Hi Gerard, That sounds similar to something my employer had pre-1999. Then we changed it gradually. The current system uses a variety of CAD software on multiple OS's (optimised according to needs). AutoCAD only works on Windows, for example, so the user has to use Windows. I-Deas 3D runs on several OS (but not Linux).
What we ended up doing is putting all Windows-only CAD files on a NAS server, and all the Unix-based CAD "databases" on a Unix server. Both servers have tape backup locally on robots, and offsite backups via a tape service provider. Files stored locally to PCs or workstations are not backed up; it is up to the user to save their work to the server(s). In the case of the Unix workstations this is automatic. Workflow is fairly rigid to comply with ISO9001 requirements; drawing title block information is entered into a (locally designed) database which uses PHP/MySQL/Apache. Part of the project release procedure involves creating PDF copes of CAD drawings or views. This is placed (manually) on one of the servers and referenced in the database, and cross-referenced to an ERP package manually. The released CAD information is thus available to all staff anywhere in the world, and currently receives about one lookup per minute (from apache logs) from 6:30 am when the local factory starts a shift, through to about 3:30 am when the US office finishes. There are a few manual parts to the process, but the product is so complicated and needs to be checked, that it would be hard to justify automating those processes. We also looked at using Teamcentre, Hummingbird, Tower (now part of another company), Documentum (now part of EMC), Windchill. All very good products which will deeply embed with your CAD systems but you will not get much change out of $1M. If you are really strapped for cash I would suggest getting a nice PC, plenty of hard drive space, put Linux on it, mySQL, Apache, PHP (or mod PERL if you have a programmer), and also think about putting released CAD drawings separate from completed CAD work. Most end users don't know how to drive a CAD system anyway, and often they just want to see a dimensioned drawing. In which case PDF is fine, create an internal web site to display that for you. Then when they really need to modify the design, they can use the DB to get the design files from the archive area and work on them. If you put SAMBA on the Linux box, and setup the user accounts properly, then all users can access their archives as easily as from a Windows server. Of course you don't have two people working on the one design, they only work on parts of it. And there are certainly plenty of lurkers on the list who can create this for you. Hope that helps a bit, Regards, Jill. -- Jill Rowling, System Administrator Eng. Systems Dept, Aristocrat Technologies Australia Level 2, 55 Mentmore Ave Rosebery NSW 2018 Phone: (02) 9697-4484 Fax: (02) 9663-1412 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -----Original Message----- From: Gerard Blacklock [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, 10 March 2004 10:00 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [SLUG] Small Business File/Job Management Solution? Slug, <snip> A large percentage of our work consists generating CAD drawings and instruction sheets (document type), this results in a large number CAD files and word format files, we have quite a sensible numbering system for each job hence it is relatively easy to find jobs when the job number is known. <snip> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT NOTICES This email (including any documents referred to in, or attached, to this email) may contain information that is personal, confidential or the subject of copyright or other proprietary rights in favour of Aristocrat, its affiliates or third parties. This email is intended only for the named addressee. Any privacy, confidence, copyright or other proprietary rights in favour of Aristocrat, its affiliates or third parties, is not lost because this email was sent to you by mistake. If you received this email by mistake you should: (i) not copy, disclose, distribute or otherwise use it, or its contents, without the consent of Aristocrat or the owner of the relevant rights; (ii) let us know of the mistake by reply email or by telephone (+61 2 9413 6300); and (iii) delete it from your system and destroy all copies. Any personal information contained in this email must be handled in accordance with applicable privacy laws. Electronic and internet communications can be interfered with or affected by viruses and other defects. As a result, such communications may not be successfully received or, if received, may cause interference with the integrity of receiving, processing or related systems (including hardware, software and data or information on, or using, that hardware or software). Aristocrat gives no assurances in relation to these matters. If you have any doubts about the veracity or integrity of any electronic communication we appear to have sent you, please call +61 2 9413 6300 for clarification. -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
