Letter from CEO Jeff Ray
April 30, 2009
Dear SolidWorks user,
It was 1995. Dr. William Townsend, fresh from MIT, was working to develop the first haptic robot arm, a device that provides constant feedback to the operator in the form of vibrations, forces and motions—so that it behaves like one's natural arm. Dr. Townsend took a gamble and through his new company, Barrett Technology Inc., became the first customer to purchase SolidWorks software. Fourteen years later, Barrett's WAM™ robotic arm is now in every major university and has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most advanced robot.
We thank Dr. Townsend for his trust in 1995 and for his continued business over the past 14 years. We are inspired by his company's achievements.
Just last month, contemporary gear bag designer OGIO International of Salt Lake City, Utah, which caters to extreme sports enthusiasts and free-spirited golfers, purchased the one millionth license of SolidWorks software as part of a strategy to diversify its growing line of motocross-related products. We wish OGIO and the license holder, newly-hired design engineer Sean Peterson, continued success. We thank the company for entrusting its business to SolidWorks.
From Dr. Townsend to Sean Peterson, from haptic robots to gear that makes a statement, approximately one million customers — including businesses, governments, schools and students — have selected SolidWorks as their solution for designing great products. That's 14 years of problem solving, innovation, and invention. Fourteen years of creative minds improving lives, growing businesses, and making this world a little better.
Energized by your accomplishments, we at Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp. strive to make SolidWorks products worthy of your loyalty and supportive of your creative visions. As you push the boundaries of your products, we are pushing the boundaries of 3D computer-aided design—as always, embracing your input. This milestone is really only the beginning, and the future holds some very exciting possibilities.
So thank you for investing in SolidWorks. Since you are one in a million, we are reinvesting in you.
Jeff Ray
CEO, DS SolidWorks Corp.
