Notes from Solid Edge University Boston – Data Management, Tech Publication and Cloud Portal

Siemens PLM changed the format of Solid Edge University. From a single a big event usually organized in Midwest U.S., it transformed into series of events across geographies. Check the following link – there is a chance one of the events will take place near you in the future.

Solid Edge University Boston was co-located with Siemens Analyst Conference in Marriott Long Wharf Boston with such an amazing view of Boston Harbor.

Siemens PLM Mainstream Engineering executives, John Miller and Dan Staples introduced main features and news of new software version – Solid Edge ST10.  Here is a overall view of Solid Edge portfolio.

My special attention was caught by the following products and features.

1- Solid Edge Data Management. 

Solid Edge made a switch in ST9 moved from SharePoint based data management to embedded PDM functionality. It uses embedded Windows data management functions combined with shared folders. Few weeks ago, I shared my thoughts about Solid Edge data management strategy here ().

Technologically Solid Edge Data Management is reminding me a version of Solidworks Workgroup PDM upscaled with Microsoft Windows indexing and cloud data sharing.

At the same time, I captured few interesting things. One of them is “find duplicates” feature. It solves very important problem of data reuse.

Another one is related to visualization and update of components to the latest file versions. This is another painful aspect of file based CAD design.

2- Technical Publication

Solid Edge is coming with new package for Technical Publication. This is another pretty standard functionality demanded by many users. Similar functionality is available in mainstream CAD product offering as well as high end packages.

3- Collaboration Portal

Finally, the last piece of news was about new product – Solid Edge Collaboration Portal. For Solid Edge is a step into a world of SaaS with multi-tenant data management and auto-scaling functions using Amazon AWS platform. According to Siemens PLM, this is a logical step Solid Edge customers are expecting to share data and to bring Solid Edge design to any computer and any device.

What is my conclusion? Solid Edge is demonstrating a conservative product strategy approach. No flashing stuff, no huge changes. It is reflecting their perspective on conservative customer base looking how to keep current solution, tools and minimize disruptive changes. There is nothing wrong in such strategy until it works. But when it doesn’t, you have nothing to do but jump into an outside world to bring technology or product for your customers. 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.