The trailblazer in sector widens gap by redesigning its core software

By Joann Muller, Globe Staff

obody matches Parametric Technology when it comes to consistency in the Globe 100 survey.

For eight years in a row, the Waltham-based software maker has been among the top five companies on the list - it ranked third this year - but remarkably, it has never finished number one.

But Parametric is the undisputed leader in its field: providing software to help design engineers create computer models of everything from washing machines to jet planes.

Its software, introduced a decade ago, was revolutionary because it allowed engineers to easily explore a series of ''what ifs?'' - how would the rest of an automobile change, say, if the windshield sloped forward 3 more inches? When one dimension is altered, the software automatically adjusts all the other dimensions.

''Before that, you would build a computer-aided design the way you would build a vase out of clay. If you wanted it to be a little bigger, you'd have to collapse the vase and make it into a ball of clay and start over,'' explained Charles Foundyller, president of Daratech Inc., a Cambridge research firm.

Since Parametric introduced its breakthrough technology, competitors have raced to catch up, but only in the last two years have any rivals come even close to matching its versatility, said Foundyller, whose firm tracks the computer-aided design industry.

''One of the secrets of Parametric's success is that they were able to consistently improve their designs,'' he said. ''They are a very difficult competitor to catch up with. No one has been able to surpass them technologically.''

Now, Parametric is raising the bar again. It is revamping the core software so that it can be used not only by a company's engineers, but by workers in other departments and by suppliers and customers.

''It's the hottest thing that will impact us going forward,'' said John Stuart, Parametric's vice president of corporate marketing.

Using Web technology, the new software, dubbed ''Windchill,'' will make it possible for a company to share vital engineering data throughout its worldwide organization. That allows input from marketing or purchasing executives, for instance, and gives them a head start on preparations for production.

The ultimate goal is to give companies an edge over competitors by getting their products to market more quickly.

But while Parametric is an expert at helping companies design and produce products quickly, it is a novice at helping them manage information across an entire enterprise - a market that is dominated by such computer giants as Germany's SAP.

''Parametric's challenge is to start to operate in a marketplace that they haven't been used to,'' said Foundyller.

But if it succeeds, the payoff could be huge, he added.

''It absolutely could double their size in three or four years if they can pull it off.''