What Company Owns SolidWorks?
If you are interested in 3D CAD software, you may have come across SolidWorks. It is a popular computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) software that has gained widespread recognition among engineers and designers.
But have you ever wondered which company owns SolidWorks? Let’s dive into this topic and find out.
The Birth of SolidWorks
SolidWorks was developed in the early 1990s by a team of engineers led by Jon Hirschtick. Their vision was to create a user-friendly 3D modeling tool that would revolutionize the design industry. In 1995, SolidWorks Corporation was founded to market and distribute the software.
The Acquisition by Dassault Systèmes
In 1997, SolidWorks caught the attention of Dassault Systèmes, a leading French software company specializing in 3D design, simulation, and PLM (product lifecycle management) solutions. Recognizing its potential, Dassault Systèmes acquired SolidWorks Corporation for approximately $310 million.
Fun Fact: The acquisition of SolidWorks by Dassault Systèmes marked one of the largest deals in the CAD industry at that time.
Integration into Dassault Systèmes
Under the ownership of Dassault Systèmes, SolidWorks continued to thrive and expand its user base. The acquisition allowed for better integration with other software solutions within the Dassault portfolio, such as CATIA and ENOVIA.
Dassault Systèmes recognized the unique strengths of SolidWorks as an intuitive and easy-to-use CAD tool, tailored for small to medium-sized businesses. This differentiated it from the more complex and high-end CAD software offered by CATIA.
The Continued Success of SolidWorks
Over the years, SolidWorks has become a dominant player in the CAD software market. Its user-friendly interface, powerful functionality, and extensive community support have made it a popular choice among engineers and designers worldwide.
Under the ownership of Dassault Systèmes, SolidWorks has continued to innovate and release new versions with enhanced capabilities. It has evolved into a comprehensive product development ecosystem that covers design, simulation, data management, and collaboration.
The Impact on the Industry
The acquisition of SolidWorks by Dassault Systèmes had a significant impact on the CAD industry. It strengthened Dassault’s position as a global leader in 3D design software and expanded their customer base to include small to medium-sized businesses.
Furthermore, the integration between SolidWorks and other Dassault solutions opened up new possibilities for cross-platform collaboration and data exchange within product development workflows.
The Future of SolidWorks
Looking ahead, SolidWorks shows no signs of slowing down. With ongoing advancements in technology such as cloud computing, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence, we can expect further innovations from this powerful CAD software.
In conclusion, SolidWorks is owned by Dassault Systèmes. The acquisition by Dassault Systèmes has brought stability, integration opportunities, and continuous development to SolidWorks. With its user-friendly interface and extensive capabilities, SolidWorks remains a top choice for professionals in the design and engineering fields.