July 2006

P R E S S I N F O R M A T I O N

Ref. NDM 916/06.

Editorial contacts:
Allan Behrens, Tel: +44 (0)1233 460439; e-mail: allan.behrens@cambashi.co.uk.
Neil McLeod, Tel: +44 (0)1666 504293; e-mail: neilmcleod@btopenworld.com

Electro-technical CAD market set to grow as electro-mechanical devices give way to electronic sensors, actuators and controls.

Cambashi research reveals trend towards industry-focused electro-technical CAD applications software.

Cambridge, July, 2006. - Cambashi, the engineering IT industry analysis and market research consultancy, has recently completed a study of the market for electro-technical (ET) design software in the countries of Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). The results of the study indicate an overall market valued, in terms of software sales, at Euro 97 million ($120million approximately) in 2005, representing a growth of some 7% over the previous year. A similar rate of growth is expected for 2006.

The study also revealed that, there are marked differences between EMEA countries in the level of sophistication of the CAD systems used for electro-technical design. More sophisticated users spend more. The German-speaking countries represent some 57% of ET software sales by value in 2005, with France accounting for a further 18% and the UK, Italy, Spain and the Nordic countries each representing anything between 6% and 3% of sales value,.
The study also identified several broad, underlying development trends common to the region, such as industry sector specialisation in software development and mergers and acquisitions among developers.

Integrated versus add-on.
Nick Ballard, senior consultant, Cambashi, stated, "Electro-technical, or ET design software is used across a wide variety of industries, including construction, machinery, process and discrete manufacturing, power and water utilities, domestic electrical appliances and automotive and aerospace design and manufacturing. However in EMEA, whilst basic, general-purpose CAD has been used for some time to aid ET design, little use has been made of sophisticated, integrated ET CAD systems outside of Germany and France."

"The key differences between systems are the degrees to which intelligent information exists and can be re-used and documentation is managed and maintained," he explained. "So in the two largest markets for ET CAD software, there are some very strong domestic software developers who lead the way, such as, Aucotec, CIMTeam, EPLAN, IGE-XAO and TCS. Elsewhere, local heroes such as ACERI in Spain and AutoCAD or similar 2D CAD systems, plus low-cost symbols libraries and add-on applications, such as WSCAD, are predominant."

Development trends.
Although shipments and users of ET CAD systems increased in 2005, developer revenues did not keep pace due largely to new users' investments being made mainly in general purpose CAD software with add-on tools, often as an initial trial.

However, Cambashi's research indicates that as users begin to see the benefits of integrated ET design solutions, the market for these is likely to expand over the next two to five years, driven by a number of developing trends.

First, the export market for machinery and equipment has improved for German manufacturers, resulting in increased investment in new tools from the German-speaking producers. Second, the specialisation of ET CAD systems is becoming apparent, with 'editions' for specific industry sectors, such as water, oil and gas, construction and manufacturing being introduced. And third, as mechatronic systems replace electro-mechanical controls in cars and machines more intelligent, embedded systems become standard. To support these, more sophisticated wire-harness design applications, often targeting the automotive industry, are being developed. Finally, the increasing need to improve profitability, quality and performance in the sales to assembly process is driving higher degrees of intelligence and automation in the design toolset.

About Cambashi.
Cambashi is a management and marketing consultancy which focuses on delivering timely services to assist in business growth, market development and profit for its clients operating in IT in industry. Since it was founded in 1984, Cambashi has successfully concluded more than 2500 projects for clients varying from the world's largest enterprises to small vendors and dealers. Almost eighteen years of profitable growth and investment have resulted in a company with an unrivalled reputation for its knowledge and expertise.

ENDS

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