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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Autodesk Fusion

    Score7.5 out of 10
    N/AAutodesk Fusion is a cloud-based 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE tool which integrates design, modeling, and simulation capabilities.

    $70

    per month

    Arena PLM and QMS

    Score8.5 out of 10
    N/AArena by PTC is a cloud-based PLM and QMS platform. Arena helps product companies that rely on distributed teams and global supply chains to develop products, ensure regulatory compliance, and respond to customer demands.N/A
    Pricing
    Autodesk FusionArena PLM and QMS
    Editions & Modules
    Fusion 360 - Paid Monthly
    $70
    per month per user
    Fusion 360 - Paid Annually
    $545
    per year per user
    Fusion 360 - 3 Years
    $1635
    3 years per user
    Arena PLM Launch
    Contact Sales
    Arena PLM Enterprise
    Contact Sales
    Arena QMS
    Contact Sales
    Arena QMS Enterprise
    Contact Sales
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    Autodesk FusionArena PLM and QMS
    Free Trial
    YesYes
    Free/Freemium Version
    YesNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoYes
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeRequired
    Additional Details—Arena's cloud-based PLM and QMS solutions include role-based subscriptions to meet diverse team needs. Their fixed-fee QuickStart™ implementations supports rapid deployment.
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    Autodesk FusionArena PLM and QMS
    Considered Both Products
    Autodesk
    No answer on this topic
    Arena by PTC
    Chose Arena PLM and QMS
    Arena has all the functionality the company needs (all the PLM systems reviewed had the same basic functionality) and was a better price. It also offers great support after implementation at no additional cost. It was also great to work directly with Arena, rather than …
    Incentivized
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    89%
    Would buy again
    8 Answers
    92%
    Would buy again
    65 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    100%
    Delivers good value for the price
    8 Answers
    100%
    Delivers good value for the price
    48 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    89%
    Happy with the feature set
    8 Answers
    90%
    Happy with the feature set
    64 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    86%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    6 Answers
    100%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    25 Answers
    Implementation went as expected
    100%
    Implementation went as expected
    8 Answers
    92%
    Implementation went as expected
    35 Answers
    Features
    Autodesk FusionArena PLM and QMS
    Computer-Aided Design Software
    Comparison of Computer-Aided Design Software features of Autodesk Fusion and Arena PLM and QMS
    Feature
    Autodesk Fusion
    7.7
    2 Ratings
    3% above category average
    Arena PLM and QMS
    -
    Ratings
    3D Modeling9.82 Ratings00 Ratings
    2D Drafting7.52 Ratings00 Ratings
    Rendering and Visualization9.12 Ratings00 Ratings
    Parametric Design5.22 Ratings00 Ratings
    Collaboration and Sharing9.72 Ratings00 Ratings
    Compatibility with other software and formats9.82 Ratings00 Ratings
    Assembly Design5.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Simulation and Analysis4.72 Ratings00 Ratings
    Documentation and Annotation8.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Customization and Extensions7.82 Ratings00 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    Autodesk FusionArena PLM and QMS
    Small Businesses
    Onshape
    Score6.4 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    Medium-sized Companies
    Onshape
    Score6.4 out of 10
    Teamcenter
    Score9.4 out of 10
    Enterprises
    PTC Creo
    Score7.6 out of 10
    SAP Integrated Product Development
    Score9 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    Autodesk FusionArena PLM and QMS
    Likelihood to Recommend
    8.2
    (17 ratings)
    8.2
    (220 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    9.0
    (5 ratings)
    Usability
    7.3
    (3 ratings)
    5.6
    (17 ratings)
    Availability
    9.0
    (1 ratings)
    9.0
    (3 ratings)
    Performance
    8.0
    (1 ratings)
    9.1
    (3 ratings)
    Support Rating
    7.9
    (2 ratings)
    9.9
    (18 ratings)
    Online Training
    -
    (0 ratings)
    8.2
    (2 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    8.3
    (2 ratings)
    Configurability
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    8.7
    (2 ratings)
    Ease of integration
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Product Scalability
    9.0
    (1 ratings)
    9.1
    (3 ratings)
    Vendor post-sale
    9.0
    (1 ratings)
    8.0
    (1 ratings)
    Vendor pre-sale
    9.0
    (1 ratings)
    9.0
    (1 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    Autodesk FusionArena PLM and QMS
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Autodesk
    This software has been so easy to use from day one! I couldn't be more thrilled with it. Being an SME, it is offered on an annual basis free of charge. My network of engineers are amazed I am able to accomplish what I have using this software when the companies they come from are paying thousands for licensing. I also would like to note that Autodesk offer an incredible specialization to really round out your skills via Coursera.
    Incentivized
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    Arena by PTC
    Arena PLM is well suited for part number, BOM and file management. Processing changes (ECNs, ACOs, DCO's, etc.) in Arena is very easy to do and provides great visibility on the status of submitted requests. The ability to communicate with Suppliers and grant them access to files in Arena is extremely helpful. Arena does not appear to be the best suited system for managing software
    Incentivized
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    Pros
    Autodesk
    • The first PRO of Fusion 360 that always comes to mind is how versatile it is. Fusion 360 is the first CAD/CAM software that also includes other key features that CAD programs of this size don't have.
    • Fusion 360 has a generous licensing structure that gives those just starting out a place to start with a professional level CAD program. As a result, this has helped build up a huge community and user base around Fusion 360.
    • Fusion 360 is updated on a monthly basis. This has proven to be a huge advantage over Solidworks (something else I use) which is only updated once a year. The nice thing about monthly updates, other than regular bug fixes, is that the team can adapt quickly and no one is taken by storm with a big overhaul of the UI or features at the beginning of the year.
    Incentivized
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    Arena by PTC
    • It provides easy, 'login-anywhere' internet cloud-based access to fundamental PLM functions.
    • It provides secure access control for employees & vendors (but you pay per person for access licenses).
    • Data is effectively 'always backed up' in the internet-cloud.
    • There is an option to attach thumbnail graphics representative of each item and create a Bill of Materials view that also displays the graphics to help provide item recognition for BOM readers.
    Read full review
    Cons
    Autodesk
    • Fusion 360 is a very simple program, so once you begin to draw more complex 3D models, the software gets sluggish and loses its fluidity.
    • It would be really nice if Fusion 360 could output a model as a SolidWorks file so I can begin to draw something out in Fusion 360 and then pick it up in SolidWorks when I need to do some more advanced functions.
    • Because Fusion 360 is a simpler program, there are a few functions such as 3D sketches that are not intuitive like all the rest of the functions are.
    Incentivized
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    Arena by PTC
    • In my opinion, the Help Pages clearly do not realize that a picture is worth a 1,000 words; need illustrations and screenshots!
    • I think the 'Save' button when editing Quality Processes needs to "float" on the active page, not lurking at the bottom.
    • In my experience, the Arena PLM and QMS Training programs need to be revamped to include "real-world" examples and working through examples, not simply reading through a training manual.
    Incentivized
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    Likelihood to Renew
    Autodesk
    It does everything I need for great value.
    Incentivized
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    Arena by PTC
    We have so much time and effort invested into Arena. The history of approvals, revisions, etc. are necessary for many of our customers. We also have entire device histories recorded. Having to re-create that on another platform would be a feat requiring years of effort. But mostly, Arena just works. It's transformed our business into a much more streamlined system, resulting in a massive cost and time savings.
    Incentivized
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    Usability
    Autodesk
    Because the tool is very useful and easy to access, it provides very basic and useful tools to start in the modeling part despite being basic processing aspects. It is also very easy to get a free, temporary, or student license, which makes it a very good CAD tool.
    Read full review
    Arena by PTC
    Arena has improved their UI over the years that I've used it to make it more user friendly. Additionally, there is a lot of redundancy within Arena (multiple ways to achieve the same end), which makes it easier to learn.
    Incentivized
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    Reliability and Availability
    Autodesk
    Sometimes I like using it on Saturday nights. Unfortunately, they usually do their updates at this time and it isn't available to use.
    Incentivized
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    Arena by PTC
    Seems like when I need to access our workspace for an emergency situation, this is when maintenance is scheduled, just the luck of the draw, I guess, and I just wait until the maintenance is complete, and then can proceed
    Incentivized
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    Performance
    Autodesk
    It can freeze sometimes while doing heavy tasks.
    Incentivized
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    Arena by PTC
    We use a few other software or systems (Silicon expert) and it is seamless to us, pages load quickly and efficiently.
    Incentivized
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    Support Rating
    Autodesk
    Support is conducted via internet Q&A boards; newcomers to 3D modeling may find that articulating their questions in the language of CAD software is the tricky part — once they find the right technical term for what they're trying to accomplish, answers come quickly. Autodesk also provides a large library of educational tutorial videos that make the initial process of learning Fusion 360's interface much easier.
    Incentivized
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    Arena by PTC
    Upon initial observation, Arena Solution appears to possess a rather intricate nature, yet this complexity was effectively navigated during the initial configuration phase with the invaluable assistance of an expert well-versed in Arena, a factor that greatly contributed to our comprehensive mastery and autonomous handling of Arena Solutions thereafter.
    Incentivized
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    Online Training
    Autodesk
    No answers on this topic
    Arena by PTC
    The On line training was easy to understand and was very efficient for most of our users. We used the training tools to make sure we use all of the features to their fullest and correctly! After a few weeks mos of our users were very proficient with ARENA PLM and were able to work on their own and use mos of the sections and PLM capablilities.
    Incentivized
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    Implementation Rating
    Autodesk
    No. It is basic and straightforward.
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    Arena by PTC
    Pretty straightforward, from OOB
    Incentivized
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    Alternatives Considered
    Autodesk
    Autodesk Inventor excels at daily core engineering tasks. When integrated with Vault management systems and part libraries, Autodesk Inventor is tough to beat when you need a mechanical design solution. When Inventor and Vault are setup properly it allows for a very efficient design workflow. I think it would be difficult to achieve the same amount of workflow efficiency with Autodesk Fusion 360, that said, Autodesk Fusion 360 offers a very good toolset at a much lower cost. I can maintain a yearly subscription of Autodesk Fusion 360 and get about 85% of the functionality that is available via the Inventor design suite for the cost of about 2 months of an Inventor subscription. I then also get access to manufacturing plugins with Autodesk Fusion 360 but lose a lot in the drawing environment. Inventor beats Autodesk Fusion 360 hands down when it comes to documentation.
    Incentivized
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    Arena by PTC
    Arena is much better than QAD in terms of BOMs and ECOs and Revision Control. We use Arena concurrently with SAP and they integrate very well together, which is nice. The integration team was really helpful in making sure that the SAP to Arena functionality runs smoothly, and when there are any issues, they are very responsive to help make changes to fix the problem that might be there.
    Incentivized
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    Scalability
    Autodesk
    It offers so much already, and the reason being is that it showed promise early on.
    Incentivized
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    Arena by PTC
    Arena is easy to customize and therefore easy to scale. Different user groups with access restrictions can be easily created and new training plans can be created to support different user bases. Suppliers can also easily be added or items can be shared with them
    Incentivized
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    Return on Investment
    Autodesk
    • It gives me totally positive impacts. Its zero cost eliminates the need to search for other software to use.
    • Fusion 360's Autodesk cloud solution enables me to use 3d files generated via other Autodesk design software that are widely used by my customers.
    Incentivized
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    Arena by PTC
    • Decreased the company's time to market for release of its second generation flagship product.
    • Decreased the turn around on non-conformance reports (NCRs), supplier corrective action reports (SCARs), and corrective and preventative actions (CAPAs).
    • Better organized the company's process maps, DHF, and other regulatory related information so that major audits are completed faster and with fewer findings.
    Incentivized
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    ScreenShots

    Arena PLM and QMS Screenshots

    Screenshot of Arena Bill of Materials (BOM) Management. Indented BOM displaying "in production" item status.Screenshot of Arena Engineering Change Management.  Engineering Change Order (ECO) approval with redlines.Screenshot of Arena Projects. Project schedule with status and progress.Screenshot of Arena Quality. Quality process showing a Corrective Action Report (CAR) with the issue details, affected items, and resolution progress/status.Screenshot of Arena Requirements. Tracks requirements and related product development issues for a complete product picture.Screenshot of Arena Analytics, Arena's business intelligence (BI) tool