Latest News & Resources

In the last tax year, only 1600 companies elected into Patent Box. That’s a startlingly low take-up for Patent Box when you consider the long-term financial benefits on offer. So why aren’t more companies turning their patents into profit sources, and how can you ensure you’re not missing out?

If you’ve been following recent changes to R&D tax relief, you may have heard the term “pre-notification” cropping up. Here we explain what pre-notification means, why it matters, and how to ensure your claim stays on track.

How do you choose the right SOLIDWORKS Licence for your commercial business? Our buyer's guide tells you everything you need to know...

In this article, we will focus specifically on how aerospace companies can benefit from the Patent Box regime — a powerful incentive for companies developing patented technologies, offering a reduced tax rate on profits derived from these innovations.

HMRC's latest R&D tax credit statistics show a sharp drop in claims, especially from SMEs. It’s clear that while the funding is still valuable, the process has become harder and more perilous to navigate for smaller businesses. Find out what’s driving these changes and the steps management teams can take to keep their claims on track despite the challenges.

Looking for the best way to fund your innovation project from start to finish? Read on to explore the best ways businesses like yours can access the right funding at each stage of an innovation project – from early development to commercialisation.

In today's competitive landscape, businesses face mounting pressure to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and stay ahead of the curve with continuous innovation. Design automation is emerging as a critical solution to meet these challenges, offering a transformative approach for the future of engineering.

Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) is a comprehensive approach to managing a product's entire lifecycle, from inception through development, production, maintenance, and disposal. Many companies use multiple separate systems to manage their product lifecycle, leading to inefficiencies and communication issues.

R&D tax relief is under closer scrutiny than ever before. With HMRC increasing compliance checks, many companies are feeling the pressure. But there's no need to panic—accurate claims backed by solid documentation will stand up to the new standards. In this post, we'll help you ensure your claim is prepared for even the most rigorous review.

Following our guiding principle, "Sharing is Growing," we introduce Haven Products, a company offering innovative outsourcing solutions that can help UK manufacturers tackle the current labour shortage. Discover how their services can enhance efficiency and support growth during a time of increased demand.

Intellectual Property (IP) is often an untapped resource when it comes to tax strategy. Here we explore how UK businesses can rethink how they approach their IP in order to achieve significant tax savings and enhance business value.

Not sure how to move the SOLIDNETWORK License Manager to a new server? This handy guide will take you through it - read on!

Looking to speed up your SOLIDWORKS processes? These handy SOLIDWORKS keyboard shortcuts will help - read on to find out what they are!

Want to suggest a new feature for the next version of SOLIDWORKS? You can with a SOLIDWORKS Enhancement Request - Here's how to submit one...

Wondering how to install your SOLIDWORKS Service Pack? Read this handy, easy-to-use guide to find out more now!

Want to know how to understand the 3DEXPERIENCE Cache? This guide will take you through it - read on to find out more!

Want to know how to use the measure tool in SOLIDWORKS? This handy step-by-step guide will have you using it like a pro in no time - check it out!

Are you looking to understand Cold Storage in SOLIDWORKS PDM? This is the guide for you! Read one for this helpful breakdown from Visiativ.

Want to know how to view licenses in SOLIDWORKS - as well as serial numbers and expiry dates? We've got the article for you - click here!

Considering your next SOLIDWORKS training course? Here's why Visiativ are the best choice for you and your team...

Looking to fix the blank installation manager in SOLIDWORKS? Read this quick and easy guide from Visiativ to find out how!

Looking to save or restore user settings in SOLIDWORKS? Read this quick and easy guide from Visiativ and you'll be up and running in no time!

Last week we analysed the potential impact of HMRC losing a landmark software R&D tax tribunal. Coincidentally, another tribunal ruling was released, relating to a separate software R&D tax case, which HMRC won this time. We explain the key differences and the lessons they provide for future R&D tax relief claims.

Upgrading your SOLIDWORKS software? Read this comprehensive checklist from Visiativ to keep yourself right for both upgading and installation!

Looking to access add materials to your favourites in SOLIDWORKS? This easy, quick step-by-step guide from Visiativ will show you how!

HMRC lost a landmark R&D tax tribunal case which has significant implications on the validity of their current enquiry procedure, setting a positive precedent for companies concerned about making an R&D tax credit claim or having their claims unfairly denied. Read on to understand how this ruling could impact your business.

Introducing change in the workplace can be challenging, much like the idea of cycling naked through the streets seems unthinkable—until it's done en masse! We ask Innovation Culture specialist Chris Strong to tell us about what can be done to peel away resistance and create a culture that embraces innovation and growth...

Today, we're asking Visiativ Innovation Funding expert Graham Beck, about an often-overlooked area of R&D: process innovations. While product development typically takes the spotlight, businesses can also claim significant tax relief for innovative improvements to their internal processes. Read on to find out more…

Looking to access SOLIDWORKS training for you or your colleagues? Read this article for many different resources and ways you can train up!

Looking for a quick step-by-step guide on how to access the SOLIDWORKS DSX Client Care & Order Portal? Look no further than this step-by-step guide.

Looking for a quick step-by-step guide on how to download SOLIDWORKS Training eBooks? Look no further than this guide from Visiativ!

Are you looking to download additional weldment profiles for SOLIDWORKS? Read this handy step-by-step guide here from Visiativ!

Learn how to access & download SOLIDWORKS Training Files with this easy, step-by-step guide. Be it a training course with us here at Visiativ or you just want to do some independent reading - get some tips now.

3DEXPERIENCE Share and Markup allows you to share your designs with others via a web link that they can view on any device with a web browser!

Looking to install Draftsight Enterprise? Read this handy step-by-step guide to get designing as soon as possible!

Looking to start file sharing on 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS? We've got the guide for you - read on for several ways on how-to do this step by step!

The right technology can transform your business, driving innovation, streamlining operations, and improving customer experiences. However, introducing new technology can seem daunting to many companies – where do you begin?

Read on to discover insights for leveraging technology, securing funding, and developing a robust innovation strategy.

Ever considered that R&D tax relief might involve more than just your Technical Staff? We spoke with Doug Reid, Tax Director at Visiativ, about how fostering a collaborative culture could help you gain a fresh perspective on your R&D projects and ensure no qualifying activity is overlooked.

Read on to learn how to get everyone involved in your R&D efforts...

Have you ever thought about customising the Command Manager in SOLIDWORKS? It can save you time navigating through menus, looking for commands you are after.

Struggling with creating eDrawings files with 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS? Read our step-by-step tutorial to find out how it's done...

Activating and Deactivating SOLIDWORKS can be confusing for some - let Visiativ talk you through this process and get you innovating again!

Want to know your way round SOLIDWORKS Task Host Configuration? Read on for tips on setting this up to fully optimise your SOLIDWORKS PDM tool.

Ever feel overwhelmed by the details needed to complete your R&D tax relief claims? You're not alone. We sat down with Doug Reid, Tax Director here at Visiativ, to talk about the best way to document your R&D activities.

Read on for Doug’s tips and ensure you maintain robust and compliant R&D documentation that aligns with HMRC's requirements.

Visiativ UK have expanded their CAD offering with the acquisition of 3D CAD and data management specialists Solid Apps - click here for more information about what this means for our offering in the U.K.

Ease-of-use has been a cornerstone of the SOLIDWORKS experience from day one. SOLIDWORKS 2024 continues this tradition, incorporating user feedback into enhanced functionalities and time saving features. Applications Engineer, Sam Barlow, picks out ten of the best...

We've received reports of a SOLIDWORKS 2024 activation issue. It's an easy fix, so read on to find out how it's done...

When you buy SOLIDWORKS from Visiativ, you're not just buying the software and left to fend for yourself. You'll be able to rely on the back up of our team of experts as part of the included SOLIDWORKS Subscription service. But what precisely does an annual SOLIDWORKS subscription, complemented by 3DEXPERIENCE Cloud Services, offer you?

Included with all new SOLIDWORKS licenses, Cloud Services seamlessly connects your CAD data to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, introducing a range of transformative cloud-capable capabilities.

It’s important to upgrade SOLIDWORKS using official service packs throughout the year. This ensures you’re always up-to-date with the latest performance improvements and bug fixes to the software. We’ve put together an easy-to-follow tutorial to show you how it’s done…

Thank you for choosing Visiativ as your 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS partner. Please follow along with these short instructional videos to help you get up and running with The 3DEXPERIENCE Platform and SOLIDWORKS Connected.

In this video, Elite Applications Engineer, Adam Rose, shows you what's new for Drawings in SOLIDWORKS 2023.

In this video, Elite Applications Engineer, Myles Bryning, shows you what's new for Assemblies in SOLIDWORKS 2023.

In this video, Applications Engineer, Mark Alexander, shows you what's new for Sheet metal & structures in SOLIDWORKS 2023.

In this video, Elite Applications Engineer and 3DEXPERIENCE expert, Lucy Davies, shows you what's new in 3D Sculptor on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Watch now...

In this video, Elite Applications Engineer and 3DEXPERIENCE expert, Lucy Davies, shows you what's new in 3D Sculptor on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Watch now...

In this video, Applications Engineer, Jak Szura, shows you what's new for Parts & Features in SOLIDWORKS 2023. Watch now...

In this video, Elite Applications Engineer, Alex Aprigliano, shows you what's new for User Experience in SOLIDWORKS 2023. Watch now...

Incontext Modelling is where you add one or more components into an assembly which could be considered the master or driving components. Read on to find out how it works...