Analyze needs then benchmark!

SELECTING A SYSTEMSelecting an MCAD system:determine needs, then bench-mark!by Raymond KurlandPresident, TechniCom, Inc.(Excerpted from an article to be published in the March/April issue of SOLID Solutions Magazine)February, 1998similar future. Reusable designs, based on partsIntroductionusing variables and features will revolutionizeAs analysts and consultants following the Mechani- today’s design techniques and must be an integralcal CAD market we strive to understand how the latest part of every long term plan for new MDA sys-solid modeling software compares. The real question is tems.how to compare such complex software? Since we often Before we get started on the results, let’s go overadvise customers how to select a system that best fits what precedes technical comparisons.their needs, we decided to use a similar process in acontinuing benchmark to understand how today’s hotEvaluate the business needsmid range CAD systems compare. The process issimple, but deceptively hard to follow: first iden- Remaining competitive is the key to success intify the needs, then test alternatives for the best fit. today’s fast paced, ever-changing marketplace.Politics, unfortunately, often intervene. The meth- Evaluating what you need to keep your edge isodology outlined in this article helps make the constant, or should be. A wise business continuallyprocess more objective. examines its design-through-manufacturingTechniCom has worked for years in this arena ...