Dassault Systèmes held their annual ENOVIA and 3DEXPERIENCE User Conference on March 11-12, 2026. Over 325 people attended the event in Boston, Massachusetts. The two-day event opened with Mr. Stephane DeClee, CEO of ENOVIA, and Mr. Morgan Zimmerman, CEO of Dassault Systèmes’ latest brand, 3DEXPERIENCE. Mr. Zimmerman’s recent promotion and the elevation of the new brand demonstrate the importance of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to Gen 7.

The manufacturing sector is currently navigating a saturated and terminologically inconsistent AI landscape, making it difficult for leaders to distinguish between incremental software updates and transformative capabilities. This commentary establishes a strategic framework for informed decision-making, emphasizing that long-term success depends less on the underlying models and more on the connectivity of enterprise data. The commentary also evaluates the ChapsVision platform—specifically its integration of Sinequa’s hybrid RAG and ChapsAgents’ orchestration—as a robust model for manufacturers seeking to build a secure, well-connected knowledge foundation.

Ultimately, the competitive advantage in enterprise AI will not be those with the best models, but those with the best-connected knowledge.

To mitigate risk and maximize ROI, organizations should treat AI as a strategic extension of the digital thread rather than a standalone tool, ensuring it operates within a governed, full-lifecycle context. By utilizing authoritative data and closed-loop feedback, manufacturers can achieve traceable, compliant, and accelerated decision-making. Consequently, CIMdata suggests that manufacturers seeking to secure and embed AI into these governed workflows evaluate CONTACT Software’s Fourier AI as a potential solution.

Formulated and specification-driven products (i.e., process industry products) are everywhere. They include food and beverage items and personal care products, as well as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and materials used in durable goods such as plastics, rubber, paints, coatings, and resins, to name a few. The main business challenge that process industry manufacturers face is to develop compliant, profitable products that meet or exceed customer expectations. Ultimately, the integration of specification and formulation management is not just a technical necessity; it is a strategic imperative for any organization seeking to thrive in today’s fast-paced, regulated markets. Together, SAP’s capabilities form the backbone of resilient, future-ready product development strategies.

To maximize impact, organizations must transition from viewing AI as a standalone investment to treating it as a strategic extension of the digital thread. When integrated into governed workflows, AI accelerates decision-making while significantly reducing exposure to quality, compliance, and intellectual property risks. In this commentary, learn about CONTACT Software's Fourier AI.

As A&D manufacturers and those producing high-value, complex components or products face increasing pressure to modernize, it is no longer optional to deploy a fully functional digital thread supporting an MBE strategy. Siemens NX Inspector transforms manual, drawing-centric workflows into a connected digital thread by providing an automated solution to transform static PMI into actionable, traceable characteristics. By automating the creation of characteristics, treating them as first-class traceable objects, and ensuring their persistence through the quality lifecycle, Siemens offers a pathway for organizations to improve their digital maturity and achieve the trusted, connected digital thread required for a true Model-Based Enterprise.

Modern manufacturing performance is frequently hindered by a persistent disconnect between engineering and production, characterized by fragmented data and manual workflows. To achieve operational predictability and accelerate New Product Introduction (NPI) cycles, organizations must establish a robust digital thread that unifies dataflows across the entire product lifecycle.

This CIMdata Commentary examines how AMC Bridge enables this transformation through PLM Modernization, Interoperability & Integration, and AI Foundations

CIMdata attended 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026, held in Houston, Texas, from February 1–4, 2026. Formerly known as SOLIDWORKS World, the event continues to be the premier gathering for the design and engineering community. This year’s theme moved beyond the general concept of Imagination toward the concrete realization of the Generative Economy and 3D Universes, driven by the infusion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the daily workflows of engineers.

This commentary examines how Hexagon’s Smart Machine Shop strategy helps mid-tier manufacturers overcome resource constraints and high risk. It highlights ProPlanAI, which uses a company’s own historical data to automate up to 95% of process planning in ESPRIT EDGE CAM software. By capturing proprietary expertise and eliminating NC programming bottlenecks, this framework allows mid-sized shops to innovate without losing their unique competitive edge.

The global shipbuilding industry faces mounting pressures. Rising costs, skilled labor shortages, longer vessel lifecycles, and intensifying competition are pushing shipyards toward new approaches. At the same time, artificial intelligence (AI) has matured from a distant possibility to a practical tool that can address real operational challenges. The question is no longer whether AI can help, but how to implement it effectively in an industry where safety, complexity, and long-term reliability are not negotiable. This commentary examines the business drivers pushing shipbuilding toward AI adoption, explores the unique challenges this industry faces, and details how SSI’s structured approach can help shipbuilders implement AI in ways that deliver measurable value while maintaining the security and control these organizations require.