For manufacturers who collaborate with construction or project delivery teams, the handoff between engineering and the field is where things often break down.
Design data is created and managed in PDM, but project teams are working in cloud-based environments. Without a direct connection, files are exported, emailed, uploaded, and re-uploaded, introducing risk at every step. According to Autodesk and FMI research, 52% of all construction rework is caused by poor project data and miscommunication, contributing to an estimated $31.3 billion in annual rework costs across U.S. construction alone.
If you’re trying to connect Vault to Forma, the goal isn’t just file transfer; it’s creating a reliable bridge between engineering and project execution. It’s also worth noting that Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) was officially rebranded as Autodesk Forma® in March 2026, consolidating project delivery capabilities into a single industry cloud platform.
This integration is valuable for manufacturers who don’t operate in isolation—those whose products or systems are ultimately delivered into construction, infrastructure, or large project environments.
Common examples include:
In these environments, engineering teams rely on Autodesk Vault™ to manage design data, while project teams work in platforms like Autodesk Forma. Without a connection between these systems, collaboration becomes fragmented.
When Vault and cloud project platforms aren’t connected, teams are forced to rely on manual processes. That’s where problems start to surface, such as the following:
Version Mismatches
Project teams may be working from outdated files, while engineering continues to iterate in Vault. This creates conditions where field teams build from the wrong revision, one of the most common triggers for costly rework events that average $8,300 each and 3.4 days to resolve.
Manual File Transfers
Files are exported from Vault, uploaded into shared folders or project platforms, and often renamed or reorganized along the way. This introduces inconsistencies and increases the chance of human error.
Lack of Traceability
Once files leave Vault, it becomes difficult to track which version was shared, when it was updated, and who is working from the latest information.
Slower Collaboration
Without real-time access to accurate data, communication between engineering and project teams slows down—impacting timelines and decision-making. Research shows nearly half of all field delays trace back to data and document coordination failures between teams.
A true Forma to Vault integration creates a structured, automated connection between engineering data and project platforms. Instead of relying on manual uploads, approved data can flow directly from Vault into Forma environments, where project teams can access it in context, with the right version, the right metadata, and the right file format.
The business case is well established. Autodesk’s own Business Value of Autodesk Forma report found that Forma users experience:
At a high level, this looks like:
This creates a single, connected workflow from design through project execution, and it supports the kind of connected product development that reduces silos between engineering and the field.
From a technical perspective, connecting Vault to cloud platforms involves more than a simple file sync. A well-designed integration typically includes:
Event-Driven Triggers
Actions in Vault—such as a lifecycle state change—can trigger automated publishing to Forma. This ensures only approved data is shared.
Neutral Format Generation
In some situations, it may be necessary to share neutral file formats (PDF, DXF, etc.) instead of native CAD files. With the use of coolOrange powerSync, these neutral formats can be created automatically from Vault CAD data using lifecycle states, making files immediately usable by project teams without requiring CAD licenses.
Metadata and Property Mapping
File properties, revision data, and naming conventions are mapped so that information remains consistent across systems.
Controlled Data Publishing
Rather than syncing everything, organizations can define exactly what data is shared, when it’s shared, and where it appears in the project environment.
Cloud-Based Access
Once published, data is accessible to project teams through Forma, without requiring direct access to Vault.
Successfully implementing a Vault to Forma integration requires more than just connecting systems; it requires aligning workflows, data structures, and business rules across teams.
At Hagerman & Company, we help manufacturers design and implement integrations that reflect how their organization operates. Our Vault to Forma integration service includes customized configuration, system integration, and training so your teams can work confidently across both platforms from day one.
The result is a streamlined connection between engineering and the field—reducing manual work and improving collaboration across the full product and project lifecycle. If you’re also managing BOM data that needs to flow downstream into ERP, MRP, or PLM, our BOM Integration Assistance service extends this same connected approach across your business system.
Ready to connect your systems? Contact us today to start your Vault to Forma integration and build a more connected workflow across your organization.