Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering

Welcome to 'Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering,' the ultimate podcast for all things digital in the manufacturing industry by Razorleaf. Join us as we take a deep dive into the multifaceted world of digital transformation, exploring topics such as the digital thread, digital twins, IDEs, model-based strategies and delving into the frontiers of cutting-edge technologies like PLM, MES, Integration, and more. Our expert hosts, Jonathan Scott, Jen Ferello, Juliann Grant, and Eric Doubell, will be your guides, providing valuable insights, captivating interviews, and the latest industry updates to ensure you remain at the forefront of the ever-evolving digital landscape. Whether you're a technology enthusiast, a business leader, or simply curious about the digital realm in manufacturing, this podcast is your essential resource for staying sharp and well-informed.

Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering is a technology podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 150 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering, a technology show with 150 episodes published.

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  Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering

  #148: The Question Every Digital Thread Has to Answer

  Aug 11, 202643 min

  What if you could answer a complex engineering change request in minutes instead of days? In this episode of Stay Sharp: In Digital Engineering , hosts Juliann Grant and Jonathan Scott welcome back Chris Finlay , former Vice President of Engineering Innovation at SAIC and current Digital Systems Engineering Director at Raytheon, to explore the tangible, practical benefits of the digital thread. We move past the buzzwords to discuss how to break down engineering silos, improve traceability, and implement a digital strategy that actually delivers value. Key Takeaways The Power of Traceability: Discover how digital threads allow you to query designs in real-time, moving from manual, document-based matrices to instantaneous verification. Breaking the Silos: Learn how a digital thread integrates disparate engineering domains—from systems architecture to mechanical CAD and software—allowing teams to collaborate without needing to master every single tool. The Role of Configuration Management: Understand why CM is the backbone of a successful digital thread, especially when moving from document-based artifacts to an "Authoritative Source of Truth." Start with the End in Mind: Get actionable advice on how to begin your implementation journey by focusing on your specific business goals rather than trying to trace every single data point at once. Episode Highlights Traceability on Steroids: Chris shares a real-world example from a Navy program where a complex engineering trace was completed in minutes, not days, saving hours of manual labor. The "Digital Cable" Concept: We discuss how the digital thread functions like a multi-strand cable, connecting various engineering disciplines and providing a single, consistent version of the truth. Impact Analysis: How a well-crafted digital thread enables you to perform impact analysis in minutes, revealing exactly which components are affected by a change—revealing complexity that was always there, but previously invisible. Overcoming Implementation Barriers: Advice for organizations of all sizes on how to start, when to automate, and why you should focus on "ad-libbing" and refining your processes rather than simply digitizing old workflows. Connect with Us Guest: Chris Finlay , Digital Systems Engineering Director at Raytheon Podcast: Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering Join the Conversation: Have questions for Chris or thoughts on this episode? Leave us a comment or contact us at podcast@razorleaf.com If you enjoyed this deep dive into digital engineering, please rate, review, and subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Share this episode with a colleague who is looking to streamline their engineering workflows! Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Story Blocks. Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co. © 2026 Razorleaf Corp. All Rights Reserved.

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  Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering

  #146: CMMC Paused, Not Cancelled: Why Contractors Shouldn't Stop Now

  Jul 28, 202631 min

  Did the Department of Defense just put CMMC on hold? Not exactly. The Department of Defense recently announced a pause on one of the most significant upcoming requirements of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program, creating confusion across the defense industrial base. Does this mean contractors can slow down their cybersecurity efforts—or does it simply change how compliance will be evaluated? In this episode of Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering , hosts Juliann Grant and Jonathan Scott welcome back Steve Nichols , Razorleaf's government solutions expert, to explain exactly what changed, what didn't, and what defense contractors should be doing during this temporary pause. Steve breaks down the July announcement, explains why companies are not off the hook for CMMC compliance , and discusses why maintaining strong cybersecurity practices remains essential regardless of how future certification requirements evolve. In this episode, you'll learn: Why the government paused third-party CMMC Level 2 assessments What requirements still remain in effect The difference between self-certification and third-party certification The real costs of preparing for a CMMC assessment Why good cybersecurity hygiene is still critical How organizations should prioritize the 110 security controls What the government may change after the public comment period How small businesses could be affected Why waiting for final guidance may be a risky strategy How AI could eventually play a role in cybersecurity assessments Key Takeaways The current pause affects only the third-party assessment requirement for CMMC Level 2 certification. Organizations are still responsible for meeting applicable cybersecurity controls and certifying compliance where required. Companies should continue improving their security posture rather than assuming requirements will disappear. Steve also explains that cybersecurity compliance should be viewed as an ongoing business process—not a one-time audit. Organizations that continue improving their IT environment today will be in a much stronger position regardless of how the government ultimately adjusts the CMMC program. Featured Guest Steve Nichols leads Razorleaf Government Solutions practice, helping defense contractors navigate digital transformation, cybersecurity requirements, PLM strategy, and government compliance initiatives. His experience spans startups, commercial software companies, and federal programs, making him a trusted advisor for organizations operating within the defense industrial base. If your organization works with the Department of Defense or plans to enter the defense supply chain, this conversation will help you understand what today's changes mean—and how to prepare for what's next. Subscribe for more conversations about digital engineering, PLM, cybersecurity, manufacturing, AI, and digital transformation. Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Story Blocks. Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co. © 2026 Razorleaf Corp. All Rights Reserved.

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  Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering

  #145: Why Nobody Can Predict Their Software Costs Anymore

  Jul 21, 202638 min

  Software licensing used to be one of the most predictable parts of an engineering organization's technology budget. You bought licenses, planned annual maintenance, and forecasted costs years in advance. But as AI assistants, cloud platforms, token-based licensing, and API-driven workflows become the norm, that predictability is disappearing. In this episode of Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering , co-hosts Juliann Grant and Jonathan Scott welcome back Paul Empringham , VP of CAD, Simulation, and PLM at NYBS Consulting, to explore how software licensing is evolving—and why engineering leaders need to start thinking differently about budgeting, governance, and AI consumption before costs spiral out of control. Building on their previous discussion about traditional licensing models, Paul explains why the industry's move to cloud platforms and tokenized licensing creates both opportunities and new financial risks. As AI becomes embedded directly into CAD, PLM, and engineering applications, organizations will need better visibility into software usage, stronger governance, and new strategies for managing unpredictable consumption-based costs. In this episode you'll learn: Why cloud and SaaS platforms are fundamentally changing software licensing How token-based licensing differs from AI token consumption Why AI assistants may create unpredictable engineering software budgets The hidden cost of API calls, automation, and AI-powered workflows How vendors are moving toward usage-based licensing models Why engineering leaders need guardrails before deploying AI at scale The importance of measuring software usage before negotiating renewals Why visibility into licensing has never been more important Key Discussion Topics The shift to cloud-first engineering software Software vendors are rapidly moving customers away from on-premises installations and toward cloud platforms. While this simplifies upgrades and accelerates feature delivery, it also reduces customer visibility into actual software usage. Understanding tokenization Paul explains the growing trend toward token pools, where engineering teams consume tokens for advanced capabilities across multiple software products instead of purchasing individual specialty licenses. This provides greater flexibility—but also introduces new complexity. AI changes everything As AI assistants become embedded inside CAD, PLM, and simulation tools, companies may soon be paying for both software licenses and AI consumption. Unlike traditional licensing, AI usage can fluctuate dramatically, making annual budgeting far less predictable. Managing the unknown Engineering organizations need better data than ever before. Understanding who uses which tools, how often they use them, and where AI is being adopted will become essential for controlling costs and preparing for future licensing changes. Memorable Quote "For the first time in our lives, I don't think we can predict what our software is going to cost us." Featured Guest Paul Empringham Vice President of CAD, Simulation & PLM NYBS Consulting Paul specializes in engineering software licensing, optimization, and governance for global manufacturing organizations. He has helped companies maximize software investments while navigating increasingly complex licensing models across the CAD, PLM, and simulation landscape. Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Story Blocks. Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co. © 2026 Razorleaf Corp. All Rights Reserved.

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  Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering

  #144: The Hidden Costs of Digital Engineering Systems

  Jul 14, 202641 min

  What if the most expensive part of your digital engineering environment isn’t the software license? In this episode, we sit down with Eric Smith , VP of Services at Razorleaf , to peel back the curtain on the "hidden" costs of running complex systems like PLM, MES, and CAD. We move beyond the initial project setup to explore the "sustainment" phase—where time, money, and productivity often drain away unnoticed. Whether you are in engineering, IT, or manufacturing leadership, this conversation provides a new framework for understanding why your environment is becoming increasingly complex and how to manage the unexpected challenges of modern digital infrastructure. Key Takeaways: ● The Sustainment Trap: While initial implementations get all the budget, the real costs reside in ongoing maintenance, break-fix cycles, and the "interoperability spaghetti" of modern system architectures. ● The Productivity Tax: Every update, patch, or system hiccup causes interruptions. Research shows that "deep work" recovery takes an average of 23 minutes after a distraction, making seemingly minor tech updates a massive hidden expense. ● IT vs. Engineering: We break down where the line should be drawn. IT excels at commoditized tasks (security, networks, cloud infrastructure), but "Digital Environment Sustainment" requires niche domain knowledge that often falls into a gray area between departments. ● The "Why Now?" Factor: The landscape has shifted from isolated systems to deeply integrated microservices, cloud-hybrid architectures, and heightened security requirements, making maintenance significantly more complex than it was a decade ago. Main Points: ● Defining Digital Environment Sustainment: Moving past "managed services" to a model that accounts for the specific, specialized needs of engineering and manufacturing software. ● The Architecture Explosion: How the shift from a single server to containerized microservices has exponentially increased the complexity of maintaining even a single application. ● The Human Cost: Discussing the importance of Change Management (OCM) and the high overhead of onboarding new engineers when systems are constantly evolving. ● Specialized Expertise: Why traditional, fixed-team managed services may not be enough to handle the deep subject matter expertise required for complex CAD/PLM/MES environments. Are you seeing these hidden costs in your organization? Let us know your "horror stories" or where you’ve seen the biggest drain on productivity. Drop us a comment or send us a note! If you found this episode helpful, please like, subscribe, and share it with your engineering team—it helps us keep the content coming. Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Story Blocks. Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co. © 2026 Razorleaf Corp. All Rights Reserved.

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  Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering

  #142: What Leaders Need to Know About Software Licensing

  Jun 30, 202649 min

  Software licensing may not be the first thing engineers want to discuss, but it can have a massive impact on budgets, productivity, and digital transformation success. In this episode of Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering , hosts Juliann Grant and Jonathan Scott are joined by Paul Empringham, VP of CAD, Simulation & PLM at NYBS Consulting , to unpack the increasingly complex world of engineering software licensing. Drawing on decades of experience working with organizations including Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Red Bull Racing, JCB, and Sunseeker, Paul explains why many companies are unknowingly overspending on CAD, PLM, simulation, and engineering software—and how better data can dramatically improve licensing decisions. The discussion covers the evolution from perpetual licensing to subscriptions, named-user models, and cloud licensing, along with practical strategies for optimizing license usage, avoiding costly compliance mistakes, and negotiating smarter renewals. Whether you're an engineering leader, IT professional, procurement specialist, or PLM administrator, this episode offers actionable advice that can save your organization significant time and money. Key Topics Discussed: How engineering software licensing has evolved from perpetual licenses to subscription and cloud-based models The differences between concurrent, named user, and subscription licensing Why engineering, IT, and procurement all play critical roles in software purchasing What software license optimization actually means—and why usage data matters Common licensing mistakes that lead to unnecessary costs and compliance risks How organizations can negotiate license "remixes" instead of purchasing additional software The future of engineering software licensing, including token-based consumption models Key Takeaways: Know How Your Software Is Really Being Used Most organizations don't actually know how many licenses they need. Monitoring real-world usage reveals idle licenses, underutilized features, training gaps, and opportunities to reduce costs without impacting productivity. Don't Buy Bigger Bundles Than You Need Vendors often encourage customers to purchase larger software bundles with additional features. Without usage data, companies frequently pay for capabilities they rarely—or never—use. Compliance Is More Complicated Than You Think Many licensing violations happen accidentally. Geographic restrictions, shared logins, outdated contract terms, and improper license usage can all create compliance issues that organizations don't discover until an audit. License Data Creates Better Negotiations Understanding actual license utilization gives organizations leverage during renewals. Instead of automatically renewing everything, companies can negotiate license remixes, exchange unused products, or right-size their environment. The Licensing Landscape Is Still Changing Engineering software continues to evolve toward subscription, cloud delivery, and token-based consumption. Organizations should understand where their software vendors are headed before making long-term purchasing decisions. Memorable Quotes: "Most companies simply don't know who's using which software—and where." "Knowledge is power when you're negotiating software licenses." "Don't be afraid to ask for a license remix. Everything is negotiable." "Start small, understand your usage, and build from there." Connect With Us: Have questions about software licensing or want to continue the conversation? Leave a comment or reach out to the Stay Sharp team. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a colleague who manages engineering software. Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering is the podcast exploring the people, technologies, and ideas shaping the future of product development, manufacturing, and digital transformation. Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Story Blocks. Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co. © 2026 Razorleaf Corp. All Rights Reserved.

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