by Nassim Bouayad-Agha | Sep 30, 2013 | Events
This demo is an example implementation of the new Wincom mobile platform. In this scenario the client had a requirement for a mobile based application to assist on-site service technicians to quickly and easily access drawings and documents. The interface is designed to be very task oriented and requires only limited training, so the technician simply has to enter the product number and then with a small number of interactions can navigate to the parts of interest. They immediately have access to the specific information they require without having to access a complex enterprise system. The interface is designed to be highly ergonomic, and implemented to be easy to use with a touch screen tablet interface.
The new Wincom mobile platform allow us to quickly create task based applications that run on any mobile platform unlocking access to PLM information for the extended enterprise.
Features include
- Compatible with desktop, tablets…
- No client installation required
- Fast structure browsing
- Quick access to information such as attributes, PDFs…
[vsw id=”sd8UScwVg0Q” source=”youtube” width=”425″ height=”344″ autoplay=”no”]
by Nassim Bouayad-Agha | Apr 12, 2013 | Events
Can we map Windchill as a standard network drive?
Can we allow the browsing of all the rich data held within my PDMLink™ system (File content of documents, CAD data, Attachments, Representations…) ?
Can we use navigation criterias to browse the data?
This requirement has been raised several times, and we have now a prototype allowing a fully controlled access to Windchill™ file data. Once installed this component allows Windchill™ to be mounted as if it was a simple network drive, the adminstrator can configure it to show whatever part of the system is required, for example a Product or Library (always respecting access control rules). This component uses the standard WebDav protocol.
This prototype supports mounting on Microsoft Office and Microsoft Windows (Unix, Sparc and others are also supported). Note that this is true access to the file data, unlike the out-of-the-box DTI that only makes this information available via Windows Explorer, which means that the Operating System and any of it’s applications are aware of the files, making it perfect to build integration to third party applications.
For example, you could give your service teams access to all the latest released service manuals held within your PDMLink™ system.
We are keen to have your feedback on this, and so if you would like to suggest features or requirements that you would have for this type of tool please let us know.
by Simon Heath | Apr 22, 2012 | Events
We are pleased to announce the release of two new components:
Workflow Productivity
Workflow is a very powerful part of Windchill that allows the system to be configured to support a wide range of business processes. It is however very complex to manage and requires expertise when creating workflows and the associated logic.
This component adds a number of features to the standard workflow capabilities and also improves the user interface to make it easier for users to manage their workflow tasks.
CAD Direct Download
Packages are complex to use and do not provide the CAD data in an easy to use form. This component allows the user to quickly and easily collect all the CAD documents they require and export them. This makes it possible to send a complete CAD model to an OEM or client with the minimum effort.
by Simon Heath | Apr 20, 2012 | Events
Thanks to all involved in the launch of the new website, especially the web designers RWF. Over the next few months we will be adding more content to the site, including a range of new components that will substantial increase our current portfolio.
by Nassim Bouayad-Agha | Apr 2, 2012 | Events
We recently visited PlanetPTC Live in Stuttgart to find out the latest developments and news for Windchill®. It was a very well attended show, with a lot of very interesting presentations. It is clearly aimed at the German market with many presentations in German, so it is a real shame that there are no events for the rest of Europe but in any case it was very interesting and a well run and presented conference.
The highlight of the show from a Windchill® perspective was a live presentation of the new IPad app, which allows users to access tasks and visualize CAD data. We especially liked the shake to disassemble feature, but in all seriousness the main areas of interest were new features and the road map of Windchill®.
Windchill® 10 was a main focus, as expected, and as we know from our experience with it, it is a step change for Windchill® and PTC are rightly proud of the new features that really improve the interface and flexibility. Upgrading to the version should be a real priority for customers that want to really take advantage of their investment in Windchill, but we have heard that some clients are waiting for M030 before they jump. Most of our customers are planning to upgrade in the new version as soon as possible.
Other news, we continue to hear of problems migrating data from other systems, so the Bulk Load Tool sounds interesting but we are not sure it solves the problem of complex data loading. Good news is some attention is being paid to the MPMLink™ interface which is being updated and more closely integrated into the 10 HTML interface. As it was always a heavy applet this put off many users and we look forward to seeing if the eBoM to mBoM connections are more visible in the standard interface.
PartsLink™ is such an important aspect of the product, but has in the past underperformed and it is good to hear a rewrite is planned, however we hope it will come sooner rather than later. We have customers with this module and it could do so much more for them. PDMLink and ProjectLink sharing is and will be further improved, which is important for almost all clients that need to share data to external partners whilst protecting IP a vital part of modern engineering. Options and Variants is continuing to be improved and again this is an important part of the value add of Windchill®, the UI is improved but the basic data model remains the same. We have already upgraded an O&V extension to R10 without issue.
Software is a clear strategic path for PTC, with the purchase of Integrity which has some interesting features. Not clear to us yet the strategy of this related to SoftwareLink, but the concept of a complete integrated Windchill software solution makes sense, but not in all client profiles.
On the whole a good show and Windchill® 10 is looking very good and for us, is performing well in a production environment. PTC are moving in the right direction and we are pleased in the overall direction that Windchill is taking.
by Nassim Bouayad-Agha | Apr 12, 2011 | Events
Update: Go Live! – We are now live, a PDMLink 10 system in full production.
We have now completed our first R10 customization delivery (11 components) to an important European company.
It has been very challenging, and with some major changes in Windchill™ have meant that we have need to learn a great deal about the new UI and other architectural changes, but we think that R10 is definitely a big step forward for Windchill™.
This delivery includes:
- Custom wizards (JCA/MVC)
- Customized out of the box wizards without source modifications (JCA/MVC)
- Custom web services
- Product Structure Browser customizations
- Custom reports
- Workflow robots
- SAP ERP Interface
- etc
We also provided support on data loading, architectural design and other areas.
