Real Rewards program has ended

At the SolidWorks World 2008, there was an announcement of a program that would reward users for bringing in new customers.  Though this program involved more than one facet, the spearhead effort appeared via their Real Rewards website.  Real Rewards gave rewards to individuals who submitted the emails of their colleagues.  These colleagues would then be given the opportunity to receive a free trail of SolidWorks.  If SolidWorks was purchased as a result of the referral, the user would receive one of various rewards.  The first tier was a box full of goodies.  The second tier (for two successful referrals) was a sound system.  The third tier was an all-in-one HP printer/copier/fax/scanner.  I believe the fourth tier was a fancy monitor.  For five successful referrals, the reward was a middle of the road computer.

Due to my previous articles, I submitted over 100 referrals (all of which were requested by commenting on my blog).  Out of those, there was 2 actual sales.  This is actually more than I expected.  Though a modest success for me, the program was not so successful overall.  According to Bill Taylor of SolidWorks Corp., the volume of participation was very low.  Though SolidWorks did conduct market research with promising results before starting this program, they found that participation was no where near expectations.

So the program ended in mid-2009.  Unfortunately, the Real Rewards website was not taken down until December 2009.  This means that I was merrily submitting a few requests for trial copies that never received a response.

There are new offers available from SolidWorks Corp.  There is an education trial version of SolidWorks which is available for students.  Also, a recent discount program was selling SolidWorks Premium practically for half price.  Check out the SolidWorks website for current offers.

James Cameron keynote speaker at SolidWorks World 2010

I don’t normally just republish press releases, but this news is so big, it’s hard for me to add anything to it, so here’s the press release in full:

‘Avatar’ Director James Cameron Headlines SolidWorks World 2010

Visual Effects Pioneer Will Share Stories

of Overcoming Daunting Technical and Business Challenges

James CameronCONCORD, Mass., Dec. 21, 2009 – A machinist, a truck driver, and then a winner of 11 Oscars, Hollywood filmmaker James Cameron is now a featured special guest at SolidWorks World 2010, taking place Jan. 31 through Feb. 3 in Anaheim, Calif.

Cameron’s films, including Titanic, Aliens, and the Terminator franchise, have amassed over $3 billion in box office receipts. Not every tinseltown luminary could inspire an audience of 4,000-plus SolidWorks® software users, but Cameron is an innovator’s innovator. As part of his Hollywood resume, he has invented a plethora of technology for exploring the depth of the seas and outer space, including Mars.

“James Cameron does magnificent things with technology and imagination. But in a way, he does exactly what every SolidWorks user does: confronts technical challenges, works out solutions, brings them to reality, and enjoys the success,” said Jeff Ray, Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp. CEO. “We’re thrilled to have him at our event.”

Cameron’s films have blazed new trails in visual effects and set numerous performance records. Among Cameron’s inventions:

  • Filming, lighting, and robotic equipment for use in the extreme pressures of the deep;
  • A 3D digital camera system to enable shooting of 2D and 3D film versions in parallel; and
  • Mini fiber-spooling remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for deep sea use.

The making of Cameron’s new 3D feature film “Avatar,” a science fiction epic set in the virgin ecosystem of a distant planet, has required more than two years of new production technology development. Innovations include image-based facial performance capture, a real-time virtual camera for computer-generated production, and the SIMULCAM system, all of which help weave computer-generated characters into live-action scenes. These techniques are combined with stereoscopic photography to create a hybrid CG/live-action film.

…and much, much more

Cameron’s appearance will be one of many rich learning, networking, and entertainment opportunities at SolidWorks World 2010. Attendees will present more than 150 in-depth training sessions with an unprecedented number of popular hands-on sessions. More than 100 SolidWorks-designed products will be on display in more than 6,000 square feet of space within the Partner Pavilion exhibition hall. More than 100 partners will demonstrate technology products that complement SolidWorks software, and there will be dedicated time for birds-of-a-feather networking.

SolidWorks World provides a tremendous opportunity for users to network and share best practices. Nearly the entire DS SolidWorks R&D staff will be on site to talk to attendees, learn about their experiences, and demonstrate interesting projects. As always, the general sessions will stimulate and entertain. The sessions will include a sneak preview of SolidWorks 2011 software and presentations from DS SolidWorks CEO Jeff Ray, Dassault Systèmes President and CEO Bernard Charlès, and DS SolidWorks Co-Founder and Group Executive Jon Hirschtick.

There are numerous ways to follow SolidWorks World 2010:

SolidWorks Blog – SWW 2010 topics http://blogs.solidworks.com/solidworksblog/solidworks_world/
DS SolidWorks on Twitter http://twitter.com/solidworks
SolidWorks World 2010 account on Twitter http://twitter.com/solidworksworld
SolidWorks World 2010 hashtag

(#SWW10)

 http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23SWW10
DS SolidWorks on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/solidworks
SolidWorks World 2010 Flickr group http://www.flickr.com/groups/sww10/
DS SolidWorks on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/solidworks
SolidWorks World 2010 YouTube group http://www.youtube.com/sww2010
SolidWorks World blogger & Twitter feed http://www.solidworks.com/swworld/2589_ENU_HTML.htm

Also, Chris McAndrew of the 3D Engr blog will be SolidWorks’ first official Internet Correspondent. He tweets at http://twitter.com/Cbmcandrew and will be blogging about SolidWorks World 2010 on the main SolidWorks blog http://blogs.solidworks.com/solidworksblog/.

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About Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp.

Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp., a Dassault Systèmes S.A. subsidiary, is a world leader in 3D solutions. The company develops and markets software for design, analysis, product data management, documentation, and environmental impact assessment. It is the leading supplier of 3D CAD technology, giving teams intuitive, high-performing software that helps them design better products. For the latest news, information, or an online demonstration, visit the company’s Web site (www.solidworks.com) or call 1-800-693-9000 (outside of North America, call +1-978-371-5000).

CATIA, DELMIA, ENOVIA, SIMULIA, SolidWorks, and 3D VIA are registered trademarks of Dassault Systèmes or its subsidiaries in the US and/or other countries. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright © 2009 Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp.

New SolidWorks World resource

There is a new SolidWorks World 2010 resource that which attendees may take advantage.  It is the SolidWorks World 2010 mapyourshow.com website.  It allows you to view the facilities, plan your booth visitations, search and contact exhibitors, and plan attendance for events.  The only major drawback is that it doesn’t seem to link events with MS Outlook.  However, the maps of the convention center are worth the price of admission to the website (free).  🙂

“Over 1000 touch points for feedback”

SolidWorks Corps claims to have “over one thousand touch points for feedback” that allow them to find areas that need improvement with their applications.  Without getting into detail about the effectiveness of their use of these touch points, I’m simply pointing out where they do look.  First, note that the Product Definition Group oversees much of this activity and is staffed worldwide.

  • They conduct direct customer visits.  My company was lined up for such a visit a couple years ago, but due to scheduling, I had to cancel on the SolidWorks representative at the last-minute.
  • They are conducting an increasing number of user surveys (check the SolidWorks Forum and sometimes your email too).
  • There are field people who work through the VARs.
  • Technical support provides invaluable information.
  • They gain information from meeting with User Groups.
  • SolidWorks World provides significant information, such as the top 10 enhancement requests list, voted upon by attendees.
  • They also peruse the SolidWorks and CAD forums.  It’s my understanding that they also hang out at other popular independent CAD forums.

Where is the most effective place to request a change or notify SolidWorks Corp about issues with their software?  Well, I think that depends.  Submitting ERs might be the most effective method, actually.

Thoroughly discussing problems and difficulties in the SolidWorks Forum may also afford more attention.  Bugging VARs about software bugs is fairly effective in my experience (some have had opposite experiences).  Of all the bugs I’ve reported via my VAR, none remain.

Another way to give feedback is to comment on the various SolidWorks related blogs.  Get your favorate blogger to talk about the issue indepth.  Depending on the topic, bloggers do seem to have a little more pull than the average bear.  Unfortunately, I know only one bear that uses SolidWorks (and when her system crashes, it is usually a result of her bashing it about about cabin).

Stump the Chumps submission form

See if you can stump the chumps with your SolidWorks questions at our session in SolidWorks World 2010:

Stump the Chumps question submission form

Also, if you have files to submit as part of your question, please email your question and files to stumpthechumps@gmail.com.