How to choose between Solidworks ENOVIA R2017x and Solidworks Manage 2018

I’m learning more about Solidworks PDM development trajectories. If you missed my previous blog posts, you can catch up here – Solidworks Manage: Does it look, swim and quack like PLM? and also these 2 articles – articles – Solidworks Manage and 3DX PLM: Clash or co-existence and Why Solidworks needs one more PDM?

The interesting thing about Solidworks development trajectory is related to future consolidation of Dassault Systemes portfolio. While I expected Dassault Systemes to offer a unified product for Solidworks users, the space keeps to growth independently.

This time, I want to bring two videos to show very similar functionality for Solidworks users.

One video is coming from ENOVIA R2017x release. Watch the video and draw your own conclusion. I think, it is pretty slick and leverage ENOVIA enhanced portfolio of 3DEXPERIENCE.

The second video I pulled from Solidworks 2018 presentation – Solidworks Manage Project Management. Check this one. The new product that was just “pre-annouced” as part of Solidworks 2018 launch.

These two videos made me think about interesting trajectories and potentially overlapping functionality. 3DEXPERIENCE is bringing to Solidworks users the power capabilities of ENOVIA platform with lot of options, configurations and tools  that can be used. Opposite it that, Solidworks Manage 2018 is offering a simplified version of ENOVIA with easier user interface and features.

What is my conclusion? One size doesn’t fit all. It looks like Solidworks is discovering it in full. Therefore some customers will continue to use different PDM packages from Solidworks PDM portfolio and some of them will pick 3DEXPERIENCE platform. The question what is the right one and how to choose is still not answered. Also, it can be be tough for sales team. While both ENOVIA and Solidworks Manage aren’t new developed products, I’m curious how Solidworks can bring something new and fresh that can play a role of common solution for Solidworks community.  But it means one more system to manage. Sigh. Just my thoughts…

Best, Oleg

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Disclaimer: I’m co-founder and CEO of OpenBOM developing cloud based bill of materials and inventory management tool for manufacturing companies, hardware startups and supply chain. My opinion can be unintentionally biased.

Image By Jagbirlehl (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons