"With their technical expertise, industry-specific knowledge and wide range of training and services, CADD Edge has always provided their clients with a total SolidWorks solution. By introducing the Mobile Learning Centers however, they have brought customer service to an entirely new level," states Jon Hirschtick, CEO of SolidWorks Corporation.    

CADD Edge, Inc. is proud to announce their investment in Mobile Learning Centers (MLC's). These Mobile Learning Centers are designed to offer clients and prospects the ease and availability of on-site training and hands-on test-drives for SolidWorks® solutions at their location.

Equipped with the same state-of-the-art technology you find in CADD Edge classrooms, these Mobile Learning Centers allow companies and users to learn and use SolidWorks software at a time convenient for them, without the travel.

For more information on how you can schedule the MLC to come to you, please contact your sales representative or call us directly at 508.366.1799.

Find out more by reading an article featured in the SolidWorks World Reseller Newsletter:

Quarterly Focus Education on Wheels SolidWorks Reseller Takes Training the Extra Mile It's a dream that's finally reached fruition for SolidWorks reseller CADD Edge. What began as a great idea on paper over two years ago was finally put to the test in corporate America when the company took possession of its first Mobile Learning Center (MLC) for customer on-site training in January 2000. "Our intent," says CADD Edge Vice President, Tim Preston, "is to provide our clients with the opportunity to minimize travel costs while maximizing their learning experience by providing on-site SolidWorks training and hands-on test drives of SolidWorks Solution Partners offerings." According to Preston, the original concept for the MLC was a take-off of the mobile hearing/vision trailers that are frequently brought to grade schools. "From Maine to New York, we consistently hear what a great and convenient idea this is.  Whether driving down the road or parked, the Mobile Learning Center is hard to miss." - Tim Preston, Vice President, CADD Edge CADD Edge has invested in a fleet of such MLCs. "Part of the urgency that prompted CADD Edge to invest in such a venture was the volume of on-site SolidWorks training that we were doing in 1999," says Preston. "For example, in addition to our local training in six offices, eight of the last twelve weeks of 1999 were on-site classes. Consequently, clients are excited about the opportunity to reduce their travel expenses and enjoy an on-site learning experience. Repeatedly, the convenience has allowed clients to enroll additional engineers in the class. The benefits to us include consistent classroom environment, reduced set-up/breakdown time, and increased on-site training bandwidth." Customers Give the MLC a Big Thumbs Up "Reaction from clients has been outstanding," says Preston. "From Canada to New York, we consistently hear what a great and convenient idea this is. While in the parking lot, it has prompted many management and executives to visit the bus. Whether driving down the road, or parked, the MLC is hard to miss." That's because the first MLC in the fleet is rather distinctive looking with its purple/blue color, and complete with the CADD Edge logo and the caption: "Our Clients Design Cool Stuff Way Faster." The SolidWorks logo appears on the back of the MLC, and CADD Edge has allocated space on the sides of the MLC for paid advertising. Adds Preston, "The reaction from prospects attending a test-drive has been phenomenal. We have consistently seen the number of attendees double or triple because we are on-site."   "Our Clients Design Cool Stuff Way Faster" - Caption that Appears on the CADD Edge MLC How does it Work? The Mobile Learning Center is a 40-foot Class I RV retrofitted for use as an on-site training and test-drive center. The layout allows CADD Edge to accommodate up to 12 attendees at one time, in addition to the instructor. The vehicle is conducive to learning in that it is complete with facilities, power, surround sound, white board, office, video, and also supports 13 networked PC's. From the revolving passenger seat, the instructor's system allows him/her to control all of the attendees' monitors for instruction, or release them for labs. Currently, about half of CADD Edge's nine SolidWorks certified instructors have worked in the MLC. "Clients are excited about the opportunity to reduce their travel expenses and enjoy an on-site learning experience." - Tim Preston, CADD Edge Investing in a Partnership Preston is hopeful that the MLC will generate new attention for both CADD Edge and SolidWorks, and reinforce once again the commitment of both companies to customers. "The MLC's presence on-site sends a strong message to existing and future clients that we are different and willing to invest in making it easier for their organization to see first-hand the compelling business proposition for a SolidWorks solution. I anticipate that the MLC will generate some press for both CADD Edge and SolidWorks, as I believe that this is another first for both of us." "The marketplace for SolidWorks is exciting and continues to grow. I think the future is exciting." - Tim Preston, CADD Edge According to Preston, the MLC is also allowing CADD Edge to innovate with some of the SolidWorks Solution Partners. The company is currently refining a Solution Partner Tour concept in which representatives will tour from New York to Canada in three days, stopping at six to nine locations. "It's a quick pace, but manageable since we don't have to breakdown the equipment. The MLC allows us to breakdown or set-up in 15 minutes." Beyond the Tour "SolidWorks has redefined the tools available for mechanical engineers and designers in so many ways: price-point, ease-of-use and cohesive functionality. The marketplace for SolidWorks is exciting and continues to grow. I think the future is exciting, because I anticipate our clients expanding the use of SolidWorks outside of the typical areas of use and into other areas of their business, such as marketing, procurement, and sales." "As our fleet grows, I expect CADD Edge to continue to make improvements. We are currently doing some research utilizing some of the new features of SolidWorks like 3D Meeting; we also want to allow future clients to email themselves an eDrawing from the MLC and retrieve it on return to their office. As we've already done with SRAC, we look forward to renting MLC's to Solution Partners for on-site training of their solutions. This allows other vendors to perform training where the customers want it, instead of only where it is available." CADD Edge is the developer of the Mechanical Engineering Productivity Machine, enabling engineers to design imaginative products exceptionally fast with superior quality. Customized for industry-specific SolidWorks environments, this performance-driven machine is fueled by four components -- auditing, implementation, multi-level training, and software utilities -- all working together to help companies be first to deliver winning designs from concept to customer.