Realize Live 2022 report

I’ve completed my first Siemens Realize Live. I did two presentations, one on Subd modeling and one on data sharing. The Realize Live conference really is mostly about things other than Solid Edge, but there really is a lot out there other than Solid Edge. I learned a little about NX, Teamcenter, and simulation products. The focus seems to be dragging some companies into the digital age, and fully digitizing those who are already there. Most people here are already fully on board, I’d say. Many of the sessions were pretty high level almost to the point of being conceptually vague, but some were detailed and technical, and those were the ones I found most valuable. Is this a great event for a Solid edge user? Maybe for an admin or tech manager, but for the average user, I’d recommend the more local Solid Edge University events which happen later in the year, distributed around the country.

If you’re a CAD Admin working with Teamcenter, this conference would be very valuable. If you manage an NX installation with some associated solid edge seats, it would also be useful. There were certainly a lot of people here, and it was great fun to reacquaint myself with some of the SE folks. In the end, Solid Edge has to be at a Siemens digital technology show, even if this isn’t SE’s big moment.

The venue is Mandalay Bay Vegas, which is of course a great place, although things not included with the conference are about twice normal price, just because its Vegas. But you can easily manage things such that the conference covers everything but your gambling losses.

I have to admit, Siemens paid for my trip, food and accommodations, and I’ve had a great time, but most of all are the personal connections. I can’t tell you how much of a benefit it was to me to hear other users talk about the software. Doing my own research and reading my own writing is a bit like learning language in a bubble without speaking it. It just really helps to make sure I understand things correctly. Plus, and this is a secret – I can tell you if you promise not to tell anyone else – there will be a couple more videos resulting from my presentations. People are curious about subd, even if they don’t have an immediate need for it. In any case, it will make for a nice demo.

As for the PLM World thing, I’ve been told that Siemens is now running the show, which can only be an improvement. The atmosphere is still a little less casual than I’m used to, but my wife was telling me it was time to get out of my pandemic pajamas anyway.

Some of this event involves the usual confusion about age. A bunch of balding men really want to hear dance club music. Those 20 somethings are somewhere, but most of them aren’t at this conference. Shuttle scooters from the hotel to the convention center would be more useful, based on what I saw.

The only real criticism I had about the show in general was minor faux pas Siemens committed in their zeal for correctness. They had 4 white women in a row present on the main stage, the last of which made an appeal for diversity. I might have been the only one to see it as ironic. They were all excellent speakers, but the homogeneity became clear when the last speaker revealed her topic. In any case, just something to pay attention to next year.

Siemens held a separate press event, so I wasn’t really here in that capacity, but I can’t avoid mixing roles a little bit. I was really here in the role of a user. I still feel a little like a charlatan passing myself off as a Solid Edge user, but with every set of videos I do, I get closer and closer.

PS:

I feel like I should add that the final reception was a pretty good party. I know a few people are going to have some great stories if they can remember them. They finally figured the music out. Nice job!