While pattern and marker making systems (CAM) have been a staple of the industry for decades, it wasn’t until Stork introduced the first CAD system in 1991 that computers were first introduced into the design side of the business. The past 10 years have seen scores of new product introductions, technologies, mergers, acquisitions and business failures. CAD/CAM capabilities have emerged from being stand alone business processes to become an integrated part of the entire supply chain. CAD/CAM technology has demonstrated not only its valuable contribution in time-to-market, but substantial ROIs.

With this article we present the results of our 2nd Annual CAD/CAM Trends and Predictions Survey – the results of our questionnaire to 25 CAD/CAM vendors. While some of these responses reflect the expected product bias and limited focus, when taken as a whole these answers give an insightful view to key trends in technology adaptation, business processes, where the new job opportunities may be found and prospects for the future.

What changes have you noticed in the market conditions over the past year?

Age Technologies, Alain Bélair
	More companies are using off-the-shelf software and Photoshop™ is being the more popular one. A recent survey done by TrendWatch showed that 70% of the apparel and textile industry in the United State is using Photoshop as their main design application. This is 20% higher than our own study two years ago.
APSO, Jamie Harrison
	We are noticing that traditional CAD sales are declining and so are prices! Bad press for technology sector is hurting us....
AVA, Duncan Jefferies
	Increased awareness of specialist CAD/CAM amongst some traditionally "off-the-shelf" areas of the industry.
Browzwear, Yanir Farber
	The market is more hesitant these days and investment decisions will be made only if immediate benefits are proven. In Europe things are not that bad, though I do believe that it will be the same over there as well. Companies are focusing more on the design process trying to offer more collections per year and to reduce design cycle times, this combined with an effort to reduce costs is a huge challenge to the Industry. The technology should support this complicated challenges and Browzwear is focusing its efforts in this direction
Digibits Interactive, Michael Harris
	The market is strong in Asia for visualization products and services while the US has seen a strong consolidation or failure of B2B exchanges. They are all changing their business models from transaction to services. It has been very slow in the first half but there are more enquires now.
DPInnovations, Steve Smith
	Positive change to our product focus – Digital Printing
EAT, Oliver Dentges
	Stronger price consciousness, higher focus on know-how and production orientation within the software, networkability, automatic functions, presentation tools.
Gerber Technology, Marco Azzaretti
	Continuing migration of apparel production around the world and a chill effect caused by the slowing US economy.
Improved Technologies of New Hampshire, Alison Hardy
	Once again as the economy as a whole turns downward, investment in technology by textile and apparel firms is increasing. Companies are mostly seeking to upgrade their existing systems, but there are still new converts to technology every day since the penetration of computing technology is lower than other industries.
Justwin Technologies, Rick Ludolph
	Market conditions are obviously tighter as a number of companies are cautious regarding technology investments this year. We find that companies are willing to invest, but are placing a higher emphasis on ROI and measuring real value added by the investment.
Koppermann, Andreas Lachner
	A light slowdown due to overall economic situation.
Lectra, David Siegelman
	The economic downturn continues to affect many companies, which in turn have become more conservative in their spending. The positive side is that clients are examining their operations for inefficiencies and looking to Lectra for help in improving their quality and speed to market.
Pointcarre USA, Lenny Weiss
	Tighter budgets. Industry is looking for cost effective software. Many more mergers. Need for software to function on multiple platforms. Need for software to be mobile. CAD operator needs same software to work at home or in transit.
SnapFashun, Bill Glazer
	Slowing
Stork, Ed Fesmire
	Retail stores continue to put pricing demands on the US printers that force them to look for low cost alternatives. Most are going off shore for cheaper printed goods. As a result, the US consumer masses have turned into a disposable society, buying cheap clothes that are thrown away after a few washings. Quality isn't as important as inexpensive.

What is the physical location of the bulk of your new business?

Age Technologies, Alain Bélair
	Our new business is done mainly in the United States, about 50% each on the East and West coast. In our case, the reason for this is very simple. It is in the US that Photoshop™ is more dominant and where designer know how to use it.
APSO, Jamie Harrison
	UK(domestic) USA (East Coast)
AVA, Duncan Jefferies
	AVA's new business is spread fairly equally across our three main geographical markets (North America, Continental Europe and the UK), however we have seen higher than average growth in both the West and East Coast (in slightly differing markets).
DPInnovations, Steve Smith
	66% NE Asia, 15% Europe, 10% USA, 9% Other
EAT, Oliver Dentges
	Definitely worldwide, for Germany meaning mainly foreign. Asia will become more important, though.
Gerber Technology, Marco Azzaretti
	Foreign, particularly Asia and Mexico/Central America.
Improved Technologies of New Hampshire, Alison Hardy
	The major design centers - New York, Los Angeles, the Carolinas continue to drive the bulk of business. We have not pursued international business but have gained new customers in Eastern Europe.
Justwin Technologies, Rick Ludolph
	We continue to experience domestic sales representing the largest segment of our sales, but sales in Canada and Latin America are rising. As for domestic sales, we are experiencing a blend between East and West.
Karat, David Shashoua
	Continued growth in the US market. Beginning growth due to significant opportunities in Europe.
Koppermann, Andreas Lachner
	Everywhere
Lectra, David Siegelman
	Much of our new business is focused on the fashion capitals of New York and Los Angeles, mostly in design, merchandising and product development. We also see increased orders for manufacturing equipment in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America.
Pointcarre USA, Lenny Weiss
	East Coast
SnapFashun, Bill Glazer
	Foreign
Stork, Ed Fesmire
	East coast.

Which parts of the overall CAD/CAM processes have shifted offshore?

APSO, Jamie Harrison
	CAD is staying in Europe/USA, CAM is moving to manufacturing in Asia and Mexico. We are experiencing new competition from 'cheap' CAD software developed in Eastern Europe, North Africa, India and China.
AVA, Duncan Jefferies
	AVA is a global business and follows its customers around the world - customers are certainly carrying out more CAD operations in remote locations but usually this is duplication (rather than replacement of) CAD capability within North America/Europe.
Digibits Interactive, Michael Harris
	Garment design conversions from 2D to 3D
DPInnovations, Steve Smith
	Printing of textiles
EAT, Oliver Dentges
	Basically the CAD/CAM process stays domestic, but production is shifting abroad.
Gerber Technology, Marco Azzaretti
	Both CAD and CAM as related to the production side of apparel and automotive seating.
Improved Technologies of New Hampshire, Alison Hardy
	It's not so much a shifting of processes that we see, but more offshore partners participating in the process by getting their own equipment and gaining access to design networks. Fashion is a global business, and the tools are being distributed globally - finally.
Justwin Technologies, Rick Ludolph
	The majority of production processes (marking, grading, cutting, assembly) have shifted offshore. Additionally, we are beginning to see some product development processes shift as well.
Karat, David Shashoua
	Not related to our business but I have noticed that patternmaking/marker making is shifting offshore. Design, technical sketching is still growing in the US.
Koppermann, Andreas Lachner
	Cutting is one of the things that moved in the last year more and more.
Lectra, David Siegelman
	We are seeing an increased business for cutting machines and other manufacturing equipment in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America.
Pointcarre USA, Lenny Weiss
	CAM
Stork, Ed Fesmire
	Designing seems to stay in the US. Engraving and printing for home fashion is OK but slowing. The most dramatic shift off shore in the past 5 years has been the apparel engraving and printing.

What investments have become a competitive advantage for your customers?

APSO, Jamie Harrison
	Our online solutions for design, colour, visualization and image archiving/content management.
AVA, Duncan Jefferies
	Effective colour management for the new breed of digital printers (both paper and fabric) - ensuring CAD samples match the monitor first time, every time. CAD to production profiling - reducing, and in some cases negating, the need to sample. Trained personnel recruitment - and training in general (both at the time of purchase and new feature refresher courses / assessments)
Digibits Interactive, Michael Harris
	Garment conversion tools, visualization tools
DPInnovations, Steve Smith
	Digital textile printers and software
EAT, Oliver Dentges
	Investing into new technology, shifting from Linux to mainly WINDOWS-applications in our software packages, investing into an up-to-date website with a full scale of information relevant to all parts of the industry, investment into individualized functionalities tailored to one customer's individual needs.
Gerber Technology, Marco Azzaretti
	WebPDM (Product Data Management) in apparel importing countries and CAD/CAM for improved quality and productivity in production countries.
Improved Technologies of New Hampshire, Alison Hardy
	New color printers that are more reliable, better supplies (ink and paper) that meet the needs of textile and apparel designers, and better tools for color management. Creating better presentations, and being able to present them in a more responsive time frame has enabled our customers to thrive.
Justwin Technologies, Rick Ludolph
	Investments in communication and collaboration are important to staying competitive as the extended enterprise grows ever more geographically and culturally disperse.
Karat, David Shashoua
	Automation, workflow, communication and collaborative software.
Koppermann, Andreas Lachner
	Any systems allowing seamless communication on style information.
Lectra, David Siegelman
	Our customers are seeing a great benefit in our online offerings that improve speed to market, quality, efficiency and global communication.
Pointcarre USA, Lenny Weiss
	Faster computers. More software for multiple users.
SnapFashun, Bill Glazer
	Investments in qualified CAD users
Stork, Ed Fesmire
	Digital printing for decision making, sales, strike off replacement.

How do you see the market conditions evolving over the next year?

Age Technologies, Alain Bélair
	For design systems, I believe off-the-shelf software will still grow among industry user.
APSO, Jamie Harrison
	CAD/CAM is becoming a commodity. We are adding value with web compatible solutions that enhance previous investments in CAD/CAM. There is scope for new CAD/CAM technology but work needs to be done to get the prices back to a sensible unit price to justify the cost of the new development.
AVA, Duncan Jefferies
	We expect to take further market share from the off-the-shelf packages, as well as providing alternative solutions for companies with existing specialist systems. We envisage a continuation of the trend of purchasers becoming more value orientated - not just in terms of the software solution, but the need for effective partnerships for training, recruitment and support.
Browzwear, Yanir Farber
	The market is more hesitant these days and investment decisions will be made only if immediate benefits are proven. In Europe things are not that bad, though I do believe that it will be the same over there as well. Companies are focusing more on the design process trying to offer more collections per year and to reduce design cycle times, this combined with an effort to reduce costs is a huge challenge to the Industry. The technology should support this complicated challenges and Browzwear is focusing its efforts in this direction
Digibits Interactive, Michael Harris
	Increased demand in 2002
DPInnovations, Steve Smith
	Positive change to our product focus – Digital Printing
EAT, Oliver Dentges
	Computer technology will become even faster and we also look forward to new mobile communication technologies like UMTS or even unlicensed wireless communication networks, like Bluetooth etc.
Gerber Technology, Marco Azzaretti
	A difficult year with the major apparel importing countries softening; US slowdown, Japan in economic trouble and some parts of Europe indicating softness - this is impacting investment in capital equipment at home and causing hesitation in the production countries.
Improved Technologies of New Hampshire, Alison Hardy
	The countercyclical investment trend will continue - successful companies will invest to improve their competitive edge. The wailing and flailing will continue from companies who remain entrenched in the old ways.
Justwin Technologies, Rick Ludolph
	W e have an optimistic outlook going forward. Much of the excess inventories that resulted from the economic downturn have been worked down. Companies that have taken advantage of the down cycle to reorganize and improve their infrastructure for value-added performance are positioned for gains as the economy strengthens.
Karat, David Shashoua
	We are seeing some slowness today in the market as a whole, however, investigative interest continues to grow. We believe many of companies will be purchasing in the next 3-9 months. Many companies are also looking to upgrade or switch systems.
Koppermann, Andreas Lachner
	Will recover
Lectra, David Siegelman
	We see our customers becoming more global in nature, and our ability to help them grow their business through these changes will be extremely important.
SnapFashun, Bill Glazer
	Improving
Stork, Ed Fesmire
	Hopefully a turn around in our business that will allow room for new technology to help re-establish the quality of US made goods.