Solidworks versus Catia, I-DEAs or Solid Edge?

[Claireli]

We are looking at four 3D-CAD systems (Computer Aided Design) :
> * Ideas
> * Solid Edge
> * Solid Works
> * Catia V5
>
The CAD will be connected to the PDM (Product Data Management) system using PROFILE. PROFILE allows a connection with SAP.

We would like to specifically know about the following:
The life phase of the system - is it already above its highest peak? Is it mature or still being built up? (especially Catia V5, Solidworks and Solid Edge)
Future perspective? Safety of the investment? (especially Catia and Solid Works, that both belong to Daussalt): Will they continue to exist as individual systems in the future, or for example, will Solid works be replaced by Catia in the middle term?
Comparison between Solid Edge and Solid works
Where are the weaknesses of a mid range system e.g. Catia V5?
Core (The part of the operating system that controls the hardware): evaluation of the different used cores (performance and data exchange)
Distribution and the branch usage of the 4 systems.

I would appreciate some advice on this subject and some answers to my questions.
Thanks

 

[swertel]

You can view my response in the Mechanincal Engineers forum. It is a little long winded and I didn't proof it prior to submitting.

--Scott Wertel