Synchronous Technology is Hot, Right?

I'm winding up a meeting with the CEO of one the major CAD companies when he says, "Roopinder, what do you think is happening in the industry?"

It is smart of him to ask it -- and this guy is one smart cookie. He happens to know more about the CAD industry than I do. Him asking me what I think of the CAD industry is like Paul Bocuse asking me what I think of French cooking just because I ate in one of his restaurants. For some of us in the press and analyst community (you know who you are) this is their golden moment, a chance to enlighten some poor soul stuck in his corner office, mired in the running of his company, while they, the wise men, have been following the North star of knowledge.

Though his company competes with Siemens PLM, I can't help but take a poke. "Synchronous Technology is hot," I say.

He shakes his head, and says wearily, "I just don't think that is the answer."

How can someone not agree with my genius? I happen to know his company employs a small team of people whose only job is to stay up to date on competitive products. I'm sure they've already had Synchronous Technopogy under their scopes. Have they not given their boss the straight scoop on how ST has a clear, inherent technical advantage over "traditional" MCAD products, such as theirs? Could it be that they may not even have seen it for themselves, clouded by corporate zeal and chauvinistic faith in their own stuff? But then I also realize that even if even if the "truth" had been told, the Siemens threat can still be dismissed  for a variety of non-technical reasons, chief among that there is no reason to react to ST unless they actually start to lose sales to Siemens.

I let it go and make a mental note note to not be so sadistic to good people.

Comments

[chris]

Certainly non history based modeling is the next generation. I would change the tagline a little though - i would say controlled history or history when you want... The old paradimgn is just that, old. The problem the likes of Spaceclaim and ST have is not technology, marketing, or need. The problem is sales. I mean how to sell it. CAD is a technical, political, analytical sale. Without some one to run the fight nothing will happen. So certainly they can spend on marketing but if a sales person doesn't go pick a fight, nothing will happen.

[Adam Charlton]

Jon Banquer,

Glad you like NX6 with ST! For mainstream CAD users, Solid Edge with ST is great. For more specialized and fully integrated CAM you can't beat NX 6. As with all of our products, each version includes major enhancements and upgrades. How did your NX demo go?

Adam Charlton - Siemens PLM

[Jon Banquer]

My guess is that where ST is gaining the most momentum is in NX 6. When you use ST in NX 6 you don't lose the history like you do in Solid Edge with ST. In history mode using NX 6, shelling and one other command I can't remember (sectioning maybe) doesn't work. Perhaps this will be addressed in a later release?

ST is a godsend to manufacturing and history based modeling is a nightmare. ST and even more powerful ST tools are the answer for the tools that machinists need. Machinists need these powerful tools to work with models that designers and engineers often create which need to be fixed / modified so they can be manufactured.

I'd like to see Apple Computer's prototype machinists interviewed on how they use ST in NX 6. Perhaps they don't want to comment because they might view ST as a tool that gives them a decided advantage. :>)

Roopinder it’s time for you to start using Solid Edge with ST and start talking about your experience learning it. It looks like NX 6 is the direction I might go in for ST because of it’s powerful fully integrated CAM.

Shout out to Paul W. I always enjoy reading his comments.

Jon Banquer
San Diego, CA

[R. Paul Waddington]

I would have to a agree with you and Matt. ST is definitely a tool that is needed and of value to a great many; even if they don't see it that way at his point in time.

[Matt Lombard]

Roopinder,

Great story. It's interesting to hear things like that. It's hard to tell what's going to happen vs what "should" happen. Lots of people just don't see the value. After having looked at it for a while, there are definitely some weaknesses, but the concept is lovely. It will be interesting to watch this stuff mature.