yang686526

how to convince boss to give solidworks a try?
how do you get through to your boss and convince him the value that solidworks could add to the engineering department? i have repeatedly asked if we could add this software in our budget, and he looks at me as if i had just asked if we could go to mars for lunch. i know there are 30 day trial packages, but i do not think he could be convinces in 30 days. i have not used solidworks for a couple of years now, because of a change of employment. i can get my hands on 2004, but it will not run on my laptop because of the vista thing. plus i want to stay legal. i have thought about acquiring my own copy of 2009 student edition, to stay up to date in case any job opportunities ever come up in my area, but i am not a student.
there's plenty of product literature on solidworks.com. also, get your var out there to lube him up a bit. have them check help sites such as these to see how much it help actual designers, machinists and engineers. if that doesn't work, try calling him a backwards, mouth-breathing, lackwit and slap him in the face. well, maybe not the last thing...
dan
if you aren't using sw, what are you using? (2d cad? gah!)
matt lorono
cad engineer/ecn analyst
silicon valley, ca
what features of 3d cad (solidworks or another) do you think are beneficial for your company? once you determine that, then you can start to put real numbers together to show your boss. if you've been telling your boss to get sw because "its cool" or "everyone is using it" those are poor examples and reasons.
"art without engineering is dreaming; engineering without art is calculating."
ask your marketing department how many customers and 'potential' customers use solidworks (or any 3d cad). try to find out if your company can fill any voids you may fill with these customers.
if you manager sees that products can be sold cheaper, communication could be better, or more customers could be sought after because you have 3d capabilities, maybe he will change his mind.
chris
solidworks/pdmworks 08 3.1
autocad 08; catia v5
just tell him i said to use it. it'll work for sure!
jeff mirisola, cswp, certified driveworks ae
you don't need solidworks for making wedding cakes. that is what you make, right?
actually i think sw would be great for designing wedding cakes. especially the little swirly bits.

i use microstation (as i hold my nose). we have had the use for it many times over. jobs have come up to where i have said i could design and have this equipment made in house. they go ahead and contract someone else to design and make it. there is a job right now i need it for a special piece of equipment for changes we are making to our process. i would probably save us enough money to pay for the software on this one piece of equipment. i have designed it in 3-d microstation, but will not be able to develop sheet metal parts for a shop to make.
i wish i made wedding cakes. it would be more challenging than what they ask of me on my job.
nah, nx is better for the swirly bits
"it is not necessary to change. survival is not mandatory." - dr. w. edwards deming