This one is a big deal. Of the many acquisitions completed by 3D Systems, their announcement of the absorption of Geomagic is significant.
First the obvious: Geomagic produces a number of software tools for the 3D industry, including products to design 3D models, perform quality control, handling 3D scans and more. Their products are well-regarding in the industry and now they all belong to 3D Systems.
But there’s much more behind this move.
At this point 3D Systems boasts a very impressive collection of 3D modeling software, as the Geomagic inventory is added to the previous acquisitions of Alibre and Rapidform. In particular, Geomagic and Rapidform are two of the leading “scan to CAD” tools. Could 3D Systems be building a 3D software arsenal capable of challenging companies like Autodesk and Solidworks? It seems there’s a strong emphasis on 3D software.
The founder and CEO of Geomagic, the renowned Ping Fu, now joins 3D Systems. When the deal formally closes, Fu becomes 3D Systems’ Chief Strategy Officer. Fu comes with an incredible series of success stories, including being awarded the title of “Entrepreneur of the Year” in 2005.
But wait a sec – Fu is a software entrepreneur. Not a hardware engineer. Why would a hardware company appoint a software person as their strategy officer?
Because they’re focusing on software. And they’ve got a leader to take them places they’ve never been before.
Via 3D Systems
