When considering a new 3DEXPERIENCE implementation, the first question to ask is which 3DEXPERIENCE product platform works best for your situation?  

In most cases, the three main platforms are: Cloud (DS Cloud), private Cloud or on-premise.

We strongly encourage companies to discuss these options thoroughly within your company and with your various stakeholders and your implementation partner.

This blog describes each of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform options and presents their attendant pros and cons.

3DEXPERIENCE Platform in the DS Public Cloud

To use the 3DEXPERIENCE platform in the Dassault Systemès (DS) Public Cloud, users subscribe to it to run and access their data. In this case, companies do not need to install any server-based software. Users do need local installations of software such as 3DX Native Apps, i.e., CATIA or DELMIA. The company does not need to purchase and install any other server-related hardware. In this Software as a Service (SaaS) model, you pay Dassault Systemès your subscription fee (setting up a monthly, yearly or other arranged payment schedule) – they host the software, maintain it, perform backups, conduct upgrades, etc. Note that the price of the software is slightly higher than the other two options because DS is hosting and maintaining the software and assuming the cost. The other options also have non-license related costs.

Some companies are choosing to install a DS Public Cloud environment in addition to or as a precursor to their existing production on-premise environment. These companies are obtaining licenses to experiment with or “test drive” the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. In this case, companies can experiment with the Cloud environment and try out new release functionality without installing the full environment. This is a relatively simple and straightforward activity that does not involve or create a larger IT project. However, be aware that the DS Cloud platform may not have the same functionality available per release level as the on-premise platform. Some functions are only available with the Public Cloud or the on-premise platform.

Pros of the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform in the DS Public Cloud

• Minimal IT cost – as there is no hardware cost to run the 3DX servers and minimal IT cost to maintain the environment
• Less of a need for IT expertise/staff
• Always running the latest version of 3DX platform
• Ability to configure the application
• Minimal time to set up an environment or roll out new users or roles
• Suppliers/vendors can easily access data in a secure fashion

Cons of the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform in the DS Public Cloud

• Not able to control hardware settings because it is running on a hosted environment
• Not able to customize the software beyond the out-of-the-box functionality
• Not able to stay on an older revision of the software, for instance, if you need to use a certain version of CATIA to support a specific customer requirement – you cannot prevent upgrades
• ITAR or restricted access – the DS cloud does not guarantee that all data is stored in the U.S. and therefore may violate ITAR or other security regulations
• It has limited data loading options for certain file/CAD data types
• Cannot access data while there is a loss of internet access (until internet access is restored)
• Security is controlled by the vendor, not by the company’s IT group and its policies

3DEXPERIENCE Platform on a Private Cloud

Some companies decide to host the 3DEXPERIENCE platform in the Cloud, but they select a private Cloud space maintained by another company, e.g., Amazon Cloud, Microsoft Azure or Onscale. In this case, companies rent space on the private Cloud and install 3DEXPERIENCE in it. With this model, companies will often work with a third-party provider to manage the Cloud instance to perform backups and other IT related activities. Some companies have their own IT department perform these operations.

Pros of the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform on a Private Cloud

• Minimal IT cost – as there is no hardware cost to run the 3DX servers and minimal IT cost to maintain the environment
• Less of a need for IT expertise/staff
• Ability to scale system resources up and down (memory, CPU disk space) as needed
• It provides a central location for users to access the data
• Companies can continue to use a certain version of the software because they are not forced to upgrade to the latest
• Ability to customize the software
• No restrictions on data loading

Cons of the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform on a Private Cloud

• Companies still need to perform installation and maintenance tasks although many companies outsource them to a third-party company, such as an implementation partner
• Certain cloud environments are not officially supported to run 3DEXPERIENCE
• The Dassault Systemès licensing server cannot be run on certain virtual environments. DS does support running its license server on a virtual machine, only for the following software configuration:
  • Windows 2016 server running Microsoft Hyper-V
  • The physical servers must have an activated Trusted Platform Module 2.0
  • The virtual Trusted Platform Module must be activated in those virtual machines

3DEXPERIENCE Platform Installed On-Premise

For this option, companies install and run 3DEXPERIENCE within their own network. In most cases, the company provides and configures the hardware and operating systems running the 3DEXPERIENCE software.

Pros of the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform Installed On-Premise

• The internal IT department has full control over the hardware and software
• Companies can continue to use a certain version of the software because they are not forced to upgrade to the latest
• Users can customize the software
• Ability to run local physical hardware for license server or run license server on supported virtual environments
• Not dependent on internet access (except for other sites and locations that need to connect outside of the local area network)
• No restriction on data loading

Cons of the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform Installed On-Premise

• Overhead cost for IT to support the 3DEXPERIENCE software
• The cost of hardware to run and support the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Such costs can include performing upgrades, debugging the software, and making sure a disaster recovery plan is in place.

While there are other slight deviations available, these are the main options to consider when deciding how to run your 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

Contact xLM Solutions if you would like to discuss these options in more detail and to review our recommendations on which option is best suited for your 3DEXEPERIENCE implementation.

Are you considering which 3DEXPERIENCE Platform works for your company? Tell us your requirements and considerations.