Tata Consultancy Services' (TCS) fusion of IT, engineering, product development, and business knowledge enables them to help companies transform using a proven methodology. The PDIT framework supports the transformation of a typical IT Landscape into an integrated and optimized solution that generates significant operational savings while driving business transformation. CIMdata continues to be impressed by TCS’ innovation, customer focus, and breadth of industries supported. TCS’ successful engagement with the global manufacturing company is just one example of the value that TCS can provide.

Aras’ latest release, Aras Innovator 11, has new capabilities to enable collaboration across the lifecycle including visualization, secure discussions, and mobile enablement. Visual Collaboration is an easy to use feature for all types of data managed within an Aras Innovator PLM environment.Enabling visual collaboration for all PLM users with no added charges and including mobile is significant, and should help to finally capture the “why” of design intent along with other product-related decisions across the lifecycle. The underlying secure social technology is exceptional in the PLM space and CIMdata sees Aras once again disrupting the status quo.

All products produced, sold, used, and supported are a result of transforming the virtual into the physical. PLM software has proven its ability to enable aerospace companies around the world to meet complex and evolving challenges. Siemens PLM Software offers a broad portfolio of aerospace-specific capabilities, and a demonstrable track record of success in the industry. A recent rocket launch illustrated Siemens’ commitment and influence in the global space industry, and how they support transforming the virtual into the physical.

CIMdata recently attended the 17^th annual SolidWorks World conference which was held February 8-11, 2015 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. A large and enthusiastic crowd of approximately 5,500 SolidWorks users attended the conference. At this event Dassault Systèmes’ announced a multi-dimensional solution delivery model for SolidWorks users—one that continues the desktop delivery of design capabilities, one that delivers new capabilities via the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform, and one that is a hybrid model that includes a combination of both.

CIMdata attended the Oracle Value Chain Summit 2015 in San Jose, California on January 26-28, 2015. Oracle is one of the PLM market leaders tracked by CIMdata in our annual PLM Market Analysis Report series. The Oracle Value Chain Summit (OVCS) is a business conference focused on influencers and decision makers, with presentations by Oracle, customers, and selected partners. Over 2,500 value chain experts representing more than 425 companies from 31 countries attended this year's OVCS. This event is in its third year, having spun out of Oracle OpenWorld to more effectively serve Oracle’s value chain experts.

ESI provides a vision of a “virtual prototype” that is comprehensive and includes manufacturing. ESI is a leader in the capabilities of its solutions for manufacturing simulation. End users are looking to ESI for simulation capabilities that include “as-manufactured” material properties and accurate representations of welding, bonding, tribology, and other manufacturing concerns. CIMdata agrees with this vision of a comprehensive, model-based approach to full product simulation. ESI’s strengths in traditional mechanical simulation and in manufacturing process simulation position them to deliver on this vision.

CIMdata recently attended IBM Analytics Day on April 9^th, 2015 at the Museum of Natural History in New York City, where IBM issued its latest press release that continues their journey with their creation of the Internet of Things unit (previously announced on March 31^st, 2015). The announcement in New York further refined the IBM commitment to the Internet of Things (IoT) with the announcement of related software, services and an ecosystem of partners and clients. The roughly 250 attendees at the half-day private event included industry analysts, partners, and clients.

Interest in Service Lifecycle Management (SLM) has grown significantly due to the recognition of the revenue potential of service processes, advancements in technology, and the desire to improve the customer experience to improve customer satisfaction. In addition, the technology and processes that improve services can also support the front end of the businesses, providing requirements for product development and enabling a closed loop back to customers.

TCS has an extensive SLM framework that they have successfully deployed with many customers in a wide range of industries. Key elements include creation and maintenance of the service BOM to capture the as-maintained product configuration, Reliability Based Parts Forecasting, and Service Parts Catalog creation and maintenance. In addition, TCS includes integrated Master Data Management and Ecommerce functionality. Developing and deploying a fully integrated SLM solution is a complex project. TCS has the technology, methodologies, and industry experience to make their customers successful.

CIMdata believes that intelligent use of the cloud and cloud-based computing resources such as ANSYS Enterprise Cloud™ will help companies in all industries to better develop innovative products in a more cost-effective and timely manner. The ANSYS offering is an excellent example of how using the Cloud can make more powerful and comprehensive simulation and analysis more readily available and easier to use for a wide range of engineers in globally distributed enterprises—throughout the product development process.

CIMdata recently attended the PTC LiveWorx event held at the Hynes Convention Center and the Westin Copley hotel May 4–7, 2015, in Boston, MA, USA. This event gave PTC’s customers the opportunity to not only hear about and explore PTC’s solution strategies for the Internet of Things (IoT), but also to showcase their own work, network with peers, share ideas, and discuss how they are addressing their challenges on their IoT journey.