CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
24 August 2004
Company News
Solid Edge® Seminars to Help Manufacturers Battle Increasing Product and Design Process Complexity
UGS launched a series of free seminars across North America to help manufacturing companies battle the growing challenges of increased product and design process complexity in the products they take to market.
The "Battling Complexity"-themed seminars follow recent findings in a white paper by PLM industry research firm Cambashi Ltd. identifying product and design process complexity as the most important issue for designers and engineers. The research showed that cost, time to market, new demands for effective design collaboration and competitive pressures are all symptoms of increasing product and process complexity.
Cambashi named easily identifiable drivers of increased product complexity, including:
• The drive to apply innovative ideas, technology and features before the competition
• Changing regulatory requirements
• Need for product differentiation
• More frequent product line updates to match customer demand
• Increasing demand for manufacturing automation
• Product cost- or weight-reduction programs
• Introduction of more variants and more options to satisfy a wider range of customers
• Re-packaging and miniaturization initiatives to increase product value, reduce machine envelopes, increase functionality and reduce material cost.
Cambashi's paper suggests that existing technology is in place to address increasing product complexity faced by manufacturers today.
"It is now widely recognized that 3D CAD systems are essential to the successful management and harnessing of product and design process complexity, especially in a collaborative engineering environment," Cambashi said. "We suggest that any product engineering company that has not reviewed the latest 3D CAD technology in the light of its product marketing strategy would be well advised to do so."
"Battling Complexity" Seminar Series
Delivered by certified Solid Edge value-added resellers (VARs) and UGS, the seminar series features presentations and demonstrations addressing causes and approaches to increased product and process complexity, offering the means to turn the trend into competitive advantage. Other opportunities during the seminars include knowledge exchange with peers and industry analysts.
"Manufacturers who weathered the recent economic downturn by reducing product design and manufacturing costs are now looking for ways to increase profits as the global economy rebounds," said Bruce Boes, global vice president for Solid Edge marketing and business strategy. "Those opportunities present new challenges that have led to natural increases in product complexity."
Seminars begin across North America today and run through the end of October. Prospects and customers can review the schedule of seminars at http://www.solidedge.com/events/am.seminars.htm
To receive a copy of the Cambashi white paper or to register for a free Solid Edge "Battle Complexity" seminar, go to http://www.solidedge.com/battlecomplexity or call 800-807-2200.
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