Solidworks Headquarters Visit Day 1

So today was my first day here in Concord Mass visiting Solidworks. What sticks in my mind most is the difference between a software company, and a manufacturing company like I work for. There is no machinery, no loud equipment, and for the most part it basically looks like an office building! What stands out the most is the multiple computer server rooms that no doubt are the back bone of the customer portal and download center that we all access for various reasons.

Today I got to speak with a variety of people in different departments. Most notably were the people that are deeply involved in the Alpha phase of 2009. Without disclosing information that I agreed to not talk about due to non-disclosure agreements, all I can say is that all the features that were previewed at Solidworks World in San Diego, have been developed very well, and should be well integrated into Solidworks 2009!

Of course the highlight of the day was the company meeting held at the end of the day for all the employees. They gave away various awards, talked about how well the company was doing, and also talked about how Solidworks 2010 is already entering into early design phases! Also part of the reason I was here was to give my presentation to the general audience. Now for those that have been to Solidworks World, this meeting was a mini version of it. There were multiple cameras, a giant screen, a stage, and a very well staged production coordinated by the upper management team headed by Treena Landers. In attendance were most of the Solidworks all stars including Jeff Ray, and Jon Hirshteck.

After the meeting was done, there was a very nice buffet style dinner that had just about every bar-b-que delicacy you could imagine along with plenty of beer and wine to go around. After all the good food was gone, and the delicious dessert had been devoured, we headed across the street to the Papa-Razzi Bar & Grill. Along with the quarterly meeting that was being held that I spoke at, all the territory technical managers are in town to receive their official Solidworks 2009 training and roll-out information. Next door to the Papa Razzi Inn is a hotel where most of them are staying. Now while bloggers like myself, and various other bloggers may seem to really get into the Solidworks software, the TTM's are fanatics about it. Consider them a step above bloggers and user group leaders when it comes to their passion for the Solidworks software. Now that's not to say they are the blind sheep being lead to the slaughter house. As I have mentioned before, alcohol is the great equalizer, and tonight was no exception. What was surprising was that all these guys not only have a desire to make issues they discover known, more importantly, they do everything they can to get them solved. Seeing how passionate these guys are about contributing to help produce the best software package out there tells me that as a user, we are all in good hands!

So tomorrow I have a few meetings lined up including some discussion with some FloWorks guys to get a customer issue solved, and also a meeting with the head of Solidworks 2009 Beta that will hopefully allow me to reveal some pretty new and exciting news regarding the beta program scheduled to launch later this month, so definitely stay tuned! For now I leave you with some images from today:

Comments

[Joe Galliera]

Mike,

TTM's are not tech support people. We handle everything on the technical end prior to a customer buying a SolidWorks product. Also, we are not "territorial" like animals (well, some of us are animals) but instead we manage a "territory" of all the VAR's in that territory again when it comes to pre-sales situations. After a customer buys the product, that is a post-sale situation which is handled first by the VAR tech support team, and then they are further supported by our SW tech support team.

I just wanted to clear this up. Thanks! I enjoyed your presentation, even though it went a bit long and I was hungry from smelling all the food. I enjoy your writing more, so keep the good work up!

[Mike Puckett]

Gabi,

A TTM (Territorial Technical Manager) is basically a Solidworks Guru who knows all and sees all things Solidworks. Think of them as the top rung of tech support out in the field one level just below tech support in Concord. At least thats how I see them.

Josh,

I got lots of comments on the presentation, so it either went over pretty good, or everyone was being extremely polite! From what I heard, the people at Solidworks really like the customer speeches because it gives them an oppurtunity to see how Solidworks is being used. I have the video of the meeting, so once I get over seeing myself in it, I will post it up somewhere.

Mike

[Josh]

As usual, glad you're there with eyes and ears open. did your presentation go well?

[Joe Galliera]

Hi Mike, Thanks for the nice comments about us TTMs (Territory Technical Managers); we manage our VARs (value-added resellers) from the technical sales perspective as well as do demos ourselves.

Yes, we are very passionate about SolidWorks and our customers!

[Gabi]

Hi Mike,

Thank you for sharing with us! Pardon my ignorance, what is a technical territory manager?

[Richard Williams]

Hi Mike. Great first day for you. I love your description of things. Good writing. Somehow I pictured the SolidWorks building to be pretty huge and striking. It looks a little subdued and layed backish. Judging from one outside picture you posted. Have fun Mike.