Whether you’re an existing Vault customer considering a move to the cloud or a non-Vault user thinking about cloud-migration, it’s essential to approach the process with careful planning and the right tools.
The approach you take for migrating your CAD data to the cloud will vary depending on whether your organization is already using Autodesk Vault for data management or is currently relying on local servers and Windows folders.
Here are the things you should consider before moving your data from on-premises servers to the cloud, and best practices that ensure your data migration is as seamless as possible.
Benefits of Moving Your CAD Data to the Cloud
Access
By moving data to the cloud, users are no longer dependent on VPNs or on-premises internet bandwidth and latency. This can be particularly beneficial for remote workers in rural areas or those who frequently work offsite or from home.
Security
Cloud storage typically offers better redundancy and security than on-premises networks. Many organizations have limited IT resources dedicated to security, making cloud solutions an attractive option. Cloud providers invest heavily in security, offering protections that many companies can’t match on their own.
Collaboration
Having data securely accessible outside the firewall simplifies collaboration with suppliers and customers. Instead of granting VPN access to external partners, you can share a link to the necessary files, streamlining the collaboration process without compromising security.
Why CAD Data is Different
When we talk about CAD files, we’re not just talking about simple documents. Unlike typical files like Word documents or Excel sheets, CAD files have complex structures and interdependencies that require special attention during migration.
CAD data often consists of interconnected files in both 2D and 3D environments. 2D CAD files may have relationships with other files like xrefs or linked spreadsheets, while 3D parametric files depend on multiple interconnected components. If any file in an assembly or drawing is missing, the entire assembly can become unusable, causing significant workflow disruptions.
Additionally, complete CAD data sets are often hundreds of megabytes or more, requiring a stable, low-latency, high-bandwidth connection for optimal performance. Even within a local area network (LAN), issues can arise if files are stored on a server rather than locally. The complexity of CAD data makes moving it away from a local environment particularly challenging.
Moving Your Existing Vault to the Cloud
If your organization is already using Autodesk Vault on-premises, moving to the cloud is a natural next step to enhance your operations. However, it’s still important to approach your transition with a few considerations.
Assessment & Planning
Autodesk Vault is designed to manage the complex relationships of CAD data, and it's crucial to maintain these relationships to prevent errors and data loss during the transition. Before migration, it’s important to understand your current Vault environment, including the size of your data, user requirements, and any custom configurations.
Vault works best for many of our customers when deployed on a cloud platform like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, which provide local access to data for fast and reliable CAD software performance. While these solutions are ideal for easily and securely connecting your Vault users remotely, you need to ensure your chosen cloud provider supports the low-latency, high bandwidth needs of Vault to maintain the performance your organization relies on.
Additionally, as these cloud solutions are physical servers located off-site in a data center, the high and variable costs associated with IT maintenance of the servers should be also considered.
Preparing your Environment
Once you’ve chosen the best cloud-solution for your organization, it’s time to prepare for your migration by configuring your cloud infrastructure including virtual machines, storage, networking, and security. Perform a full backup of your existing Vault environment to safeguard data integrity during the migration, and plan how user access and permissions will be managed in your new cloud environment.
Optimizing for Collaboration
Autodesk Vault is built for collaborative work, with features like file check-in/check-out and revision control. These capabilities should be preserved during cloud migration to avoid issues with data synchronization and workflow efficiency. Once your Vault is moved to the cloud, tools like Vault Gateway can help expose your Vault to the internet securely, facilitating remote access and collaboration without compromising performance.
Enhancing Security
Moving your Vault the cloud generally enhances security, with better separation between client computers and your data source. The way Autodesk Vault interacts with its server is fundamentally different from traditional methods, reducing the risk of ransomware attacks. However, it’s always important to follow best practices, such as using a trusted cloud provider, keeping security updates current, and ensuring end users follow good security protocols.
Moving Your CAD Data to the Cloud Without Vault
For organizations that are currently managing CAD data using local servers and Windows folders, moving to the cloud without a proper data management system like Autodesk Vault comes with challenges and risks that should be considered.
File Relationships & Data Integrity
Moving CAD files without the use of Autodesk Vault can potentially break the relationships between files, leading to errors and data loss. Generic cloud storage solutions like Dropbox or Sharepoint are not equipped to handle the intricate relationships within CAD files. These platforms treat every file as an individual entity, causing problems when files are moved or synchronized that lead to broken links and incomplete data sets.
Performance Issues
CAD applications require low-latency connections to function optimally. Anything beyond typical local area network (LAN) latencies (around 1ms or less) can quickly degrade the user experience. Working on CAD Files involves hundreds or thousands of file operations, and even minor delays can lead to significant performance issues. When files are moved away from a local network, these problems can become more pronounced.
Collaboration Needs
CAD users often work collaboratively on the same projects, so if your cloud solution doesn’t support collaborative workflows, (i.e. checking files in/out, revision control, etc.) you may face issues with data synchronization and workflow efficiency. For example, frequent file movement can break parametric relationships, and without a constant, low-latency connection, collaborative work can become nearly impossible.
Why Vault is Essential for Cloud Migration
While migrating your CAD data to the cloud without the use of Autodesk Vault is possible, it’s not recommended. Vault is designed to handle the unique challenges of CAD data management, offering the structured environment, performance optimizations, collaboration tools, and security features needed to ensure a smooth and successful transition.
If your organization is considering moving from on-premises servers to the cloud, adopting Autodesk Vault is a critical first step. It provides the necessary foundation to maintain data integrity, optimize performance, and keep your data secure.
Next Steps: Planning Your Migration
Migrating your CAD data from on-premises servers to the cloud is a significant decision that can bring several benefits to your organization, like increased security, ease of access, and improved collaboration.
Our team provides the expertise needed to guide your organization through the migration process, whether you’re looking to move your existing Vault setup to the cloud or integrate Vault into your operations before making the move. Contact us to learn more about how we can help your organization take the next step to easier access, enhanced security, and improved collaboration.
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