During my last day at AU2017 I attended Manufacturing Keynote presented by Liz Campbell and Steve Hooper. It was a interesting blend of messages which was served under the big sauce presented by Steve Hooper – Automation is Opportunity.

The following picture shows the results of generative design done by Autodesk for Airbus. It shows real power of computing, but then left an important questions of skills of people needed to make a future decision process easier.

Steve Hooper was talking about new features and functions of Fusion360 and turning it into next generation of digital pipeline powered by a single button.

New product on the horizon of Fusion360 is Fusion Production. It supposed to provide a tool to engineers spending time to plan production lines and monitor production process.

Another small, but in my view important detail about connection Autodesk Vault to Fusion Team. My hunch Autodesk Vault is connected to Fusion360 open new opportunity between desktop and cloud world..

What is my conclusion? Autodesk is talking about “automation” and “data at the center”. How is that connected to people and skills. I agree with Andrew Anagnost – we are going to experience scarce of skills. Actually, we’re already there. Data and automaton software will redefined manufacturing world and engineering, design, production will never be the same as we knew it before. The role of people will be redefined as well. Autodesk is making a big bet on new tools. What is missing in this grand schema of things is glue that can connect all application using data. I’ve heard about Project Quantum. Maybe it will be provide a glue to stitch all new Autodesk software together. Just my thoughts…

Best, Oleg

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Disclaimer: I’m co-founder and CEO of OpenBOM developing cloud based bill of materials and inventory management tool for manufacturing companies, hardware startups and supply chain. My opinion can be unintentionally biased.

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