Another topic that caught my special attention at Solidworks World 2019 was future development and updates about 3DEXPERIENCE Marketplace. I already shared information about this product on my blog before. At Solidworks World 2018 and DS 3DEXPERIENCE North America forum in Boston. Check these articles out – DS Big Dreams, 3DEXPERIENCE Market place and part supply and 3DEXPERIENCE Marketplace – Beyond Amazon?
At Solidworks World 2019, Marketplace was presented by Florence Hu, Senior VP of Platform and Marketplace. The main line of presentation was about how to speed up processes and create new opportunity for online resource availability in a modern networked world.
The demo on stage was focusing on a very specific theme – a marketplace of engineering service providers. Check the following short video that outlines the idea.
https://youtu.be/FpLEUwV4-Ik
You can see how engineers are looking for service providers with the right set of knowledge and experience. Marketplace makes them much more efficient by providing a way to get people on board of projects that otherwise won’t be possible to do at all.
In 21st century, the person with the right skills you need is always works for somebody else. The specialization is important and knowledge is priceless. So, 3DEXPERIENCE Marketplace is an interesting way to get things done in a modern manufacturing world.
It made me think again about how different manufacturing and production in current networked world. Network effect is going to change everything we do and manufacturing will never be the same as it was even 10 years ago.
Manufacturing networks is a transformative process. The role of engineering and manufacturing systems is changing.Current PLM systems are mostly focusing on creation of single point of truth in a company. It comes in the way systems are controlling product information, versions, bill of materials and processes. In a new connected manufacturing environment a new role of cloud systems will be to enable sharing of product information among companies to support future manufacturing architectures and plug-and-produce scenarios. The challenging part of this process will be to find a new set of platforms which will replace an existing data ownership architectures and business models leveraging product data locking.
What is my conclusion? 3DEXPERIENCE Marketplace is moving into the right direction. However, the success of these systems won’t be possible without open platforms and connectivity between tools and platforms. Virality, network effect and economy of scale are the key elements in the success of future manufacturing marketplaces. 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.
