I am constantly amazed by the ways our customers use Dell Precision workstations to improve the products, services and designs that power their businesses. From designing the first ever electrically powered vehicle created especially for wheelchair users to producing the U.S. presidential inauguration, Dell Precision workstations and Autodesk design software are delivering the tools that customers need to be more creative and competitive than ever before.
We work closely with Autodesk to test, certify and optimize their software on our latest Dell Precision tower, mobile and rack workstations so architecture, manufacturing, engineering and design professionals can get fast, accurate results for even the most demanding modeling, simulation and visualization projects.
For example, Kenguru’s mission was to engineer a vehicle that would bring independence, mobility and spontaneity to people with disabilities, but one of the biggest challenges they faced was designing steering that was comfortable and easy for disabled drivers. Using Autodesk Inventor on Dell Precision workstations, they were able to analyze and simulate multiple design iterations until they were able to get it right.
“Technology has really helped our company to compete in the market because it allows us to build and test our vehicle, digitally,” said Stacy Zoern, co-founder and president of Kenguru. “We can do simulation without custom building components, which saves tons of money and allows us to come out with a product just like a large car manufacturer would.”
Additionally, event production company Hargrove is using AutoCAD software on Dell Precision workstations to reduce turnaround time in providing their clients with plans from three days to just one.
“From design to execution to figuring out our pricing, costs and profitability, Dell and Autodesk provide us with the tools to do it all,” said Barr Snyderwine, IT director at Hargrove. “We simply could not do what we do today without those technologies.”
With Autodesk’s release of its 2015 AutoCAD Design Suite earlier this year, their most ambitious redesign of the software in more than ten years, we commissioned a study to examine the productivity gains that can result from moving from an older release of the software to the new version as well as the improvements made by also upgrading to a new hardware configuration. Conducted by industry expert David Cohn, the study measured the differences in user productivity between AutoCAD 2010 and AutoCAD 2015 running on both Dell Precision T1600 and the newer Dell Precision T1700 tower workstations, concluding that the improvements recognized easily justify the cost of upgrading both software and hardware.
Key findings from the study include:
- When creating typical drawings, the use of new features and functionality introduced since AutoCAD 2010 result in time savings ranging from 13 to 53 percent, with an average time savings of 36 percent.
- Upgrading one’s workstation as well as upgrading from AutoCAD 2010 to AutoCAD 2015 results in time savings ranging from 29 to 67 percent, with an average time savings of 48 percent.
- When expressed as productivity improvement, the test results show that users can improve their current output by 55 percent (or 1.55 times) as a result of upgrading from AutoCAD 2010 to AutoCAD 2015 without any change in the computer on which AutoCAD is run. When they also invest in a new workstation with a more modern graphics accelerator, they can achieve a productivity improvement of 92 percent or 1.92 times their current output.
“Due to the many improvements in AutoCAD over time, running a newer version on older hardware actually results in a decrease in software performance,” said David Cohn. “Based on my results, it appears clear that when upgrading from a significantly older version of AutoCAD to the latest release (such as from AutoCAD 2010 to AutoCAD 2015), one should also upgrade to a new workstation. The improvement in performance and productivity justifies the investment.”
To encourage our customers to upgrade now, Dell and Autodesk are offering the world’s first complete professional CAD solution for a break-through price of less than $1,000. The bundle includes a Dell Precision T1700 small form factor workstation, designed for professional ISV applications, and AutoCAD LT with a one year annual desktop subscription, marking the first time manufacturing and engineering CAD professionals can get a fully tested and supported system at this price. For more information on the Dell Precision Autodesk Bundle, visit www.dell.com/precision-autodesk.
As a top Autodesk Authorized Reseller for more than seven years, we’ve been able to provide customers with a single, convenient source for their workstation, software and support, simplifying the purchasing process and helping to decrease costs. We’re excited to continue to build Dell’s partnership with Autodesk to increase user productivity and deliver the technology solutions that our customers like Hargrove and Kenguru need to succeed and grow in the competitive marketplace.
Please come see us at Autodesk University, the premier Autodesk event of the year, this week in Las Vegas where we will be showing Dell’s comprehensive line of workstation solutions. Stop by Booth #158 in the Exhibitors Hall to see and learn more.
