Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, a relatively tiny percentage (<5%) of us worked remotely, according to surveys on the matter. All of a sudden, that number spiked. Many of us weren’t fully prepared to operate this way – but some of us were!

Looking to learn myself, I did what I always do when I’m looking to take on something new: get perspectives from individuals who’ve done it before. And I found quite the extreme example to share with the world!

I called a couple of my friends: Jade Crompton (UK), Aidan Aird (Canada), and Rob Maldonado (US). Each of these individuals have used SOLIDWORKS in different capacities for many years. And it's interesting: just a few months ago, I don’t think Jade, Aidan, and Rob had ever spoken before. In a matter of weeks, they’d created a sophisticated, functioning prosthetic hand prototype as part of ‘Team 1’ aka ‘Team Prosthetic ARMada,' participating in the first ever 3DEXPERIENCE For Good Hackathon at 3DEXPERIENCE World 2020.

All of this, prior to ever meeting face-to-face. Incredible.

So, really, who better to ask impressions of using some of the social and collaborative capabilities of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform - and how these stand to help SOLIDWORKS users today? As design engineers, freelance designers, and, in Aidan’s case, a student, they gave their specially-informed perspectives on how many of us (whether in industry or in school) can get up and running in no time – just like they did – and begin collaborating effectively!

Give this video a watch when you get a moment! :-)