PCB Design Software Market Analysis

In-depth Analysis of PCB Design Software Market Industry Landscape

The increasing adoption of cutting-edge technologies like cloud computing, big data, 3D printing, AI, and IoT is prompting PCB software providers to explore opportunities to enhance their solutions. The emergence of advanced technologies presents lucrative growth prospects for the industry. The prevalence of portable devices, such as smartphones and tablets boasting increased storage capacity, enhanced performance, and improved processing speed, signifies significant business opportunities. Additionally, technological advancements are leading to a reduction in the size of PCB boards. Major companies in the market can leverage these opportunities to gain a competitive edge. Enhancing PCB design software to meet diverse demands represents a significant business opportunity, driven by the increasing complexity and demand for such software, particularly with the rising need for smaller devices. An example of an opportunity in this space is the integration of various features into a single, cohesive interface. This involves developing a unified program that consolidates major design, analysis, and documentation features within a single environment. While Cadence currently provides separate products for powerful PCB simulations, Altium is leading the market by offering integrated PCB design software with a single interface that encompasses major solutions. Altium's considerable growth compared to Cadence indicates the market's demand for integrated PCB design software that enhances productivity and functionality without requiring multiple programs. Another notable opportunity for the PCB design software market is the integration of 3D printing systems for additive manufacturing with PCB manufacturing. Current 3D printing systems rely on instructions generated from solid models designed in Mechanical Computer-Aided Design (MCAD) programs like SolidWorks or ANSYS. However, Electronic Design Automation (EDA) software packages lack support for these systems, meaning they cannot convert PCB designs into mechanical models for 3D printers. Exploring this area would facilitate better adoption of these unique systems for electronics manufacturing. Altium's MCAD collaboration solution serves as a prototype for this opportunity, demonstrating the potential for integration between PCB design and 3D printing systems. Additionally, Nano Dimension, a new player in electronics additive manufacturing, offers a SolidWorks extension enabling designers to create 3D models for simple electronics that can be printed using a 3D printing system.