CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
October 1, 2007
Implementation Investments
Vivid Retail Gives Global Brands Clear Marketing Advantage Using Displays Designed in SolidWorks
Vivid Retail is using SolidWorks® 3D CAD software to compete in a global economy where the battle for retail display projects is won or lost based on time to market, cost, and creativity. The U.K. consultancy uses SolidWorks to develop more creative approaches faster for brands such as Virgin®, Cadbury® chocolates, and The National Lottery®.
"The trade point of sale market is tremendously cutthroat," said Vivid Retail Senior Designer Phil Hinchliffe. "If you can't be the cheapest, you have to be the fastest. SolidWorks intuitive interface not only allows us to compete effectively against low-price manufacturers in China, it also allows us to give customers a variety of innovative solutions to choose from. That's how we win big deals."
Vivid Retail standardized on SolidWorks software to gain a competitive advantage by increasing concept creativity, reducing design cycles, and streamlining how the company communicates with hundreds of customers and suppliers. SolidWorks allows Vivid engineers to create four to five design options rather than only one or two for each project within tight timeframes-assuring prospects that Vivid can work with them to develop the most effective display.
SolidWorks software enabled Vivid to design, manufacture and deliver 2,300 two-tiered displays for recycled shopping bags to global retailer Tesco in 10 days. The team designed the displays in a day and used SolidWorks eDrawings® e-mail-enabled design communication tool to share SolidWorks models with Tesco representatives and suppliers to streamline design refinement and approval. According to Hinchliffe, the process would have taken nearly a month to complete using other CAD approaches.
SolidWorks' ability to handle a variety of CAD formats, including 2D, enables Vivid to communicate design information easily with suppliers and customers and ensures everyone is on the same page. The software allows engineers to create 2D DXF files for computer numerical control (CNC) machining, rather than create 2D files manually, to streamline prototyping and manufacturing.
"Vivid Retail can boast about customers like Esso, Wonderbra, and Sainsbury's because it knows what its customers want from their displays," said Simon Booker, SolidWorks marketing manager, Europe. "SolidWorks allows the company to quickly and imaginatively convey those ideas to win the business and continue building out its impressive resume."
Vivid Retail relies on authorized SolidWorks reseller Cadtek for ongoing software training, implementation, and support.
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