Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering

In this special 100th episode of Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering, the team celebrates with a twist—turning the show into a game of acronym bingo! Host Juliann welcomes back Jennifer Ferello, alongside Jonathan Scott and Eric Doubell, for a fast-paced contest to identify 100 acronyms from the world of digital engineering, PLM, and beyond. Expect laughter, a few stumpers, plenty of partial credit, and who will be ultimately crowned the “King/Queen of PLM.” The crew reflects on the fun (and occasional frustration) of decoding acronyms while celebrating the milestone with listeners who made it all possible. 👑 Acronyms, banter, and bingo—what better way to mark 100 episodes? 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.

In this episode of Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering, hosts Juliann Grant and Jonathan Scott sit down with AI expert Alex Bruskin to cut through the hype and explore the real impact of artificial intelligence on the world of digital engineering. From the history of AI and its convergence of compute power, algorithms, and data — to practical, high-value use cases in PLM, CAD, MBSE, and manufacturing — Alex explains where AI truly adds value, where human oversight is essential, and how organizations can prepare their data for successful adoption. Whether you’re curious about AI-driven data enrichment, smarter migration projects, or bridging the gap between engineering documentation and manufacturing, this conversation is packed with insights and actionable examples. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: prediction Links & Resources: Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering Enjoyed this episode? Follow Razorleaf’s Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering, rate the show in your favorite podcast app, and share it with a colleague who’s exploring AI in engineering. 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.

In this episode of Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering, we kick off our Digital Product Series with a deep dive into CONTACT Software—a company that has been shaping the digital engineering space for over 30 years but remains relatively unknown in North America. Our guest, Dimitri Baumtrok, Head of International Sales at CONTACT Software, joins Juliann Grant and Jonathan Scott to share the company’s story, its global expansion, and its unique definition of digital engineering. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Dimitri also shares how CONTACT works closely with customers to co-develop solutions, ensuring their platform evolves alongside real-world needs. If you’ve been curious about lesser-known players in the digital engineering space—or want to understand how CONTACT Elements stacks up against big-name PLM and MES providers—this is a must-listen. 🎧 Tune in to discover why CONTACT Software might just be digital engineering’s best-kept secret. 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.

In this forward-looking episode of Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering, hosts Juliann Grant and Jonathan Scott sit down with PLM authority Michael “Fino” Finocchiaro to unpack how AI, emerging startups, and evolving technologies are transforming the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) landscape. From industry giants like Dassault Systèmes, Siemens, and PTC to disruptive newcomers, the conversation covers current innovations, potential disruptors, and bold predictions—touching on everything from digital threads and agentic AI to quantum computing’s role in engineering. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: If this episode was helpful, follow Razorleaf’s Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering, share it with your PLM team, and rate/review in your podcast app. Tell us what you’re testing next: agents, RAG search, or cloud PDM? Drop a comment and we may feature your question in a future episode. Want more like this? Subscribe and get new episodes the moment they drop. 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.

In Part 2 of our conversation with MBSE expert David Long, we dive deeper into the evolution of model-based systems engineering, tracing its roots, tool development, and growing relevance across industries. You’ll hear how MBSE emerged as a way to improve communication between disciplines, especially between systems and software engineers, and why it's becoming an indispensable part of modern engineering practices. We explore: Whether you're a seasoned systems engineer or just learning about digital engineering, this episode offers an insightful look into the tools, standards, and thought leaders shaping the future. 🛠️ MBSE Tools & Platforms: Innoslate by SPEC Innovations 📚 Thought Leaders & Trainers: Ed Seidewitz (UML & SysML standards contributor) Lenny Delligatti – Author of SysML Distilled 🧪 Standards Bodies: INCOSE (International Council on Systems Engineering) OMG (Object Management Group) 🔗 Learn More About SysML v2: 📩 Contact & Subscribe: Have questions for David or our hosts? Leave a comment or email us at podcast@razorleaf.com. 👉 Be sure to subscribe to Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering on your favorite podcast platform or watch full episodes on YouTube. 🔗 YouTube: Razorleaf YouTube Channel 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.

In this episode of Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering, hosts Juliann Grant and Jonathan Scott sit down with Fernando Valera, Chief Technology Officer at Visure Solutions, to tackle one of the most complex challenges in modern product development: aligning hardware and software lifecycles through integrated requirements engineering. With decades of experience in requirements management, Fernando offers deep insight into how PLM (Product Lifecycle Management), ALM (Application Lifecycle Management), and MBSE (Model-Based Systems Engineering) can come together to create smarter, faster, and safer product development cycles. The conversation also explores how AI is transforming requirements processes and what the future holds for digital engineering. 🔍 Topics Covered: 🧠 Key Quotes: “AI can now do 80% of what a requirements engineer does—but it’s the boring 80%.” “Digital twins are speeding up hardware development the same way DevOps transformed software.” “MBSE isn’t just about models. It’s about giving people better ways to see and simulate complexity.” 👤 Guest Bio: Fernando Valera is a Certified Professional in Requirements Engineering and CTO at Visure Solutions. With over 20 years of experience helping organizations streamline complex product delivery, Fernando brings a global perspective and deep technical expertise to digital transformation initiatives in safety-critical industries. 📩 Got Questions? Drop us a comment on our LinkedIn post or email us at podcast@raise.com. ✅ Don’t forget to like and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or watch the full episode on YouTube. 🎧 Stay sharp, and see you in the next episode! 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.

In this episode of Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering, hosts Juliann Grant and Jonathan Scott welcome back Steve Nichols, head of the Public Sector and Defense Group at Razorleaf. Together, they unpack the foundational steps government agencies need to take to successfully implement digital engineering (DE) practices—whether you're in the Department of Defense, NASA, Homeland Security, or any other federal agency managing complex systems. Steve outlines six key components for digital engineering success: The conversation dives into practical approaches for getting started, even if you're not at the beginning of an acquisition cycle. From digitizing artifacts and improving basic workflows to developing a “digital first” mindset, Steve explains why success starts with clear strategy, small wins, and a vision for long-term sustainability. 💡 Key takeaways: – Don’t try to “boil the ocean”—start small and build momentum – Digital transformation requires cultural and organizational shifts, not just new tools – Programs should consider lifecycle interoperability and future workforce expectations from day one – External guidance and internal advocacy are both critical for success 📍 Whether you’re supporting legacy programs or launching new initiatives, this episode offers a clear roadmap for navigating digital engineering in government. 🎧 Listen now to learn how to set your team up for long-term success: https://blindblaming.com/podcast/how-to-turn-leadership-mistakes-into-your-greatest-advantage/ (replace with the actual URL for this episode) 👉 Got questions or want to join the conversation? Drop us a comment or email us at podcast@raiseleaf.com. 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe 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.

In this episode of Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering, hosts Juliann Grant and Jonathan Scott are joined by David Ewing, Director of Mission Integration at SAIC and architect of the award-winning Ready One digital engineering platform. Together, they tackle the myths and misconceptions surrounding digital twins. They explore the difference between digital models and true digital twins, the importance of having a physical counterpart, and why configuration management is crucial for maintaining a digital thread. Dave emphasizes that a digital twin isn’t just a model—it’s a living representation that evolves alongside its physical asset, incorporating real-time data and changes over time. The conversation also covers: David also shares a few laughs with the hosts, poking fun at the overuse of buzzwords and “digital trophies,” and stressing the importance of context, scalability, and ethics in digital engineering. Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding of what a digital twin is (and isn’t), where AI fits in, and how to start building toward a truly connected, model-based future. If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to like this episode and subscribe to Stay Sharp on your favorite podcast platform or on YouTube. Got questions or feedback for the hosts? Drop a comment or email us at podcast@razorleaf.com. Until next time—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.

In this foundational episode, we kick off a two-part conversation with renowned MBSE thought leader David Long, former president of INCOSE and long-time advocate for model-based systems engineering. Hosts Juliann Grant and Jonathan Scott explore the role MBSE plays in enabling Digital Twins, especially in early lifecycle phases, and clarify how MBSE supports—not replaces—high-fidelity simulation and engineering tools. We cover: and isn’t David also introduces the idea of MBSE acting as the “connective tissue” that unifies disciplines—not a high-fidelity replacement tool, but a crucial framework for clarity, collaboration, and continuous evolution. 🧰 Resources & Links Mentioned: 📘 MBSE & Digital Twin Concepts: INCOSE – International Council on Systems Engineering Conway’s Law – How Organizational Structure Impacts System Design 🧠 Simulation, Modeling & Architecture: Functional Mock-up Interface (FMI) 📩 Contact & Subscribe: 🎧 Subscribe to Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering on your favorite podcast platform ▶️ Watch full episodes on Razorleaf’s YouTube Channel 📬 Got questions for David Long? Send us an email at 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.

How do simulations truly integrate into the world of digital twins—and what role do surrogate models and AI play in driving smarter design? In this episode, hosts Juliann Grant and Jonathan Scott continue the Digital Twin Series with a deep dive into simulation, featuring guest expert Shawn Freeman from Vias. With over 30 years of experience in CAE and simulation-driven product development, Shawn helps demystify how traditional CAE, surrogate modeling, and emerging technologies like AI are transforming how we design, manufacture, and operate products. 🔍 Topics covered: 🎧 Whether you're designing consumer products or managing aircraft performance, this episode gives you a comprehensive look at how simulation fits into the digital twin ecosystem. 👉 Got questions or comments? Email us at podcast@razorleaf.com or comment on our latest post. Until next time—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.

In this episode, hosts Juliann Grant and Jonathan Scott are joined by Patrick Harrigan, VP of Partnerships at Caddi, to explore the transformative role of AI in unlocking the potential of unstructured data in manufacturing. While most conversations in digital engineering focus on structured data—PLM, ERP, and CAD—this episode dives deep into the massive (and often untapped) world of unstructured data: paper documents, legacy drawings, tribal knowledge, and more. 💡 Topics Covered: unstructured data 🔧 Key Insight: AI isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a powerful tool for surfacing decades of buried knowledge and connecting data silos across the digital thread. Whether it’s improving design reuse, surfacing legacy quality fixes, or simply saving engineers from being “librarians,” the potential is vast. 🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube. 📩 Questions or feedback? Email us at podcast@razorleaf.com Stay Sharp—and stay curious. 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.

In this special 25th anniversary episode, we’re taking a trip down memory lane with Razorleaf’s CEO and co-founder, Eric Doubell. Hosts Juliann Grant and Jonathan Scott sit down with Eric to reflect on the pivotal moments, lessons learned, and guiding values that shaped Razorleaf’s journey from a scrappy startup to a global digital engineering leader. 💡 In this episode, we cover: 🔥 Whether you’re an entrepreneur, PLM expert, digital engineering leader, or longtime Razorleaf partner, this episode offers insight into building a resilient, values-driven company in a rapidly changing tech world. 📩 Have a question for Eric or the team? Email us at: podcast@razorleaf.com 👍 Like this episode? Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite platform, and follow Razorleaf on social media. 🔗 Learn more at 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.

In this episode of Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering, we go beyond the product digital twin and dive into the transformative world of virtual twins for manufacturing processes. Juliann and Jonathan are joined by Kevin Sullivan of Dassault Systèmes to explore how leading manufacturers are using process twins to simulate, optimize, and future-proof their factory operations. You’ll learn: ✅ The difference between digital twins and virtual twins ✅ How process twins drive efficiency, lean manufacturing, and pull-based production ✅ Real-world use cases from bottling lines to automotive to greenfield factory builds ✅ Why simulation matters more than ever in high-speed, high-volume production ✅ How virtual twins support sustainability, supply chain resilience, and even human ergonomics Whether you’re designing a new facility or trying to modernize an existing one, this episode will give you practical insights on how to use virtual twins to cut costs, reduce risk, and increase adaptability. Topics Discussed: Resources Contact: Have questions or want to connect with our guest? Drop us a line at 📧 podcast@razorleaf.com 📌 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! 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.

In this episode of Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering, hosts Juliann Grant and Jonathan Scott welcome back Dr. Patrick Hillberg for his fourth appearance on the show. A professor and thought leader in PLM, systems thinking, and digital transformation, Dr. Hillberg joins the conversation to explore powerful and practical use cases for digital twins across industries. From Hollywood film sets and football fields to harbor cranes, commercial airliners, and collapsed buildings, this episode dives into how digital twins—and more importantly, digital threads—are being used to simulate, diagnose, and even prevent catastrophic events. 🔍 Highlights from the Episode: before Dr. Hillberg also walks us through the six foundational pillars of product lifecycle management, originally laid out by Michael Grieves, and reframes them as essential elements of a functioning digital twin ecosystem. Whether you're an engineer, innovator, or executive, this episode challenges you to rethink how you capture, use, and respond to real-time data—and how digital twins can be your most valuable asset in designing for safety, efficiency, and accountability. 🎧 Tune in to hear: 👉 Got a question for Patrick? Want to suggest a future topic? Leave us a comment or send an email to 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.

What really goes into building a digital twin that delivers value? In this episode, Juliann and Jonathan welcome industry veteran Dan Miklovic to unpack how digital twins are evolving to encompass not just the product, but the process that creates it. With over 50 years in manufacturing—from the plant floor to analyst firms like Gartner—Dan brings unparalleled insight into what it takes to build accurate, actionable digital twins in today’s fast-moving industrial landscape. You’ll learn: tapestry howwhat Whether you work with engineered-to-order products or high-volume manufacturing, this conversation will change how you think about digital twins—from static snapshots to living, breathing models of your operation. 🔧 Topics Covered: 📨 Have a question for Dan or the Razorleaf team? Email: podcast@razorleaf.com 📺 Watch on YouTube or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Until next time—work hard, 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.

In this episode of Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering, hosts Juliann Grant and Jonathan Scott continue their Digital Twin series—this time focusing on software digital twins. While hardware digital twins often dominate the conversation, software-based twins are playing an increasingly vital role in modern engineering and manufacturing. Juliann and Jonathan break down what software digital twins actually are (hint: it’s not always straightforward), where they live in the tech ecosystem, and how they power everything from simulation and testing to configuration management and DevOps pipelines. They also explore how these twins are used differently depending on whether software is the product or part of a larger physical system—like a smart refrigerator or a modern aircraft. You’ll learn about: Key Quote: "Software digital twins may not always be visible—but they're absolutely vital when lives, safety, and product performance are on the line." 💡 Want to join the conversation or request a follow-up episode? Email us at podcast@razorleaf.com or leave a comment wherever you listen. 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.

In this episode, Juliann and Jonathan dive into insights from the CIMdata PLM Roadmap and PDT Conference, held May 7–8 in Tysons Corner, VA. With this year’s theme—“PLM’s Integral Role in Digital Transformation: From Strategy to Execution”—they reflect on the event’s most powerful takeaways and presentations that explore how PLM can evolve from a tech initiative to an enterprise-wide business enabler. 💡 What you'll learn in this episode: Whether you're an engineering leader, IT professional, or digital transformation strategist, this recap offers practical frameworks and honest reflections to help your PLM strategy drive real business outcomes. 🔗 Resources & Mentions: 📍Next stop: PLM Roadmap Europe – November in Paris – Learn more at cimdata.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.

In this episode of Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering, hosts Juliann Grant and Jonathan Scott are joined by renowned PLM thought leader and sustainability advocate, Jos Voskuil, co-founder of the PLM Green Global Alliance. Together, they unpack the evolving role of sustainability within the world of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and digital engineering. From the European Green Deal to the growing importance of lifecycle assessment (LCA), this episode explores how environmental impact is shaping how products are designed, manufactured, and maintained. 🔍 Topics Covered: 🌍 Key Insight: Sustainability is no longer a side concern—it’s becoming a central factor in product innovation and compliance. And while regulations are often the spark, digital transformation is the fuel that helps companies prepare, respond, and lead. 📩 Got questions or feedback? Email us at podcast@razorleaf.com or drop a comment wherever you listen. 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.

Hosts Juliann Grant and Jonathan Scott sit down with Bob Mafia of BAE Systems to unpack what it really takes to manage large-scale PLM systems. From supporting thousands of users to navigating digital engineering, Bob shares practical lessons from the front lines. 💡 Highlights 📩 Get in Touch Have a question or want to connect with Bob? Email us at podcast@razorleaf.com 🎧 Follow Us Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube—and as always, 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.

In this episode of Stay Sharp, hosts Juliann Grant and Jonathan Scott are joined by Michael Craffey and Kip Speck from Razorleaf to unpack the highlights from COExperience 2025, held in Reno, Nevada. COExperience—originally the CATIA Operators Exchange—is one of the largest gatherings in the PLM community, showcasing the latest in Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Takeaways: 👉 Get Involved: Interested in volunteering with COExperience? Visit www.coe.org or email coe@coe.org. 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Subscribe on your favorite podcast app or watch on YouTube. Don’t forget to like and share this episode if you enjoyed it! 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.