CAD Manager's Newsletter (#220)

Lay Down the Law on CAD Standards, Part 3p>

Take a diagnostic quiz and learn how to tackle problems related to standards and training.

In the last two installments of the CAD Manager's Newsletter, I talked about laying down the law as it pertains to CAD standards and work methodologies in your workplace. I hope you've been able to complete the planning exercises I set forth and have decided on your first-strike items to get the process started.

In the third and final part of this series, I'll focus on how to keep your company culture disciplined and standardized after the initial shock and awe have subsided.

Diagnose Your Culture
Before we go any further, I'd like you to answer a few diagnostic questions for me. Think through each question and answer each question on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being "No, I strongly disagree" and 5 being "Yes, I strongly agree."

Question 1. When you've updated CAD standards in the past, have you found that users don't follow the new standards?

Question 2. Do your users ever complain that they don't understand your standards?

Question 3. Has your training budget been slashed?

Question 4. Have you stopped training people because you're too pressed with other job duties?

Your total score will be somewhere between 4 and 20. Add up your score; you'll need it for the next step.  Read more »

:: CAD Manager's Toolbox: Should You Upgrade

to Windows Vista 64?

Operating system offers benefits for some environments, but not all.

I've received questions many about operating systems over the years, but the past six months has brought forth a bunch of questions about Microsoft's Windows Vista 64. I'd like to answer some of the more common questions to help you determine whether Vista 64 is right for you.  Read more »

:: Resources

New ERP Blog for the Manufacturing Community

Technology Group International (TGI) debuted its ERP Insights blog, a forum for individuals in manufacturing, distribution, ERP selection, and IT consulting to interact with TGI representatives and discuss a variety of topics related to ERP (enterprise resource planning). Discussion topics include software evaluation, implementation and training, ongoing use, and much more.

Autodesk Adds Benefits to Assistance Program

The Autodesk Assistance Program for the unemployed now includes more products from the latest versions of Autodesk's 2D and 3D design and engineering software, a product discount for companies that hire program participants, a new term license for AutoCAD software, and enhancements to eLearning materials.

:: Events

Bentley Systems Be Connected Online Seminar Series

June 23-November 25, 2009
The Be Connected online seminar series gives architects, engineers, builders, geospatial professionals, and owner-operators a chance to learn about applying information modeling from leading infrastructure practitioners. Events are free of charge and available in live and OnDemand formats.  Read more»

Project Information Management for Integrated Project Delivery, Part 9

June 26, 2009
12 p.m. ET
Join Newforma to explore the ways software for project information management (PIM) supports a more integrated practice by streamlining PIM for civil engineering firms.
Read more »

What's New in AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010?

June 30, 2009
San Jose, California
Join Ideate for a brief presentation of AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010 by Gaurav Bagga of Ideate. Read more »

Webinar: CADCALCS V2

July 1, 2009
4 p.m. CT
In this webinar from DataCAD, attendees will learn how to solve design challenges faster, perform what-if analysis, and leverage CAD geometry and Excel calculations.
Read more  »

Ecobuild America 2009

December 7-10, 2009
Washington, D.C.
Ecobuild America, sponsored by the National Institute of Building Sciences, educates design and construction professionals on how to improve the built environment through sustainable design practices.Read more  »

SYWARE Training Class: Mobile Application Development

October 26, 2009
Woburn, Massachusetts
This class from SYWARE offers instruction on using Visual CE and other SYWARE tools to create mobile data entry applications. Read more »

For a complete list of CAD meetings, conferences, training sessions, and more, check out our calendar of events on Cadalyst.com.

:: What's New at Cadalyst.com

Road Map to Cost Savings: Map 3D
Calculate ROI to determine the real financial benefits of switching from AutoCAD to Map 3D. Read more

What You See Is What You Get
VisionREZ and hsbCAD bridge the gap between architecture and manufacturing.
Read more

Building a Better AEC File Cabinet
BSA LifeStructures uses M-Files to manage all documents without changing how architects and designers work. Read more

Reverse Engineering a Better Brake Arm
Racing motorcycle designer CRP Technology uses ergonomics study, CAD, and rapid prototyping to create a custom part. Read more

3D Printer Buyer's Guide
Learn which questions to ask so you can choose the best possible 3D printer to meet your prototyping needs without overspending. Available free in Cadalyst’s Whitepaper Library to users who register.