Central Innovation
Central Innovation is an Australian engineering software firm that resells SOLIDWORKS and offers proprietary products (MaXXflow AI MRP, MaXXlink CAD-ERP, #TASK automation), training, and consulting to discrete manufacturers across Australia, New Zealand, and select international markets. Founded 1990.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1990
- HeadquartersPymble, Australia
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Central Innovation does
Central Innovation is an Australian-headquartered engineering software and services firm based in Pymble, New South Wales. Founded in 1990 and operating as a private Pty Ltd company with 101-250 employees, the firm has more than 30 years of operating history serving discrete manufacturers across Australia, New Zealand, and select international markets. The company positions itself as the largest SOLIDWORKS (Dassault Systèmes) reseller in the AP South region, delivering software resale, certified training, and engineering consulting spanning design, simulation, and digital-twin workflows.
The proprietary product stack sits on top of the Dassault channel and includes MaXXflow (an AI-enabled Manufacturing Resource Planning platform built on Microsoft Azure with predictive inventory and forecasting), MaXXlink (a CAD-to-ERP integration layer), and #TASK (a process automation tool launched in January 2026). Beyond software, the company delivers certified SOLIDWORKS training programs and professional services including design consulting, simulation, and digital-twin implementation. Its subsidiary Intercad supports CAD design and visualization capabilities extended through the 2016 acquisition of Cadimage Group. Customer case studies span fabrication, agricultural equipment, road tankers, industrial doors, electrical products, and composites — a deliberately diversified SMB manufacturing book.
The business model combines four revenue streams: third-party software resale (primarily SOLIDWORKS seat licenses), subscription revenue from proprietary products (MaXXflow, MaXXlink, #TASK), paid certified training, and professional services/consulting. Go-to-market is anchored in direct sales to discrete manufacturers supplemented by the Dassault partner channel, with marketing claims of service reach across more than 100 countries via partner networks. Pricing across proprietary products is subscription-based, while services are typically project-based. The model creates a hybrid profile of low-margin reseller pass-through, higher-margin subscription recurring revenue, and consulting hours leverage.
Central Innovation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Central Innovation
- Legal name
- Central Innovation Pty Ltd
- Website
- https://centralinnovation.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1990
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Central Innovation is an Australian engineering software firm that resells SOLIDWORKS and offers proprietary products (MaXXflow AI MRP, MaXXlink CAD-ERP, #TASK automation), training, and consulting to discrete manufacturers across Australia, New Zealand, and select international markets. Founded 1990.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Central Innovation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- CAD and Manufacturing Software Solutions
- NAICS
- Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Wholesale-Computers & Peripheral Equipment & Software (5045)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industry-Specific Low-Code Platforms (Vertical App Platforms) (HDAEAKAL)
Keywords
Where Central Innovation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pymble
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Central Innovation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Software Resale - SolidWorks: Resale of SolidWorks software as the #1 SolidWorks partner in ANZ, including CAD, simulation, data management, and collaboration tools. Revenue is generated through software licences sold directly to customers.
- Proprietary Software Subscriptions: Annual subscription licensing for proprietary tools including MaXXflow, MaXXlink, and #TASK. These are developed in-house by Australian engineers and sold alongside the SolidWorks portfolio.
- Training Services: Instructor-led, on-demand, and tailored private training for SolidWorks and related tools, delivered through the Ci Training Passport programme.
- Consulting and Implementation: Engineering consulting, simulation services, data management consulting, and implementation support for customers integrating the software ecosystem.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | MaXXlink - up to 10 users or seats |
| Subscription | Annual | #TASK - annual subscription |
| Subscription | Annual | Ci Training Passport |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Central Innovation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Central Innovation is the #1 SOLIDWORKS partner in Australia and New Zealand, reselling Dassault Systèmes CAD, simulation, PDM, and 3DEXPERIENCE software while developing proprietary complementary tools (MaXXflow AI-enabled MRP, MaXXlink CAD-ERP connector, #TASK CAD automation). The company also delivers engineering consulting, implementation, and training services that connect design, planning, and production workflows for manufacturers and design businesses.
Product overview
Central Innovation offers a unified ecosystem of design, productivity, and manufacturing software solutions for Australian and New Zealand businesses. The portfolio centers on three proprietary AI-enabled products: MaXXflow (AI-enabled MRP platform for manufacturing operations), MaXXlink (CAD BOM to ERP integration), and #TASK (CAD automation). These are complemented by an extensive suite of SolidWorks products including CAD design, simulation, electrical design, PDM, and visualization tools. The company provides integrated tools, expertise and services that connect every stage of making—from design through planning to production—offering both software solutions and professional services including consulting, training, and custom solution development.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MaXXflow: AI-enabled MRP platform that unites jobs, inventory and production in one intuitive hub for small to medium-sized manufacturers
- MaXXlink
- #TASK
- Ci Training Passport
- Intercad
Products and services
- MaXXflow AI-enabled Material Requirements Planning (MRP) platform that unites jobs, inventory, and production in one hub; built on Microsoft Azure with predictive inventory alerts, production delay forecasting, and job scheduling for SME manufacturers.
- MaXXlink
Quantifiable outcome
- Production package generation reduced from approximately 5 hours to minutes for 100-part designs
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Central Innovation
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Central Innovation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability6 records
Feature4 records
Central Innovation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Dassault Systèmes / SOLIDWORKScoreCentral Innovation is the #1 SOLIDWORKS partner in Australia and New Zealand, distributing and supporting the full SolidWorks portfolio including CAD, Simulation, Electrical, PDM, Composer, Visualize, and 3DExperience tools. The partnership includes cloud solutions, simulation, multi-product sales, and total bookings. Multiple AP South partner awards were received at 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026 and the Dassault SOLIDWORKS AP South CRE Partner Awards in Bangkok.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Central Innovation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- PTC: PTC owns Creo, Onshape, and Arena Solutions, directly competing with both Central Innovation's SolidWorks distribution business and its MaXXlink/MaXXflow CAD-to-ERP integration thesis. As a global PLM and CAD incumbent, PTC is the most strategically comparable competitor in the ANZ SME manufacturing market.
- Autodesk: Autodesk's Inventor and Fusion 360 compete head-to-head with SolidWorks in the ANZ market, and Fusion 360's cloud-native CAD + manufacturing workflow overlaps with Central Innovation's MaXXflow MRP and cloud strategy. Autodesk is the broadest incumbent alternative for the same SME manufacturing customers.
- Siemens Digital Industries Software: Siemens offers Solid Edge and NX as alternatives to SolidWorks, plus the Opcenter and Teamcenter manufacturing and PLM portfolio that overlaps with Central Innovation's MaXXlink/MaXXflow and SolidWorks PDM services. It is a key enterprise incumbent competing for the same mid-market ANZ manufacturers.
Direct peers
- Arena Solutions (PTC): Arena provides cloud PLM and quality management for manufacturing SMEs, directly comparable to Central Innovation's data management and PDM services plus the MaXXflow MRP ambition. Both target engineering-led manufacturers needing to connect CAD, BOM, and production systems.
- JobBOSS: JobBOSS is a long-standing MRP/shop management platform for SME job shops and contract manufacturers, the exact segment MaXXflow is targeting. It is a direct functional competitor to MaXXflow in ANZ SME manufacturing software.
- Fishbowl: Fishbowl offers inventory management and manufacturing software for SMBs that integrates with QuickBooks and Xero, directly overlapping with MaXXflow's SME manufacturing and ERP-adjacent positioning. It is a meaningful competitor in the price-sensitive SME segment.
- E2 Shop System: E2 Shop System is a shop management and MRP platform for small job shops, closely comparable to MaXXflow's intended use cases. Both target small manufacturers needing job tracking, scheduling, and production planning at an accessible price point.
Emerging players
- Katana (Katana MRP): Katana is a modern cloud MRP built for SME manufacturers needing live inventory, production scheduling, and shop floor control, the same use cases MaXXflow advertises. It is an emerging direct competitor with global reach and venture funding.
- Propel: Propel delivers cloud PLM, quality, and product management for manufacturers, adjacent to Central Innovation's SolidWorks PDM, MaXXlink, and MaXXflow capabilities. It is an emerging SaaS alternative for the same engineering-led SME manufacturing customers.
Regional players
- Engineeroom: Engineeroom is a New Zealand-based SolidWorks VAR and engineering services provider, directly comparable to Central Innovation's ANZ SolidWorks distribution, training, and consulting motion. It is the closest regional peer competing for the same New Zealand customers.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Central Innovation social profiles
Digital presenceCentral Innovation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Central Innovation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Central Innovation subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Central Innovation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Central Innovation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Central Innovation
What does Central Innovation do?
Central Innovation is the #1 SOLIDWORKS partner in Australia and New Zealand, reselling Dassault Systèmes CAD, simulation, PDM, and 3DEXPERIENCE software while developing proprietary complementary tools (MaXXflow AI-enabled MRP, MaXXlink CAD-ERP connector, #TASK CAD automation). The company also delivers engineering consulting, implementation, and training services that connect design, planning, and production workflows for manufacturers and design businesses.
Is Central Innovation a public or private company?
Central Innovation is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Central Innovation founded?
Central Innovation was founded in 1990. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Central Innovation based?
Central Innovation is headquartered in Pymble, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Central Innovation make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Software Resale - SolidWorks are the primary driver. The others are proprietary Software Subscriptions, training Services and consulting and Implementation.
Who are Central Innovation's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are PTC, Autodesk and Siemens Digital Industries Software. Direct peers are Arena Solutions (PTC), JobBOSS, Fishbowl and E2 Shop System. Emerging players are Katana (Katana MRP) and Propel. Engineeroom is listed as a regional player.
Does Central Innovation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Central Innovation.
What industry is Central Innovation in?
Central Innovation's product category is CAD and Manufacturing Software Solutions. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAEAKAL, Industry-Specific Low-Code Platforms (Vertical App Platforms). Its NAICS code is 5417 and its SIC code is 7371.