DEVELOP3D - Technology for the product lifecycle

Myself and the legendary Greg Corke had a conference call and web demo with the Autodesk team yesterday to look at the first iteration of its cloud-based computation tools for simulation. Currently in closed invite-only Beta, the two projects, Centaur and Cumulus, are the first pass at using remote computation technology to speed simulation. Whether you want to call it a Cloud app, call it SaaS (Software as a service) or call it SRDFBCSE (Stuff Running Dead Fast on a Big Computer Somewhere Elsewhere), this is a serious trend and we’re finally starting to see demonstrations of how things are going to pan out over the coming years. But let’s break it down a little and get some clarity.

Project Cumulus

This is a remote solver for Moldflow - that’s pretty simple. You use the standard client for Moldflow Insight (rather than the Inventor integrated version) to carry out your traditional pre-processing and study set-up. Geometry is worked on, a mesh created, inputs and parameters set. you then send this data to ‘the server’ and it calculates it. Once complete, it send back the results dataset and you use the same client software to inspect, to validate and interact with the results.

Project Centaur

This follows a vaguely similar pattern. you download an Add-in for Inventor Simulation that deals with optimization. You set-up your geometry, add the loads and constraints, choose the variables for optimization from the inventor model (at present, you need to define each variable’s inputs). Essentially, you use a design of experiments methodology to define the values for each variable and set a goal. At present it only works with a Factor of safety type analysis so the inputs are pretty standard. once done, you hit the calculate button, this send the data to the calculation server, the optimization iterations are performed and the results are streamed back to your Inventor client on your workstation. You look at the results from a pretty clear list and choose the configuration you want.Inventor adapts the model in work to that configuration, adopting those chosen inputs for the geometry and it’s saved. Job Done.

Before we get onto what this means and the potential here, I did want to get Greg Corke, our resident hardware guru’s thoughts on what he saw. So, here you go - i’ll be back once you’ve read this:

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When I received an invitation to the launch of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s  new Atmos 566 clock designed by Marc Newson to be honest I was more interested in going along to see the superstar industrial designer that is Marc Newson than I was in this luxurious Swiss clock manufacturer.

But perhaps I should have done a bit more research into how exclusive this brand is before attending or possibly the fact that it was being held at Brown’s Hotel in London’s Mayfair should have been a hint enough. I pitched up in my usual journalist attire of jeans and converse trainers only to be met by the hotel’s butler resplendent in his top hat and tails who quickly whisks me up to the first floor into a lavish room full of suits, even Newson is in a suit, albeit a linen one with no tie and trainers. Being the only design journalist I found myself trying to make small talk with representatives from titles such as Harper’s Bazaar, fine watch magazine QP and Millionaire’s Monthly (I made the last one up). But then the launch begins with the CEO of Jaeger-LeCoutre presenting the new Atmos 566 before introducing Newson, who says a few words about his design.

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News just in late last night that Jim Heppelmann, current COO (that’s Chief Operating Officer to you) will take over the role of top dog at PTC, replacing long time CEO C. Richard Harrison in October this year. This is a move that many saw coming when Heppelman took over the COO role last year and to all intents and purposes became the public face of the company. According to the press release, Heppelmann joined PTC in 1998 as a Senior Vice President when PTC acquired Windchill Technology, a company he founded.  He was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer in June 2001, and two years later was named Executive Vice President of the Software and Marketing Group and Chief Product Officer.  In this role, he was responsible for strategic direction, product development, and marketing.  He joined PTC’s Board of Directors in May 2008 and was named President and COO in March 2009. While Jim’s been running the show, this makes things official and it’ll be interesting to see how things develop. DIck Harrison put together a nice little quote in the press release which sums up things nicely”

“Jim is a great leader who has already created tremendous value for PTC, its customers, shareholders and employees as a strategic member of the executive team. With his background as an engineer, Jim is one of those rare individuals who can understand our customers’ business requirements and couple that with a unique vision for the industry, a passion for technology and the leadership qualities to drive the company to deliver solutions that provide measurable business value.  I couldn’t imagine a better person to lead PTC and leverage the company’s momentum.”

Personally, I’ve got a lot of time for Jim. As with many of PTC’s management team, he’s not afraid to say exactly what’s on his mind. Though I do find the microsite put together for the leadership change a little odd. There’s something about that montage that looks less “Executive Announcement” and more ummm.. “Memorial”. Oh and what’s Dick up to now? according to the release, he’ll continue to “Focus on key customer and investor relationships that support the company’s strategic initiatives, while continuing to perform his duties as Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors.”