Solid Edge vs SAP Manufacturing

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Our analysts compared Solid Edge vs SAP Manufacturing based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Manufacturing Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Solid Edge Software Tool
SAP Manufacturing Software Tool

Product Basics

Solid Edge is a comprehensive computer-aided design (CAD) software suite specifically designed for manufacturing companies. It offers a robust set of tools for 3D modeling, assembly design, simulation, and design management, making it well-suited for engineers and designers who need to create and manage complex product designs. Users frequently praise its intuitive interface, efficient workflows, and seamless integration with other manufacturing software. Popular features include synchronous technology for flexible modeling, design for manufacturing capabilities to optimize production processes, and built-in collaboration tools for enhanced teamwork. Compared to similar products, Solid Edge is often regarded as a cost-effective solution that offers a strong balance of features and ease of use. Pricing is typically subscription-based, with different packages available to accommodate varying needs and budgets.

Pros
  • Intuitive interface
  • Efficient workflows
  • Seamless integration
  • Flexible modeling
  • Design for manufacturing
Cons
  • Limited customization
  • Occasional performance issues
  • Steeper learning curve
  • Fewer advanced features
  • Subscription-based pricing
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SAP S/4HANA Manufacturing is an integrated ERP solution that digitally transforms manufacturing operations, enabling businesses to achieve a high level of efficiency, agility, and innovation. It caters to discrete, process, and mixed manufacturing industries, providing comprehensive functionalities for production planning, execution, and quality management. Key features include sales order processing, material requirements planning, production planning, shop floor control, and quality management. Benefits encompass improved production visibility, optimized resource utilization, reduced costs, and enhanced product quality. Compared to similar products, SAP S/4HANA Manufacturing stands out with its real-time insights, advanced analytics, and seamless integration with other SAP solutions. However, its complexity and implementation costs may pose limitations for some businesses. Pricing is based on company size, modules selected, and deployment options. User reviews highlight its ability to streamline operations, improve decision-making, and gain a competitive edge.

Pros
  • Integrated business processes
  • Real-time data analytics
  • Improved supply chain management
  • Scalable and flexible deployment options
  • User-friendly Fiori UX
Cons
  • High implementation costs
  • Complex customization process
  • Steep learning curve
  • Long implementation timeframe
  • Potential compatibility issues with non-SAP products
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Small
Medium
Large
Small
Medium
Large
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Advanced Technology: Utilize the system interface with AI technology and a smart 3D model search engine to produce designs and make products swiftly. 
  • Cabinet Panel Design: Perform quick 2D layouts of industrial dashboards with precision to ensure complete management of all design procedures. 
  • High-Quality Files: Generate detailed documentation and diagrams out of 3D models and designs at a rapid pace to ensure product designs are up to par. 
  • Expedite Numerical Control (NC): Accelerate NC programming via a searchable post-processing repository, milling and roughing for quick, accurate product building. 
  • Simpler Simulation: Streamline and approve designs with strengthened simulation flow and structure, which permits better models and faster construction time. 
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  • Enhanced Production Efficiency: Streamline manufacturing processes, optimize resource utilization, and reduce production lead times.
  • Real-time Visibility and Insights: Gain real-time visibility into production operations, inventory levels, and supply chain dynamics for informed decision-making.
  • Improved Quality Management: Implement robust quality control measures, reduce defects, and enhance product quality consistently.
  • Boosted Agility and Adaptability: Respond quickly to changing market demands, adapt to disruptions, and maintain a competitive edge.
  • Accelerated Innovation: Foster a culture of innovation by enabling data-driven insights, continuous improvement, and new product development.
  • Reduced Costs and Improved Profitability: Optimize resource allocation, minimize waste, and drive operational cost savings.
  • Enhanced Collaboration and Communication: Break down silos, facilitate cross-functional collaboration, and improve communication across departments.
  • Streamlined Supply Chain Management: Optimize inventory levels, improve demand forecasting, and strengthen supplier relationships.
  • Increased Customer Satisfaction: Deliver products on time, meet customer expectations, and enhance customer satisfaction.
  • Sustainable Manufacturing Practices: Implement sustainable manufacturing practices, reduce environmental impact, and promote eco-efficiency.
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  • Data Management: Protect and govern product information and techniques, guarantee quick information retrieval, share product data and handle other accessories to enhance quality and diminish costly errors. 
  • Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM): Review the impact of shape changes with project variant comparisons and gauge outcomes with numbers, charts or graphic animations. The user interface is straightforward with coherent tutorials, templates and guides. 
  • 3D Design: Implement this attribute's array of tools such as augmented reality to perform secure sharing and assist in digital collaboration, 3D rendering to draft photographic-like models and subdivision modeling to form suitable shape developments. 
  • 3D Printing: Execute the generative design extension to implement robust design traits and topology technology to draft and print intricate shapes. This component also permits sending blueprints to cloud-based 3D printing companies to get real-time quotes, pricings and lead-time comparisons. 
  • Electrical Design: Envision all electrical areas of designs in a 3D atmosphere, direct wiring and other components in the design models and study these plans to cipher the suitable wire lengths and harnesses. 
  • Simulation: Initiate finite element analysis (FEA) to approve part and assembly designs. 
  • Cloud-Based Collaboration: Access your computer-aided designs (CADs) on any mobile devices such as phones, tablets, PCs, Macs and Chromebooks. Consists of on-demand updates and CAD file sharing. 
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  • Shop Floor Execution: Govern manufacturing operations in real time with this module on SAP Digital Manufacturing Cloud. Users may initiate shop floor scenarios and maximize manufacturing assets and production performances. 
  • Data Collection: Chronicle trackability, quality and other appropriate information as well as monitor commitment to production specifications with the automatic data collection tool in SAP Manufacturing Execution. It also permits users to establish preset non-conformance triggers for any deviations from production specifications. 
  • Production Planning: Determine capacity and inventory availability restrictions within a planning model with SAP S/4 HANA Manufacturing for Planning and Scheduling. Users may also merge routings, bill of materials and other manufacturing data with this module to establish detailed production planning data compositions. 
  • Plant Upkeep: Effectively gauge and study current and historical facility performance with conventional data sources that extend equipment availability, performance and quality barometers with SAP Manufacturing Integration and Intelligence. 
  • Environment Management: Superintend the air and water emissions from a facility to comply with legal requirements with the environment management apparatus via SAP Environment, Health and Safety Management. Users may also pinpoint and relay deviations, administer investigations and trace follow-up procedures. 
  • Incident Management: Increase the visibility of environment, health and safety (EHS) risks via automated global reporting and real-time analytics with SAP Environment, Health and Safety Management. Users may also implement this accessory to research, monitor and follow up on incidents. 
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Product Ranking

#53

among all
Manufacturing Software

#38

among all
Manufacturing Software

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Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Intuitive Interface: Users often find Solid Edge's interface to be easy to learn and navigate, even without extensive CAD experience. Icons and menus are well-organized and logical, making it easier to find the tools you need.
Efficient Workflows: Solid Edge streamlines design and engineering processes with features like synchronous technology, which allows for quick and flexible editing of models without the need for traditional history-based modeling constraints. This can significantly speed up the design process and make it easier to make changes on the fly.
Seamless Integration: Solid Edge integrates smoothly with other manufacturing software, such as CAM, PDM, and PLM systems. This helps to ensure data consistency and streamline workflows across different stages of the product development process.
Flexible Modeling: Solid Edge offers a variety of powerful modeling tools that allow users to create complex and intricate designs with ease.
Design for Manufacturing: Solid Edge includes features specifically designed to help users create designs that are optimized for manufacturing. This can help to reduce production costs and time-to-market.
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Improved Production Efficiency: Users have reported significant improvements in production efficiency and reduced production lead times after implementing SAP S/4HANA Manufacturing.
Real-time Visibility and Insights: Users appreciate the real-time visibility into production operations, inventory levels, and supply chain dynamics provided by SAP S/4HANA Manufacturing, enabling informed decision-making.
Enhanced Quality Management: Users have experienced enhanced product quality and reduced defects due to the robust quality management features of SAP S/4HANA Manufacturing.
Streamlined Supply Chain Management: Users have benefited from streamlined supply chain management, improved demand forecasting, and strengthened supplier relationships with SAP S/4HANA Manufacturing.
Reduced Costs and Improved Profitability: Users have achieved reduced operational costs, improved resource utilization, and increased profitability through SAP S/4HANA Manufacturing.
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Limited Customization: Some users find Solid Edge's interface less customizable compared to other CAD software. This can make it difficult to tailor the workspace to specific preferences and workflows.
Occasional Performance Issues: Users report occasional performance issues, especially when working with large or complex models. This can lead to delays and frustration.
Steeper Learning Curve: While Solid Edge's interface is generally considered intuitive, its advanced features can have a steeper learning curve for beginners. This may require more time and effort to master the software fully.
Fewer Advanced Features: Compared to some high-end CAD software, Solid Edge may lack certain specialized features that are essential for niche industries or highly complex designs.
Subscription-Based Pricing: The subscription-based pricing model can be less appealing to users who prefer perpetual licenses or have limited budgets.
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Complexity and Implementation Costs: Users have found SAP S/4HANA Manufacturing to be a complex ERP system with significant implementation costs, making it challenging for smaller businesses or those with limited IT expertise.
Limited Customization: Users have expressed concerns about the limited customization options available in SAP S/4HANA Manufacturing, which may not be suitable for businesses with unique or highly specialized requirements.
Steep Learning Curve: Users have experienced a steep learning curve when adopting SAP S/4HANA Manufacturing, requiring extensive training to fully grasp its functionalities and maximize its benefits.
Data Integration Challenges: Users have encountered challenges in integrating SAP S/4HANA Manufacturing with existing legacy systems, potentially disrupting business operations.
High Maintenance Costs: Users have noted that the ongoing maintenance costs for SAP S/4HANA Manufacturing can be significant, especially for larger enterprises.
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User reviews for Solid Edge come in two distinct flavors: those smitten by its user-friendliness and streamlined workflows, and those yearning for the deeper control of its bigger rivals. For the first group, Solid Edge is a "breath of fresh air" compared to the "clunky behemoths" like Autodesk Inventor. One engineer gushes, "Switching from Inventor was like trading a tank for a sports car. Solid Edge is agile and intuitive, I don't get lost in menus anymore." This ease of use is a major draw for beginners and design teams, making it a "Goldilocks of CAD software," perfect for a broad middle ground. However, power users often feel limited by Solid Edge's "training wheels." They miss the precise customization and advanced features found in CATIA, longing for the "granular control" that lets them push design boundaries. As one user admits, "Solid Edge shines for everyday tasks, but for pushing the envelope, I miss the surgical precision of CATIA." This trade-off between user-friendliness and ultimate power is a constant rumble in Solid Edge reviews. Where Solid Edge truly steals the show is in its seamless integration with other Siemens offerings and its laser focus on manufacturing. "Integration with NX is flawless," beams one designer. "It's like a symphony, not a cacophony of programs." This streamlined workflow translates to tangible benefits, as another user shares, "Solid Edge's design tools consider manufacturability from the get-go. It saves us headaches and money down the production line." Ultimately, Solid Edge user reviews paint a picture of a software that prioritizes accessibility and practicality. It may not offer the raw power of CATIA or the niche capabilities of hyper-specialized tools, but for those seeking a balance of ease, efficiency, and production-ready designs, Solid Edge holds a unique charm. As one user puts it, "It's the perfect middle ground - powerful enough for most jobs, and intuitive enough for any team member to pick up."

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SAP S/4HANA Manufacturing is an ERP solution that has received mixed reviews from users. While some users have praised its ability to improve production efficiency, provide real-time insights, and enhance quality management, others have expressed concerns about its complexity, implementation costs, and limited customization options. Users who have found SAP S/4HANA Manufacturing to be beneficial have highlighted its ability to streamline processes, reduce costs, and improve decision-making. One user stated, "SAP S/4HANA Manufacturing has helped us to streamline our production processes and reduce our lead times by 20%. We are now able to respond to customer demand more quickly and efficiently." Another user commented, "SAP S/4HANA Manufacturing has given us real-time visibility into our inventory levels, which has helped us to avoid stockouts and improve our overall supply chain management." Additionally, users have appreciated the enhanced quality management features of SAP S/4HANA Manufacturing, which have led to reduced defects and improved product quality. However, some users have encountered challenges with SAP S/4HANA Manufacturing, particularly during the implementation process. The complexity of the system and the high implementation costs have been major pain points for some businesses. One user noted, "The implementation of SAP S/4HANA Manufacturing was a complex and time-consuming process. We had to invest a significant amount of resources to get the system up and running." Another user commented, "The implementation costs of SAP S/4HANA Manufacturing were quite high, especially for a small business like ours." Additionally, some users have found the system to be limited in its customization options, which may not be suitable for businesses with unique or highly specialized requirements. Overall, SAP S/4HANA Manufacturing is a powerful ERP solution that can provide significant benefits for businesses that are willing to invest the time and resources required for implementation. However, businesses should carefully consider their specific needs and requirements before deciding whether or not SAP S/4HANA Manufacturing is the right solution for them.

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