"...the more they stay the same."

I was recently referred to Rachael Dalton-Taggart's blog on PR for the CAE Industry, and more specifically, her comments on CAE ads from 1993.  She stated that while the ads looks slicker, the message is still the same.  In 1993, I was an AE for MSC ("The NASTRAN People").  As I was unpacking some dusty boxes following my move this year to the COSMOS team at SolidWorks, I uncharacteristically decided to purge some old paperwork. I came across sales, marketing, and competitive positioning, on how big the Design Analysis market will be and that someday all designers will be using FEA.  It struck me then, as it did with Rachael, that the ads and articles in the CAE mags are essentially caught in a loop, extolling the promise of design analysis.

So, here' s my question...are we, in the development industry, missing something?  If, in 12 years, (several lifetimes in today's Internet-paced market!), we're still pitching the same message, is there something wrong with the message? Are we preaching to the choir and everyone has already heard the message and made their choice about buying it?  Design Validation technology is faster, easier, more integrated, and more accessible than ever before.  Do you, the user-base, still need articles that explain what it is and why should you use it? (By the way...the Beatles broke up!)  If your managers aren't pushing this technology to the forefront of the design process, do you think repeating the message is going to change anything? Or, do you think repeating the message is going to change anything?  Lastly, do you think repeating the message is going to change anything?

Where is this going? In recent surveys, the two dominant reasons why design engineers don't use FEA more is time and management buy-in (which...in my mind...is the same thing.)  How can we help communicate to you and your management the importance of adopting this mature and proven technology?   

By the way, do you think this Internet-thing is just a fad or do you think it wil really catch on?

-- Vince