Cyon Research investigates issues in engineering and design. That research forms the basis for the issue topics for these group discussions. Meeting rooms are set up in suites around the pool, each with a different issue to discuss. Also, meetings among groups with a common interest.   

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DP and PLM: Different Visions for Different Purposes — To someone outside our industry, the vision of DP (digital prototyping) may seem like just another way of saying “PLM” (product lifecycle management). The two visions have a common goal, but are executed with different methodologies. PLM confronts the challenge of automating engineering and manufacturing top-down, with global implementation. DP proffers a bottom-up, stepwise vision (DP). Some vendors have offerings in both camps. What’s the real difference between the two visions and what does this mean to the customer?

The Channel — All vendors are focused on building out channel capacity. At what point does it become a zero-sum game? What happens to organic growth when the channel reaches capacity? Until then, what are the major bottlenecks to building out the channel? Are these bottlenecks bigger than any one company (for example, too small a pool of experienced people)?

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The Blurring Line Between AEC and MCAD — AEC and MCAD used to be entirely separate vertical markets, with no common ground between them. Their respective toolsets have gained in power, flexibility, and ease-of-use. At the same time, the users of such tools have become more sophisticated. Today, it is not uncommon to see AEC firms using Rhino for design, and there are third-party vendors delivering tools for architectural steel and concrete design built on top of SolidWorks and Inventor. Traditional AEC tools are also moving into manufacturing, notably project management and project portfolio management. What’s really going on here? Where will it end?

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Social Network Mashups in Business — Wikis, multiplayer interactive games, and other Web 2.0 technologies are entering the workplace, and will affect business -- especially collaborative business functions such as project management. A group has been developing a white paper that describes the landscape of social networks and virtual worlds and clarifies the enhanced value propositions of these environments for business development and globalization. Their findings indicate that it is possible to organize a community of networks into a mediated community that produces value for an organization. While email and project collaboration networks have digitized and webified traditional dirt-world workflows, Web 2.0 technologies alternately promise and threaten radical process transformation. How will new-generation tools -- and the new generation of users who use them -- affect the roles, responsibilities, rights and risks of all project participants?

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Educating the Next Crop of Engineers — What skills will they need? What will they not need to be taught (as most will be digital natives)? What are they likely to be lacking? What can be done within the existing education system (both K-12 and college)? What steps will business need to take to insure readiness for the next generation of engineers? How can we make sure there will not be a shortfall? What guidance/encouragement or investments should industry be bringing to bear upon the education of upcoming generations?

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BIM in Construction — The construction industry has reached a tipping point. They know what BIM (building information management) is; they’ve seen it work; they can clearly see what BIM can do for their bottom line; and they know they have to get on board. As a result, we’re about to experience a period of explosive growth in demand for BIM software. This demand will not be fueled by traditional design users, but rather by the recipients of design data. What are the implications for software providers? How will this change the relationship between architect and builder? How do contracts and deliverables evolve?

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Designing Software to Support Sustainability — What can we do to help our customers act more responsibly?What software and tools will be available to simulate the true life cycle costs of various design/manufacturing/service/operation/decommissioning alternatives? We simply don’t have much guidance on what alternatives will prove customer- and planet-friendly over the long haul. The availability of such tools might help us create the kinds of incentives or regulations needed to sustain healthy economies.