Formulation systems just took a major step forward in the enterprise. I visited Dassault Systemes in Waltham, Massachusetts to get a look at the latest version of the Enginuity formulation system. DS has made a lot of progress integrating Enginuity into their PLM suite and showed me Enginuity is now a full part of Enovia.
Why is this Big News?
This is big news in the process / formulated goods industry because Enginuity was a thought-leading formulation solution and is now available as an integrated solution on an enteprise-class infrastructure . This was not a trivial task, but it was an important one. It brings formulation into the fold of the bigger product innovation and product development process.
When DS acquired Enginuity (see Dassault Systemes Acquires the Recipe for Developing Formula-Based Products with Enginuity for my thoughts) they gained a tremendous amount of intellectual property and knowhow in the formulate goods industries, particularly cosmetics. But the goal was to do more than offer a standalone tool. DS envisioned the Enovia backbone as the PLM layer to go beyond what Enginuity was able to accomplish managing files in Documentum. Now, mission accomplished. Congrats to Enginuity veteran Dale Pixley and the team!
Why is this Bigger News than I Would Have Expected?
When DS acquired Enginuity I knew that they planned to incorporate it into ( or at least integrate it to) Enovia. I wasn’t sure what the exact approach would be, but it was a no-brainer. From what I can see DS didn’t cut corners, Enginuity is now made up of first class objects in Enovia. They also transitioned it away from files to a data-centric approach. They also took the time to make some nice enhancements including cost optimization and material alternates/substitutes capabilities.
But a few of things have changed that make this even more important:
- DS has transformed and Enovia is now part of the broader 3DExperience Platform. All DS solutions are moving toward a common platform that goes well beyond traditional PLM. See my thoughts on Enovia in the 3DExperience Platform
- DS is more focused on non-discrete manufacturing industries than before, opening up more opportunity for Enginuity. For example, DS already has experience with packaging and artwork, and now can focus on what’s inside the package (along with ingredients lists, warnings, and other compliance mandates) in an integrated way.
- DS also acquired Accelrys in a big move that gives them a significantly larger presence and product footprint in R&D and process manufacturing (you won’t be surprised that I have opinions on the DS acquisition of Accelerys too). While Enginuity and Accelerys (now part of a new brand, Biovia) aren’t pulled together yet, the market synergy is tremendous.
Enginuity in Enovia is a significant and important accomplishment and opens the door for DS to do more business in the formulated industries. The combination of these things is even more interesting. It’s going to be exciting to see how well DS can take advantage of the “Formulation in the Age of Experience” opportunity.