PTC announced the launch of a fully cloud‑native Model‑Based Definition (MBD) capability for its Onshape CAD and product data management platform on February 26, 2026. The new feature embeds manufacturing information directly into 3‑D models, eliminating the need for separate drawings, exports, and disconnected files. By keeping all product data in a single, always‑up‑to‑date model, the update promises to reduce handoffs, cut rework, and accelerate design‑to‑production workflows.
The MBD functionality is built on Amazon Web Services, allowing PTC to leverage AWS’s scalable infrastructure and AI tools. PTC executives highlighted that the integration supports regulatory compliance and real‑time collaboration across distributed teams, positioning Onshape as a more powerful, cloud‑native alternative to traditional on‑premise CAD solutions. The company said the launch is a key step toward its Intelligent Product Lifecycle vision, which seeks to make product data the foundation for AI‑driven manufacturing and service operations.
"Cloud‑native MBD is a critical step for our customers to build an intelligent, fully digital product lifecycle," said David Katzman, EVP and General Manager of Onshape and Arena at PTC. "By moving product definition into the cloud, companies can finally break down barriers between design, manufacturing, and the rest of the enterprise. This shift is made possible by AWS’ scalable infrastructure and AI capabilities, which enable Onshape to deliver a faster and more resilient cloud‑native platform."
"When you build aircraft under strict regulatory oversight, ambiguity is expensive," said Marc Germain, Chief Digital Officer at Aura Aero, a customer. "As an early user of MBD in Onshape, being able to carry certification and manufacturing requirements inside the model instead of across drawings and files is already cutting rework and review cycles and helping our teams work faster with fewer handoffs."
"Onshape Model‑Based definition is a great example of how AWS and PTC are working together to modernize engineering," said Michael Choe, AWS General Manager, US Automotive and Manufacturing. "By re‑architecting core engineering tools on AWS' cloud‑native platforms, we're unlocking new possibilities—making them easier to deploy globally, more powerful through AI‑driven capabilities, and dramatically better at enabling friction‑free, real‑time collaboration across distributed teams. This strategic collaboration represents a major leap forward in how teams design, build, and bring products to market."
The launch follows PTC’s strong Q1 2026 earnings, in which the company beat analyst expectations with earnings per share of $1.92 versus a consensus of $1.55–$1.59 and revenue of $686 million versus an estimate of $635 million. The results reflected robust demand for PTC’s cloud‑native solutions and a favorable mix of high‑margin AI and data‑center contracts. Management raised its fiscal 2026 revenue and non‑GAAP EPS guidance, signaling confidence in continued growth and the scalability of its cloud platform.
The introduction of cloud‑native MBD is expected to accelerate Onshape’s adoption among customers who require tight integration of design, manufacturing, and regulatory data. By embedding all product information in a single model, teams can reduce errors, shorten review cycles, and bring products to market faster—key advantages in a market where competitors are still transitioning from legacy architectures. The move also strengthens PTC’s position as a leader in digital product development and supports its broader strategy to monetize AI‑driven insights across the product lifecycle.
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