{{Short description|American simulation software technology company}} {{Multiple issues| {{COI|date=July 2021}} {{Self-published|date=July 2021}} }} {{Infobox company |name = MSC Software Corporation |logo = |type = Subsidiary |owner = Cadence Design Systems |foundation = {{start date and age|1963}} |location = Newport Beach, California, US |key_people = Paolo Guglielmini, President, Manufacturing Intelligence division; Roger Assaker, CEO; John Janevic, COO |num_employees = 1,400 |industry = computer aided engineering (CAE) software; simulation software |products = MSC Apex<br/>Actran<br/>Adams<br/>Digimat<br/>Dytran<br/>Easy5<br/>Marc<br/>MaterialCenter<br/>MSC Fatigue<br/>MSC Nastran<br/>Patran<br/>PICLS<br/>scFLOW<br/>scSTREAM<br/>SimDesigner<br/>SimManager<br/>SimXpert<br/>Sinda<br/>APex Generative Design<br/>Simufact<br/>Interactive Physics |revenue = US$230 million (2016) |homepage = {{url|mscsoftware.com/}} }} '''MSC Software Corporation''' is an American simulation software technology company headquartered in Newport Beach, California. Specializing in simulation software, it employs approximately 1,400 people in twenty countries<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022 |title="MSC Software Overview" |url=https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/10725-04#comparisons |website=Pitchbook.com}}</ref> and had revenues of US$230 million in 2016.

==History== The company was formed as MacNeal-Schwendler Corporation (MSC) in 1963 by Dr. Richard H. MacNeal and Robert Schwendle. Having developed SADSAM (Structural Analysis by Digital Simulation of Analog Methods) at that time as its first structural analysis software, it was deeply involved in the early efforts of the aerospace industry to improve early finite element analysis technology.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mscsoftware.com/msc-software |title=MSC Software Company History |publisher=MSC Software Corporation |date= |accessdate=2013-02-06}}</ref>

A key milestone was responding to a NASA request for proposal in 1965 for a general-purpose structural analysis program that would eventually become Nastran (NASA Structural Analysis). Subsequently, MSC pioneered many of the technologies that are now relied upon by industry to analyse and predict stress and strain, vibration and dynamics, acoustics, and thermal analysis.

Two years after marketing the MSC/Nastran as the commercial version of the Nastran,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/The-MacNealSchwendler-Corporation-Company-History.html |title=History of The MacNeal-Schwendler Corporation |publisher=FundingUniverse.com |date= |accessdate=2013-02-06}}</ref> the company established its first overseas office in Munich, Germany in 1973 and then an office in Tokyo, Japan in 1976. Having made its debut as a public company in 1983, its stock migrated to the American Stock Exchange the following year.

After MSC expanded and opened a subsidiary in Moscow, Russia, in 1992 and an office in Brazil in 1995, its shareholders voted to change the company's name to MSC.Software Corporation in June 1999.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://web.mscsoftware.com/press/press.cfm?pid=444&div_id=1&non=1&arc=1&yid=1999 |title=The MacNeal-Schwendler Corporation Changes Name to MSC.Software Corporation |publisher=MSC Software Corporation |date=1999-06-23 |accessdate=2013-02-06 |archive-date=2016-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030801/http://web.mscsoftware.com/press/press.cfm?pid=444&div_id=1&non=1&arc=1&yid=1999 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Acquired by Symphony Technology Group in 2009,<ref>{{cite news|author=Steven M. Davidoff |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2009/07/13/small-deals-big-issues/ |title=Small Deals, Big Issues |newspaper=The New York Times |date=2009-07-13 |accessdate=2013-02-06}}</ref> the "dot" in its name was removed two years later, and the company became known as MSC Software Corporation. In 2017, it was acquired by the Swedish technology firm Hexagon AB for US$834 million,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gfxspeak.com/2017/02/02/hexagon-acquire-software/ |title=Hexagon to acquire MSC Software for $834 million |website=gfxspeak.com |date=2009-12-04 |accessdate=2017-02-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theengineer.co.uk/hexagon-acquires-msc-software-for-834m/|title=Hexagon acquires MSC Software for $834m|date=3 February 2017}}</ref><ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/deals-day-idUSL4N1FN2KN Reuters] Reuters Deals</ref> operating as its independent subsidiary.<ref name="mscsoftware.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mscsoftware.com/news/hexagon-ab-set-acquire-msc-software|title = Hexagon AB Set to Acquire MSC Software}}</ref>

In September 2025, Cadence Design Systems announced it would acquire the design and engineering business of Hexagon, including MSC Software, for approximately $3.16 billion.<ref name="reuters-cadence-hexagon-2025">{{cite news |last1=Babu |first1=Juby |title=Cadence Design to buy Hexagon's design and engineering unit for $3.16 billion |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/cadence-design-buy-hexagons-design-engineering-unit-316-billion-2025-09-04/ |accessdate=4 September 2025 |work=Reuters |date=4 September 2025 |location=Mexico City}}</ref><ref name=eehexagon>{{Cite web |url=https://www.eetimes.com/cadence-bolsters-multiphysics-simulation-with-3-16bn-acquisition/ |title=Cadence Bolsters Multiphysics Simulation with $3.16bn Acquisition |date=September 5, 2025 |first=Majeed |last=Ahmad |work=EE Times}}</ref> On February 23, 2026, it was reported that the transaction had been completed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cadence.com/en_US/home/company/newsroom/press-releases/pr/2026/cadence-completes-acquisition-of-hexagons-design-and-engineering.html|title=Cadence Completes Acquisition of Hexagon’s Design and Engineering Business, Advancing Leadership in Physical AI and Multiphysics|work=Cadence|access-date=2026-02-27|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.engineering.com/cadence-closes-on-nastran-adams-and-more-from-hexagon/|title=Cadence closes on Nastran, Adams, and more from Hexagon|work=engineering.com|access-date=2026-02-27|language=en}}</ref>

== Acquisitions == * September 1994 — PDA Engineering<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/MacNeal-Schwendler+names+former+PDA+executive,+Thomas+Curry,...-a016028617 |title=MacNeal-Schwendler names former PDA executive, Thomas Curry, president |publisher=TheFreeLibrary.com |date= |accessdate=2013-02-06 |archive-date=2017-02-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223041300/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/MacNeal-Schwendler+names+former+PDA+executive%2c+Thomas+Curry%2c...-a016028617 |url-status=dead }}</ref> * December 1998 — Knowledge Revolution * May 1999 — MSC Software acquired MARC Analysis Research Corporation to add software that tests complex designs and materials.<ref>{{cite news|author=Published: May 29, 1999 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/29/business/company-news-macneal-schwendler-to-buy-marc-analysis-research.html |title=Company News; Macneal-Schwendler To Buy Marc Analysis Research — The New York Times |newspaper=The New York Times |date=1999-05-29 |accessdate=2013-02-06}}</ref> * June 1999 — Universal Analytics Incorporation (UAI)<ref name="fact">[http://www.ftc.gov/os/adjpro/d9299/020701mscpfof.pdf "MSC.Software Corporation's Proposed Findings of Fact"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528200716/http://www.ftc.gov/os/adjpro/d9299/020701mscpfof.pdf |date=2010-05-28 }}, retrieved October 13, 2010</ref> * November 1999 — Computerized Structural Analysis Research Corporation (CSAR)<ref name="fact" /> * May 2001 — Advanced Enterprise Solutions Inc. (AES).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://web.mscsoftware.com/press/press.cfm?pid=330&Div_ID=6 |title=MSC.Software to Acquire Advanced Enterprise Solutions, Inc. |publisher=MSC Software Corporation |date=2001-05-02 |accessdate=2013-02-06 |archive-date=2016-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032831/http://web.mscsoftware.com/press/press.cfm?pid=330&Div_ID=6 |url-status=dead }}</ref> * March 2002 — MSC Software acquired Mechanical Dynamics Inc. to increase its client base to over 10,000 companies.<ref>{{cite news|author=Published: March 19, 2002 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/19/business/technology-briefing-software-msc-will-buy-mechanical-dynamics.html |title=MSC Will Buy Mechanical Dynamics |newspaper=The New York Times |date=2002-03-19 |accessdate=2013-02-06}}</ref> * January 2008 — MSC Software acquired thermal analysis company Network Analysis Inc. to solidify its ability to serve the thermal management market.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://ocbiz.ocregister.com/2008/01/14/mscsoftware-buys-thermal-simulation-firm/1851/ | title=MSC.Software buys thermal simulation firm | newspaper=Orange County Register | date=2008-01-14 | accessdate=2013-02-06 | author=Milbourn, Mary Ann | archive-date=2012-11-04 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104002653/http://ocbiz.ocregister.com/2008/01/14/mscsoftware-buys-thermal-simulation-firm/1851/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> * September 2011 — MSC Software acquired acoustic simulation company Free Field Technologies, S.A.<small>[https://www.fft.be/ FFT]</small> to extend its solutions to acoustic simulation <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.schnitgercorp.com/SC/Hot_Topics/Entries/2011/9/6_MSC_acquires_FFT,_Actran.html |title=MSC acquires FFT, Actran |publisher=SchnitgerCorp.com |date=2011-09-06 |accessdate=2013-02-06}}</ref> * September 2012 — MSC Software acquired composite material simulation leader e-Xstream engineering company.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.e-xstream.com/en/msc-software-acquires-composite-material-simulation-leader-e-xstream.html?cmp_id=17&news_id=566&vID=56 |title=MSC Software Acquires Composite Material Simulation Leader e-Xstream |publisher=E-xstream.com |date=2012-09-27 |accessdate=2013-02-06 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130122033033/http://www.e-xstream.com/en/msc-software-acquires-composite-material-simulation-leader-e-xstream.html?cmp_id=17&news_id=566&vID=56 |archivedate=2013-01-22 }}</ref> * February 2015 — MSC Software acquired Simufact Engineering, a leader in the simulation of metal forming and joining processes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/msc-software-acquires-welding-forming-130000103.html |title=MSC Software Acquires Welding and Forming Simulation Leader Simufact |publisher=finance.yahoo.com |date=2015-02-18 |accessdate=2015-02-18}}</ref> * December 2016 — MSC Software Acquired Software Cradle Co., Ltd, a leader in CFD simulation. * May 2017 — MSC acquires Vires Simulationstechnologie GmbH, a leader in autonomous vehicle simulation.<ref>[https://www.mscsoftware.com/news/msc-accelerates-its-automated-driving-simulation-portfolio-acquisition-vires-gmbh Ref]</ref>

== See also ==

* MSC Adams * Actran * MSC Nastran

==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ;Notes *"Competition, Defense Industry Cuts Hurt Price of MacNeal-Schwendler Corp. Stock," Los Angeles Business Journal, June 4, 1990, p.&nbsp;32. *Deady, Tim, "Revenge of the Nerd," Los Angeles Business Journal, April 29, 1996, p.&nbsp;13. *"MacNeal-Schwendler Corp.," Machine Design, November 26, 1992, p.&nbsp;103. *Teague, Paul E., "Pioneer in Engineering Analysis: Dick MacNeal Conceived One of the Most Widely Used Finite Element Analysis Codes in the World," Design News, July 10, 1995, p.&nbsp;50.

==External links== * [http://www.mscsoftware.com MSC Software]

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