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Are You Using the Best CAD Tool?

This survey-based eBook reveals 7 questions you should consider to determine if it is time to consider switching CAD tools.

Michelle Boucher - July 17, 2024

Best CAD
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Best CADHow do you know if your CAD tool will keep you competitive?

CAD is a critical engineering tool, but if your CAD tool has not kept up with the latest technologies, your engineers could be at a disadvantage. As companies enjoy efficiencies gained through digital transformation, CAD tools have also evolved to support digital processes that can help you develop more competitive products in less time. Has yours?

This eBook reveals the results of a survey of product development professionals that examined what they look for in a CAD tool and the results they saw when they switched CAD tools. Further, the analysis of the survey results and practices of Top Performing companies, seven questions were identified to help you determine if you should consider evaluating other CAD tools.

Please enjoy the summary* below. For the full research, please visit our sponsor SOLIDWORKS (registration required).

Table of Contents

  • Executive Summary
  • Competitive PRoducts Require Exceptional Engineering
  • Top Drivers to Switch CAD
  • Identifying Top Performers
  • Impact of Switching CAD
  • 1. Can you CAD tool support good collaboration?
  • 2. Does your CAD tool support the latest technology?
  • 3. Is there a vision and current support for AI?
  • 4. Is Engineering’s personal productivity optimized?
  • 5. Does a complementary portfolio extend value beyond design?
  • 6. Does your CAD tool overcome process bottlenecks?
  • 7. Does your CAD vendor meet your needs?
  • Recommendations
  • About the Research
  • Acknowledgments

Executive Summary

Staying Competitive

Best CADEngineers face a lot of pressure to develop competitive products as quickly as possible. The best CAD tools can help engineers work smarter and focus on innovation. However, achieving the desired efficiencies to remain competitive may require a change in CAD tools. In fact, over the last three years, digital transformation – a key enabler for greater efficiency – has been the top driver for making a switch.

You can extend a CAD model’s value with digital processes and new technologies, including complementary design portfolio offerings. Overall, 99% of study respondents believe using innovation-enabling technology with CAD will help them achieve their goals for more competitive products. These technologies include simulation, digital transformation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), generative design, and the cloud. As companies look at new technology, 95% believe that AI will improve product development; AI opportunities for improvement range from automating tedious repetitive work to detecting errors.

Impact of Changing CAD

When companies make a CAD change, the productivity improvements are quite significant: 85% are satisfied with the ROI of the switch, with an even higher percentage (96%) of Top Performers satisfied. Top Performers’ higher level of satisfaction can be partly attributed to what they look for in a CAD solution.

Seven Questions

This research identified what Top Performing companies look for in a CAD tool. The findings revealed seven questions to help determine if you may benefit from switching CAD tools. Consider if a new solution may offer technological advancements that will support better engineering decisions and accelerate product development processes by asking these questions:

1. Can your CAD tool support good collaboration?

2. Does your CAD tool support the latest technology?

3. Is there a vision and current support for AI?

4. Is Engineering’s personal productivity optimized?

5. Does a complementary portfolio extend value beyond design?

6. Does your CAD tool overcome process bottlenecks?

7. Does your CAD vendor meet your needs?

Impact of Switching CAD

High Satisfaction

When companies make a switch, 85% are satisfied with the switch’s return on investment (ROI), with an even higher percentage of Top Performers satisfied (96%). Those who have made the switch enjoy numerous improvements when they update their CAD tool to one that will better meet their needs (see table).

Best CADTop Performers’ Advantage

Top Performers enjoy even more benefits when they make a change. Some of this is due to what they look for in a CAD tool. Overall, they look for a tool that improves engineering efficiency while also benefiting the larger enterprise beyond engineering.

*This summary is an abbreviated version of the research and does not contain the full content. For the full research, please visit our sponsor SOLIDWORKS (registration required).

If you have difficulty obtaining a copy of the report, please contact us.

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Filed Under: Published Research, eBooks, Survey Results Tagged With: CAD, Engineering, Product Development, CAE

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