"When somebody says it's NOT about the money; it's about the money."
- H. L. Mencken, American journalist & satirist (1880 - 1956)
( ESNUG 599 Item 1 ) ------------------------------------------------------- [07/30/25]
Subject: 68% of Ansys users CONCERNED about post-merger PRICING and/or SUPPORT
COOLEY'S QUICKIE HISTORY: Roughly 24 months ago, SNPS announced that Aart was
stepping down and that Sassine was stepping up as the new CEO of Synopsys.
Then roughly 18 months ago right as Sassine took office at SNPS, he announced
a $34 billion merger of Synopsys and Ansys -- which pretty much shocked the
entire EDA universe in it's ballsyness -- plus the fact that $34 billion is the
largest merger that has ever happened in the EDA world ever!
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Then a zillion people both inside and outside of the EDA world had serious doubts
that Sassine could get this deal approved by U.S. Government regulators (which he
did 2 months ago) ...
... plus the even bigger problem of getting mainland China to approve the merger
(especially since Trump and China have been squabbling lately -- but after much
drama and doubts all around -- two weeks ago Sassine *somehow* managed to get the
final approval from China for the $35 billion Synopsys-Ansys merger!!!)
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WHAT THIS MEANS TO EDA USERS: Basically, with all this drama, Sassine managed to
fill a big gaping hole in the Synopsys tool set by adding all these (at least at
one time) Best-in-Class Ansys multiphysics tools to his SNPS portfolio...
...thus effectively matching Anirudh's newer-more-recently-developed Cadence tools
directly challenging ANSS' dominance in the multiphysics wars.
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Or to explain it visually, before the SNPS-ANSS merger, Sassine had this:
 
Synopsys ICC2 & Fusion Compiler <==> Cadence Innovus
Synopsys 3DIC Compiler <==> Cadence Integrity 3D-IC
Synopsys DSO.ai <==> Cadence Cerebrus & Certus
Synopsys Design Compiler <==> Cadence Genus
Synopsys Primetime <==> Cadence Tempus
Synopsys VCS <==> Cadence Xcelium & Incisive
Synopsys Zebu & HAPS <==> Cadence Palladium & Protium
Synopsys Custom Compiler <==> Cadence Virtuoso & ADE
Synopsys PrimeSim & HSPICE <==> Cadence Spectre & Spectre-X & PSpice
Synopsys IC Validator <==> Cadence Pegasus
Synopsys Star-RC <==> Cadence Quantus QRC
Synopsys Verdi <==> Cadence Indago
Synopsys Spyglass <==> Cadence SimVision & ViVA
Synopsys VSO.ai <==> Cadence Verisium
Synopsys VC Formal <==> Cadence JasperGold
Synopsys DesignWare <==> Cadence Protocol IP
Synopsys Verification IP <==> Cadence Verification IP
Synopsys PrimePower <==> Cadence Joules
Synopsys TestMax DFT <==> Cadence Modus DFT
Synopsys Formality <==> Cadence Conformal
Synopsys NanoTime <==> Cadence Voltus-XFi
Synopsys Synplify FPGA <==> Cadence Genus
Synopsys Synphony HLS <==> Cadence Stratus HLS
Synopsys Laker <==> Cadence Tanner
Synopsys Raphael FX <==> Cadence Clarity 3D Solver
Synopsys PrimeSim XA <==> Cadence Voltus
Synopsys Virtualizer <==> Cadence Helium Studio
Synopsys Liberty <==> Cadence Liberate
Synopsys SLM & DfR <==> Cadence Legato
But, two weeks ago after the SNPS-ANSS merger, Sassine now also has this:
Ansys RedHawk-SC <==> Cadence Voltus
Ansys HFSS <==> Cadence Clarity
Ansys Icepak & Thermal <==> Cadence Celsius
Ansys SiWave <==> Cadence Sigrity
Ansys Designer <==> Cadence AWR & Optimality
Ansys RaptorX & Exalto <==> Cadence EMX
Ansys VeloceRF <==> Cadence EMX Designer
Ansys Fluent & CFX <==> Cadence Fidelity & Millenium
Ansys Totem <==> Cadence Voltus
Ansys Mechanical <==> Cadence Beta CAE
See how Sassine -- in 24 months -- has now effectively matched Anirudh across the
board on a tool-for-tool basis with this ballsy unexpected massive merger? Whoa.
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YET ANOTHER COOLEY EDA USER SURVEY (OF COURSE): Big EDA news? Hell, yes, I do
yet another user survey! I sent this question sent out to 62,000 DeepChip.com
readers on Tuesday, July 15th:
Blah blah blah blah blah blah yesterday China approved the $35 billion
merger of Synopsys and Ansys -- and the two companies are expected to
close the deal in 48 hours on Thursday, July 17th blah blah blah ...
Question 1: (PLEASE CHOOSE ONE)
A. I am an EDA USER.
A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project.
A#2. I do NOT use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project.
B. I am an EDA VENDOR.
C. I am an EDA WATCHER.
Question #2:
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news,
NEUTRAL news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
It should be easy? Right? After all, GOOD news, BAD news, or NEUTRAL news pretty
much covers all the possible ways a person can react to anything, right??? ...
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ANSYS USERS BROKE COOLEY'S SURVEY: and 51 percent of them broke my quickie survey
by refusing to choose one of my GOOD-news,-BAD news,-or-NEUTRAL-news boxes!
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
GOOD news: :########## 21 percent
NEUTRAL news: :###### 13 percent
BAD news: :####### 15 percent
None of the Above: :########################## 51 percent <=== WTF??!
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68 PERCENT WORRY ABOUT HIGHER PRICES AND/OR SUPPORT CUTS: Anyway... Going through
all the Ansys-user responses that I received, Ansys-user comments broke out to...
"As an Ansys tool user, this ANSS-SNPS merger has me CONCERNED about:
HIGHER tool prices: :###################### 44 percent
REDUCED tool support: :############ 24 percent
LESS competition: :#### 7 percent
forced switch to CDNS: :# 3 percent
"As an Ansys tool user, this ANSS-SNPS merger has me HAPPY about:
better integration: :############## 27 percent
adds A.I. now: :####### 14 percent
INCREASED tool support: :## 5 percent
REDUCED tool prices: :# 3 percent
MORE competition: :# 3 percent
fix ANSS license bugs: :# 2 percent
ONE WEIRD DISCOVERY: mixed in with the flood of Ansys user comments griping
about upcoming pice hikes and support cuts, you'll find 3 comments from users
mixed in complaining about license management issues:
"The merger is probably going to be annoying because both licenses
are already hard to manage, and Ansys is close to the worst."
I must confess that I did NOT expect to see that popping up in this survey!
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
The prominent ones we use are Ansys HFSS, Q3D, CFD, Discovery Pro.,
Maxwell, Electronics, Mechanical, Fluent, CFX, Totem, RedHawk,
plus their Medini functional safety tools, and PowerArtist.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
The Ansys/Synopsys merger is GOOD NEWS. There will be fewer vendors to
deal with. The tool flows will be more complete and more integrated.
Can't wait to see how AI between SNPS and ANSS tools will improve things.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
We use ANSS for all of our multiphysics.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
Can't say.
If ANSS prices go up 30%, we can live with that.
If they go up 7x, my management will rebel.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Ansys and Synopsys
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
$35 billion is a BIG debt to pay off.
My mgmt is expects price increases. The question is how much.
If too much we might have to jump to Cadence which we would rather not do.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
SNNP with ANSS
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
Support & prices. Could be good. Could be bad.
We'll see.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
We use Redhawk/Totem for chip reliability, PowerArtist for RTL power, and
their mechanical + package tools (e,g. Maxwell, SIwave, HFSS, Q3D, etc.)
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
BAD NEWS as ANSS tool prices will likely go up.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Ansys only
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
Unsure.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
SNPS-ANSS integration
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
We want to see how their field support shakes out.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Ansys only
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
Coin toss. Will we get priced out of Ansys now?
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Lots of Ansys everywhere here.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
Ask me this question 12 months from now.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
only ANSS for multiphysics (for now)
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
Not NEUTRAL. Neutral implies that we don't care. We do care.
Since they've already cashed out, if the good Ansys people leave to join
Cadence, we'll be tempted to go Cadence multiphysics, too.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
A#1 Ansys
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
We're troubled about how this might go. re: pricing and support.
Adding AI between Redhawk and Fusion might be interesting.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Synopsys-Ansys flow for 3D-IC's. Fusion, Redhawk, Totem, Redhawk-SC
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
None of these.
We are very deeply invested in our Synopsys-Ansys flow.
Our engineers know how to make successful 3D-ICs with it.
Our concern is how much will prices go up to cover that $35 billion.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Ansys
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
We won't know until we do our license renewals in 8 months from now.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Ansys
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
Can't tell yet
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
We used RedHawk. Used it for years, mostly trial and error in
configuration as the tool was a complete mess to configure and
debug. Redhawk Support wasn't much help.
We also tried to evaluate Totem, but gave up:
1) Sales: We'll give you an eval Totem license
2) Website & Support: You can't download an eval Totem
without a paid license
3) Loop back to (1), and repeat the loop ad-infinitum
After a couple of months completely unable to get an eval because
ANSS Totem Sales & Support can't get their act together, I dropped
it and haven't talked to them since.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
GOOD news. Actually GREAT NEWS because Synopsys will clean-up the
screwed-up Ansys SW support and licensing issues.
Also like Anss and Snps SW having closer ties.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Currently using Ansys Redhawk and Redhawk-SC.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
Bad news because licenses will get even more expensive.
Good news that the tool support should get better. Plus better
between vendor integration.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
The major Ansys tools we use are HFSS and Ansys Mechanical.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
It's GOOD NEWS for my project and my company.
We previously viewed Ansys as merely a niche vendor, with special purpose
tools for special uses. We viewed Synopsys as one of the Big 3, Cadence,
Mentor/Siemens, and Synopsys -- but perhaps the weakest of the 3.
We view this merger as strengthening Synopsys, to provide better
competition among the Big 3.
And once Ansys is part of Synopsys, that will be one fewer medium-sized
niche vendor we will need to deal with. (Small vendors are great;
they are nimble and usually provide something unique. Large vendors
are great; they provide lots of options, lots of support, long-term
dependability, and economies of scale. Medium-sized vendors come
with awkward issues.) Also, we don't expect Synopsys to bury the good
technology that Ansys has; we view the products offered by the two
companies currently as complementary, so we don't expect to lose access
to any technology as a result of the merger.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
We use:
HFSS for 3D channel SI modeling
Q3D Extractor for RLGC extraction for SI modeling
SiWave for 2D SI & PI modeling
Icepak for thermal modeling
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
This merger is GOOD news or BAD news for us. We can't tell yet.
We will see if gets better or worse for support and that depends on who
ejects from Ansys.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
HFSS, Totem, Redhawk-SC
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
NEUTRAL. It's function of new development and their support plans.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
We use HFSS from ANSYS. And we're looking at TOTEM EMIR.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
NEUTRAL news because I have no idea whether the license costs will
increase and/or support quality will decrease or not ... :(
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
We use Redhawk for generation of EDA views mainly.
We occasionally use Redhawk for power analysis to support our
internal customers, who actively use it.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
GOOD NEWS. Because AI mixing Ansys power analysis with Synopsys
synthesis, physical design, and STA tools would highly benefit
us, when intermingled. IR-drop aware synthesis and IR-drop aware
STA would benefit us in SoC design. Add transistor level analysis
would thrust us forward.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
We are using Redhawk.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
NEUTRAL news because Redhawk is just a tool and it doesn't matter
which company owns it.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
We use Ansys' PowerArtist tool for RTL power analysis.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
NEUTRAL because I am only an EDA user and this merger won't
impact me or my projects directly.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Ansys tools we use: Redhawk-SC
Totem
Redhawk-SC ET
Pathfinder
RaptorH
VeloceRF
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
BAD NEWS. Ansys Power Integrity and Packaging/System tools are
currently the Best-In-Class products in their category.
Synopsys will lose the core product innovations and only succeed in
improving results by tight integration with their Fusion Compiler,
and other Synopsys flows.
It is a win for Cadence Silicon tools like Voltus; which already has
good integration with Cadence implementation tools -- but is lagging
behnd Ansys a little bit in features and in reporting.
This merger gives Cadence an opportunity to get ahead of Ansys/Synopsys
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
We are a Mentor house, but many here prefer Ansys to Hyperlinx.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
GOOD NEWS but not very good. It pushes Synopsys towards building a
alternative to Mentor and Cadence. IMO they need to also scoop up
Altium or the like and really compete on the PCB tools. Synopsys
still lacks Schematics/Gerbers/Thermal/Power tools for designing
circuit boards.
What we need is a COMPLETE competitive alternative. Synopsys/Ansys
is not that yet.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
I don't want to disclose it in full detail, let's call it a wider
selection of Ansys tools along the full Synopsys EDA toolchain.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
BAD news: The customer always pays for the mergers/acquisitions
$$$ license fees $$$
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
The Redhawks. Looking at adding some Totems.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
We're in the middle of negotiations on licensing and based on past
experience with SNPS, things won't get cheaper after the merger.
We're already struggling to justify the cost increase of our current
Ansys tools; new tools are seen as a luxury.
Our management is very frugal.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
We use RedHawk-SC for all our SoC projects as our PI sign-off tool.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
Not a good question to answer today.
May be good news for integrating/improving our Synopsys based flow,
and also for software license cost.
May not be good new for Ansys tool performance re-bumping and getting
quality stability because Ansys technology has been becoming old
fashioned and could be potentially falling behind Cadence in the
near future because Ansys won't integrate well with Cadence and
Siemens EDA and the smaller EDA tools.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
HFSS, Mechanical, optiSLang, Q3D, Veloce RF, Paragon, Totem
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
BAD NEWS.
The merger will likely result in increased prices.
Additionally, having one less vendor reduces the options available
for comparison. Anti-competitive.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
We use almost all the tools Ansys has to offer.
Redhawk/Totem/HFSS/IcePak/Mechanical/Discovery
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
This merger is BAD news for my project and my company because the
combined vendor becomes too big to negotiate with.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
We use the Redhawk/ICC2/Fusion integration.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
If Sassine raises Redhawk/Fusion/ICC2 prices too much, we'd have to do
an entire tool swap out to Voltus/Cerebrus.
It would cost us a lot of time and resources to make such a switch.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Redhawk-SC
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
GOOD NEWS.
Now Synopsys has a complete flow to compete against Cadence.
Competition is good.
We all win from better tools at lower prices because of competition.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Redhawk, Redhawk-SC, Totem, Q3D
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
With $35 billion to pay off, we know Sassine has a big price hike coming.
The question is how much.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
No Cadence. Only Ansys.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
Right now we're not sure.
If they cut support too many support staff, or raise prices too much
it will hurt us a lot.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Ansys + Synopsys
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
NEUTRAL news.
We use Ansys + Synopsys before the merger.
We're still using Ansys + Synopsys after the merger.
We welcome merging the Ansys SW with SNPS SW, though.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
We have multi-thousand person-years invested in the ANSS + SNPS flow.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
Too soon to tell.
Have to see their road map, find out the new prices, then go from there.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Ansys-Synopsys
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
Wrong question to ask.
We don't know if the key Ansys people are jumping ship from Ansys or not.
3D-ICs with A18s isn't some you want to try without the best support.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
major Ansys tool users here
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
We're apprehensive.
CONs: are raising prices, less support
PROs: are AI and tight integration with our PnR flow
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
We are wait and see right now.
Post-merger Ansys tool support is out biggest concern.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Totem, Redhawk-SC, Fusion, Primetime, ICV
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
GOOD NEWS.
We already know how our Ansys-Synopsys flow works now.
Taking down the streaming walls plus add in A.I. could boost productivity
by 10x or more.
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
We are Synopsys/Ansys only.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
BAD NEWS because it's anticompetitive.
They know we're deeply locked into the Synopsys/Ansys flow.
We now have no price leverage on our side.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
we are an ANSS plus SNPS house. No CDNS.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
Good news.
The gains of tightly integrating our multiphysics tools with our
implementation tools will rock!
Add in AI and it gets better!
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"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Fusion. Redhawk. ICC2.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
My guys are looking forward to opening the barriers between our
SNPS PnR tools and ANSS multiphysics tool will help us.
My managment is concerned about how much these improvements will
cost us.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
ANSS+SNPS
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
If Sassine cuts back on his Ansys support people to pay for this
merger, my design team is going to be furious.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Almost all ANSS on this
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
Neutral or Bad news.
Whomever owns the ANSS tools doesn't change the fact that they're
best in class.
But if their support dries up, that's a whole other concern.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
We use Fusion/Redhawk integration
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
GOOD NEWS.
Ansys R&D knows multiphysics really well.
Synopsys R&D knows A.I. really well.
Putting the two together should be great for us.
Depending on our new end costs, of course. Nothing is for free.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
ANSSS
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
NEUTRAL.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
hfss, mechanical
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
maybe all three flavours of news?
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
use all ANSS. no CDNS
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
skip
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
redhawk-sc, totem, q3d
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
worried about the upcoming price hike
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
HFSS
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
depends on support and new prices
might switch to EMWorks or Cadence if too expensive
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Anss
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
can't answer right now
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Ansys HFSS and Mechanical
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
Depends on new prices
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
We use both Ansys and Synopsys tools.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
BAD news
The merger is probably going to be annoying because both licenses
are already hard to manage, and Ansys is close to the worst.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Redhawk
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
GOOD news. It will hopefully lead to better integration of both
Apache and Synopsys tools.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
We use Ansys with both Synopsys and Cadence PnR.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
This Ansys-Synopsys merger is BAD news because Ansys tools will likely
evolve towards being less implementation tool agnostic. No Cadence PnR.
And I expect similar from Synopsys DesignWare IP -- library views for Ansys
tools will likely evolve towards Ansys-only -- unless you want to pay extra
to customize the IP delivery BOM.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
We are using Redhawk-SC and I believe some of our people are looking at
the Ansys automotive tools.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
Good news.
I have one less vendor to worry about. One less set of licenses, VPA, etc.
to deal with.
And, hopefully, fingers crossed, better integration between Ansys and
Synopsys tools.
I hope Ghazi and Gopal can be friends.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Redhawk-SC, Totem
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
Not sure which "choose one" fits our scenario
Will they cut back on support to help pay for the $35 billion debt?
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
We use the Ansys Totem tools for all our custom designs.
It's a really good tool with excellent customer support as well.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
We're closely watching Sassine for now.
We're worried Synopsys will hike prices just like with every company
that they have acquired in the past.
Some tools went up 10x!
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
We're long time Apache Tomahawk (Redhawk) users.
Keith Mueller sold us our first Tomahawk licenses.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
We don't know yet.
It all depends on the Ansys tool support after the merger.
And their new prices.
They have a history of increasing exponentially after each merger.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
EDITOR'S NOTE: for brevity, 83 more very terse Ansys-user responses were NOT
published here, but were still included in the stats for this survey. - John
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
CADENCE USERS DON'T CARE: And here's all the Cadence "Ansys-like" users responses
on this survey about Sassine's Synopsys-Ansys merger.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
GOOD news: : 0 percent
NEUTRAL news: :############################################# 91 percent
BAD news: :#### 8 percent
Unlike the Ansys users, only one Cadence user had concerns about the Cadence
prices going up because of the Synopsys-Ansys merger.
Most Cadence users simply didn't care.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
We're a Cadence house.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
BAD NEWS.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Cadence here
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
NEUTRAL news.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and Ansys-like tools on my project."
I use AnsysEDT = "Ansys Electronic Desktop". It's their pre/post
processor for HFSS, Maxwell, Q3D Extractor, and Simplorer.
We use AnsysEDT as a finite-element 3D field-solving model extractor
that we use for on-chip antenna modeling and simulation. This is
for IC designs working in the 300-400 GHz range.
And use Keysight ADS. AnsysEDT is better for 3D design, ADS is
better for 2D design.
We are adding Cadence "Momentum" into our Cadence Virtuoso layout.
This may eliminate Anysys AnsysEDT and Keysight ADS from our toolset
because both AnsysEDT and ADS require streaming-out and then
streaming-in to Virtuoso layout. And the layer mapping going
between tools is always a problem.
Momentum should avoid this problem by keeping everything in Cadence.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
NEUTRAL. No overlap between Synopsys and Ansys tools, so we don't
lose anything. And there are competitive replacements at Cadence
for both Synopsys and Ansys.
(Possible GOOD NEWS will be the A.I. improvements that might come
from them being tightly integrated; but that has yet to be seen.)
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
CDNS Voltus and Clarity
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
NEUTRAL.
Doesn't impact us.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Voltus/Clarity/Sigrity
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
Neutral news.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Voltus
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
Neutral
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
We are an early Voltus customer.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
NEUTRAL.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Cadence Voltus
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
This merger doesn't impact us. Neutral
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Cadence Clarity
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
Neutral.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Voltus and Clarity.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
Maybe BAD NEWS? Cause it creates less competition, thus higher prices.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
No Ansys here. We use Voltus.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
Neutral. N/A to us.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Clarity & Voltus
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
NEUTRAL.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Cadence for multiphysics
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
This merger doesn't effect us either way. Neutral.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Cadence only. No Ansys.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
NEUTRAL. Don't care.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Voltus for now. Considering Clarity and Sigrity
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
Neutral
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
CDNS only
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
NEUTRAL
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
have been beta customer for most of the Cadence multiphysics tools.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
what happens at Ansys is of no concern to my project and my company
nuetral
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Use Cadence for our automotive systems
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
NEUTRAL this news is not applicable to us
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
We have no ANSS, no SNPS, only CDNS here for everything.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
We are NEUTRAL about the ANSS-SNPS merger.
Doesn't impact us in any way.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
Voltus, Clarity, Sigrity, Cerebrus, Tempus, Calibre, Quartus QRC
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
NEUTRAL news. We're in Anirudh's EDA world, not Sassine's.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
We're a Cadence house
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
Don't care. Nuetral.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
just now looking at Momentum and Fidelity
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
we're NEUTRAL about this space so far.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"A#1. I use Ansys and/or Ansys-like tools on my project."
All Cadence everything here.
"This Ansys-Synopsys merger is (choose one) GOOD news, BAD news, NEUTRAL
news for my project and my company because (SAY WHY):"
NEUTRAL news. We don't care.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
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