SWW 2019: xShape and desktop – cloud workflows

I’m catching up on my blogging this week after very intense time at Solidworks World 2019. If you missed my previous blog, check this out – Intro to 3DEXPERIENCE.Works.

One of the questions I’m very curious is how Dassault Systemes is planning to co-exist two worlds – desktop and cloud (actually the new name DS is using for cloud this year was – platform). Check the picture at the beginning of the article. This is a slide from Gian Paolo Bassi presentation about co-existence of both solutions.

Slides are good thing, but how Solidworks is planning to do so. The following 2 videos I captured can give you an idea of possible desktop-cloud workflows.

My special attention was caught by new product xShape – a free form cloud-based modeling tool. Check out the following video, which represents a mixed desktop -cloud workflows.

What is my conclusion? The theme of cloud transition is very interesting. From the debates about cloud vs desktop we are moving into a phase when major market players like Solidworks are going to introduce new cloud-based product to their customers. And what will happen at this time? This is an interesting question. Will customer continue to be loyal to Solidworks and Dassault Systemes products? Will it trigger a process of cloud platform evaluations? Will customer decide to check out other cloud platforms and tools at the same time? It is hard to say, but the genie is out of the bottle. Just my thoughts…

Best, Oleg

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.