 › to  reimburse  the  cost  of  legal  defense  of  directors  in 
the  event  of  their  personal  liability  being  sought,  and 
indemnify  the  directors  for  the  financial  implications  of 
such  liability  payment  of  the  costs  in  relation  with  legal 
defense related thereto, to the extent they would not be 
covered by that insurance policy (approved by the Board 
of Directors’ meeting held on July 24, 1996),

 › to  assume,  under  certain  conditions,  the  cost  of  legal 
defense  of  directors  of  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  should 
they have to prepare their personal defense before a civil, 
criminal  or  administrative  court  in  the  United  States  in 
connection  with  an  inquiry  or  investigation  conducted 
against  Dassault  Systèmes  (approved  by  the  Board  of 
Directors’ meeting held on September 23, 2003);

 › the  agreement 

regarding  Dassault  Systèmes  SE’s 
undertakings  to  the  benefit  of  Bernard  Charlès,  relating 
to  indemnities  which  would  be  due  upon  the  termination 
of  his  functions  as  Chief  Executive  Officer  (approved  by 
the  Board  of  Directors’  meeting  held  on  May  27,  2010). 
In  connection  with  the  renewal  of  Mr.  Bernard  Charlès’ 
term  as  Chief  Executive  Officer,  the  Board  of  Directors,  at 
its meeting on March 15, 2018, authorized, in accordance 

with  the  proposal  of  the  Compensation  and  Nomination 
Committee  and  pursuant  to  Article  L.  225-42-1  of  the 
French  Commercial  Code,  the  renewal  of  the  agreement 
regarding  the  Company’s  undertakings  to  Mr.  Bernard 
Charlès, relating to indemnities which would be due upon 
the termination of his functions as Chief Executive Officer, 
under  the  terms  adopted  by  the  Board  of  Directors  at  its 
meeting  on  May  27,  2010.  The  amount  of  the  indemnity 
due  would  be  equivalent  to  a  maximum  of  two  years  of 
compensation as Chief Executive Officer and would depend 
on  satisfying  the  performance  conditions  established 
for  calculating  his  variable  compensation.  In  accordance 
with  Article  L.  225- 42-1  of  the  French  Commercial  Code, 
this  agreement  has  been  submitted   to  the  approval  of 
the  General  Shareholders’  Meeting  of  May  22,  2018 
(see  paragraph  5.1.3.3  “Indemnities  Due  in  the  Event  of 
the  Forced  Departure  of  Bernard  Charlès”  and  Table  11 
of  paragraph  5.1.4.1  “Compensation  of  the  Corporate 
Officers” – Mandataires sociaux).

These agreements were reviewed by the Board of Directors at its 
meeting on March 20, 2019, in accordance with the provisions 
of Article L. 225-40-1 of the French Commercial Code.

The  Statutory  Auditors  have  prepared  a  special  report 
pursuant to Articles L. 225-40 and L. 225-40-1 of the French 
Commercial  Code,  as  set  forth  in  paragraph  4.2.4  “Special 
report of the Statutory Auditors on Related-party Agreements 
and  Commitments”.  The  General  Meeting  is   requested  to 
acknowledge this report which refers to no new agreements.

7

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227

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7.1.4  Compensation elements due or granted with respect to 2018 

to Mr. Charles Edelstenne, Chairman of the Board, and to 
Mr. Bernard Charlès, Vice-Chairman of the Board and Chief 
Executive Officer

Pursuant to the provisions of Article L. 225-100 of the French 
Commercial  Code,  it  is  proposed  to  the  General  Meeting  to 
approve  the  compensation  due  or  granted  with  respect  to 
2018  to  Mr.  Charles  Edelstenne,  Chairman  of  the  Board  of 
Directors, and Mr. Bernard Charlès, Vice-Chairman of the Board 
of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, whose compensation 
elements  are  summarized  in  the  tables  below  (See  also 
paragraph  5.1   “Board‘s  Corporate  Governance  Report ”). 

The  payment  of  the  Chief  Executive  Officer’s  variable 
compensation is subject to the General Meeting’s approval of 
his compensation elements. Since the Chairman of the Board 
does not receive any variable or extraordinary compensation, 
this condition does not apply to him.

7.1.4.1 

Compensation elements due or granted with respect to 2018 to Mr. Charles Edelstenne, 
Chairman of the Board(1)

Compensation elements

Fixed compensation (2)

Amount 
(in euros)

982,000

Observations

Fixed gross compensation with respect to 2018 set by the Board of Directors on March 15, 
2018, upon the proposal of the Compensation and Nomination Committee.

Annual variable compensation N/A

Mr. Charles Edelstenne receives no annual variable compensation.

Deferred annual variable 
compensation

Multi-year variable 
compensation

Directors’ fees (3)

N/A

N/A

Mr. Charles Edelstenne receives no deferred annual variable compensation.

Mr. Charles Edelstenne receives no multi-year variable compensation.

45,100

Gross amount of directors’ fees due for 2018.

Extraordinary compensation

Granting of share subscription 
options and/or performance 
shares

Indemnity upon start or 
termination of function

Non-compete indemnity

Additional retirement plan

Benefits in kind(4)

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Mr. Charles Edelstenne receives no extraordinary variable compensation.

Mr. Charles Edelstenne does not hold any share subscription options and was not granted 
any performance shares.

Mr. Charles Edelstenne receives no indemnity upon start or termination of function.

Mr. Charles Edelstenne receives no non-compete indemnity.

No additional retirement plan was implemented by Dassault Systèmes SE.

Mr. Charles Edelstenne receives no benefits in kind.

(1)  All compensation paid by the Company to Mr. Charles Edelstenne is paid by Dassault Systèmes SE, company incorporated under the laws of France.
(2)  See also paragraph 5.1.3.1 “Fixed, variable and exceptional compensation and benefits in kind”. In 2018, GIMD paid Mr. Charles Edelstenne, first as GIMD’s Chief Executive Officer 

until May 28, 2018, and then as GIMD’s Chairman from May 29, 2018, a gross compensation of €804,828.

(3)  In 2018, GIMD paid Mr. Charles Edelstenne €27,286 in directors’ fees for his mandate as a member of the Supervisory Board of GIMD. See also paragraph 5.1.3.4 “Directors’ Fees” 

on the conditions for distributing the directors’ fees at Dassault Systèmes SE.

(4)  In 2018, GIMD granted benefits in kind related to the use of a car in an amount of €10,440 to Mr. Charles Edelstenne.

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7.1.4.2 

Compensation elements due or granted with respect to 2018 to Mr. Bernard Charlès, 
Vice- Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer(1)

Compensation elements

Amount 
(in euros)

Fixed compensation

1,390,000

Annual variable compensation 1,506,760 

Deferred annual variable 
compensation

Multi-year variable 
compensation

Directors’ fees (3)

N/A

N/A

Fixed gross compensation with respect to 2018 set by the Board of Directors on March 15, 
2018 (2).

Variable gross compensation with respect to 2018 actually earned and decided by the 
Board of Directors of March 20, 2019 (2).

Mr. Bernard Charlès receives no deferred annual variable compensation.

Observations

Mr. Bernard Charlès receives no multi-year annual variable compensation.

28,600

Gross amount of directors’ fees due for 2018.

Extraordinary compensation

N/A

Mr. Bernard Charlès receives no extraordinary compensation.

Granting of 2018 share 
subscription options and/or 
performance  shares

Granting by anticipation 
of  2019 share subscription 
options and/or performance 
 shares 

19,950,608(4) Mr. Bernard Charlès was granted 300,000 2018-B shares by the Board of Directors on 

May 22, 2018(5)(6).

21,734,506(4) Mr. Bernard Charlès was granted by anticipation 300,000 2019-B shares by the Board of 

Directors of September 25, 2018(5)(6)(7). In 2019, neither subscription options nor 
performance share will be granted to Mr. Bernard Charlès.

Indemnity upon start or 
termination of function

N/A

Non-compete indemnity

Additional retirement plan

Benefits in kind

N/A

N/A

19,366

Mr. Bernard Charlès receives under certain conditions an indemnity upon the termination of 
his functions, the amount of which would not exceed two years of the Chief Executive 
Officer’s compensation and would depend on the satisfaction of the performance 
conditions for calculating his variable compensation.
In accordance with Articles L. 225-40-1 and L. 225-42-1 of the French Commercial Code, 
this commitment on the part of Dassault Systèmes SE was authorized by the Board of 
Directors on March 15, 2018 and approved by the General Meeting on May 22, 2018 
(6th resolution)(8).

Mr. Bernard Charlès receives no non-compete indemnity.

No additional retirement plan was implemented.

These benefits in kind are linked to the use of a vehicle made available to Bernard Charlès 
by Dassault Systèmes SE.

7

(1)  All compensation paid by the Company to Mr. Bernard Charlès is paid by Dassault Systèmes SE, company incorporated under the laws of France.
(2)  See also paragraphs 5.1.3.1 “Fixed, variable and exceptional compensation and benefits in kind” and 5.1.4.1 Table 2 “Summary of the compensation of each Executive Officer”.
(3)  See also paragraph 5.1.3.4 “Directors’ Fees” on the conditions for distributing the directors’ fees at Dassault Systèmes SE.
(4)  Value based on the method chosen for the consolidated financial statements before the spreading of the expense and taking into account the performance criteria.
(5)  Such shares are granted to Mr. Bernard Charlès, Chief Executive Officer, as part of the gradual process of associating him with the Company’s capital that began several years ago, 
with the aim of recognizing his entrepreneurial role during more than 30 years with the Group and providing him with an equity interest comparable to that of founders of 
companies in the same sector, and more generally, of his peers in technology companies around the world.

(6)  See also paragraph 5.1.3.2 “Performance Shares and Share Subscription Options”.
(7)  As mentioned in paragraph 5.1.3.2 of the 2017 Annual Report, the Board decided to allocate, on September 25, 2018, performance shares (2019 plan) to several managers and 
employees of the Compaty (including Mr. Bernard Charlès) in order to benefit from the legal regime of the authorization of the General Meeting of September 4, 2015 which was 
to expire on November 4, 2018. The Board thus proceeded by anticipation to the allocation considered for 2019 (performance shares are generally granted in May at the end of 
the General Meeting of Shareholders).

(8)  See also paragraph 5.1.3.3 “Indemnities Due in the Event of the Imposed Departure (départ contraint) of Mr. Bernard Charlès”.

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7.1.5  Policies and criteria used to determine, distribute and allocate 

the fixed, variable and exceptional components of the total 
compensation and benefits of all kinds granted to the 
Chairman of the Board and to the Vice-Chairman of the Board 
and Chief Executive Officer

In  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  Article  L.  225- 37-2  of 
the  French  Commercial  Code,  paragraph  5.1.3  “Principles 
established  by  the  Board  of  Directors  pertaining  to 
compensation  of  the  Executive  Officers  and  directors” 
describes the policies and criteria used to determine, distribute 
and  allocate  the  fixed,  variable  and  exceptional  components 

of the total compensation and benefits of all kinds granted to 
the  Chairman  of  the  Board  and  to  the  Vice-Chairman  of  the 
Board  and  Chief  Executive  Officer.  These  policies  and  criteria 
are submitted for your approval with separate resolutions for 
the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Board.

7.1.6  Re-appointment of two directors

The terms of office as director of Mrs. Catherine Dassault and 
Mrs.  Toshiko  Mori  end  at  the  General  Meeting  of  May  23, 
2019.  You  are  invited  to  re-appoint  them  for  a  term  of  four 
years,  i.e.  until  the  General  Meeting  called  to  approve  the 
financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2022 
(for  a  presentation  of  these  directors,  see  paragraph  5.1.1.1 
“Composition  of  the  Board  of  Directors”).  If  these  proposals 

meet  your  approval  and  since  the  terms  of  office  of 
Mr. Jean- Pierre Chahid-Nouraï and Mr. Arnoud de Meyer will 
expire on May 23, 2019 and will not be renewed, the Board 
of  Directors  would  be  comprised  of  11  members,  including 
5 women and 5 independent directors. These proportions are 
higher than the legal provisions and recommendations of the 
AFEP-MEDEF Code(1).

7.1.7  Authorization to repurchase shares of the Company

The  authorization  to  repurchase  shares  of  the  Company 
granted  to  the  Board  of  Directors  at  the  General  Meeting 
on  May  22,  2018  will  expire  at  the  General  Meeting  of 
May  23,  2019.  Within  the  framework  of  this  authorization, 
share  buybacks  were  carried  out  in  2018  and  in  early  2019 
(these  transactions  are  described  in  paragraph  6.2.4  “Share 
repurchase  programs”).  These  buybacks  were  carried  out  for 
the purposes of covering  the Company’s obligations resulting 
from  share  grants,  of   cancellation   and  of   animating   the 
market and providing  liquidity of the Dassault Systèmes share 
through  the  intermediary  of  an  investment  services  provider 
by  means  of  a  liquidity  agreement   concluded  between 
Dassault Systèmes SE and Oddo BHF SCA. This agreement has 
been automatically renewed for 2019  and is being amended 
in order to comply with the new requirements provided by the 
Financial  Markets  Authority  (AMF)  decision  No  2018-01  of 
July 2, 2018. 

Additional  share  buybacks  may  be  made  until  the  date  of 
the  General  Meeting,  and  will  be  described  in  the  Annual 
Report  (Document  de  référence)  for  the  year  ending  on 
December 31, 2019.

You  are  invited  to  reauthorize  the  Board  of  Directors  to 
repurchase  Dassault  Systèmes  shares,  in  accordance  with 
Articles  L.  225-209 et seq.  of  the  French  Commercial  Code, 
within a limit of 10 million shares, i.e. approximately 3.80% 
of the share capital as of February 28, 2019, at a maximum 
purchase price of €180 per share and within the limits set by 
the  applicable  regulations.  The  maximum  amount  of  funds 
dedicated to repurchase shares of Dassault Systèmes may not 
exceed €600 million.

Should  you  approve  this  proposal,  the  authorization  will  be 
valid until the Annual General Meeting approving the financial 
statements for the year ending on December 31, 2019.

(1)  It  is  reminded  that  the  proportion  of  female  representation  and  independent  directors  does  not  include  the  director  representing  the  employees,  in 

accordance with Articles 8.3 of the AFEP-MEDEF Code and L. 225-27-1 of the French Commercial Code respectively.

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This  authorization  to  buyback  shares  may  be  used  for  the 
following purposes:

5) 

1)  cancel shares for the purpose of increasing the profitability 
of  shareholders’  equity  and  earnings  per  share,  subject 
to adoption by the Extraordinary General Meeting of the 
resolution permitting shares to be canceled;

implement  any  stock-exchange  market  practice  which 
may  be  accepted  by  law  or  by  the  Financial  Markets 
Authority (AMF).

The acquisition, sale, transfer or exchange of such shares may 
be effected at any time, in accordance with the applicable legal 
provisions and regulations, except during a tender offer period.

2)  meet  obligations  related  to  stock  option  grants  or  other 
allocations of shares to employees or corporate officers of 
Dassault Systèmes SE or of an affiliated company;

The  share  buyback  program  is  described  in  paragraph  6.2.4 
“Share repurchase programs” of this Annual Report (Document 
de référence), where all relevant information is presented.

3)  provide  shares  upon  exercise  of  rights  attached  to 
securities giving right to shares of Dassault Systèmes SE;

4)  animate   the  market  or  provide  liquidity  for  Dassault 
Systèmes  shares  through  the 
intermediary  of  an 
investment  services  provider  by  means  of  a  liquidity 
contract complying with the Financial Markets Authority 
(AMF)’s accepted market practice;

In light of the possible cancellation of the repurchased shares, 
we  propose  that  you  also  authorize  the  Board  of  Directors 
to  cancel,  as  the  case  may  be,  for  the  same  period,  all  or  a 
portion of the shares which it has repurchased and to reduce 
in a corresponding amount the share capital, within a limit of 
10% of its amount per 24-month period.

7.1.8  Delegations of authority and powers to increase 

the share capital

The delegations of authority and powers to increase the share 
capital granted to the Board of Directors by the General Meeting 
of May 23, 2017 expire in July 2019. It is therefore proposed 
that  the  General  Meeting  renew  these  authorizations  to 
increase the share capital for a period of 26 months, to enable 
the Board to chose, at any time, from a large range of securities 
giving right to the Company’s capital or debt securities, with 
or without the pre-emptive right of shareholders, by way of 
a  public  offering  or  private  placement,  the  most  appropriate 
funding for the Group’s development, given the characteristics 
of the markets at the time in question.

It  is  also  proposed  that  the  General  Meeting  renew  the 
delegation  of  authority  granted  to  the  Board  to  increase  the 
share capital by incorporation of reserves, profits or premiums, 
as  well  as  the  delegation  of  powers  to  increase  capital  by 
remunerating benefits in kind.

The  resolutions  proposed  for  this  purpose  will  replace  the 
resolutions  adopted  by  the  General  Shareholders’  Meeting 
of May 23, 2017. The use of these resolutions is outlined in 
paragraph 5.1.6.2  “Table summarizing the current delegations 

granted by the General Meeting in respect of capital increases ”. 
The Board of Directors has not used these resolutions for any 
other purpose in 2018 nor between the start of 2019 and the 
date on which this Annual Report was drafted.

If the above resolutions are adopted, the Board will be able to:

 › carry out capital increases with or without the pre-emptive 
right of shareholders (using in particular the power granted 
by law to use a private placement with, inter alia, portfolio 
managers or qualified investors) up to a limit of €12 million 
in par value and, with regards to debt securities giving access 
to capital, up to a limit of €1 billion in par value. This cap of 
€12 million also represents the overall cap of the nominal 
amount of all capital increases likely to be performed under 
resolutions 13 to 17 as well as the 20th resolution;

 › increase  the  share  capital  by  incorporation  of  reserves, 
profits or premiums, up to the same limit of €12 million in 
par value;

 › increase  the  share  capital  to  remunerate  contributions  in 

kind of shares up to a limit of 10% of the share capital.

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7.1.9  Financial authorizations for issuances reserved to employees 

and corporate officers

The authorization granted by the General Meeting to the Board 
of  Directors  on  May  26,  2016  to  grant  share  subscription 
and  purchase  options  expires  in  July  2019(1).  It  is  therefore 
proposed that the General Meeting reauthorizes the Board of 
Directors to grant share subscription and purchase options.

This authorization will be granted for a period of 38 months 
and the maximum number of options that may be granted by 
the Board of Directors and not yet exercised cannot entitle a 
subscription right or the right to acquire a number of shares 
which exceeds 3% of the share capital. Moreover, in accordance 
with  AFEP-MEDEF’s  Corporate  Governance  Code  for  listed 
companies, and the recommendation from the Compensation 
and Nomination Committee, it is proposed that the number of 
options that may be granted to executive officers within the 
meaning of this Code is limited to 35% of the so authorized 
overall amount.

All  options’  allocations  would  be  subject  to  one  or  several 
performance condition(s).

For  the  executive  officers  (dirigeants  mandataires  sociaux), 
the subscription price for the new shares or the purchase price 
of  existing  shares  by  exercising  the  Options  would  equal  to 
the share’s average listed price on the Euronext Paris market 
during  the  20  trading  days  preceding  the  day  on  which  the 
Options will be granted, without any discount applicable.

The  present  authorization  would  cancel,  for  the  unused 
portion,  the  previous  authorization  granted  to  the  Board 
of Directors.

Furthermore,  in  accordance  with  law,  it  is  proposed  that  the 
Board of Directors be authorized to increase the share capital 
reserved  for  employees  of  Dassault  Systèmes  SE  and/or  its 
affiliated companies who are members of a corporate savings 
plan. The maximum nominal amount of the capital increases 
that  may  be  carried  out  through  the  issue  of  new  shares  or 
securities  giving  access  to  capital  would  be  €5  million.  This 
new authorization would cancel and replace that granted by 
the General Meeting on May 22, 2018.

(1)  Information relating to the uses by the Board of Directors of the authorization granted in 2016 by the General Meeting, as well as to all of Dassault 
Systèmes SE’s options plans, is included in paragraphs 5.1.6.2 . “Table summarizing the current delegations granted by the General Meeting in respect 
of capital increases ” and 5.3.2 “Interests of Executive Management and Employees in the Share Capital of Dassault Systèmes SE”.

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7.2  Text of the draft resolutions proposed by the 
Board of Directors to the General Meeting of  
May 23, 2019

Ordinary General Meeting

 ❘ First resolution

 ❘ Second resolution

Approval of the parent company annual financial statements

Approval of the consolidated financial statements

The  General  Meeting,  after  the  reading  of  the  management 
report  of  the  Board  of  Directors  and  the  report  of  the 
Statutory  Auditors,  in  addition  to  the  explanations  made 
orally, hereby approves the report of the Board and the parent 
company  annual  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2018, as they have been presented.

The General Meeting consequently approves any transactions 
disclosed  in  these  financial  statements  or  summarized  in 
these reports.

The  General  Meeting,  after  the  reading  of  the  report  of  the 
Board of Directors with respect to management of the Group 
included in the management report and the report related to the 
consolidated  financial  statements  of  the  Statutory  Auditors, 
in addition to the explanations made orally, hereby approves 
in  all  respects  the  report  of  the  Board  and  the  consolidated 
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018, 
as they have been presented.

The General Meeting consequently approves any transactions 
disclosed  by  such  consolidated  financial  statements  or 
summarized in such reports.

 ❘ Third resolution

Allocation of the results

The General Meeting, upon the proposal of the Board of Directors, hereby resolves to allocate the profit of the year amounting to 
€331,252,669.66(1) as follows:

7

 › to the legal reserve

 › to a Special Reserve Account(2)

 › for the distribution to the 262,927,968 shares forming the share capital as of 02/28/2019 of a 

dividend of (€0.65  x 262,927,968 shares) (3)

 › to retained earnings

which, increased by the retained earnings from the previous years of €2,207,342,151.44 brings the 
amount of retained earnings to

€75,164.90

€34,000.00

€170,903,179.20 

€160,240,325.56 

€2,367,582,477.00 

(1)  After  allocation  to  the  legal  reserve  and  the  Special  Reserve  Account,  this  profit  increased  by  the  retained  earnings  from  previous  years  of  €2,207,342,151.44  results  in  a 

distributable profit of €2,538,485,656.20. 

(2)  In compliance with Article 238 bis AB, paragraph 5, of the French General Tax Code.
(3)  The aggregate amount of the dividend will be increased, based on the number of new shares created between March 1, 2019 and the date of the General Meeting of May 23, 
2019, consecutively to the exercise of share subscription options, it being specified that the maximum number of shares which could be issued upon the exercise of subscription 
options is 3,080,934, i.e. a maximum amount of a supplementary dividend of €2,002,607.10. 

Shares  will  be  traded  ex-dividend  as  of  May  29,  2019   and 
dividends made payable on May 31, 2019. 

On  the  date  of  payment,  the  amount  of  the  dividend 
corresponding to (i) the treasury shares of Dassault Systèmes 
SE and (ii) the Dassault Systèmes shares held by SW Securities 
LLC, a company which is controlled by the Dassault Systèmes 
Group, will be allocated to “retained earnings”, in accordance 
with  the  provisions  of  Article  L.  225-210  of  the  French 
Commercial  Code  and  the  contractual  provisions  in  force 
between SW Securities LLC and Dassault Systèmes SE.

In addition, prior to distribution of the dividend, the Board of 
Directors,  or  if  so  delegated,  the  Chief  Executive  Officer  will 
determine the number of additional shares issued as a result of 
the exercise of share subscription options between March 1, 
2019  and  the  date  of  this  General  Meeting;  the  amount 
required for payment of dividends for shares issued during this 
period will be taken from “retained earnings”.

The  amount  thus  distributed  to  shareholders  will,  upon 
exercise  of  an  individual  option  of  the  shareholders,  either 
be subject to the flat tax of 12.8%, or be taken into account 

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for  determining  shareholders’  total  revenue  subject  to  the 
progressive rate of income tax for the year during which it was 
received  (article  200A  of  the  French  General  Tax  Code)  after 
application of an uncapped deduction of 40% (as provided by 

Article 158-3-2 of the French General Tax Code). The dividend 
may be subject to a non-discharging income tax withholding 
at a rate of 12.8% (as provided by Article 117 quater of the 
French Tax Code).

Pursuant to Article 243 bis of the French Tax Code, it is noted that dividends per share paid over the last three years have been 
as follows:

Dividend (in euros)

Number of shares eligible for dividends 

 ❘ Fourth resolution

Related-party agreements (conventions réglementées)

The  General  Meeting,  having  reviewed  the  special  report 
of  the  Statutory  Auditors  on  the  agreements  governed  by 
Articles  L.  225-38  et seq.  of  the  French  Commercial  Code, 
acknowledges  the  report,  which  does  not 
include  any 
new agreements.

 ❘ Fifth resolution

Policies and criteria used to determine, distribute and allocate 
the fixed, variable and exceptional components of the total 
compensation and benefits of all kinds granted to the 
Chairman of the Board

The General Meeting, having reviewed the report established in 
accordance with Article L. 225-37-2 of the French Commercial 
Code,  approves  the  policies  and  criteria  used  to  determine, 
distribute  and  allocate  the  fixed,  variable  and  exceptional 
components  of  the  total  compensation  and  benefits  of  all 
kinds  granted  to  the  Chairman  of  the  Board  in  connection 
with  his  mandate,  as  indicated  in  the  2018  Annual  Report, 
under  Chapter  5  “Corporate  Governance”,  paragraph  5.1.3 
“Principles established by the Board of Directors pertaining to 
compensation of the Executive Officers and directors”.

 ❘ Sixth resolution

Policies and criteria used to determine, distribute and allocate 
the fixed, variable and exceptional components of the total 
compensation and benefits of all kinds granted to the Vice 
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

The General Meeting, having reviewed the report established in 
accordance with Article L. 225-37-2 of the French Commercial 
Code,  approves  the  policies  and  criteria  used  to  determine, 
distribute  and  allocate  the  fixed,  variable  and  exceptional 
components  of  the  total  compensation  and  benefits  of  all 
kinds  granted  to  the  Vice-Chairman  of  the  Board  and  Chief 
Executive Officer in connection with his mandate, as indicated 
in  the  2018  Annual  Report,  under  Chapter  5  “Corporate 

2017

0.58

2016

0.53

2015

0.47

259,243,696

258,532,488

257,154,032

Governance”,  paragraph  5.1.3  “Principles  established  by  the 
Board of Directors pertaining to compensation of the Executive 
Officers and directors”.

 ❘ Seventh resolution

Compensation elements due or granted with respect to 2018 
to Mr. Charles Edelstenne, Chairman of the Board

The General Meeting, having reviewed the report established in 
accordance with Article L. 225-37-2 of the French Commercial 
Code,  approves  the  compensation  elements  due  or  granted 
with respect to 2018 to Mr. Charles Edelstenne, Chairman of 
the Board, as indicated in the 2018 Annual Report (Document 
de  référence),  under  Chapter  5  “Corporate  Governance”, 
paragraph 5.1.4.1 “Compensation of the Company’s Corporate 
Officers (mandataires sociaux)”.

 ❘ Eighth resolution

Compensation elements due or granted with respect to 2018 
to Mr. Bernard Charlès, Vice-Chairman of the Board and Chief 
Executive Officer

The General Meeting, having reviewed the report established in 
accordance with Article L. 225-37-2 of the French Commercial 
Code,  approves  the  compensation  elements  due  or  granted 
with respect to 2018 to Mr. Bernard Charlès, Vice-Chairman of 
the Board and Chief Executive Officer, as indicated in the 2018 
Annual  Report  (Document  de  référence),  under  Chapter  5 
“Corporate Governance”, paragraph 5.1.4.1 “Compensation of 
the Company’s Corporate Officers (mandataires sociaux)”.

 ❘ Ninth resolution

Re-appointment of Mrs. Catherine Dassault

The General Meeting notes that Mrs. Catherine Dassault’s term 
as director expires at this General Meeting and re-appoints her 
for  a  four-year  period.  This  term  of  office  will  expire  at  the 
General  Meeting  approving  the  financial  statements  for  the 
year ending December 31, 2022.

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 ❘ Tenth resolution

Re-appointment of Mrs. Toshiko Mori

The General Meeting notes that Mrs. Toshiko Mori’s term as 
director  expires  at  this  General  Meeting  and  re-appoints  her 
for  a  four-year  period.  This  term  of  office  will  expire  at  the 
General  Meeting  approving  the  financial  statements  for  the 
year ending December 31, 2022.

 ❘ Eleventh resolution

Authorization to repurchase Dassault Systèmes’s shares

The General Meeting, having reviewed the report of the Board 
of  Directors,  authorizes  the  Board  of  Directors  to  purchase 
a  maximum  of  10,000,000  Dassault  Systèmes  shares,  in 
accordance  with  the  terms  and  conditions  stipulated  in 
Articles  L.  225-209 et seq.  of  the  French  Commercial  Code, 
Articles  241-1  et  seq.  of  the  Financial  Markets  Authority 
(AMF)  General  Regulation,  Regulation  (EU)  no.  596/2014 
of April 16, 2014 on market abuse (“MAR Regulation”), and 
Commission  Delegated  Regulation  (EU)  No  2016/1052  of 
March 8, 2016 supplementing Regulation (EU) no. 596/2014.

This authorization may be used by the Board of Directors for 
the following purposes:

1.  cancel shares for the purpose of increasing the profitability 
of  shareholders’  equity  and  earnings  per  share,  subject 
to adoption by the Extraordinary General Meeting of the 
resolution permitting shares to be canceled;

2.  meet  obligations  related  to  stock  option  grants  or  other 
allocations of shares to employees or corporate officers of 
Dassault Systèmes  or of an affiliated company;

3.  provide  shares  upon  exercise  of  rights  attached  to 
securities giving right to shares of Dassault Systèmes ;

4.  animate   the  market  or  provide  liquidity  for  Dassault 
Systèmes  shares  through  the 
intermediary  of  an 
investment  services  provider  by  means  of  a  liquidity 
contract  complying  the  Financial  Markets  Authority 
(AMF)’s accepted market practice;

5. 

implement  any  stock-exchange  market  practice  which 
may  be  accepted  by  law  or  by  the  Financial  Markets 
Authority (AMF).

The acquisition, sale, transfer or exchange of such shares may 
be effected by any means allowed on the market (whether or 
not the market is regulated), multilateral trade facilities (MTF) 
or  through  a  systematic  internalizer  or  over  the  counter,  in 
particular acquisition of blocks.

The acquisition, sale, transfer or exchange of such shares may 
be  completed  at  any  time  in  accordance  with  the  applicable 
legal  provisions  and  regulations  except  during  a  tender 
offer period.

The maximum amount of funds dedicated to the repurchase of 
Company shares may not exceed €600 million, this condition 
being  cumulative  with  the  cap  of  10,000,000  Dassault 
Systèmes shares.

Dassault  Systèmes   may  not  purchase  shares  at  a  price  per 
share  which  exceeds  €180  (excluding  acquisition  costs), 
and  in  any  case  the  price  per  share  may  not  exceed  the 
maximum price provided by the applicable legal rules, subject 
to  adjustments  in  connection  with  transactions  on  its  share 
capital,  in  particular  by  capitalization  of  reserves  and  free 
allocation of shares and/or regrouping or split of shares.

This authorization can be used by the Board of Directors for all 
the treasury shares held by Dassault Systèmes.

This authorization will be valid commencing on the date of this 
General  Meeting  until  the  annual  Ordinary  General  Meeting 
approving  the  financial  statements  for  the  year  ending 
December  31,  2019.  The  General  Meeting  hereby  grants 
any  and  all  powers  to  the  Board  of  Directors  with  option  of 
delegation when legally authorized, to place any stock orders 
or  orders  outside  the  market,  enter  into  any  agreements, 
prepare  any  documents  including  information  documents, 
determine terms and conditions of Company transactions on 
the market, as well as terms and conditions for purchase and 
sale of shares, file any declarations, including those required 
by  the  Financial  Markets  Authority  (AMF),  accomplish  any 
formalities,  and  more  generally,  carry  out  any  necessary 
measures to complete such transactions.

The  General  Meeting  also  grants  any  and  all  powers  to  the 
Board  of  Directors,  in  case  that  the  law  or  the  Financial 
Markets  Authority  (AMF)  appear  to  extend  or  to  complete 
the  authorized  objectives  concerning  the  share  repurchase 
program, in order to inform the public, pursuant to applicable 
regulations  and  laws,  about  the  potential  changes  of  the 
program concerning the modified objectives.

In accordance with the provisions of Articles L. 225-211 and 
R.  225-160  of  the  French  Commercial  Code,  the  Company 
or the intermediary in charge of securities administration for 
the Company shall keep registers which record purchases and 
sales of shares pursuant to this program.

This authorization replaces and supersedes the previous share 
repurchase  program  authorized  by  the  Combined  General 
Shareholders’  Meeting  of  May  22,  2018,  in  its  fifteenth 
resolution.

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Extraordinary General Meeting

 ❘ Twelfth resolution

Authorization granted to the Board of Directors to reduce the 
share capital by cancellation of previously repurchased shares 
in the framework of the share repurchase program

The  General  Meeting,  after  the  reading  of  the  report  of  the 
Board  of  Directors  and  the  special  report  of  the  Statutory 
Auditors, hereby authorizes the Board of Directors, pursuant to 
the provisions of Article L. 225-209 of the French Commercial 
Code, to:

 › reduce  the  share  capital  by  cancellation,  in  one  or  several 
transactions,  of  all  or  part  of  the  shares  repurchased  by 
the  Company  pursuant  to  its  share  repurchase  program, 
up  to  a  limit  of  10%  of  the  share  capital  over  periods  of 
twenty-four  months;

 › deduct the difference between the repurchase value of the 
cancelled   shares  and  their  nominal  value  from  available 
premiums and reserves.

The  General  Meeting  hereby  gives,  more  generally,  any 
and  all  powers  to  the  Board  of  Directors  to  set  the  terms 
and  conditions  of  such  share  capital  reduction(s),  record  the 
completion  of  the  share  capital  reduction(s)  made  pursuant 
to the cancellation transactions authorized by this resolution, 
amend  the  by-laws  of  the  Company  as  may  be  necessary, 
file  any  declaration  with  the  Financial  Markets  Authority 
(AMF)  or  other  institutions,  accomplish  any  formalities  and 
more generally take any necessary measures for the purposes 
of completing this transaction.

This  authorization  is  granted  to  the  Board  of  Directors  for 
a  period  ending  at  the  end  of  the  General  Meeting  called 
to  approve  the  financial  statements  for  the  year  ending 
December 31, 2019.

 ❘ Thirteenth resolution

Delegation of authority to the Board of Directors to increase 
the share capital by issuing shares or equity securities giving 
access to the Company’s other equity securities or granting 
entitlement to the allocation of debt securities and to issue 
securities giving access to Company equity securities to be 
issued, with preferential subscription rights for shareholders

The General Meeting, after review of the report of the Board 
of Directors and the special report of the Statutory Auditors:

1)  delegates  to  the  Board  of  Directors,  in  application  of 
the  provisions  of  Articles  L.  225-129  to  L.  225-129- 6, 
L.  228-91  and  L.  228-92  of  the  French  Commercial 
Code, its authority to issue, on one or more occasions, at 
the  time  or  times  and  in  the  proportions  that  it  deems 
fit,  both  in  France  and  abroad,  ordinary  shares  and/or 
equity  securities  giving  access  to  other  equity  securities 
or granting entitlement to the allocation of debt securities 

2) 

3) 

and/or any other securities giving access to the Company’s 
equity securities to be issued, it being specified that the 
Board  of  Directors  may  delegate  to  the  Chief  Executive 
Officer, or in agreement with the latter, to one or several 
Deputy  Chief  Executive  Officers,  in  accordance  with  the 
applicable  laws,  all  powers  necessary  to  decide  on  any 
capital increase;

resolves that any issue of preference shares and securities 
giving access to preference shares is excluded;

resolves that the maximum nominal amount of the capital 
increases  that  may  be  performed  immediately  or  in  the 
future  under  the  present  authorization  cannot  exceed 
€12  million,  it  being  specified  that  this  overall  cap  is 
fixed not taking into account the nominal amount of the 
shares  to  be  issued  to  preserve  the  rights  of  holders  of 
securities or other rights giving access to the Company’s 
share  capital,  in  accordance  with  the  applicable  legal 
and  regulatory  provisions  and,  where  applicable,  the 
contractual provisions allowing other adjustments;

4)  also resolves that the nominal amount of the Company’s 
debt  securities  that  may  be  issued  under  the  present 
authorization,  will  be  a  maximum  of  €1  billion  or  the 
corresponding value of -this amount in foreign currency 
or  in  accounting  units  calculated  by  reference  to  several 
currencies;

5) 

6) 

resolves  that  shareholders  can  exercise,  under  the 
conditions  provided  by  law,  their  preferential  rights  to 
subscribe to shares, equity securities and other securities 
issued under the present resolution;

resolves  that  if  the  irreducible  and,  if  any,  reducible 
subscriptions have not absorbed the entire share, equity 
securities or other securities issue, the Board of Directors 
can  offer  to  the  public  all  or  part  of  the  unsubscribed 
shares;

7)  notes  that  this  authorization  entails  that  shareholders 
waive,  in  favor  of  holders  of  securities  giving  access  to 
the  Company’s  share  capital  likely  to  be  issued,  their 
preferential subscription rights to the equity securities to 
which these securities carry entitlement;

8) 

9) 

resolves that the amount paid or due to the Company for 
each of the shares issued under the present authorization 
must be at least equal to the par value of the shares on the 
issue date;

resolves  that  the  Board  of  Directors  can,  if  it  deems  it 
appropriate,  make  any  accounting  entries  on  the  issue 
premium(s) and in particular the expenses, duties and fees 
incurred as a result of the issues, and, where necessary, 
deduct from the amount the sums required to bring the 
legal reserve to one tenth of the new share capital after 
each issue;

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10)  resolves  that  the  Board  of  Directors  may  not,  unless 
approved by the General Meeting, use this authorization 
as from the submission of a tender offer on the Company’s 
shares  by  a  third  party  and  until  the  end  of  the  tender 
offer period;

11)  resolves  that  the  present  authorization  cancels  the 
authorization of the same kind granted by the Combined 
General  Shareholders’  Meeting  on  May  23,  2017  in  its 
seventeenth resolution.

The  authorization  thus  granted  to  the  Board  of  Directors  is 
valid  for  twenty-six   months  from  the  date  of  this  General 
Meeting.

 ❘ Fourteenth resolution

Delegation of authority granted to the Board of Directors to 
increase the share capital by issuing shares or equity securities 
giving right to the Company’s share capital or granting 
entitlement to the allocation of debt securities and to issue 
securities giving right to equity securities to be issued, without 
the shareholders’ preferential subscription rights and by 
means of a public offering

The General Meeting, after review of the report of the Board 
of Directors and the special report of the Statutory Auditors:

1)  delegates  to  the  Board  of  Directors,  in  application  of 
the  provisions  of  Articles  L.  225-129  to  L.  225-129-6, 
L.  225-135,  L.  225-136,  L.  225-148  and  L.  228-91  to 
L. 228-94 of the French Commercial Code, its authority 
to  decide  upon,  by  means  of  public  offering  or,  where 
applicable, subject to the approval of a specific resolution 
for this purpose by the General Meeting, by an offering 
outlined in II of Article L. 411-2 of the French Monetary 
and  Financial  Code,  on  one  or  several  occasions,  at  the 
time  or  times  that  it  fixes  and  in  the  proportions  that  it 
deems fit, both in France and abroad:

a) 

b) 

c) 

 the 
issue  of  shares  and/or  equity  securities 
giving  right  to  other  equity  securities  or  granting 
entitlement  to  the  allocation  of  Company  debt 
securities  and/or  any  other  securities  giving  access 
to Company equity securities to be issued;

 the 
issue  of  shares  and/or  equity  securities 
giving  right  to  other  equity  securities  or  granting 
entitlement to Company debt securities and/or any 
other  securities  giving  right  to  Company  equity 
securities  to  be  issued  further  to  the  issue  by  the 
companies  in  which  the  Company  owns,  directly 
or  indirectly,  more  than  half  of  the  capital,  of  any 
equity  securities  or  any  securities  giving  right  to 
Company equity securities to be issued;

 the  issue  of  shares  and/or  equity  securities  and/or 
securities  by  the  Company  giving  right  to  equity 
securities  to  be  issued  of  a  company  in  which  it 
owns,  directly  or  indirectly,  more  than  half  of  the 
share capital;

d) 

 the issue by the Company of securities giving right to 
existing equity securities or granting entitlement to 
the allocation of debt securities of another company 
in  which  the  Company  does  not  own,  directly  or 
indirectly, more than half of the share capital.

The Board of Directors can delegate to the Chief Executive 
Officer or, in agreement with the latter, to one or several 
Deputy  Chief  Executive  Officers,  under  the  conditions 
applicable by law, all the powers required to decide upon 
capital increases.

resolution  automatically  entails 

that 
The  present 
shareholders waive, for the benefit of holders of securities 
likely  to  be  issued  by  subsidiaries,  their  preferential 
subscription  right  to  equity  securities  to  which  these 
securities grant entitlement;

resolves that the maximum nominal amount of the capital 
increases  that  may  be  performed  immediately  or  in  the 
future  under  the  present  authorization  cannot  exceed 
€12  million,  it  being  specified  that  this  overall  cap  is 
fixed not taking into account the nominal amount of the 
shares  to  be  issued  to  preserve  the  rights  of  holders  of 
securities or other rights giving access to the Company’s 
share  capital,  in  accordance  with  the  applicable  legal 
and  regulatory  provisions  and,  where  applicable,  the 
contractual provisions allowing other adjustments;

resolves  that  the  nominal  amount  that  may  be  issued 
under  the  present  resolution  will  count  towards  the 
overall  maximum  nominal  amount  for  capital  increases 
of  €12  million  fixed  in  the  thirteenth  resolution  of  the 
present Meeting;

resolves that any issue of preference shares and securities 
giving access to preference shares is excluded;

resolves that this share capital increase may result from 
the  exercise  of  an  allocation  right  resulting  from  any 
securities issued by any company in which the Company 
owns,  directly  or  indirectly,  more  than  half  of  the  share 
capital and with the agreement of the latter;

resolves, also, that the nominal amount of the securities 
representing  debt  that  are  likely  to  be  issued  under  the 
present delegation, will be a maximum of €1 billion or the 
corresponding   value  of  this  amount  in  foreign  currency 
or  in  accounting  units  fixed  by  reference  to  multiple 
currencies,  and  will  be  included  in  the  cap  of  €1  billion 
fixed  under  the  thirt eenth  resolution  of  the  present 
Meeting;

resolves to cancel shareholders’ preferential subscription 
right  to  shares,  equity  securities  and  other  securities  to 
be issued, it being understood that the Board of Directors 
can  grant  shareholders  a  priority  subscription  period  for 
all or part of the issue, during the time and according to 
the  conditions  fixed,  in  accordance  with  the  provisions 
of  Article  L.  225-135  of  the  French  Commercial  Code, 
this  priority  subscription  period  does  not  constitute 
negotiable rights;

2) 

3) 

4) 

5) 

6) 

7) 

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8)  notes  that  this  authorization  entails  that  shareholders 
waive,  in  favor  of  holders  of  securities  giving  access  to 
the  Company’s  share  capital  likely  to  be  issued,  their 
preferential subscription rights to the equity securities to 
which these securities carry entitlement;

9) 

resolves  that  the  sum  that  is  or  will  become  receivable 
by  the  Company  for  each  of  the  shares  issued  or  to  be 
issued under the present delegation will be at least equal 
to the minimum value fixed by the applicable regulations 
at  the  time  when  the  present  delegation  is  used,  which 
is  currently  the  average  weighted  trading  price  of  the 
Company share on the regulated market of Euronext Paris 
on the three latest trading days prior to determining the 
issue  price,  with  a  maximum  discount  of  5%  and  after, 
where applicable, adjustment of this amount to take into 
account the difference in effective date;

10)  resolves  that  the  Board  of  Directors  may  use  this 
authorization, in whole or in part, to remunerate securities 
that are tendered in a public exchange offer initiated by 
the Company, under the terms and conditions set out in 
Article L. 225-148 of the French Commercial Code;

11)  resolves  that  the  Board  of  Directors  can,  if  it  deems  it 
appropriate,  make  any  accounting  entries  on  the  issue 
premium(s) and in particular the expenses, duties and fees 
incurred as a result of the issues, and, where necessary, 
deduct from the amount the sums required to bring the 
legal reserve to one tenth of the new share capital after 
each issue;

12)  resolves  that  the  Board  of  Directors  may  not,  unless 
approved by the General Meeting, use this authorization 
as from the submission of a tender offer on the Company’s 
shares  by  a  third  party  and  until  the  end  of  the  tender 
offer period;

13)  resolves  that  the  present  authorization  cancels  the 
authorization of the same kind granted by the Combined 
General  Shareholders’  Meeting  on  May  23,  2017  in  its 
eighteenth resolution.

The  authorization  thus  granted  to  the  Board  of  Directors  is 
valid  for  twenty-six   months  from  the  date  of  this  General 
Meeting.

 ❘ Fifteenth resolution

Delegation of authority granted to the Board of Directors to 
increase the share capital by issuing shares or equity securities 
giving right to other equity securities or giving right to the 
allocation of debt securities and to issue securities giving right 
to equity capital to be issued, without preferential shareholder 
subscription rights, under a private placement offering 
referred to in II of Article L. 411-2 of the French Monetary and 
Financial Code

The General Meeting, after review of the report of the Board 
of Directors and the special report of the Statutory Auditors:

1)  delegates  to  the  Board  of  Directors,  in  application  of 
the  provisions  of  Article  L.  225-136  of  the  French 
Commercial  Code,  its  authority  to  decide  upon,  under 
the conditions set out in the fourteenth resolution of the 
present Meeting, the issue of equity or debt securities, by 
means of an offering outlined in II of Article L. 411-2 of 
the French Monetary and Financial Code;

2) 

3) 

4) 

resolves that the maximum nominal amount of the capital 
increases  that  may  be  performed  immediately  or  in  the 
future  under  the  present  delegation  will  be  included  in 
the maximum overall nominal cap for capital increases of 
€12 million established in the thirteenth resolution of the 
present Meeting;

resolves  that  the  Board  of  Directors  may  not,  unless 
approved by the General Meeting, use this authorization 
as from the submission of a tender offer on the Company’s 
shares  by  a  third  party  and  until  the  end  of  the  tender 
offer period;

resolves  that  the  present  authorization  cancels  the 
authorization of the same kind granted by the Combined 
General  Shareholders’  Meeting  on  May  23,  2017  in  its 
nineteenth resolution.

The  authorization  thus  granted  to  the  Board  of  Directors  is 
valid  for  twenty-six   months  from  the  date  of  this  General 
Meeting.

 ❘ Sixteenth resolution

Delegation of authority granted to the Board of Directors 
to increase the number of securities to issue in the case 
of a share capital increase with or without preferential 
subscription rights

The General Meeting, having reviewed the report of the Board 
of Directors:

1)  delegates  to  the  Board  of  Directors,  in  application  of 
the  provisions  of  Article  L.  225-135-1  of  the  French 
Commercial Code, its authority to increase the number of 
securities to issue for each of the issuances with or without 
preferential subscription rights decided upon pursuant to 
the  thirteenth,  fourteenth  and  fifteenth  resolutions  of 
the present Meeting, within 30 days of the closure of the 
subscription,  within  the  limit  of  15%  of  the  initial  issue 
and at the same price as that of the initial issue;

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2) 

3) 

4) 

resolves that the maximum nominal amount that may be 
issued  under  the  present  delegation  will  count  towards 
the  overall  nominal  amount  for  capital  increases  of 
€12  million  fixed  in  the  thirteenth  resolution  of  the 
present Meeting;

resolves  that  the  Board  of  Directors  can,  if  it  deems  it 
appropriate,  make  any  accounting  entries  on  the  issue 
premium(s) and in particular the expenses, duties and fees 
incurred as a result of the issues, and, where necessary, 
deduct from the amount the sums required to bring the 
legal reserve to one tenth of the new share capital after 
each issue;

resolves  that  the  Board  of  Directors  may  not,  unless 
approved by the General Meeting, use this authorization 
as from the submission of a tender offer on the Company’s 
shares  by  a  third  party  and  until  the  end  of  the  tender 
offer period.

The  authorization  thus  granted  to  the  Board  of  Directors  is 
valid  for  twenty-six   months  from  the  date  of  this  General 
Meeting.

 ❘ Seventeenth resolution

Delegation of authority granted to the Board of Directors 
to increase the capital by incorporating reserves, profits or 
premiums

The General Meeting, ruling under the quorum and majority 
conditions  required  for  Ordinary  General  Meetings 
in 
application  of  the  provisions  of  Article  L.  225-130  of  the 
French Commercial Code, and after having read the report of 
the Board of Directors:

1)  delegate to the Board of Directors its authority to decide 
to increase the share capital, on one or several occasions, 
at  the  time  or  times  that  it  fixes  and  in  the  proportions 
that  it  deems  fit,  by  incorporating  reserves,  profits, 
premiums  or  other  amounts  whose  capitalization  is 
accepted, or by the combination of such capital increase 
with a cash increase carried out pursuant to the thirteenth, 
fourteenth,  fifteenth  and  sixteenth  resolutions  of  the 
present  Meeting,  by  issuing  and  granting  free  shares  or 
increasing the nominal value of existing shares, or finally 
by combining the two operations, it being specified that 
the Board of Directors can delegate to the Chief Executive 
Officer, or in agreement with the latter, to one or several 
Deputy  Chief  Executive  Officers,  under  the  conditions 
permitted by law, all powers required to decide upon the 
share capital increase;

2) 

resolves  that  the  maximum  nominal  amount  of  the 
capital  increases  that  may  be  performed  under  the 
present authorization cannot exceed €12 million, it being 
specified that this cap is fixed not taking into account the 
nominal  amount  of  the  shares  to  be  issued  to  preserve 
the  rights  of  holders  of  securities  or  other  rights  giving 
access to the Company’s share capital, in accordance with 

3) 

4) 

5) 

6) 

7) 

the applicable legal and regulatory provisions and, where 
applicable,  the  contractual  provisions  allowing  other 
adjustments;

resolves  that  this  maximum  nominal  amount  will  be 
included in the overall maximum nominal amount of the 
capital increases that may be performed pursuant to the 
thirteenth resolution of the present Meeting;

resolves that rights forming odd lots will not be negotiable 
and that the corresponding shares will be sold. The sums 
resulting  from  such  sale  will  be  allocated  to  the  holders 
of  rights  at  the  latest  30  days  following  the  date  of 
registration  in  their  account  of  the  whole  number  of 
shares allocated;

resolves  that  the  Board  of  Directors  can,  if  it  deems  it 
appropriate,  make  any  accounting  entries  on  the  issue 
premium(s) and in particular the expenses, duties and fees 
incurred as a result of the issues, and, where necessary, 
deduct from the amount the sums required to bring the 
legal reserve to one tenth of the new share capital after 
each issue;

resolves  that  the  Board  of  Directors  may  not,  unless 
approved by the General Meeting, use this authorization 
as from the submission of a tender offer on the Company’s 
shares  by  a  third  party  and  until  the  end  of  the  tender 
offer period;

resolves  that  the  present  authorization  cancels  the 
authorization of the same kind granted by the Combined 
General  Shareholders’  Meeting  on  May  23,  2017  in  its 
twentieth resolution.

The  authorization  thus  granted  to  the  Board  of  Directors  is 
valid  for  twenty-six   months  from  the  date  of  this  General 
Meeting.

7

 ❘ Eighteenth resolution

Delegation of powers granted to the Board of Directors to 
increase the capital by issuing shares or equity securities 
giving right to other equity securities or giving right to the 
allocation of debt securities as well as securities giving right 
to equity securities to be issued, within the limit of 10%, to 
remunerate contributions in kind of shares

The General Meeting, after review of the report of the Board 
of Directors and the special report of the Statutory Auditors:

1)  delegates to the Board of Directors, in application of the 
provisions of Article L. 225-147 of the French Commercial 
Code, the powers required to increase the share capital by 
issuing  Company  shares  and/or  equity  securities  giving 
access  to  other  equity  securities  or  giving  right  to  the 
allocation  of  Company  debt  securities  and/or  securities 
giving access to equity securities to be issued, up to a limit 
of 10% of the share capital, on the basis of the Statutory 
Auditors’  reports,  to  remunerate  contributions  in  kind 
granted to the Company and made up of equity securities 

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2) 

or securities giving access to capital, when the provisions 
of Article L. 225-148 of the French Commercial Code are 
not applicable;

resolves that the Board of Directors will have all powers 
to implement the present delegation, in particular for the 
purpose  of  determining  all  the  terms  and  conditions  for 
the transactions authorized and in particular to evaluate 
the  contributions  and  the  granting,  where  applicable, 
of  specific  benefits,  to  fix  the  number  of  securities  to 
be  issued  in  consideration  of  the  contributions  as  well 
as  the  dividend  entitlement  date,  to  make,  if  necessary, 
any  charge  against  issue  premium(s),  in  particular  for 
expenses incurred as a result of the issues, to record the 
completion of the capital increase and amend the by-laws 
accordingly,  and  in  general  take  all  measures  necessary 
and conclude all agreements and carry out all formalities 
required  in  particular  for  the  admission  of  the  shares  to 
trading;

3)  notes,  if  necessary,  that  the  present  delegation  entails 
that  shareholders  waive  their  preferential  subscription 
rights  to  the  Company’s  equity  securities  to  which 
the  securities  which  may  be  issued  under  the  present 
delegation could grant entitlement;

4) 

5) 

resolves  that  the  Board  of  Directors  may  not,  unless 
approved by the General Meeting, use this authorization 
as from the submission of a tender offer on the Company’s 
shares  by  a  third  party  and  until  the  end  of  the  tender 
offer period;

resolves  that  the  present  authorization  cancels  the 
authorization of the same kind granted by the Combined 
General  Shareholders’  Meeting  on  May  23,  2017  in  its 
twenty-first resolution.

The  authorization  thus  granted  to  the  Board  of  Directors  is 
valid  for  twenty-six   months  from  the  date  of  this  General 
Meeting.

 ❘ Nineteenth resolution

Authorization granted to the Board of Directors to grant 
share subscription and purchase options to executive 
officers and employees of the Company and its affiliated 
companies entailing that shareholders waive their preferential 
subscription rights

The General Meeting, after review of the report of the Board 
of Directors and the special report of the Statutory Auditors:

1)  authorizes  the  Board  of  Directors,  under  the  provisions 
of Articles L. 225-177 et seq. of the French Commercial 
Code,  to  grant  options  granting  entitlement  to  the 
subscription  of  new  shares  or  the  purchase  of  existing 
ones (the “Options”) to employees and executive officers 
of  the  Company  or  its  affiliated  companies  within  the 
meaning of Article L. 225-180 of the French Commercial 

2) 

3) 

4) 

5) 

Code  or  some  of  them  who  hold,  individually,  less  than 
10% of the Company’s capital (the “Beneficiaries”);

resolves  that  the  present  authorization  is  granted  for  a 
period of thirty-eight  months counting from the present 
Meeting;

resolves  that  the  maximum  number  of  Options  that 
can  be  granted  by  the  Board  of  Directors  and  not  yet 
exercised  cannot  grant  entitlement  to  subscribe  or 
purchase a number of shares exceeding 3% of the share 
capital.  This  limit  should  be  assessed  at  the  time  when 
the Options are granted by the Board taking into account 
not  only  the  new  Options  offered  but  also  those  from 
preceding allocations which have not yet been exercised;

resolves  that  the  maximum  number  of  Options  that  can 
be  granted  to  executive  officers  pursuant  to  the  AFEP-
MEDEF’s corporate governance code for listed companies 
cannot  represent  more  than  35%  of  the  overall  amount 
authorized by the present Meeting;

resolves  that  the  list  of  recipients  of  the  Options  from 
among  the  Beneficiaries  and  the  number  of  Options 
allocated  to  each  one  will  be  freely  determined  by  the 
Board of Directors;

6)  notes  that,  in  accordance  with  law,  no  subscription  or 
purchase Option can be granted during periods prohibited 
by Article L. 225-177 of the French Commercial Code;

7) 

resolves  that  the  subscription  price  for  the  new  shares 
or the purchase price of existing shares by exercising the 
Options will be determined by the Board of Directors on 
the day on which the Options are granted and that (i) in 
the  case  of  subscription  options,  this  price  must  exceed 
80%  of  the  share’s  average  listed  price  on  the  Euronext 
Paris  market  during  the  20  trading  days  preceding  the 
day on which the Options will be granted and (ii) in the 
case of purchase options, this price must exceed the value 
indicated  in  (i)  above  and  the  average  purchase  price  of 
the shares indicated in Article L. 225-179 of the French 
Commercial Code.

As  an  exception  to  the  above,  for  the  executive  officers 
(dirigeants mandataires sociaux),  the  subscription  price 
for the new shares or the purchase price of existing shares 
by exercising the Options will equal to the share’s average 
listed  price  on  the  Euronext  Paris  market  during  the  20 
trading days preceding the day on which the Options will 
be granted, without any discount applicable.

The Options exercise price, as determined above, can only 
be amended if the Company performs one of the financial 
or  securities  transactions  outlined  in  Article  L.  225-181 
of  the  French  Commercial  Code.  In  this  case,  the  Board 
of Directors would adjust, under the legal and regulatory 
conditions,  the  exercise  price  and  the  number  of  shares 
that can be purchased or subscribed, as the case may be, 
by exercising the Options, to take into account the impact 
of the transaction;

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8)  notes that the present authorization entails, to the benefit 
of  the  Beneficiaries  of  the  share  subscription  options, 
that  shareholders  expressly  waive  their  preferential 
subscription rights to the shares issued as the Options are 
exercised;

9) 

resolves that all options’ allocations will be subject to one 
or several performance condition(s);

10)  grants all powers to the Board of Directors to set the terms 
and  conditions,  including  the  performance  condition(s), 
of  the  Options  and  in  particular  (without  this  list  being 
exhaustive):

 › the  validity  period  for  the  Options,  it  being  understood 
that the Options must be exercised within a maximum of 
ten years,

 › the date(s) or periods for exercising the Options, it being 
understood  that  the  Board  of  Directors  can  (a)  bring 
forward  the  dates  or  periods  for  exercising  the  Options, 
(b) maintain the exercisability of the Options or (c) amend 
the dates or periods during which the shares obtained by 
exercising the options may not be transferred or converted 
into bearer shares,

 › any  clauses  prohibiting  the  immediate  resale  of  all  or 
some  of  the  shares  obtained  by  exercising  the  Options 
provided  that  the  period  during  which  shares  must  be 
retained does not exceed three years as from the exercise 
of the Option, notwithstanding the provisions provided in 
Article L. 225- 185, paragraph 4, of the French Commercial 
Code,

 › where  necessary,  limit,  suspend,  restrict  or  prohibit  the 
exercise of Options or the sale or transfer to bearer form 
of the shares obtained by exercising the Options, during 
certain  periods  or  following  certain  events,  and  this 
decision may cover some or all of the Options or shares or 
concern some or all of the Beneficiaries,

 › determine  the  dividend  bearing  date,  even  retroactively, 
of the new shares as a result of the subscription Options;

11)  resolves  that  the  Board  of  Directors  will  have,  with 
the  possibility  to  delegate  under  the  legal  conditions, 
all powers to record the completion of the capital increases 
to  reflect  the  amount  of  shares  actually  subscribed  by 
exercising  the  subscription  Options,  amend  the  by-laws 
accordingly  and,  at  its  sole  discretion  and  as  it  sees  fit, 
charge the costs of the capital increases against the share 
premiums arising therefrom and deduct from this amount 
the  sums  necessary  to  increase  the  legal  reserve  to  one 
tenth of the new share capital after each capital increase, 
and perform all formalities necessary for the listing of the 
securities thereby issued, make all declarations with the 
relevant bodies and generally do all that is necessary;

12)  resolves that the present authorization cancels, as of today, 
for  the  yet  unused  part,  the  authorization  of  the  same 
nature  granted  by  the  Combined  General  Shareholders’ 
Meeting on May 26, 2016 in its fifteenth resolution.

 ❘ Twentieth resolution

Authorization of the Board of Directors to increase the share 
capital for the benefit of members of a corporate savings plan, 
without pre-emptive rights

The  General  Meeting,  having  reviewed  the  report  of  the 
Board  of  Directors  and  the  special  report  of  the  Statutory 
Auditors,  pursuant  to  the  provisions  of  Articles  L.  3332-1 
et seq.  of  the  French  Labor  Code  and  Articles  L.  225-138-1 
and L. 225- 129- 6, first and second paragraphs, of the French 
Commercial Code:

1.  delegates  to  the  Board  of  Directors  its  authority  to 
increase  the  share  capital  of  the  Company,  in  one  or 
several transactions, at its sole discretion, by a maximum 
nominal amount of €5 million through the issue of new 
shares or other securities giving access to the Company’s 
share  capital  under  the  conditions  prescribed  by  law, 
reserved  for  members  of  corporate  savings  plans  of  the 
Company and/or its affiliated entities within the meaning 
of Article L. 225-180 of the French Commercial Code and 
Article L. 3344-1 of the French Labor Code;

2.  decides 

to  eliminate 

the  pre-emptive 

rights  of 
shareholders  to  subscribe  for  the  new  shares  to  be 
issued  or  other  securities  giving  access  to  share  capital 
and securities to which these securities give entitlement 
under  this  resolution  for  the  benefit  of  the  members  of 
the plans referred to in the previous paragraph and waives 
the rights to the shares or other securities that would be 
allocated through the application of this resolution;

7

3. 

resolves that the maximum nominal amount that may be 
issued  under  the  present  delegation  will  count  towards 
the  overall  nominal  amount  for  capital  increases  of 
€12  million  fixed  in  the  thirteenth  resolution  of  the 
present General Meeting;

4.  decides  that  the  subscription  price  for  the  new  shares 
will  be  at  least  80%  of  the  average  listed  price  of  the 
Company’s  shares  on  Euronext  Paris  in  the  20  trading 
days  preceding  the  day  on  which  subscriptions  open, 
where the lock-up period set by the savings plan pursuant 
to Article L. 3332-25 of the French Labor Code is shorter 
than ten years, and 70% of this average where the lock-
up  period  is  ten  years  or  more.  However,  the  General 
Shareholders’ Meeting expressly authorizes the Board of 
Directors,  if  it  deems  it  appropriate,  to  reduce  or  cancel 
the  above-mentioned  discounts,  within  the  legal  and 
regulatory limits, in order to take account of, inter alia, the 
legal, accounting, tax and social security rules applicable 
locally;

5.  decides  that  the  Board  of  Directors  may  also  replace  all 
or part of the discount with the free allocation of shares 
or other securities giving access to the Company’s share 
capital, whether existing or to be issued, it being specified 
that  the  total  benefit  resulting  from  this  allocation  and, 
if applicable, from the discount mentioned above, cannot 
exceed the total benefit that members of the savings plan 

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

241

7 General Meeting

Text of the draft resolutions proposed by the Board of Directors to the General Meeting of May 23, 2019

would  have  received  if  this  difference  had  been  20%  or 
30%, depending on whether the lock-up period set by the 
plan is greater than or equal to ten years;

6.  decides  that  the  Board  of  Directors  may  provide  for, 
pursuant to Article L. 3332-21 of the French Labor Code, 
the  free  allocation  of  shares  or  other  securities  giving 
access  to  the  Company’s  share  capital  to  be  issued  or 
already  issued  under  a  bonus  scheme,  provided  that 
the  inclusion  of  their  monetary  value,  valued  at  the 
subscription price, does not result in the legal or regulatory 
limits being exceeded;

7. 

resolves  that  the  characteristics  of  the  other  securities 
giving  access  to  the  Company’s  share  capital  will  be 
determined  by  the  Board  of  Directors  according  to  the 
conditions laid down by the regulations;

8.  decides  that  the  Board  of  Directors  will  have  all  the 
necessary powers, with the option for delegation or sub-
delegation,  in  accordance  with  the  legal  and  regulatory 
provisions,  within  the  limits  and  under  the  conditions 
specified above, to determine all the terms and conditions 
of transactions and, in particular, to decide on the amount 
to be issued, the issue price and the terms of each issue, 
and to define the terms for the free allocation of shares 
or  other  securities  giving  access  to  the  share  capital, 

under  the  authorization  given  above,  to  determine  the 
opening and closing dates for subscriptions, to set, within 
the maximum limit of three years, the period granted to 
subscribers to pay for their shares, to determine the date, 
which may be retroactive, from which the new shares will 
be  eligible  for  dividends,  to  apply  for  their  admission  to 
listing on the stock market wherever they are advised to 
do so, to record the share capital increase in the amount 
of shares effectively subscribed for, to make all necessary 
arrangements  to  carry  out  the  share  capital  increases, 
carry  out  all  formalities  arising  therefrom  and  amend 
the  by-laws  accordingly,  and  at  its  sole  discretion,  and 
if  it  deems  it  appropriate,  to  deduct  the  fees  involved 
in  carrying  out  the  share  capital  increases  from  the 
premiums relating to these increases as well as the sums 
necessary to increase the legal reserve to one tenth of the 
new share capital after each increase;

9.  decides  that  this  authorization  supersedes  all  previous 
authorizations relating to share capital increases reserved 
for members of corporate savings plans, and in particular, 
that  granted  by  the  General  Shareholders’  Meeting  of 
May 22, 2018 in its eighteenth resolution.

The  authorization  thus  granted  to  the  Board  of  Directors  is 
valid  for  twenty-six   months  from  the  date  of  this  General 
Meeting.

Ordinary and Extraordinary General Meeting

 ❘ Twenty-first resolution

Powers for formalities

The General Meeting hereby grants any and all powers to the bearer of an original, a copy or an excerpt of the minutes of these 
deliberations for the purpose of carrying out any legal formalities for publication.

242 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Cross-reference tables

T

CROSS-REFERENCE TABLES

Annual financial report

The  cross-reference  table  below  allows  to  identify  the  information  included  in  the  annual  financial  report  provided  by  the 
Article L. 451-1-2 of the Monetary and Financial French Code and by the Article 222-3 of the General Regulation of the Autorité 
des marchés financiers.

Annual financial report

1.  Parent Company Financial Statements

2.  Consolidated Financial Statements of the Group

3.  Management Report

4.  Certification of the Person Responsible for the Reference Document

5.  Statutory Auditors Report on the Parent Company Financial Statements

6.  Statutory Auditors Report on the Consolidated Financial Statements

7.  Principal Accountants Fees and Services

Reference Document

Paragraphs

4.2

4.1

Pages

135 

88 

See Annual management report 
cross-reference table below

–

4.2.3

4.1.2

4.1.1 – Note 27

3 

159 

130 

128 

T

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

243

 
T Cross-reference tables

Annual management report

The cross-reference table below identifies in the Reference Document the information included in the annual management report 
to be provided by the Company’s Board of Directors, as required by Articles L. 225-100 et seq. of the French Commercial Code.

Annual management report

1.  Business Trends Analysis

2.  Analysis of Results

3.  Financial Operations Analysis

4.  Description of Main Risks and Uncertainties

5.  Financial Instruments Use

6.  Risk Factors such as Pricing, Credit, Liquidity in Cash and Treasury

7. 

Information Required by the Article L. 225-211 of the French Commercial Code, Relating 
to the Shares Repurchases

8.  Situation during the Fiscal year 2018

9.  Foreseeable Trend of the Situation

10.  Substantial Events Occurred since the End of 2018

11.  Research and Development Activities

12.  Existing branches

Reference Document

Paragraphs

Pages

3.1

3.1

3.1

1.7

70 

70 

70 

31 

4.1.1 – Notes 2, 21

94, 119 

1.7.2

6.2.4

3.1, 4.1, 4.2

3.1.1.1, 3.2

4.2.1 – Note 23

1.6

6.1.1.6

37 

218 

70, 88, 135 

70, 85 

157 

29 

212 

13.  Business and Results of Operations of the Parent Company Dassault Systèmes SE

1.4, 1.5, 4.2

14, 15, 135 

14.  Business and Results of the Parent Company’s Subsidiaries during the Fiscal Year 2018

1.4.2, 1.5

14, 15 

15.  Financial and non-financial key performance indicators

16.  Selected Financial Information of Dassault Systèmes SE over the Last Five Fiscal Years

17.  Employees’ Involvement in the Capital of the Issuer the Last Day of the Fiscal Year

18.  Declaration of extra-financial performance

4.2.2

6.3.1

2

19.  Equity Holdings or Controlled Companies, Subsidiaries with a French Head-Office

4.2.1 – Notes 1, 24

20.  Table of Transactions in the Company’s Shares by the Management of the Company

5.3

21.  Information on the Payment Cycles for Suppliers and Customers

4.2.1 – Notes 13, 19

22.  Report on Corporate Governance

23.  Dividends Paid over the Last Three Fiscal Years

24.  Evolution and repartition of the shareholding (including treasury shares)

25.  Financial risks linked to climate change and measures taken to reduce them through the 

implementation of a low-carbon strategy

26.  Main characteristics of internal control procedures and risk management procedures

27.  Vigilance plan

5.1

7.1.1

6.3.1

 2 

5.2

2 

158 

219 

39 

139, 157 

207 

149, 154 

168 

226 

219 

39 

203 

39 

244 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

 
Cross-reference tables

T

Cross-reference table including the European Directive no. 809/2004 – Annex 1 items

The cross-reference table below identifies the information included in the Reference Document, and reflects the transposition of 
the European Directive no. 809/2004 in its Annex 1, adopted by the European Commission of April 29, 2004.

European directive – Annex 1 items

1. 

2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 

6. 

PERSONS RESPONSIBLE
1.1  Name and function of the persons responsible

1.2  Declaration of the persons responsible

STATUTORY AUDITORS
SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
RISK FACTORS
INFORMATION ABOUT THE ISSUER
5.1  History and development of the Company

5.2 

Investments

BUSINESS OVERVIEW
6.1  Principal activities

6.2  Principal markets

6.3 

6.4 

Exceptional factors

Extent to which the issuer is dependent on patents or licenses, industrial, 
commercial or financial contracts or new manufacturing processes

Reference Document

Paragraphs

Pages

5.4

1.2

1.7

1.3.1

1.3.2

1.5.1

1.5.2

None

1.7

3 

3 

210 

7 

31 

9 

12 

15 

19 

31 

15, 27 

14 

14 

6.5  Basis for any statements made by the issuer regarding its competitive position

1.5.1, 1.5.2.5

7. 

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
7.1  Brief description of the Group

7.2 

List of the significant subsidiaries

8. 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

1.4.1

1.4.2

8.1 

Existing or planned material tangible fixed assets

8.2  Any environmental issues that may affect the issuer’s utilization of the tangible 

fixed assets

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW

9. 
10.  CAPITAL RESOURCES
11.  RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, PATENTS AND LICENSES
12.  TREND INFORMATION
13.  PROFIT FORECASTS OR ESTIMATES
14.  ADMINISTRATIVE, MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISORY BODIES AND 

SENIOR MANAGEMENT
14.1 

Information relating the Board of Directors and Senior Management

14.2  Administrative, Management and Supervisory Bodies and Senior Management 

Conflicts of Interests

15.  REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

15.1  Amount of remuneration paid and benefits in kind

2.2.2.3, 4.1.1 – 
Notes 14, 25

53, 113, 126 

2.3.1 

3.1

3.1.4

1.6

1.7.1.1

3.2

T

53 

70 

84 

29 

31 

85 

5.1.1, 5.1.2

168, 183 

5.5

5.1.4

210 

187 

194 

15.2  Amount set aside or accrued to provide pension, retirement or similar benefits

5.1.4 – Table 11

DASSAULT SYSTÈMES  ANNUAL REPORT 2018

245

 
T Cross-reference tables

European directive – Annex 1 items

16.  BOARD PRACTICES

16.1  Date of expiration of the current term of office

16.2  Service contracts with the issuer

16.3 

Information about the committees

16.4  Statement of compliance with the regime of corporate governance

17.  EMPLOYEES

17.1  Number of employees

17.2  Shareholdings and stock options

17.3  Arrangement involving the employees in the issuer’s capital

18.  MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS

18.1  Shareholders having more than 5% of interest in the issuer’s capital or of voting 

rights

18.2  Existence of different voting rights

18.3  Control of the issuer

18.4  Arrangement, known to the issuer, the operation of which may at a subsequent 

date result in a change in control of the issuer

19.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
20.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE ISSUER’S ASSETS 

AND LIABILITIES, FINANCIAL POSITION AND PROFITS AND LOSSES
20.1  Historical Financial Information

20.2  Pro forma Financial Information

20.3  Financial Statements

20.4  Auditing of Historical Annual Financial Information

20.5  Date of the latest financial statements

20.6 

Interim and Other Financial Information

20.7  Dividend Policy

20.8  Legal and Arbitration Proceedings

20.9  Significant Change in the Issuer’s Financial or Trading Position

21.  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

21.1  Share Capital

21.2  Memorandum and By-laws

22.  MATERIAL CONTRACTS
23.  THIRD-PARTY INFORMATION, EXPERTS’ STATEMENTS AND 

DECLARATION OF ANY INTEREST
24.  DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC

25. 

INFORMATION ON HOLDINGS

Reference Document

Paragraphs

5.1

5.1.1.1

5.5 

5.1.1.3

5.1, 5.1.5

Pages

168 

168 

210 

180 

168, 199 

2.1.1

41 

5.1.1, 5.1.4.2

168, 194 

None

6.3

6.3.1

6.1.2.3

6.3.2

6.3.3

219 

219 

214 

221 

222 

4.1.1 – Note 26, 4.2.4, 
7.1.4

127, 164, 228 

4.1

88 

Not applicable

4.1, 4.2

88, 135 

4.1.2, 4.2.3, 4.2.4

130, 159, 164 

December 31, 2017

3.3

7.1

4.3

4.1.1

86 

226 

166 

88 

6.2, 6.3

216, 219 

6.1.2

1.5.3 

Not applicable

6.1.1.7

213 

28 

213 

1.4.2, 4.1.1 – Note 28, 
4.2.1 – Note 24

14, 129, 157 

246 ANNUAL REPORT 2018  DASSAULT SYSTÈMES