Frequently Asked Questions
These questions and other details are covered in the Applications and Criteria for Research Partnership, Solution Partnership, and Certified Gold Product Partnership located on the SOLIDWORKS partner web site.
Please take a moment to review these sections:
Partner Program Issues
- Who can apply to be a partner?
- How committed is SOLIDWORKS to partnering?
- How do I know that SOLIDWORKS won’t create my application themselves?
- What is a Certified Gold Product?
- How are Certified Gold Products tested?
- Can SOLIDWORKS customers become Partners?
- Support?
- Can I publish and share SOLIDWORKS marcos in an online library?
Hardware Partners
Sales Issues
- As a Solution Partner, do I automatically get a reseller list?
- Will SOLIDWORKS sell my product?
- Can I be successful if I don't have a Certified Gold Product?
Getting Started as a Partner
- When/where do I get the software?
- When will I get listed on the web?
- How does a Research Associate become a Solution Partner?
- Does someone at SOLIDWORKS need to test my product once we are finished with the development?
API Issues
- How do I get information on the SOLIDWORKS API?
- How do I get trained in the SOLIDWORKS API?
- Who do I contact at SOLIDWORKS with development questions?
Who can apply to be a partner?
Companies who are in the business of developing a product which adds value to a SOLIDWORKS customer can apply to become a SOLIDWORKS Research Associate. When this product has been tested and shown to be compatible, and has at least two SOLIDWORKS reference customers, it is eligible for listing on the Partner web site as a Solution Partner Product.
Back to topHow committed is SOLIDWORKS to partnering?
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.
Back to topHow 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.
Back to topHow 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.
Back to topCan 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.
Back to topSupport?
All products, including shareware, must be fully supported by the vendor to be eligible.
Back to topCan I publish and share SOLIDWORKS marcos in an online library?
Submitting your SOLIDWORKS marcos for publishing easy.
Click here to publish your macros to the vast 3D ContentCentral community.
Back to topHow 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.
Back to topSales 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.
Back to topWill 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. Only on extremely rare occasions will SOLIDWORKS sell a product developed by a third party.
Back to topCan 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.
Back to topWhen/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.
Back to topWhen 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.
Back to topHow 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.
Back to topDoes 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 two (2) customer references. Certified Gold products require five (5) customer references.
Back to topHow 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.
Back to topHow do I get trained in the SOLIDWORKS API?
Research Associates are eligible to receive API training at SOLIDWORKS headquarters 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.
Back to topWho 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.
Back to top