Solid Edge ST4 has been released and is available to download from Siemens PLM Software FTP Server. Here are the Solid Edge ST4 Release Notes.
On the first day of the Solid Edge ST4 Global Launch Event, a press release titled Siemens PLM Aims for Solid Edge 'App Ecosystem' was announced. Why am I so excited about this initiative you might ask? This is exactly what I've wanted for years now! Going back to my 'Siemens got it right' comment in a previous post, here is yet another example of Siemens moving in the right direction. Over the years, I have been a very loud voice on this topic. My contention is that part of Solid Edge's success depends on 3rd party development. We need more people developing apps and integrations for Solid Edge. What does this all mean for Solid Edge customers? Before I answer that question, let me ask this. How many times have you had conversations with other application vendors and asked if they had an integration with Solid Edge? What was the answer you typically got? How about trying to find useful 3rd party tools for Solid Edge or trying to find a quality Solid Edge programmer to do some customizations for you? Now, imagine how nice it would be to get the answer that you wanted\needed to hear. That's what this is about So how do I fit into all of this you may wonder? Back in February, Mark Burhop announced that he was changing positions from the Solid Edge Simulation product manager to director of 3rd party ecosystems for Velocity. He also blogged in May about The Solid Edge Ecosystem Comes To Life. Behind the scenes, Mark has been very busy talking with existing partners like myself trying to figure out what was needed to make this a successful venture. One thing that I am certain of, Mark was exhausted after our initial phone conversation. People that know me know that I am full of opinions and can literally talk Solid Edge programming all day long. I can only imagine how much work it has been for him gathering and processing all of the input. Hats off to Mark for taking this problem head on with enthusiasm and a tireless work ethic.That winded back story leads me down the road to 675 Discovery Drive. For those that don't know, I'm talking about Solid Edge corporate headquarters. Yeah baby! I have waited 11 years to pull into this driveway. Thanks to Mark for pulling a few strings for me, the day after speaking on the Solid Edge API at the ST4 Event, I had the rare opportunity to visit the home office of Solid Edge. Quoting Mark's blog, "We had meetings with some of our documentation, development, and GTAC (Support) team members all around developing on top of Solid Edge". I honestly don't think anyone can truly understand what it meant to me to be there that day. For the first time, I genuinely felt that I was being heard. Not because Karsten or Dan told them to, but because they wanted to hear what I had to say. That single day justified in my mind all of the hard work and dedication that I have put into the Solid Edge community.
I have been writing this post in my head for about 3 days now and I feel no closer to knowing what to say than when I started. It doesn't happen to me often but I am truly at a loss for words that can accurately and adequately communicate what I saw and felt at the Solid Edge ST4 Launch Event in Huntsville, AL. I really don't know what else to say other than Siemens got it right. There will be plenty of technical blogs on the event so I'm choosing to cover the people side.I have often said that one of the most under utilized resources available to Solid Edge is its customers. I don't think that I'll have to repeat that statement after what I've seen. Solid Edge has always had an awesome product. The problem has been that there is more to having successful software than just having an awesome product. The pieces that were previously missing are now falling into place. Siemens "get's it" now. They are listening to their customers and beginning to leverage their strong user base. Solid Edge is going to be a force to be reckoned with for some time to come. Honestly, if I were a competitor to Solid Edge, I would be worried.In attendance was a who's who of Solid Edge employees, VAR's, and customers. I think that I can speak for the majority when I say that it really felt like a family reunion. It was so nice to have the opportunity to put faces to the names that we see on the newsgroups. I was truly blown away by everyone that I met. I wanted to share my thoughts on a few select individuals.Karsten NewburyKarsten has been pivotal in solving the missing pieces that I mentioned previously. I have corresponded with him over the past year or so via various social media mediums but it's difficult to judge a person's character over the Internet. In the grand scheme of things, I'm not one of the most important people that he needed to spend time with at the conference. Yet, he sought me out and gave me 30 minutes of his undivided attention and listened to what I had to say. Not only that but he is actively following up with me. For those that don't know Karsten, I can tell you that he's the real deal.Dan StaplesDan needs no introduction. I have met Dan in passing a couple of times over the years but never really had to chance to sit down and talk with him. I already had a meeting setup with Dan and some of his team on Friday, the day after the conference, so he really had no reason to seek me out. One evening, I was sitting on a sofa in the hotel by myself when the elevator doors opened and out comes Dan. I always try to be respectful to people in big positions because I know they are usually very busy and have full calendars so I simply acknowledge him and went on about my business. The next thing I know, Dan is sitting down next to me and buys us both a drink. Probably not a big deal to Dan, but to me, it was one of the coolest moments for me at the conference. Needless to say, we had a great talk and it will go down as one of my all-time coolest moments. I'm a dork, I know ;-).The entire GTAC teamI'm man enough to admit it. I have not always been nice when I've called into GTAC. In my opinion, these guys have one of the most thankless jobs at Solid Edge. Think about it. The only time we ever call them is when we have problems (and are usually ticked off)! I'm thinking about giving them a call tomorrow just to say 'thank you'. I met several of them during the conference but I had the unique opportunity to have lunch with several of them Friday, the day after the conference. I can't be any more sincere when I say, they are good people. You may not always get the answer you want to hear from them but I can tell you that they do care. They are ordinary folks just like you and I. I remember thinking during my lunch with them how much it felt like I was back home in Oklahoma.Rick MasonRick also needs no introduction. If you were to lookup 'Solid Edge customer' in the dictionary, I'm positive there would be a picture of Rick. The simple fact that Rick was willing to fly all the way from Australia speaks volumes and reaffirms that Siemens is taking the right steps in rebuilding the community. I had dinner with Rick one evening and I can tell you that he's one cool cat. During the closing ceremonies, Rick lead the audience in a standing ovation. Honestly, I got a little choked up. He may not have realized it at the time but he spoke for the entire community by putting his seal of approval on the event.Bob MiletiBob, up until last week, is best known for his 'Mileti Moments' in the newsgroups. I had several opportunities to chat with Bob at the conference and I can tell you, he's nothing like what I had imagined. Bob is a cool dude! Besides being a cool dude, he is a very talented engineer. It was a treat listening to his stories and seeing some of his inventions.As I've written this post, I'm realizing that I could write a book on all of the great people that I met. My point in writing this though is to try and give justice to what I saw and felt. Not sure how successful I was but I tried. I've said it in the past and I'll say it again now. As long as Solid Edge is hosting the conferences, I'll be there. If you didn't make it this year, I hope to see you next year!
First and foremost, I would like to say Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. I have been blessed with four wonderful children in my life and wouldn't take anything for any one of them. Each one of them are different from the other in their own special ways. Each one has distinct traits from myself and my wife. They are my single greatest personal accomplishment in life. I truly consider it a privilege and honor to call them my children.Before having children, my wife and I both agreed that we wanted to do whatever necessary to allow her to stay home for our kids. We had our first son in 2000 and second in 2002. During that time, I was going back to school to get my MIS degree. My wife essentially raised them by herself because between work and school, I was not available. After I finished school and got my degree, I was working odd jobs to make extra money for the family. I will never forget the day that I was mowing grass for one of the odd jobs. It was hot, I was sweaty and had grass all over me. I thought to myself, I'm better than this. I just finished getting my MIS, I have an awesome day job and I have some rather unique programming skills. Right at that moment, JasonNewell.NET was born. That was 2005 and our third son was just born.JasonNewell.NET started from a gap that I saw in the Solid Edge programming community. I knew that I could fill the gap and get my name our there at the same time. In the beginning, I was working inside of our house. Obviously with three small kids, it wasn't going to work. Making my first business decision, my wife and I agreed that it made sense to build me an office. Not having a ton of money at the time, we had to settle for a 10 x 16 shop in the back yard. I partitioned 1/3 of the shop for an office then ran electricity and Internet to it. I was all set. My actual office dimensions are 5 x 9 but it is perfect for what I need. It wasn't anything fancy but it did the job. I have spent an unimaginable amount of hours in this office over the past six years. This office is where anything and everything that JasonNewell.NET provides comes from.Now that you know the background story, I'll get to the point of this post. While I was in Huntsville, AL this week for the Solid Edge ST4 Global Launch Event, my family decided to "pimp" my office. My wife and kids (even my two year old daughter) tricked out my office with a theme that only they and I would understand. You see, I love dirt bikes and racing. I used to race in a previous life. I also drink a lot of Monster because it helps me stay awake for all the hours that I work. The following pictures show their awesome work and truly great Father's Day gift to me.