SolidWorks to inject 'intelligence' into its next release

Keeping in mind the changing market scenario, US-based 3D CAD software company SolidWorks is working towards incorporating intelligence into its next release of 'SolidWorks 2007'. This feature will allow computers to help the user in terms of managing the overall designing capabilities in a better way.



“We are in the process of releasing this new version by September 2006. In all, SolidWorks 2007 will have 250 additional features. This will include the SWIFT feature, which stands for SolidWorks Intelligent Feature Technology. It will allow users to better manage their designing flow,” informed, Jeff Ray, COO at SolidWorks. Today, most users have to remember the order that was followed while designing a particular product. SolidWorks is trying to change this with the help of these new features.



In addition to this, the new release of its flagship product will have a feature to control massive file sizes in an efficient manner. “All applications are being designed on files and hence it is very important for us to make sure that the file size is minimum. I cannot tell you exactly what we have done to reduce the file sizes but this is really going to help our user community in terms of utilizing their resources in an optimal way,” Ray added. 



Some of the 250 additional features to be incorporated for its coming version of SolidWorks 2007 have been worked upon at the company's research and development center in Pune. “We have 45 people working at this Pune facility which is a part of our global R&D activity. They continue to contribute a lot to our global R&D activities,” Ray explained. 



Based in the US, the company operates 100 percent with the help of its value added resellers. Presently, the company is working with 300 VARs spread all across the globe and 20 of them are based in India.



“India is an exciting place for us. The maturity of business towards 3D and solid modeling has contributed a lot towards our growth. We have doubled our overall business activity - including the number of VARs, the R&D activity as well as our employees — within a time of two years. We are likely to continue growing with the same pace in the near future,” Ray opined.



Working closely with its set of customers in verticals like education, manufacturing and consumer segment, the company is also looking forward to increasing its set of VARs in the Indian region. 



“We are surely going to expand our network over here, but I would not like to put a number to this expansion. We would be looking forward to working with focused players who can align themselves to our offerings in this region,” Ray added.