New Ultimaker Essentials 3D Printing Software Targeted at Enterprises

You’re likely already familiar with Ultimaker’s versatile suite of Cura software. Now, the Dutch professional 3D printing company has launched a software solution that’s meant to help customers get past some of the main barriers of additive manufacturing (AM) adoption. The paid subscription-based platform is called Ultimaker Essentials, and will allow companies to integrate 3D printing into their IT infrastructures, in addition to distributing and updating their existing AM software. Additionally, Ultimaker Essentials includes a brand new eLearning platform to help customers continue gain knowledge about the technology.

Many enterprise IT departments share a common difficulty in trying to successfully manage distribution 3D printing software across multiple workflows. Ultimaker states that its new software offering can streamline the process by ensuring that any plugins and updates are introduced to an organization’s users at the same time, which gives employees more control access—especially helpful during this time when COVID-19 is disrupting daily business as we know it.

“As one of the core pillars of Industry 4.0, 3D printing is an essential part of progressive business solutions and processes. In the wake of the recent pandemic, companies need to quickly realize, if they haven’t already, that global supply chains and manufacturing workflows can be easily disrupted,” Ultimaker CEO Jos Burger stated. “The transition to digital distribution and local manufacturing is now imminent and more imperative than ever. The Ultimaker Essentials launch is targeted at addressing these gaps and removing the final barriers in adoption of 3D printing.”

According to Ultimaker’s 2019 3D Printing Sentiment Index, 69% of the surveyed professionals said that knowledge was the most common barrier to AM adoption; 40% of these also mentioned that they did not have the skillset needed to leverage the technology effectively. Thus, Ultimaker Essentials subscribers will also enjoy access to three eLearning courses from the newly launched Ultimaker 3D Printing Academy.

“We are thrilled to roll-out the Ultimaker 3D Printing Academy as a premier platform for learning, which will significantly increase in value over time. This is only the first step of our program as in Q4 we will expand the Academy by releasing multiple role- and topic-based courses, which will lead to additional certifications,” said Ultimaker CMO Nuno Campos. “We look forward to the continued adoption and education of 3D printing and are excited to help businesses uncover how 3D printing can benefit their business now and in the future.”

The Ultimaker 3D Printing Academy provides custom content created specifically to help professionals in the current workforce overcome these major barriers. The courses range from novice to expert levels, and are also available on their own, not just for Ultimaker Essentials subscribers.

The new software solution comes with a catalog full of verified plugins, in addition to a new direct support function, so 3D printing output can be properly scaled. The company states that organizations which subscribe to Ultimaker Essentials will receive “an enterprise grade solution for adopting a full 3D printing infrastructure.”

If you’re interested in learning more about this new software offering from Ultimaker, you can join today’s live webinar as Ultimaker’s Director of Community Development Matt Griffin, and four guest speakers, discuss the platform in detail. On July 14 at 9 am EDT (6 am PDT, 3 pm CEST, 9 pm SGT), the hour-long virtual event will explain how Ultimaker Essentials can help businesses scale 3D printing benefits. Attendees will learn how Ultimaker is using its new software solution to help solve 3D printing barriers, as well as find out what’s coming next for its popular Cura software and ask questions in a live Q&A session.

In addition to Griffin and Campos, the other webinar presenters from Ultimaker are:

• Paul Hejmans, SVP Software
• Caecilie von Techman, Project Manager E-Learning
• Elder Linssen, Product Marketing

You can register for the webinar here.

(Source/Images courtesy of Ultimaker)