@t_s_harvey: You raise a good point about vendors adding features and functions to the core platform of any software tool to encourage continual user upgrades--it's been an revenue strategy for decades, not just for CAD and design tool vendors, but for software providers in every category.
Yet I'm not sure that's the intent with this announcement. I think the trend is to offer packages and configurations that are tailored to a specific role or to a specific industry focus to provide a more individualized experience as opposed to jamming the CAD program with everything and making it a one-size-fits all package, which has been the traditional route. Given how the Web and mobile apps are changing the technology experience for consumers, letting them essentially pick and choose functions that are right for their way of working or their personal preferences, providers of professional software tools are looking to do the same. The reason? Users want nothing less from their professional tools than they get from their personal tools.
So I think the packaging options will be continue to become more flexible. The question is will the pricing model follow suit. That's the real wild card.
While it may be a good thing for Siemens, will it be a good thing for it's customers/users?
As an NX user, we already run into "that feature is not supported in your product mix, please upgrade to our xx package". I'm hoping that won't get even worse. I wouldn't be surprised to see the number of modules/packages grow, and the mix of which-one-has-what grow even more confusing. That way they can build a bewildering array of groupings and keep upgrade/purchase cycle going more often.
While that may be good for Siemens, it's not good for customers when the software company is removing or disablign features that used to be available...
I'm worried it will get even worse as making each division "separate and profit responsible" will likely lead to more infighting between the NX & Velocity groups as they each try to secure their customer base and poach from the other division...
Good points, Jack. The execution is always the critical thing. Given that they've done a pretty significant reorg and shifting around of core personnel, I'm thinking they're taking this pretty seriously. Time will tell.
From a marketing perspective, it is a good idea for Siemens to adopt a low-level granular approach. The ability to mix and match the technologies that are geared toward individual business segments should help with penetration. The question, however, for a company like Siemens will be their proper execution of this business model.
Andrew Morris designed a circuit that could detect a stroke victim's groan and convert the sound into a signal so caregivers would know when help was needed.
New disc magnet motors fit into the design trend of stepping up to closed loop performance while maintaining the cost advantage of stepper motor technology.
At the Design News webinar on June 27, learn all about aluminum extrusion: designing the right shape so it costs the least, is simplest to manufacture, and best fits the application's structural requirements.
On April 21, NASA launched a novel project, putting into orbit three satellites that employ an off-the-shelf commercial smartphone as the control system.
From Dell / Intel® New Paradigms in Design Work Scott Hamilton, vertical market strategist for Dell Precision workstations, 5/2/2013 5
Early in my career, I worked as a draftsman and remember the days of drawing on vellum with numbered pencils and Mylar with plastic lead. This was a fun experience in the sense that I ...
I've been using workstations for more than 10 years and love finding ways to get more performance from my system. With demanding professional applications that require more power each ...
A lasting memory from my first job as an engineer in an auto assembly plant is standing on hard concrete at six in the morning, vending-machine coffee clutched in hand, listening to ...
For industrial control applications, or even a simple assembly line, that machine can go almost 24/7 without a break. But what happens when the task is a little more complex? That’s where the “smart” machine would come in. The smart machine is one that has some simple (or complex in some cases) processing capability to be able to adapt to changing conditions. Such machines are suited for a host of applications, including automotive, aerospace, defense, medical, computers and electronics, telecommunications, consumer goods, and so on. This radio show will show what’s possible with smart machines, and what tradeoffs need to be made to implement such a solution.
To save this item to your list of favorite Design News content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
If you found this interesting or useful, please use the links to the services below to share it with other readers. You will need a free account with each service to share an item via that service.
Tweet This
0 
