Believe it or not, the way engineers manage their drawing documents can significantly influence the success of a project in the product engineering world.
Product engineers, primarily responsible for drawing, designing, and developing new products commonly find themselves navigating through vast amounts of data. And that’s where Product Document Management (PDM) software becomes an indispensable tool. The right PDM software enables you to organize product-related information, manage revisions, collaborate on changes, and generate critical documents.
By centralizing all project data, PDM systems like Autodesk® Vault® not only reduce time spent on low-value tasks, but enhance your product development agility and foster better collaboration among your team members. This is crucial for modern engineering drawing document management in product engineering, where large volumes of data across multi-stage projects is the norm.
That means that PDM, therefore, is more than just a software solution. Instead, it’s an integral part of the product document management process, aiding engineers in keeping track of technical data on components and materials. The right choice of software can ensure an efficient flow of product development data across your enterprise. Keep in mind that, according to Gallup research, ease of teamwork means a higher level of engagement, which translates to 21% higher profitability.
In this article, we will explore how Autodesk Vault, as a PDM system, is tailored to meet the unique needs of product engineers. We explain why you should avoid traditional methods such as Windows Folders.
For many years, product engineers have relied on the familiar systems of Windows Folders for their engineering drawing document management. This product, which is rooted in simplicity and ease of access, has been the go-to solution for organizing AutoCAD® files and related documents.
It’s a straightforward and simple platform that everyone understands. Plus, teams with limited budgets might find Windows Folders a cost-effective solution for basic file storage needs. However, the simplicity of Windows Folders often masks underlying limitations – especially as engineering projects grow in complexity.
The use of Windows Folders for engineering drawing document management presents several challenges, such as the following:
Windows Folders may provide an immediate, familiar way to store files. But it falls short in addressing the dynamic needs of modern product engineering. There’s a lack of collaboration, data integrity, and project management.
As product engineering has evolved, so has the software. Autodesk Vault in particular is a specialized platform designed to overcome the challenges faced in engineering document management.
As a comprehensive PDM tool, Vault is tailored to cater to the nuanced needs of product engineers. It offers a suite of tools that transform how engineering drawings and documents are managed, accessed, and shared. Remember, it’s proven that more streamlined collaboration equals an enhanced product.
Let’s break down the key features and benefits of Autodesk Vault.
Autodesk Vault addresses your specific pain points of project engineering document management. It’s a platform that not only stores but also manages and protects critical project data.
If you’re currently using Vault, but not sure if you’re getting the full benefits, Hagerman offers a service to audit how you use it.
Evaluating Autodesk Vault against traditional platforms like Windows Folders presents several key distinctions. These differences underscore why Vault is the superior choice for product engineers and their project managers.
Vault’s advanced version control capabilities ensure that engineers are always working on the correct version of a document. Meanwhile, Windows Folders lack this feature, leading to confusion and errors when multiple versions of a file exist.
Vault enhances team collaboration by centralizing data storage and access. This unified approach is very different from the fragmented, and often disorganized, method of sharing files via Windows Folders. That results in repeated tasks and general inconsistencies.
The security protocols in Vault provide a much higher level of data protection compared to Windows folders. Vault allows for detailed access control, ensuring sensitive information is only available to authorized personnel – a feature not inherently available in Windows Folders.
Vault is designed to scale with project complexity, efficiently managing large volumes of data and multiple users. Windows Folders, while simple, struggle to maintain efficiency as the size and scope of projects increase.
Unlike Windows Folders, Vault offers many integrations with various CAD tools, streamlining workflows and reducing the time spent toggling between different systems.
Vault provides tools for automating routine tasks and offers clear visibility into project progress, both of which are features not available with basic file storage methods like Windows Folders.
These differences show why Autodesk Vault is not just an alternative, but a significant upgrade of a PDM that will improve efficiency, collaboration, and data management. Embracing Vault shows a commitment to a system that aligns with the future of the industry of product design and development.
If you’re considering an upgrade, Hagerman can help you create a strategic and actionable plan, and then train your team. Our in-depth expertise and support services are ready to assist your transition, wherever your document management needs lie.
Want to understand how we do this? Learn more about our document management consulting services today!