Propel Software’s DesignHub Solves Multi-CAD Integration Challenges for Manufacturers

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--( BUSINESS WIRE)--Propel Software today launched DesignHub, a multi-CAD integration solution that connects over 15 mechanical and electrical design tools to Propel’s PLM (product lifecycle management) solution, boosting productivity from design to release. DesignHub is available immediately as part of Propel’s Winter 2026 release. The release also includes expanded capabilities from Propel One, Propel’s agentic AI solution powered by Salesforce Agentforce.

DesignHub solves a persistent problem for manufacturers, getting accurate design data from computer aided design (CAD) systems to PLM. Design data often sits in shared drives with unclear naming conventions, leading to version conflicts, costly rework, and delayed handoffs. DesignHub drastically improves the connection between engineering teams and the rest of the enterprise, making design data a strategic asset accessible across procurement, product management, marketing, sales, and service.

“Our research reveals multiple CAD applications and complexity hampers new product development, with nearly three-quarters of companies facing inefficiency and delays due to multi-CAD challenges. The result is design errors, extra overhead costs, and suboptimal design decisions,” said Jim Brown, president and founder, Tech-Clarity. “The solution is integrating CAD data from across systems into a unified product data platform. This makes design information accessible to the entire organization from the earliest stages, boosting collaboration, enhancing decision making, and enabling on-time delivery.”

What DesignHub Does: Multi-CAD Integration

DesignHub centralizes design data from mechanical and electrical CAD tools with Propel's unified platform, eliminating version control issues and enabling engineering data sharing across the enterprise.

Propel DesignHub capabilities include:

By breaking design information out of silos, DesignHub accelerates new product development, reduces costs, and improves time to market.

"Most manufacturers use multiple CAD solutions, and their engineering data needs to be accessible throughout the whole product lifecycle," said Eric Schrader, chief product officer, Propel. "DesignHub connects these systems without the cost and complexity of traditional CAD-PLM integrations. It breaks down silos between engineering and other departments, empowering every team to make faster, better informed decisions."

Propel One AI Automates Workflows Using Connected Data

The Winter 2026 release significantly expands Propel One AI, embedding agentic intelligence directly into the Propel platform. Built on Salesforce Agentforce, Propel One operates as a growing library of AI skills that work across item management, BOM, change management, quality, and training, using trusted product data from DesignHub and other connected sources.

Rather than providing simple attachment summaries, or navigating help documentation, Propel One draws from the full system of record including BOMs, change records, quality events, training assets, and technical documentation to automate and orchestrate work that spans teams and processes. Early adopters are using Propel One to:

Propel One automation works by connecting BOMs, changes, quality records, and commercial information on a single platform. This unified approach means AI has access to complete, accurate product data, not siloed information.

The Winter release is available now for existing customers and new implementations. For more information, visit www.propelsoftware.com.

About Propel Software

Propel helps product companies grow revenue and increase business value. Our product value management platform connects commercial and product teams to optimize decision making, drive process efficiencies, and engage customers with compelling products and experiences. Propel has a proven track record of improving product quality, speeding time to revenue and profit, and improving customer satisfaction. Recognized as one of America's fastest growing private companies on the Inc. 5000, Propel is a 4x Deloitte Technology Fast 500 winner, and one of Fortune America's Most Innovative Companies. Built on Salesforce, Propel drives product success for hyper growth startups, corporate pioneers, and Fortune 500 leaders in the high tech, medtech and consumer goods industries. For more information, visit propelsoftware.com and follow us on Linkedin.