Microcomputer-based CAD business

✍ Scribed by Jenny Smith

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1986
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 479 KB
• Volume: 18
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0010-4485
• DOI: 10.1016/0010-4485(86)90111-9

✦ Synopsis

Its background and philosophy towards customer requirements in the CAD field is presented and the views of the CA D Business Manager on the CA D marketplace and trends in microcomputer-based CA D are discussed. computer technology, computer-aided design, microcomputers

COMPANY BACKGROUND

Aarque (pronounced RQ) was founded more than 130 years ago as a designer and manufacturer of materials for the design office. It introduced diazo printing technology in the 1920s, and patented various diazo materials, including Ammonax and Unax. It has maintained its interest in supplying the design office, but as technology has advanced, so the products offered by Aarque have altered.

Two years ago, Aarque set up a CAD division, with the aim of supplying microcomputer-based CAD systems to its customers. Although the CAD division is separate from the more traditional divisions of the company, its business manager, Mike Sutton, feels that it makes a lot of CAD sales through inquiries from users of the more traditional products. It currently employs 16 staff and has five regional showrooms.

The CAD division developed in the UK, according to Sutton because it is a centre of competence, particularly in the mechanical engineering sector of CAD. There is a European branch based in Holland that sells packages to the European mainland. The US division of Aarque is currently not involved in CAD. Aarque is an international company with an annual turnover of £25 million. In 1985 £1 million of this turnover was supplied by the CAD division and Sutton anticipates that this will rise to £2.5 million in 1986.