PTC made a huge move to support their manufacturing customers in getting smart and connected with their acquisition of ThingWorx, a leading provider of “Internet of Things” development tools and infrastructure. This acquisition, and two other recent announcements by Autodesk and Google, show the importance of smart, connected devices in just about all product markets.

Key takeaways:

• Understanding the components of product cost over the product lifecycle is key to maximizing ROI
• The biggest opportunities for cost reduction often lie at the intersections of functions within an organization
• TCS takes a holistic view of costs and uses industry, technology, and process knowledge to solve difficult cost management problems

Key takeaways:

• Siemens NX CAE delivers a comprehensive analysis environment for integrated multi-disciplinary simulation coupled with CAD and simulation data and process management
• Siemens has a vision to further integrate 1D simulation, test engineering, requirements management, and model-based systems engineering with these 3D design and simulation tools
• Such integrated simulation environments, which focus on the PLM data flow and process issues, should be considered in favor of “best-of-breed” strategies that focus primarily on depth-of-application features and functions
• Siemens NX CAE is gaining ground as a favored tool for advanced thermal analysis, particularly for space systems

CIMdata recently attended Autodesk University (AU) 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada December 3-5, 2013. 

Key takeaways:

• “Collaborative Innovation” and “Looking Outside” were consistent themes cited to be keys to future success for companies of all kinds
• Autodesk continues to expand and enrich their Cloud offerings
• The addition of computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) offerings is Autodesk’s next step in filling out a more complete design and manufacturing suite of solutions
• Autodesk is evolving its business model—desktop, subscription, Cloud delivery—providing customers with multiple ways to obtain and use their tools and solutions

Just about every company has faced the impact of a faulty decision. Some decisions have led to spectacular product failures, while others have resulted in a minor annoyance for customers. Decision making is very important, and avoiding faulty decisions should be an objective of every product development organization.

Find out more about what happened at PLM Road Map 2013, which took place in the Chicago area on October 9-10.

IBM Software Group held their 12th annual Analysts Insights event in Stamford, CT on November 19-20, 2013. Attendance was limited to just over 100 leading analysts. The event operated like clockwork due to the efforts of the large and very helpful IBM Analyst Relations team. But the analysts were there to engage with IBM Software Group’s senior leaders: all IBMers in attendance were at the VP level and above.

Geometric is a system integrator focused on providing engineering IT and PLM support services to companies that develop and produce products. They provide strategic consulting services, solution support and produce software products all focused on product realization.Geometric’s support program is known as AMS4E, an acronym for Application Management Services and its four elements—Enable, Ensure, Enhance and Evolve. AMS4E is a methodology to provide PLM support based on the organization’s maturity. The objective of the methodology is to improve the business value of engineering IT at a lower cost.

The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry faces severe challenges, with productivity issues topping the list.

Construction firms need to better leverage advanced computing technologies and off-site fabrication to improve competitiveness and efficiency.To best meet these challenges, companies need open, integrated systems that enable the free flow of information from product concept, through design and construction with current and future partners, and eventually through to owner operators.

Dassault held their 3DExperience Customer FORUM in Las Vegas on November 12-13. Some 1,000 people gathered for the event.