Reasons to upgrade to SW2005

[PDMAdmin]

We are considering upgrading to SW2005, but the process is being held up by a few bureaucrats who want justification for doing the upgrade. Here are the reasons that come to mind; any additional input is always appreciated.

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Getting tech support and bug fixes for 2004 is becoming more difficult every day. (We have come across several 2004 bugs that will probably never be fixed because SolidWorks is too busy supporting 2005.)

ECAD data (file names with EMN and EMP extensions) can be imported into SW2005 (but not exported) without purchasing additional software. That functionality costs extra in SW2004.

People who will be traveling or away from the company network can borrow licenses for up to 10 days in SW2005. SW2004 does not offer that functionality.

We have had at least one instance of not being able to load SolidWorks files from a vendor because the files were version 2005.

 

[SBaugh]

1) The continuing support of SW trickles over into SW05. Your problem may not get fixed in SW04 but it might in SW05, if the bugs you found, is something a number of other people are seeing or if there is no workaround. If there is no workaround then you need to tell your VAR and they should escalate the issue at SW.

2) SW05 will probably be the same as SW04 in that respect.

3) Yes that's true and it's a plus for going to SW05

4) Another reason to go to SW05... keeping up with the major versions will aleviate this downfall.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376
faq559-716 - SW Fora Users

 

[Theophilus]

Depending on what area of work you concentrate, the feature upgrades alone are worth it. (It's only $1,300 or so for a year of support per seat.)

I use surfaces extensively, and those features have been significantly improved, along with peripheral surfacing uses such as mold making and splitting.

There are also many other great improvements that reduce tedious repetition or even allow things not previously possible (such as the ACAD emulator/DWG editor).

I'd recommend checking out the "what's new" info for SW 2005 for more specific feature details.

http://www.solidworks.com/pages/products/swofficepro/featuresandbenefits.html?pid=1

Also, I've already had several clients/vendors who are using SW 2005, so to read the files I needed to upgrade anyway.


Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reality is no respecter of good intentions.

 

[PDMAdmin]

Theophilus,

The irony is that we are actively paying maintenance, but upgrading to SW2005 has been an uphill battle for us internally. Thanks for the info; I'll check it out.

 

[fastasleep]

One other reason for the upgrade that I can think of would be for the use of 3D Content Central. I believe that the shared files that can be downloaded from there are only offered in the latest version of SW.

 

[ctopher]

One plus to upgrade is if you do alot of dwgs, the notes upgrade with the ability to add more symbols, fractions, etc is a huge plus. Also it's an improvement with Cosmos reading material info from SolidWorks. The dwg editor that comes with it is nice for the ACAD users or any ACAD files you may import from vendors/customers.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 2005 SP0.1

 

[TheTick]

I never upgrade before service pack 1.0.

I could be the world's greatest underachiever, if I could just learn to apply myself.

http://www.EsoxRepublic.com

-SolidWorks API VB programming help

 

[SBaugh]

Before upgrading you should also have a handful of people test it out before switching. Because once over your over. I have many customers that test files out to see how they behave, before switching. Then they can determine if the upgrade is a good switch.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376
faq559-716 - SW Fora Users

 

[rockguy]

I would say the biggest reason is new features and compatability with other users. If your paying subscription anyway then I don't see the issue. It's not costing any more dollars.

 

[Standing]

Our reason for upgrading is employee moral. The Engineers and Drafters are always nagging me to upgrade. I test it for two weeks then if our stuff works, we upgrade. No down fall I see.

Bradley