With the release of ENOVIA SmarTeam V5-6R2026 (V5R36), Dassault Systèmes has officially ended support for the 32-bit version of ENOVIA SmarTeam. While this may sound like a major change, it is really the next logical step in the evolution of the platform and the broader IT ecosystem.
For SmarTeam customers, the most important question is not whether 64-bit is coming—it is how to prepare for it.
Why 32-Bit Support Is Ending
The move away from 32-bit architecture has been years in the making.
ENOVIA SmarTeam 64-bit support was first introduced with V5-6R2019, nearly seven years ago. Since then, the software industry has largely completed its transition to 64-bit environments.
Several key technologies that SmarTeam relies on are now exclusively 64-bit, including:
- Microsoft Windows Server
- Microsoft Windows Client operating systems
- Oracle databases moving forward
- Major CAD platforms such as CATIA V5 and SOLIDWORKS
In fact, CATIA V5 ended 32-bit support more than a decade ago with V5-6R2015.
As vendors continue to modernize their platforms, maintaining a 32-bit architecture is no longer practical or sustainable.
What This Means for Existing SmarTeam Customers
The good news is that SmarTeam itself is ready for the transition.
The bigger consideration is customizations.
Many SmarTeam implementations have accumulated years of custom code, integrations, scripts, executables, and DLLs. In many cases, these customizations were developed in Visual Basic 6 (VB6), which is now an obsolete technology limited to 32-bit architecture.
This creates a challenge because:
- A 64-bit SmarTeam process cannot load a 32-bit VB6 DLL.
- Older 32-bit applications cannot communicate directly with 64-bit SmarTeam APIs.
- Some legacy scripts and automation tools may no longer function as expected.
For organizations with heavily customized environments, understanding these dependencies should be the first step in planning an upgrade.
Your Upgrade Options
Option 1: Modernize Your Customizations (Recommended)
The preferred approach is to migrate VB6 code and other legacy customizations to modern .NET technologies such as C# or VB.NET.
Benefits include:
- Native 64-bit compatibility
- Improved performance
- Better long-term maintainability
- Alignment with current development standards
- Reduced future technical debt
While this requires an investment, it provides the strongest foundation for the future.
Option 2: Use a Wrapper as a Temporary Bridge
For organizations that are not ready to rewrite customizations immediately, it may be possible to create a 64-bit .NET wrapper around existing 32-bit components.
This approach can extend the life of legacy functionality while allowing a move to the 64-bit platform.
However, it should be viewed as a temporary solution rather than a long-term strategy. As supporting technologies continue to evolve—particularly Oracle’s move toward exclusively 64-bit releases—the viability of these workarounds will diminish.
Option 3: Stay on V5-6R2025 for Now
Customers can continue running V5-6R2025, which is the final release containing 32-bit code.
According to the standard Dassault Systèmes lifecycle:
- Full support continues until October 7, 2027
- Extended support continues until October 7, 2028
This can provide additional time to plan upgrades and modernization efforts.
That said, organizations should recognize that remaining on older releases eventually introduces increasing risks related to compatibility, security, and infrastructure support.
Is This the Right Time to Evaluate 3DEXPERIENCE?
For many organizations, this technology transition is also a good opportunity to evaluate longer-term PLM strategy.
Companies that have been considering a move from SmarTeam to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform may find that the timing aligns well with broader modernization initiatives.
Dassault Systèmes provides migration and transition tools, including the 3DEXPERIENCE Transition Assistant, to help organizations assess and plan their path forward.
Every organization’s requirements are different, and the right approach depends on factors such as customization complexity, business processes, integrations, and future growth plans.
How xLM Solutions Can Help
At xLM Solutions, we are actively helping SmarTeam customers upgrade to V5-6R2026 and navigate the challenges associated with moving to a fully 64-bit environment.
We understand the real-world impact these changes can have on customizations, integrations, scripts, and legacy applications. Whether you need assistance assessing your current environment, modernizing custom code, upgrading to the latest SmarTeam release, or evaluating a future move to 3DEXPERIENCE, our team can help you build a practical roadmap.
If you are currently running ENOVIA SmarTeam and have questions about your upgrade options, reach out to our team. Whether your goal is to stay on SmarTeam, move to 64-bit, or explore a migration to another platform such as 3DEXPERIENCE, we would be happy to discuss the best path forward for your organization.
Contact xLM Solutions at [email protected] to start the conversation.
