Articolo apparso nel febbraio 2007 sul blog di NOVEDGE.
Is CAD software following the same path as web browsers? According to some small-sized 2D CAD vendors (as reported by Ralph Grabowski), there are too many free CAD systems and too long-lasting free trials around. As a CAD reseller, I should agree, and maybe I should say: free software is not good! But I don’t see free CAD as a lost opportunity for a new sale, but as a changing market. I believe we are observing at least three different trends.
1st Trend : Lower prices means lower margins for resellers and therefore less resources
The price of CAD systems has been declining over the last few years, and when the price remains the same, the product comes with more features and modules. That’s happening to all software, not just to CAD. Lower prices mean lower margins for resellers and therefore fewer resources for demoing the software to potential customers, pre-sale training users, and promoting the software. CAD manufacturers are trying to address this situation by gradually transforming their product trial versions into a sales tool. The trials are getting better, lasting longer, and include more marketing features. We are going to see more of this in the future.
2nd Trend: Autodesk is using the profits from 2D to build a 3D success
All companies focused on 3D as their core business are realizing that their success will come only from converting the existing large 2D installed base to 3D. They also know that the 2D world is mostly controlled by Autodesk. Because the San Rafael company is using the profits from 2D to build a 3D success, the only way to compete with Autodesk is to commoditize 2D CAD systems. Only if and when 2D CAD becomes free or brand-insensitive, UGS, PTC, Dassault. etc., will be able to compete with Autodesk in the 3D market on a more level playing field. Those companies are not making any profit from 2D systems; therefore, why not give 2D away for free and, by doing so, drain the fat revenues Autodesk collects from its 2D user base?
3rd Trend: Autodesk knows the transition from 2D to 3D is inevitable
At the same time, Autodesk is trying hard to move its user base from AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT to Inventor. They know the transition from 2D to 3D is inevitable; it’s just a matter of time. And they know this is the best opportunity for their competitor to steal their customers. Inventor is a good product, but in the 3D CAD arena, it is just one of many, no better and no worse. In San Rafael they know it very well, and therefore they have an aggressive marketing strategy (see the recent report from New Orleans by Roopinder Tara and Rachael Dalton post) and they try everything, including giving away the product almost for free, to entice their 2D users to switch to their 3D systems.
