In January, Siemens PLM Software will begin delivering its NX CAD design and analysis software in a continuous release model. This means the software updates are produced in short cycles and are released at any time.

The approach helps reduce the cost, time, and risk of delivering changes by allowing for more incremental updates to applications in production. The model gives NX users faster access to new enhancements and quality improvements, while reducing the efforts needed to effectively deploy NX, according to a Siemens statement.

The CADmaker says it’s the first major CAD, CAM, and analysis vendor to deliver its products in this way.

The company says the new approach will enable Siemens’ NX users to:

• Receive enhancements faster to help boost productivity
• Have a consistent schedule for updates
• Better plan for the adoption of new technologies
• Reduce deployment cost

NX will continue to be fully integrated and interoperable with Simcenter 3D.

After continuous release model goes into effect, users can turn on “automatic updates” within their system to ensure they’re always up to date with releases.

“With automatic updates, customers do not have to search for updates online and will not miss critical fixes. The NX Update mechanism will automatically notify and installs important updates as they become available,” according to the Siemens statement.

In surveys, NX customers have told Siemens they seek faster turnaround of product enhancements.

NX and Simcenter 3C customers have increasingly adopted regular monthly maintenance pack releases that update and fix the software. This showed the company that continuous release would be welcomed by users, according to a Siemens  statement.

On average, customers in the PLM industry take at least three years to deploy PLM-specific software updates, which means they don’t benefit from hundreds of enhancements and fixes. With continuous release customers will have an opportunity to use the latest advancements without delay, according to the company.

The NX platform will enable accelerated releases with step-wise enhancements and maintenance that focuses on providing new and improved utilities while making it easier for customers to upgrade, Siemens PLM said.

In addition continuous release will also reduce deployment costs for incremental updates, the company said.

Customers in continuous release mode will see monthly update releases, with major enhancement releases approximately every six months.  The monthly updates will be for fixes and a small number of high priority projects.

Customers with a perpetual licensing model will be able to continue using their existing license request, procurement and install process.

Customers who use add-on products can expect that software to be compatible new continuous release approach. Siemens PLM plans to share early plans for NX updates with partners to allow them time to build in continuous compatibility.

The “early build” process will be rolled out to NX-compatible software makers in coming months to allow our partners time to be ready for the launch in Jan 2019.

“Adopting a continuous release strategy also allows both Siemens NX and our customers to be more responsive to new ideas and trends in technology,” the company says.