What to Consider When Switching CAD Systems

Switching CAD systems isn’t something you do without making sure you understand the implications and undertaking to get there. You need to be sure that your team will be supported not only for the transition but for future growth and expansion.

There’s more that goes into switching from one CAD platform to another than just uninstalling one program and installing another. Our decades of experience getting clients off on the right foot have given us the expertise to lay out everything you need to know before switching CAD tools.

Keeping Up With the Times

In today’s world, innovation and speed to market are what give your company a competitive advantage. As the world changes, so do the technology and business needs, and we must address them. As the adage goes: evolve or die.

Having and using the latest and most powerful CAD tools at your disposal will help to ensure you can evolve in today’s business climate. This guide will explore how SOLIDWORKS and the 3DEXPERIENCE can help you with the pursuit of adaptability.

Making an Inventory of your Current Data and Systems

Before switching CAD and data management systems, it is important to know what you’re currently utilizing. Having a clear picture of the types of data, software, and other systems will help you in planning the migration to a new environment. You want to ensure workflows, standards, and any other resources you need are preserved in the new environment.

Below, we will address key areas to investigate before switching CAD systems:

• Evaluate Legacy CAD Data and Documentation
  Firstly, take inventory of what types of data you have and what formats it is in. SOLIDWORKS supports a variety of CAD file types, which allows you to work with old data from various sources without having to be concerned about converting everything to a new format.
• Review Existing Systems (PDM, PLM, Custom tools)
  Next, you will want to evaluate how you handle, manage, and use your data for life cycle management, manufacturing, and reporting.
  SOLIDWORKS and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform allow you to connect all these needs under one Dassault solution. This reduces the likelihood of any problems with different systems having issues when being implemented and integrated. With built-in compatibility for non-native file formats, SOLIDWORKS allows you to open and edit existing designs directly, minimizing downtime and preserving design intent.
• Consider Past Training and Implementation Strategies
  Once you have an idea of what data and system you will use, you will want to consider the human factor in your design, development, and manufacturing processes. How has training been managed in the past? Is it simply tribal knowledge?
  SOLIDWORKS and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform provide many resources to support you and your team’s onboarding in a new workflow.

Assess Your Current Workflows

Your CAD experience should work for and empower you and your team to do your best work. Being able to work effectively and collaboratively is the core of a good design team.

Cost of ownership between SOLIDWORKS licensing models

Below are some benefits that SOLIDWORKS and the 3DEXPERIENCE provide you and your team to empower them:

• SOLIDWORKS Offers Robust 3D Modeling, Simulation, and Design Tools
  SOLIDWORKS is a powerful parametric 3D modeling software. It allows you to create parts and assemblies quickly and efficiently. The CAD is fully associative and linked with all of your engineering data that you put into the system. Additionally, you can use add-ins like SOLIDWORKS Simulation to supercharge your workflow.
• The 3DEXPERIENCE Platform Connects CAD to the Cloud
  This allows you and your team to share design data, feedback, project statuses, and much more. Not only is 3DEXPERIENCE a great collaboration tool, but it also allows you to manage your data. This keeps all aspects of the engineering and design process on one platform.
• SOLIDWORKS Provides for Different Licensing Terms to Fit your Company’s Needs
  You can choose from a term or perpetual license. As well as individual or floating licenses. The number and cost of the licenses can be tailored to you. 

Fast Tracking Productivity with Training and Support

Switching CAD platforms doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch. With the right training and support, your team can quickly become productive with new tools.

TriMech/Javelin training courses and pathways

This section outlines the extensive resources available to help users learn SOLIDWORKS and thrive in the 3DEXPERIENCE ecosystem:

• Certified Training Programs and Technical Support
  • Access certified, instructor-led training courses on everything SOLIDWORKS on a course-by-course basis or through a Training Passport
  • Self-paced learning through tutorials and videos with SolidProfessor and MySOLIDWORKS
  • A vast library of online resources, including YouTube tutorials, allows users to learn at their own pace and revisit concepts as needed.
• Global Community and User Forums
• Annual Conferences for Networking and Knowledge Sharing
  • Events like 3DEXPERIENCE World bring together thousands of users, engineers, and innovators to explore new features, share success stories, and build community.

Internal and External Collaboration

Design and engineering today combine for a dynamic and cooperative pursuit. Whether you’re working with colleagues, customers, managers, or anyone else, you need to be able to collaborate effectively. Switching CAD platforms to one that supports your collaboration needs is the best decision you can make.

Collaborating on files with SOLIDWORKS Cloud Services

Below are some highlights of how SOLIDWORKS and the 3DEXPERIENCE help you to collaborate effectively:

• Share and Mark Up Designs Directly from SOLIDWORKS
  Share 3d models and add comments, notes, and markups with anyone you wish to. No license for CAD software is required.
• Collaborate on the Latest Versions of your Designs
  The 3DEXPERIENCE platform allows users to see the latest design, revision, or version without having to pass documents over email or file folders. This allows users to be confident they are collaborating on the latest file.
• Reduce Feedback and Review Times
  With a suite of collaboration tools, providing and getting feedback is much easier and simpler than emails or redline drawings.

Moving Forward with Switching CAD Systems

Switching CAD programs is a significant decision. With SOLIDWORKS and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, you can be confident you have the tools needed to face the future of engineering and design.

Combine that with TriMech Group’s decades of expertise, and you can have a technical expert with you along the way. Whether you are a new organization looking to make the change or a multi-national team looking to evaluate your path forward with SOLIDWORKS, we are here to help.

To learn more about switching CAD systems to SOLIDWORKS and have our team answer any questions you may have, click here.