Field-to-office heats up, Trimble acquires PocketMobile
We need to get past the idea that design and engineering begin and end in an office, drawing room or lab; it's time we joined much of the rest of the business world by taking work to where it needs to be, even if that is outside the office. That's enabled by a class...
PTC gets into AR with Vuforia acquisition
Interesting news -- from the "I didn't see this coming" department: PTC just announced that it is acquiring Qualcomm's Vuforia business for $65 million. Vuforia makes augmented reality (AR) technology, which PTC says is "the industry's most advanced and widely adopted...
Browser, new UI & consistent focus in SolidWorks 2016
SolidWorks debuted its 2016 release a couple of weeks ago and officially released it last week —you should check out its 300+ enhancements/major fixes at solidworks.com or by attending an event hosted by your favorite reseller— but it’s tough to sum up in 1000 words....
Altair snaps up Click2Cast
Altair just announced that it has acquired Click2Cast, adding both casting simulation and an office in Barcelona to its aresenal. Spanish Click2Cast developed what it calls a "revolutionary" mesh generator that begins with imported STL files, so...
Autodesk nabs netfabb to boost 3D printing
Not a dull week -- not at all. Autodesk just stepped up its game in 3D printing by saying it intends to acquire netfabb, a German software company, and by making a strategic investment in netfabb's parent company, FIT Technology. netfabb makes software that creates...
Onshape raises another $80m, well ahead of schedule
Onshape announced today that it has raised another $80 million in new equity financing in a new round led by Andreessen Horowitz and with existing investors New Enterprise Associates, Commonwealth Capital Ventures and North Bridge Venture Partners upping their...
Siemens PLM Catchbook is the tip of the iceberg
Siemens PLM is big, really big, with thousands of employees, dozens of product lines, 8 target industries, and lots of messages to convey in a 3+ day-long analyst event. I’ve been trying to come up with a single theme, or story to tell that ties it all up neatly for...
ESI Q2 revenue up 8% on strong license growth in installed base
ESI Group just reported results for the second quarter of its fiscal year -- and it was an overall mixed bag, with some pockets of solid growth. Revenue for the quarter was €24.3 million, up 8% as reported and up 2% in constant currency and using a similar group...
Bentley acquires e-on, CG for nature
Bentley Systems,just announced that it has acquired e-on software, a French company that makes computer graphics technology specifically for natural environments. Think Minions (which I loved) or How to Train Your Dragon (didn't see), and you're on the right track....
Quickie: Hexagon acquires EcoSys for AEC project control
I'm at the Siemens PLM analyst conference in Boston this week, but need to let you know that Hexagon is acquiring EcoSys to further its strategy of addressing broader AEC project challenges. EcoSys helps customers capture and manage project information related to time...