Autodesk Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire FlexSim

Autodesk adds factory simulation and operational efficiency analysis to its factory design tools when acquisition completes.

Autodesk has signed a definitive agreement to acquire FlexSim, a provider of simulation technology that enables factory and logistics center operators to optimize their processes. Through discrete event simulation, or DES, FlexSim’s technology brings the design of a factory or logistics center to life. It puts production flow analysis at the fingertips of operations leaders to surface fundamental business insights that help achieve time and cost objectives.

FlexSim’s factory simulation technology complements Autodesk’s existing factory design solutions. It provides model analysis, layout scenarios, and process simulation to users of Autodesk Inventor, Revit, Autodesk Construction Cloud, AutoCAD, and Autodesk’s Product Design and Manufacturing Collection. FlexSim will initially be offered in conjunction with Autodesk’s Design and Make Platform, closely aligned with Autodesk Fusion, which integrates CAD, PCB design, CAM, CAE, PLM, and MES software into a single, cloud-based solution.

In addition to enabling easy creation of a factory simulation, FlexSim’s technology can be the engine that powers a key link between factory design data and operational data. Imagine a greenfield or brownfield factory layout seamlessly maturing into a high-resolution model of the factory, and from there into a digital virtual replica of the factory.

Simulation is foundational to a digital factory. By its nature, simulation uncovers the need for changes—in design, workflows, and products.

With FlexSim’s capabilities, factory and logistics center planners can better understand the downstream effects and unintended consequences of changes in a production facility and more accurately predict operational performance. And that can happen before costly long-term capital asset decisions are set in stone.

Centralized and connected data breaks down silos. FlexSim’s capabilities build simulation insights on top of existing facility layout and planning data. These insights can complement the Factory Design Utilities and conclusively demonstrate aggressive moves toward delivering the full value of cloud-first software.

Subject to the completion of the acquisition, by joining Autodesk, FlexSim will bring crucial factory design capabilities, increasing the company’s ability to help manufacturing customers design and make a better world for all.