MCAD Tech News #199
31 Jan, 2007 By: Jeffrey RoweUse actual costs to show ROI numbers Even though it's still relatively early in the year, many of you already know what and where you'll see funds allotted for hardware and software technology acquisitions. It's tough when all of an organization's projects and departments vie for the same finite pool of capital dollars. When attempting to persuade and influence the powers that hold the purse strings, one of the most challenging aspects in pleading your case is justifying an expense. Historically, ROI (return on investment) analysis of the past has been used to justify expenses that will benefit the company and improve its ROI in the future. However, I don't believe that looking at the past adequately represents productivity gains that can be realized in the future if new and better technologies are employed in design, engineering and manufacturing. I think the biggest fault in this history-based prediction of future gains is in relying on what is known as standard costing, an accounting practice used to estimate the overall cost of production.Read more>> By Jeffrey Rowe Every time a new version of MCAD software is released, most users wonder, "What's in it for me?" With the latest version of SolidWorks, SolidWorks 2007, the company has added new and enhanced features and capabilities, and not just for the sake of adding them. In fact, this version seems more about improving the widely diverse workflows of the current and potential customer base than about tacking on additional raw functionality for specialized types of mechanical design. In my mind, this indicates the maturing of a product because it affects virtually all users, regardless of their design niche and needs, in a positive way. Read more>> Mark Your Calendar: MCAD Events UK CAD Managers Forum CIMdata 2007 PLM Vendor Forum For Cadalyst's full calendar of events, click here. Online Archives: Click here to view an online version of this newsletter and past issues of MCAD Tech News. Get the Code! Cadalyst's January Web Exclusives Now Live Online! Calling All Product Designers Cadalyst Daily Update
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