Do you think your business cannot be cannibalized by Amazon? I wrote about it few months ago – Is PLM software Amazon-proof? My hunch is that PLM software started as an engineering discipline has a chance to be transformed into networked business managing relationships between contractors, suppliers, service providers and manufacturing shops. The company which will simplify these relationships has a chance to rule the future of manufacturing.
CAD and PLM companies got another bell ringing earlier. Who is the next competitor of 3D CAD software? For a very long period of time, 3D and CAD software was strongly associated with CAD vendors.
News came earlier today about Amazon has acquired 3D body model startup, Body Labs. Read more here. Here is an interesting passage:
Body Labs also says its “SOMA Shape API” can be used to “accurately predict and measure the 3D shape of your customers using just a single image”, suggesting this can power “custom apparel” or be used by fashion ecommerce retailers wanting to offer sizing recommendations.
The company also suggests additional uses-cases for its ‘fat and all’ 3D body modeling tech in health and fitness tracking, and even equipment design and manufacturing. In a video from 2015, O’Farrell suggests highly accurate 3D body scans will enable “the body itself [to] be delivered as the platform and around which goods and services are designed, manufactured, bought and sold, recommended.”
Take a look on the following videos.
The technology seems to be capable to capture details of body and lead to a completely new way to manufacture and consume products – 3D Experience? Did I just accidentally repeated what Dassault Systemes is saying? Or it is what Amazon is planning?
What is my conclusion? Nobody is immune from disruption by business models and new technologies. Modern technology companies are replacing old fashion media services and publication agencies. What companies will replace a traditional engineering and manufacturing software? Fascinating time. Just my thoughts…
Best, Oleg
Want to learn more about PLM? Check out my new PLM Book website.
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.
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