Workspaces

Workspaces are CONTACT's revolutionary new, open architecture for CAD data management and collaborative product development. For the first time a tool is available to designers and CAD developers, which perfectly combines self-organization, teamwork and integration in the development process.

At the same time, the open architecture possesses outstanding functionality which allows cross-company collaboration with partners and suppliers. For enterprises whose value creation is spread along the entire engineering supply chain, it holds the key to the simple and smooth exchange of product data.

Workspaces jettison the conventional approach used by centrally-organized ERP and PLM systems, in which the user is subordinated to the system and restricted to data entry and the performance of predetermined procedures. Workspaces envisage product development as a "Work in Progress" and unite creativity with systematics. Find out about the possibilities and benefits:

• CAD- and Multi-CAD-Data Management
• Teamwork with Shared Workspaces
• Data Exchange – Easy Synchronization of Complex Data

CAD and Multi-CAD Data Management

Workspaces and the Workspace Manager provide users with a universal interface which works consistently with all CAD systems. Notable features include its exceptional accessibility and user-assistance, for example, when synchronizing with other Workspaces or the central database.

Overview of solutions for CAD data management

• CAD integration: Comprehensive interface to the leading CAD systems.
• PLM and ERP integration: Direct CAD interface to the PLM and ERP system.
• Work in progress: Create and manage ideas, alternatives and iterations with a minimum of overhead.
• Greater transparency: Continuous representation of the Delta in the data stock as against that of the team and the company.
• Offline support: Supports scenarios such as on-site engineering in plant construction or working "on the go".
• Plug-in architecture: Simple integration of additional functions such as, for example, the automatic creation of mirror-parts.

Further information on the topic of CAD data management can be found here.

Teamwork with Shared Workspaces

Product development is teamwork. Starting points might include, for example, pre-defined requirements and specifications, an existing solution which requires modification or an installation space as a geometry context.

Shared Workspaces is a solution which radically simplifies the management of such common work contexts.

Overview of solutions for team data management

• Common work context: Shared Workspace as a blueprint for one's own Workspace. Automatic synchronization of local changes and changes to the central Shared Workspace in the entire team.
• Concurrent engineering: Reservation of models and documents is visible to all. No "accidental" changes. Optimistic and pessimistic locking procedures.
• Merge: Clear representation of change conflicts and synchronization functions.

Data Exchange – Easy Synchronization of Complex Data

According to a survey by sendler/circle published in August 2009, globally-distributed development cooperation is the greatest challenge companies are facing today. This applies more and more to joint projects with customers, suppliers and partners. The supposed ideal situation, in which everyone works directly in the same central system – that of the OEM for example – is of no help here. It requires rigid, inflexible procedures and standards and prevents partners from cooperating on the same level.

Workspaces have a different approach. Companies can employ Workspaces in accordance with their requirements: as a simple content container, in conjunction with Workspace Manager, or connected to their own PLM and ERP system. Cooperation with other companies consists quite simply in the synchronisation of Workspace content.

Overview of solutions for cross-company collaboration

• Suitable architecture: The appropriate process for every case: Data exchange via e-mail, EDI, peer-to-peer networks, or the use of a portal or an SOA Access Point of the central PLM backbone.
• Automatic import: Assisted and automatic import process. Simple operation, even with very large assemblies.
• Delta update: Identifies already-known models and new versions.
• Assembly comparison: Precise history of assemblies or installation spaces: Identifies new, deleted and replaced components and shows modified situation information for components.
• OEM filter: Supports OEM-specific processes such as, for example, VW/DAVOS, KVS etc., in the handling of model packages and file naming conventions.