MSC Releases New Simulation Process and Data Management Software and Licensing Model

SimManager 2015 improves collaboration and vehicle dynamics simulation integration.

MSC Software released its latest simulation process and data management software SimManager 2015. Much like the last release of the software, many of the software’s improvements focus on process enhancements, software integrations and ease of use. However, this release also focuses on improving collaboration as well as launching MSC’s new token-based licensing model.

(Image courtesy of MSC Software.)

(Image courtesy of MSC Software.)

One important update to MSC’s SimManager is the focus on collaboration. Using a dynamic user group, engineering teams can work on one project together while keeping track of versioning and notifications. Additionally, users can share and un-share their objects within a project. This functionality will ensure the right information gets to the right people while also limiting repetitive workflows.

Additionally, SimManager has now fully integrated Adams/Car. As a result, the SimManager platform will be able to store, retrieve and manage data from the vehicle dynamics modeling software. This will further add to the collaboration capabilities of SimManager with respect to the globalization of automotive design teams.

Finally, SimManager 2015 will be implementing the new MSC One licensing model. This annual subscription licensing model will bring MSC into the world of token-based software licensing similar to Altair, Autodesk and Dassault Systèmes.

Token-based licensing typically benefits large organizations and consultant firms that can save money with more flexibility in their software usage. These users can work from a pool of tokens to gain access to MSC software and expand the license and usage as needed. MSC reports that the new licensing model will improve user access to “Substantially all current and future products” including:

  • MSC Apex and future module releases (Structures, Nonlinear, Multi-body Systems)
  • MSC Nastran
  • Patran
  • Adams
  • Marc
  • SimManager

A significant trend in the simulation industry is to improve on the collaboration of ever-growing design teams. This added collaboration can take many shapes from the democratization of simulation through increased access or ease of use, PLM or linking larger teams together through systems engineering and Multiphysics. SimManager’s focus on collaboration and Adams/Car integration as well as the release of MSC One are more examples of how larger teams will be working on cross-departmental projects.

Some other improvements to SimManager 2015 include:

  • Drag and drop selection supporting files over 2GB
  • New file browser with progress bar
  • Improved security

For more on SimManager, follow this link.

Written by

Shawn Wasserman

For over 10 years, Shawn Wasserman has informed, inspired and engaged the engineering community through online content. As a senior writer at WTWH media, he produces branded content to help engineers streamline their operations via new tools, technologies and software. While a senior editor at Engineering.com, Shawn wrote stories about CAE, simulation, PLM, CAD, IoT, AI and more. During his time as the blog manager at Ansys, Shawn produced content featuring stories, tips, tricks and interesting use cases for CAE technologies. Shawn holds a master’s degree in Bioengineering from the University of Guelph and an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Waterloo.