New community edition (Release 2025)

I just realized that I haven't yet shared my collection of Peter Schroer quotes describing the idea behind Aras and the concept of the open release. Perhaps the new PTC leadership, with their background in traditional industries, wasn’t fully briefed on what made Aras so distinctive - fortunately, there are still many sources online!

Let´s start with this one: https://aras.com/en/blog/you-re-never-too-old-to-be-a-hacker

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"After years of the same old, same old in the PLM industry, I knew there had to be a better way. We set out to create that at Aras. And I think we’re doing a pretty good job.

First, we created better technology. Modern, flexible technology that's designed to adapt to the way your business works, not the other way around. It helps a lot that it actually works too.

Then we hacked the PLM enterprise business model. I hate the sales approach taken by most PLM companies. It is excruciating and when it's over no one, especially the customers, feels very good about it.

At Aras, we don't sell PLM software. We give it away. And if you'd like a little help with it, you can buy some training or some consulting time from our staff of experts. And if you want support and upgrades and good stuff like that, you can buy an annual subscription. We put all the info you need up on our website and we let you make your own decisions. Simple? Yup. Effective? You bet. Refreshing? Absolutely. And it's fair."

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I personally believe Mr. Schroer would be ashamed if he saw how the current user restrictions were implemented - with misleading communication and aimed at the wrong audience. The legacy was corrupted overnight - simply because the old industry didn’t recognize its value. But I assume they now prefer to spent more money on traditional marketing. I’m just waiting for the first print and TV ads to roll out.

Maybe someday they’ll be bold again: A carefully well-tuned open release concept could effortlessly attract new target audiences, just as it did in the past. But I assume modernization always takes time?