Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering

Razorleaf Corp.
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Welcome to 'Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering,' the ultimate podcast for all things digital in the manufacturing industry by Razorleaf. Join us as we take a deep dive into the multifaceted world of digital transformation, exploring topics such as the digital thread, digital twins, IDEs, model-based strategies and delving into the frontiers of cutting-edge technologies like PLM, MES, Integration, and more. Our expert hosts, Jonathan Scott, Jen Ferello, Juliann Grant, and Eric Doubell, will be your guides, providing valuable insights, captivating interviews, and the latest industry updates to ensure you remain at the forefront of the ever-evolving digital landscape. Whether you're a technology enthusiast, a business leader, or simply curious about the digital realm in manufacturing, this podcast is your essential resource for staying sharp and well-informed.

  1. 2D AGO

    #Ep 122 - Product Line Engineering: MBSE for Batteries, Tools, and Beyond

    AI may dominate headlines, but the real transformation in product development is happening elsewhere—in how teams manage complexity across mechanics, electronics, and software without slowing time to market. In this episode of Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering, hosts Juliann Grant and Jonathan Scott continue their conversation on Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) with Eran Reinshmidt and Safae El Abkari of Dassault Systèmes. This discussion moves beyond aerospace and defense to explore how MBSE is reshaping consumer product development—from small appliances and power tools to connected products and manufacturing systems. The conversation dives into virtual prototyping, multidisciplinary collaboration, faster trade studies, platform thinking, product line engineering, and why MBSE is becoming essential for consumer companies that need speed without chaos. 🔑 Key Takeaways Why consumer products now face the same complexity challenges as aerospace systemsHow MBSE enables parallel work across mechanical, electrical, and software teamsUsing virtual prototypes to test software months earlier than physical buildsHow parametric trade studies unlock better product decisions without slowing timelinesThe role of MBSE in product line engineering, modularity, and upgradeabilityWhy verification and validation must start earlier—and happen continuouslyHow MBSE principles are extending into manufacturing and factory variability 👤 Guest Information  Eran Reinshmidt Solution Leader, Consumer Industries – Dassault Systèmes Over 20 years of experience spanning furniture, home goods, appliances, sporting goods, apparel, and connected products. Safae El Abkari PhD, Engineering Sciences Leads the Perfectly Connected Product Solution at Dassault Systèmes, specializing in multidisciplinary product development and MBSE adoption. 👉 Follow both guests on LinkedIn for insights on MBSE and consumer product innovation. If this episode helped clarify how MBSE applies beyond aerospace: Subscribe to Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering on your favorite podcast platformShare this episode with a colleague working in product development or manufacturingLeave a review to help more listeners find the showMusic is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Story Blocks. Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co. © 2024 Razorleaf Corp. All Rights Reserved.

    42 min

  2. FEB 3

    #121: Digital Product Series: Sigmetrix - Why Tolerance Analysis Matters in Digital Engineering

    In this episode of Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering, hosts Juliann Grant and Jonathan Scott continue the digital product series with a deep dive into mechanical variation management and tolerance analysis. Joined by James Stoddard, co-founder and research fellow at Sigmetrix, the conversation explores how tolerance analysis acts as a critical bridge between ideal CAD models and real-world manufactured parts. The discussion unpacks why variation can never be eliminated, how poor tolerance decisions quietly drive cost and quality issues, and why managing variation across the entire product lifecycle is essential for modern, model-based enterprises. Key Takeaways Why tolerance analysis is more than a final design check-it's a lifecycle disciplineHow variation breaks the digital thread between design and manufacturingThe tradeoff between tighter tolerances, higher quality, and rising costWhy GD&T is a language—and how misunderstanding it drives manufacturing riskHow tolerance analysis supports better decisions in design, manufacturing, and inspectionThe role of tolerance analysis in the transition from virtual models to real-world productionGuest: James Stoddard Co-Founder & Research Fellow, Sigmetrix James has spent over 25 years advancing tolerance analysis and mechanical variation management technologies, helping organizations improve quality while controlling cost. Resources Mentioned ●      Mechanical Variation Management ●      Tolerance Analysis ●      Model-Based Definition (MBD) ●      Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) ●      Digital Thread & Model-Based Enterprise (MBE)   If you found this episode valuable, subscribe to Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering, leave a review, and share this episode with a colleague working in design, manufacturing, or quality. Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Story Blocks. Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co. © 2024 Razorleaf Corp. All Rights Reserved.

    36 min

  3. JAN 27

    #120 : Private Equity, SaaS, and Software Risk in Digital Engineering

    Episode Summary How risky is it to buy engineering software from a company owned by private equity? Does SaaS actually reduce risk—or introduce new problems? And what should technology buyers really be evaluating in today’s rapidly consolidating digital engineering market? In this episode of Stay Sharp, hosts Juliann Grant and Jonathan Scott sit down with industry analyst Monica Schnitger, President and Principal Analyst at Schnitger Corporation. With nearly two decades of experience advising software vendors, investors, and technology buyers, Monica offers a grounded, behind-the-scenes look at private equity, SaaS adoption, cloud realities, and how buyers can make smarter, lower-risk decisions. This conversation cuts through common myths and focuses on what actually matters when selecting engineering, PLM, CAD, and simulation software in 2026 and beyond. Key Takeaways Why private equity ownership is often less risky than buyers assumeWhat really determines software risk: usability, fit, vendor trust, and longevityHow SaaS and cloud delivery are reshaping buying expectations—and support gapsWhy reseller and channel consolidation is accelerating across the industryThe difference between AI hype and practical, usable innovationHow digital twins, UX improvements, and hybrid cloud models are quietly advancingPractical advice for evaluating software purchases without chasing shiny objectsAbout the Guest Monica Schnitger is President and Principal Analyst at Schnitger Corporation, where she advises engineering software vendors, investors, and enterprise buyers. She brings deep expertise across CAD, CAE, PLM, and digital engineering ecosystems, with a background in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from MIT and an MBA from Babson College. Resources Mentioned ●      Engineering software risk evaluation ●      SaaS and cloud adoption in digital engineering ●      Private equity trends in software ●      Digital twins and PLM evolution   If you found this episode valuable: ●      ✅ Follow or subscribe to Stay Sharp on your favorite podcast platform ●      ⭐ Leave a review to help more listeners find the show ●      📤 Share this episode with a colleague evaluating engineering software Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Story Blocks. Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co. © 2024 Razorleaf Corp. All Rights Reserved.

    46 min

  4. JAN 20

    #119: MBSE Isn’t Just for Rockets: Winning in Fast-Moving Consumer Markets

    Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is often viewed as a heavyweight discipline reserved for aerospace, defense, or highly regulated industries. In this episode of Stay Sharp, hosts Juliann Grant and Jonathan Scott challenge that assumption. Joined by Eran Reinshmidt and Safae El Abkari from Dassault Systèmes, the conversation explores how MBSE principles apply directly to fast-moving consumer markets. From coffee machines and vacuum cleaners to furniture and connected appliances, the guests unpack why changing consumer trends, regulatory pressure, and competitive intensity demand a more connected, model-driven approach to product development. Through clear examples and memorable analogies, this episode shows how MBSE helps consumer product teams manage requirements, behavior, variants, and cross-disciplinary complexity without slowing innovation. Key Takeaways MBSE is not about product size or industry. It is about rate of change and system complexityConsumer products face continuous requirement churn from sustainability, regulation, and competitionDocument-based requirements and behavior models break down as products become multidisciplinaryA shared system model improves traceability, alignment, and decision-making across teamsBehavioral modeling is critical for integrating mechanical, electronic, and software systemsProduct Line Engineering (PLE) enables scalable variant management without restarting from scratch Guests Eran Reinshmidt Solution Leader, Consumer Industries, Dassault Systèmes Expert in PLM and systems engineering for consumer products across home goods, appliances, lifestyle, and wearable industries Safae El Abkari, PhD Solution Engineering Consultant, Dassault Systèmes Specialist in connected products, multidisciplinary systems, and embedded systems engineering Resources Mentioned Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)Product Line Engineering (PLE)Connected and smart consumer productsDigital engineering for consumer industries If this episode challenged how you think about product development, subscribe to Stay Sharp on your favorite podcast platform. Leave a review or share this episode with a colleague navigating complex product systems. Have a topic you want us to cover next? Email podcasts@razorleaf.com. Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Story Blocks. Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co. © 2024 Razorleaf Corp. All Rights Reserved.

    35 min

  5. JAN 13

    #118 Digital Product Series: OpenBOM

    In this episode of the Stay Sharp podcast, Juliann and Jonathan continue their digital product series with returning guest Oleg Shilovitsky, Co-Founder and CEO of OpenBOM. With over 25 years of experience in PLM and engineering software, Oleg unveils what truly sets OpenBOM apart—and why traditional PLM systems fail modern manufacturing organizations. From the shift from single-company databases to interconnected digital networks, to how product data must support real-time collaboration across engineering, procurement, and manufacturing, Oleg explains how OpenBOM tackles an industry-wide pain point: sharing the right data with the right people at the right time. He also introduces the concept of product memory—a foundational element for enabling AI and next-generation decision-making across engineering lifecycles. Key Discussion Topics Why traditional PLM systems were built for single-company control, not interconnected supply chainsThe “Google Sheets paradigm” and why customers value OpenBOM’s ease of adoptionHow OpenBOM enables secure data sharing across multiple companies without compromising independenceThe technology driving it: graph-based data models, polyglot persistence, and cloud-native microservicesSignals that a company is ready for OpenBOM: complex products, limited resources, and fast-paced innovation culturesUsing OpenBOM to bridge engineering and procurement (and eradicate Excel chaos)Introducing Product Memory—the data layer that enables AI-driven design and lifecycle intelligence Memorable Quote “AI starts with the right data. If you can’t feed the AI with clean product memory, you’ll just get noisy answers. That’s why OpenBOM builds the data foundation first—everything else comes from that.” — Oleg Shilovitsky If this episode helped clarify what modern PLM tools must deliver—and how product data can become a strategic advantage—make sure to: Follow the podcast so you don’t miss upcoming episodes in our digital product series. Leave a review sharing your biggest insight from today’s conversation Send us your topic ideas at podcast@razorleaf.com —We’d love to hear what you want us to dissect next. Stay tuned and stay sharp. Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Story Blocks. Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co. © 2024 Razorleaf Corp. All Rights Reserved.

    53 min

  6. JAN 6

    #117 Looking Ahead in Digital Engineering for 2026

    What will digital engineering and manufacturing really look like in 2026?  In this forward-looking episode of Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering, hosts Juliann Grant and Jonathan Scott step back from day-to-day execution and examine the trends, technologies, and curveballs shaping the next phase of the industry.  From AI-driven data enrichment and digital twins moving beyond PLM, to ERP vendors entering new territory, humanoid robotics, additive manufacturing at scale, and even quantum computing, this conversation blends grounded experience with thoughtful speculation.  The result is a candid, wide-ranging discussion about what feels inevitable, what feels risky, and what may arrive faster than expected.  Key Topics & Takeaways  Why AI’s real value may be cleaning up decades of messy engineering data How ERP vendors could become unlikely leaders in digital twin platforms The growing importance of semantic data and context, not just volume Why multi-modal AI inputs (speech, sketches, visuals) could change engineering workflows The return of additive manufacturing headlines through mass customization How vertically integrated digital manufacturing companies could disrupt today’s ecosystems What humanoid and collaborative robots mean for factory integration The unresolved risks of AI autonomy, liability, and regulation Why quantum computing remains a wild card worth watching If you enjoyed this episode:  Subscribe to Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering Leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with a colleague navigating digital transformation  Have a take on 2026 or want to join the conversation?  📩 Email: podcast@razorleaf.com  Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Story Blocks. Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co. © 2024 Razorleaf Corp. All Rights Reserved.

    39 min

  7. 12/30/2025

    #116: Stay Sharp 2025: A Guest Soundbite Mashup

    As 2025 comes to a close, Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering takes a look back at a year of standout conversations, memorable insights, and practical lessons from across the digital engineering landscape. In this special year-end episode, hosts Juliann Grant and Jonathan Scott revisit powerful soundbites from guests who helped shape the show’s most meaningful discussions.  Spanning AI, digital thread and digital twin, model-based systems engineering (MBSE), PLM lessons learned, and emerging industry trends, this mashup captures the ideas that resonated most with listeners and continue to influence how organizations design, build, and manage products. This episode runs a bit longer than the usual format, but it’s packed with clarity, perspective, and a few laughs along the way. Episode 116 also marks a milestone moment for Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering, celebrating over 100 episodes and a growing, engaged listener community.  Juliann and Jonathan extend heartfelt thanks to their guests, production team, and listeners for making 2025 such a meaningful year for the podcast. Have ideas for future topics or guests? The team would love to hear from you. 📩 Send suggestions to: podcasts@razorleaf.com   🌐 Visit the new podcast hub: staysharpindigitalengineering.com  If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review or sharing it with a colleague, and as always, thanks for listening.  Stay sharp.   Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Story Blocks. Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co. © 2024 Razorleaf Corp. All Rights Reserved.

    56 min

  8. 12/23/2025

    Episode #115: AI + PLM — The Data Readiness Reality Check

    Episode Summary AI is everywhere, but in engineering and manufacturing, hype often outpaces reality. In this episode of Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering, we unpack what it actually means to be “AI-ready” and why most organizations are struggling to get there. Hosts Juliann Grant and Jonathan Scott are joined by Graham Law, PLM Solution Architect at Razorleaf, to explore the unglamorous but essential foundation of successful AI initiatives: clean, governed, connected engineering data. With over 16 years in PLM and a deep IT background, Graham offers a grounded perspective on what works, what fails, and where organizations should realistically start. This conversation cuts through buzzwords to focus on practical steps, real risks, and how PLM enables AI to deliver meaningful insight rather than confident misinformation. 🔑 Key Takeaways AI success in engineering is 80% data hygiene and 20% technologyMessy, duplicated, or poorly linked data leads to confidently wrong AI answersPLM provides the structure, context, and governance AI depends onOrganizations should start small, not attempt to “boil the ocean”AI can surface insights humans miss, but only if the data foundation is solidGovernance is just as important as cleanup—stop creating bad data going forward👤 Guest Graham Law PLM Solution Architect, Razorleaf16+ years in Product Lifecycle Management Experience with Windchill, Teamcenter, Aras, SOLIDWORKS PLM                                                                   Former IT Manager with deep systems expertise📣 Call to Action If this episode helped sharpen your thinking about AI and engineering data: ●      Subscribe to Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering ●      Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify ●      Share this episode with a colleague working on AI or PLM initiatives Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Story Blocks. Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co. © 2024 Razorleaf Corp. All Rights Reserved.

    36 min
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About

Welcome to 'Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering,' the ultimate podcast for all things digital in the manufacturing industry by Razorleaf. Join us as we take a deep dive into the multifaceted world of digital transformation, exploring topics such as the digital thread, digital twins, IDEs, model-based strategies and delving into the frontiers of cutting-edge technologies like PLM, MES, Integration, and more. Our expert hosts, Jonathan Scott, Jen Ferello, Juliann Grant, and Eric Doubell, will be your guides, providing valuable insights, captivating interviews, and the latest industry updates to ensure you remain at the forefront of the ever-evolving digital landscape. Whether you're a technology enthusiast, a business leader, or simply curious about the digital realm in manufacturing, this podcast is your essential resource for staying sharp and well-informed.

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