The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly From Solidworks World 2019

I have to admit, at first, that I was concerned that SolidWorks was going away and being replaced by this 3DEXPERIENCE platform. But after numerous conversations with several individuals at the show, some SOLIDWORKS colleagues, and customers who have their own takeaways; I think I’ve concluded that the 3DEXPERIENCE is really like a virtual ribbon running above your business. 

 If you had on AR goggles, you could look up and pull down any one of the components that are in the platform to use as needed. When  you’re done, you put them back while maintaining connectivity among the entire platform of all related project data.

The Bad

Everybody who stopped by the booth had 2 comments to make:

1. "Why do we need 3D markups!? Nobody really 'gets' the big picture on 3D markups so how about explaining your thought process SOLIDWORKS? Bridge the gap. And remember, we aren’t a room of investors, we are techies and engineers."
2. "Where did the Box lunches for partners in the pavilion go!? Working a booth is challenging enough but to have to go to the cafeteria wait in line? A lot of valuable time is lost. Partners pay a lot for booths; give us a lunch!"

3D Markups could be cool, but most engineers need communication, not just another tool, to make products better, soooo....I think it could fit into the suite of tools being used by engineering to more effectively understand change orders. But, still, nobody we are talking with truly understands how this can be introduced effectively into the workflow between the shop and engineering.

Anyway, as a great man once said "If that's all we have to worry about, it's a good day!"

Enough complaining. Onto the UGLY!

The Ugly

Why change the name of the show to 3DEXPERIENCE World!?

This topic was announced in the first general session without an ounce of indication that the company was doing okay, and that SOLIDWORKS was here to stay.

It led to numerous concerned conversations about the business risks of continuing to use SOLIDWORKS. Many  phone calls were made to leaders who were back at the office, and everyone was scurrying around trying to determine what in the heck was going on. 

 If the CEO would have led with a little bit of information about the financials of the company and the double-digit growth experienced  in the last year, along with some of the other finer points that showed stability—then a lot of damage control could’ve been avoided.

I guess it goes back to always "knowing who your audience is" before you make a pitch to them. You were talking to a group of engineers who are very tech savvy; not a group of investors or venture capitalists!

Comment below with your own thoughts on the experience or questions you left the event with still unanswered!