Cambridge, MA, May 1, 2008 – Siemens PLM Software’s Synchronous Technology is exciting and significant because it promises to provide solutions for the problems and needs of today’s mainstream and advanced CAD users.  For advanced users, it promises to break through the limitations and complexity of today’s feature-based parametric CAD modeling software.  For mainstream users it offers ease-of-use.  Indeed, for users at every level it promises to remove barriers to closer collaboration between engineering disciplines as well as between manufacturers and their sub contractors.

Complexity has dogged feature-based modeling users ever since it was introduced.  Everything works wonderfully well for small, simple models.  But when models get large and features become highly interdependent, complexity overwhelms both man and machine.  Breaking through this clutter has been an urgent priority for the CAD industry, and a lot of work has been done in this area by a number of CAD companies, both large and small.  Siemans has not revealed its approach to this problem, but all the solutions we know of involves recognizing the nature of the geometry and inferring its creator’s intent.  Not an easy task.  Most of these solutions break down just when you don’t want them to, that is to say, when the geometry is complex and highly interdependent.  It remains to be seen how Siemens’s patented ST add-on will perform, but Chuck Grindstaff and his development crew are among the best in the industry and have a great track record, so we have high expectations.

What is very exciting about ST is its promise of making feature-based solids modeling easy to use.  Making software easy to use was, is and will continue to be one of the top two challenges of software developers.  Another challenge is somewhat self evident, but often overlooked by busy software executives watching stock tickers, entertaining customers, bankers, bosses and analysts, a group to which I must, in the spirit of full disclosure, admit to being a card carrying member.  For those of you who may have forgotten in the midst of all the excitement, the other important challenge is that the software has to work.  And if it does work for a critical mass of cases – and that’s the rub -- it may well turn out to be the killer app of the decade.

Can it, will it work?  I think so, I’ve seen demos of what appear to be capabilities similar to ST by a number of companies for over a year.  Of course, we are talking about demos, and demo jocks can conjure gold from something somewhat less noble, as we all know.

Actually, I must confess that I love everything about Synchronous Technology – the philosophy, the marketecture, but most of all that it addresses the real problems of both advanced and mainstream users.  I wish them well.

About Siemens PLM Software

Siemens PLM Software, a business unit of the Siemens Industry Automation Division, is a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services with 4.6 million licensed seats and 51,000 customers worldwide.  Headquartered in Plano, Texas, Siemens PLM Software’s open enterprise solutions enable a world where organizations and their partners collaborate through Global Innovation Networks to deliver world-class products and services.  For more information on Siemens PLM Software products and services, visit www.siemens.com/plm.

About Daratech

Daratech, Inc. is a leading provider of information technology market research, advisory and strategic consulting services.  Established in 1979, Daratech specializes in PLM, CAD/CAM, digital product simulation (CAE), PDM/EDM, document/enterprise content management, AECO PLM (architecture, engineering, construction, operations, plant lifecycle management), GIS and related areas.  Visit www.daratech.com