SolidWorks' mission is
to unleash the power of 3D for everyone in product development. We
are totally focused on improving our capabilities in modeling, drawings
and assemblies to make that happen. We rely on our partners to provide
our customers with best in class CAE, CAM and PDM. Our customers continue
to make demands on SolidWorks for additional capabilities. We work
with our partners to fulfill those customer demands, so we don’t have
to divert resources away from our primary mission. This has worked
extremely well, and the SolidWorks customer has access to the best
fully integrated applications available from any vendor at any price.
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How
do I know that SolidWorks won’t create my application themselves?
See previous paragraph
What is a Certified Gold Product?
Only products that are fully
integrated with SolidWorks and available for sale to SolidWorks customers
are eligible to apply for Certified Gold Product status. There is
a full listing of Certified Gold Products on the SolidWorks Partner
Web page.
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How
are Certified Gold Products tested?
Each Certified Gold Product
must pass the Gold Logo Criteria testing prior to each new release
of SolidWorks in order to maintain Gold status. The Gold Products
are fully quality tested by the Gold Partner and then undergo the
compatibility testing by SolidWorks QA to ensure a high standard of
quality and compatibility from release to release.
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Can
SolidWorks customers become Partners?
The Partner program is for
companies whose business is providing products for SolidWorks customers.
Nearly all SolidWorks customers will develop productivity tools which
assist them in their day to day work. If these tools are fully developed
into released products which are marketed, sold and supported, they
may apply for Solution Partner status.
Customers by definition already
have a seat of SolidWorks, hence are not eligible to apply for Research
Associate status which is designed to help software companies who
do not already have a seat of SolidWorks.
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Support
All products, including shareware,
must be fully supported by the vendor to be eligible.
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Can
I submit VB Programs as shareware?
Submitting your model or program
for publishing consideration in the Solid Library is easy.
Visit the subscription section
of our website, click on 'Model Library' and on 'Submit'.
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How
does hardware get certified?
SolidWorks does not have
a certification program comparable to the UNIX CAD vendors. We develop
to Windows standards and we run on standard Windows. Our hardware
partners are self-certifying, in that they receive a copy of SolidWorks
and test it on their recommended platforms. They are encouraged to
maintain a released version of their hardware at SolidWorks to ensure
that any customer issues that may come up can be dealt with quickly.
SolidWorks will also assist any hardware vendor in selecting a SolidWorks
reseller to assist in this testing if that is desired.
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Sales Issues
As
a Solution Partner, do I automatically get a reseller list?
Any one visiting our web
page can find a good selection of resellers providing training classes,
sponsoring events, etc. Only partners with Gold Products receive a
reseller listing from SolidWorks.
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Will
SolidWorks sell my product?
The primary goal of the Partner
Program is to seek out and support the best solutions available which
add value to the SolidWorks customer. We work very hard at keeping
a level playing field so that multiple partners can succeed in selling
their solutions to the end user.
SolidWorks does not provide development funding or resources to partners.
On extremely rare occasions SolidWorks will sell a product developed
by a third party.
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Can
I be successful if I don't have a Certified Gold Product?
Both SolidWorks customers
and end users alike seek out Certified Gold Products because they
represent the best possible integration with SolidWorks and they are
tested for compatibility with each new release of SolidWorks. In areas
like FEA where there are several Gold Logo products available, non-Gold
products must find a niche not served by those Gold products. In other
areas , there is plenty of opportunity to go around.
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Getting
Started as a Partner
When/Where
do I get the software?
When your application for
Research Associate status has been accepted and you return the Research
Associate agreement you will receive one (1) free partner license
of SolidWorks.
Additional licenses can be
requested through the partner team. There is a $100 processing
fee for each additional license or upgrade we ship.
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When
will I get listed on the web?
When you have attained full
Solution Partner status. This requires that you meet the Solution
Partner requirements and have supplied the contact information for
at least two SolidWorks customers as references for your product.
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How
does a Research Associate become a Solution Partner?
When a Research Associate
has completed and released their SolidWorks product, and has a customer
reference site for it, the partner may submit the on-line Solution
Partner application form found in the Research Associate section of
our web site.
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Does
someone at SolidWorks need to test my product once we are finished
with the development?
Certified Gold Products are
tested by SolidWorks before acceptance to the Gold program. Solution
Partner products require 2 customer references. Certified Gold products
require 5 customer references.
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API Issues
How
do I get information on the SolidWorks API?
Please see the section on
the API and the API FAQ on the secure partner web site.
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How
do I get trained in the SolidWorks API?
Research Associates are eligible
to receive API training at SolidWorks in Concord, MA on a space available
basis during special API training sessions for SolidWorks resellers.
You can check out the API section in the secure partner web site,
for more information on the API training. Other companies should check
with their local SolidWorks reseller to see about the availability
of API training.
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Who
do I contact at SolidWorks with development questions?
When you become a Research
Associate, you will be given full access to the API support team here
at SolidWorks in Concord, MA.
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Contact Us 
Info for Partners
