Welcome to our in-depth tutorial on how to effectively leverage Manage and Control, the powerful project management and workflow tool within the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Designed for teams navigating complex projects, Manage and Control ensures seamless task management, robust workflow automation, and precise access control, all within a unified environment. This guide will walk you through the steps to enhance efficiency, maintain control over your projects, and achieve consistent, high-quality results.

Table of Contents

• Introduction to Manage and Control
• Enabling Manage and Control
• Setting Up Your Workspace
• Managing Tasks and Workflows
• Controlling Access and Permissions
• Tracking Project Progress
• Use Cases

Introduction to Manage and Control

In today’s fast-paced engineering and design environments, managing projects efficiently is more critical than ever. Projects often involve multiple teams, departments, and stakeholders, each with their unique requirements and timelines. This complexity necessitates a tool that can not only organize and track tasks but also automate processes and ensure that all team members have the information they need, precisely when they need it.

Manage and Control on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform is the answer to these challenges. It provides a comprehensive set of tools that allow you to manage every aspect of your project, from assigning tasks and controlling access to tracking progress and automating workflows. This integration into a single platform streamlines communication and ensures that everyone involved in the project is aligned, reducing the risk of errors and delays.

Enabling Manage and Control

Before diving into the features of Manage and Control, it’s essential to ensure that your platform is set up correctly. The first step is to verify that your platform administrator has enabled the necessary permissions for managing tasks, workflows, and access controls. These settings are typically configured in the Platform Management dialog, where administrators can set up roles, permissions, and access levels for different users.

Once the appropriate permissions are in place, your team can fully utilize the Manage and Control features, from creating tasks to automating complex workflows. Ensuring these settings are correctly configured from the outset will save time and prevent potential access issues as your project progresses.

Setting Up Your Workspace

The foundation of effective project management lies in a well-organized workspace. On the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, setting up your workspace involves defining your project structure, which includes creating folders, tasks, and subtasks, as well as assigning roles and responsibilities.

Defining Your Project Structure

Start by outlining the main goals of your project and breaking them down into manageable components. This often involves creating a hierarchical structure where larger tasks are divided into smaller, more specific subtasks. Each task should have a clear objective and be assigned to a team member responsible for its completion.

For example, if you’re managing a product development project, you might have high-level tasks such as “Design Phase,” “Prototyping,” and “Testing.” Each of these tasks can be further divided into subtasks like “CAD Modeling,” “Material Selection,” “3D Printing,” and “User Testing.” This breakdown helps ensure that no part of the project is overlooked and that all team members know their specific responsibilities.

Assigning Roles and Responsibilities

Once your tasks are defined, assign them to the appropriate team members. The 3DEXPERIENCE platform allows you to assign roles that reflect the actual responsibilities of each team member, such as “Designer,” “Project Manager,” “Engineer,” or “Quality Assurance.” Assigning these roles helps to clarify expectations and ensures that each team member knows who to contact for specific issues or approvals.

In addition to individual task assignments, consider setting up teams or groups for larger projects. This grouping allows for more efficient management of tasks and communication, as team members can easily collaborate within their assigned group while still having visibility into the broader project.

Managing Tasks and Workflows

With your workspace set up, you can begin managing tasks and automating workflows. Effective task management and workflow automation are at the heart of the Manage and Control feature, allowing you to keep your project on track and ensure that all tasks are completed in a timely manner.

Task Management

Task management on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform is straightforward yet powerful. After creating tasks and subtasks, you can assign due dates, set priorities, and add detailed descriptions or attachments. The platform also allows you to link tasks together, creating dependencies that ensure tasks are completed in the correct order. For example, the “User Testing” task cannot begin until the “Prototyping” task is complete. This logical linking of tasks helps prevent bottlenecks and ensures that your project progresses smoothly.

As tasks are completed, team members can update their status, allowing project managers to track progress in real-time. The platform’s intuitive interface makes it easy to see which tasks are on schedule, which are delayed, and which have been completed, providing you with a clear overview of your project at all times.

Workflow Automation

Workflow automation is one of the most powerful features of Manage and Control. By setting up automated workflows, you can streamline repetitive tasks, ensure that approvals are obtained promptly, and reduce the risk of human error.

For example, you can create a workflow that automatically routes a completed CAD model to the quality assurance team for review, and then to the project manager for final approval. If any issues are found during the quality assurance review, the workflow can automatically send the model back to the designer with detailed feedback, ensuring that revisions are made before the project can move forward.

These automated workflows can be customized to fit the unique needs of your project, whether it’s a simple approval process or a complex series of interdependent tasks. By automating these processes, you free up your team to focus on more critical tasks, improving overall efficiency and reducing the time it takes to complete your project.

Controlling Access and Permissions

In any project, controlling access to information is crucial. The 3DEXPERIENCE platform provides robust access control features that allow you to manage who can view, edit, or approve documents and tasks.

Defining Access Levels

Access control on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform is highly customizable. You can define access levels for individual users or groups, specifying who can view, edit, or approve each task or document. For example, you might allow designers to edit CAD models but restrict them from approving final designs, a role reserved for the project manager.

These access controls help ensure that only authorized team members can make changes to critical documents, reducing the risk of unauthorized edits or accidental deletions. It also simplifies the approval process, as only those with the appropriate permissions can approve or reject tasks.

Regularly Reviewing Permissions

As your project evolves, so too might the roles and responsibilities of your team members. It’s essential to regularly review and update access permissions to reflect any changes in team structure or project scope. This ongoing review ensures that access to critical information is always limited to those who need it, helping to maintain the security and integrity of your project.

Tracking Project Progress

One of the key benefits of using Manage and Control is the ability to track your project’s progress in real-time. The 3DEXPERIENCE platform provides several tools that allow you to monitor task completion, identify potential bottlenecks, and ensure that your project stays on schedule.

Visualizing Progress

The platform offers multiple ways to visualize your project’s progress, including Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and project dashboards. These tools provide an at-a-glance view of where your project stands, highlighting completed tasks, tasks in progress, and any that are overdue.

Gantt charts are particularly useful for complex projects, as they allow you to see the dependencies between tasks and how delays in one area might impact the overall project timeline. Kanban boards, on the other hand, provide a more straightforward, task-based view, making it easy to see what tasks are currently being worked on and what’s up next.

Generating Reports

In addition to visual tools, the 3DEXPERIENCE platform allows you to generate detailed reports on various aspects of your project. These reports can include information on task completion rates, project milestones, resource allocation, and more. Regularly reviewing these reports can help you identify trends, spot potential issues before they become problems, and make informed decisions about how to proceed with your project.

Use Cases

Manage and Control on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform is versatile enough to be used in various industries and project types. Here are a few examples of how different teams can benefit from this powerful tool:

• Complex Project Management: For large, multi-team projects, Manage and Control ensures that all tasks are clearly defined, assigned, and tracked. This capability is particularly valuable in industries like aerospace, automotive, and industrial design, where projects often involve numerous stakeholders and tight deadlines.

• Compliance Management: In regulated industries such as pharmaceuticals or construction, managing compliance-related tasks is critical. Manage and Control allows you to set up workflows that ensure all necessary steps are completed, documented, and approved, helping you stay compliant with industry regulations.

• Collaboration Across Teams: Whether your teams are located in different offices or working remotely, Manage and Control facilitates seamless collaboration. All team members can access the same tasks, updates, and documents, ensuring that everyone stays on the same page, regardless of their location.

Conclusion

Manage and Control is an indispensable tool for any team looking to streamline project management, automate workflows, and maintain control over their projects. By using this powerful feature within the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, you can ensure that your projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.

If you have any questions or need assistance getting started with Manage and Control, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our Xperts are here to help you make the most of this powerful tool for your project management needs.

Discover more about Manage & Control on the 3DEXPERIENCE!

Compete your 3DEXPERIENCE knowledge. Read through our blogs on Share and Markup, and Store and Revise.

Welcome to our tutorial on getting started with Store and Revise, the robust version control and file management tool on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Store and Revise is essential for maintaining the integrity of your design data, ensuring that you can easily manage different versions of your files while collaborating across teams. Whether you’re storing new revisions or need to revert to an earlier version of your design, this tutorial will guide you through the process step by step, ensuring your projects remain organized and up to date.

Table of Contents

• Introduction to Store and Revise
• Enabling Store and Revise
• Storing Your Design Files
• Revising Your Designs
• Managing Revisions
• Accessing Previous Versions
• Use Cases

Introduction to Store and Revise

Store and Revise is a powerful feature within the 3DEXPERIENCE platform that simplifies version control for your designs. It allows you to securely store and manage multiple versions of your files directly within the platform, making it easier to track changes, collaborate with team members, and maintain a clear history of your projects.

Enabling Store and Revise

Before you can begin using Store and Revise, ensure that your platform administrator has enabled the appropriate settings for version control and file storage within the Platform Management options. This step is crucial for ensuring that you have the necessary permissions to store and manage design revisions.

Storing Your Design Files

• Click on the “Save with Options” command in SOLIDWORKS or your preferred design software.
• Choose the appropriate storage location within the 3DEXPERIENCE platform (e.g., Collaborative Space or Bookmark Root).
• Configure options such as “Create New Revision” or “Overwrite Existing” to manage how your files are stored.
• Add any relevant metadata or tags to help categorize and identify your files later.

Revising Your Designs

When working on a design that requires changes, you can easily revise the file:

• Open the design file you wish to revise.
• Make the necessary changes and click on “Save with Options” to create a new revision.
• Select “Create New Revision” to ensure that your changes are stored as a separate version, preserving the previous iteration of your design.

Managing Revisions

The 3DEXPERIENCE platform provides a comprehensive interface to manage your file revisions:

• Navigate to the “Revisions” tab in your design file’s properties to view a list of all saved versions.
• Use the “Promote” or “Demote” options to manage the lifecycle of your design, such as moving a design from “In Work” to “Released” status.
• You can also set specific versions as “Preferred” to highlight the most relevant or up-to-date design for your team.

Accessing Previous Versions

One of the key benefits of Store and Revise is the ability to access previous versions of your designs:

• From the “Revisions” tab, select any earlier version of your design.
• Click on “Open” to view or revert to that version if necessary.
• This feature is particularly useful when you need to compare changes or roll back to an earlier design.

Use Cases

• Design Iteration: Easily manage and track multiple design iterations, ensuring that your team always has access to the most current version.
• Collaboration Across Teams: Collaborate with team members across different departments, knowing that all changes are tracked and documented.
• Product Lifecycle Management: Manage the entire lifecycle of your design files, from concept to release, within a single platform.

Store and Revise is a vital tool for maintaining control over your design data, ensuring that every version of your project is securely stored and easily accessible. It simplifies the process of version management, allowing you to focus on innovation and product development without worrying about losing track of your files.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our Xperts are here to help you get the most out of Store and Revise for your design and collaboration needs.

Need to know more? Check out our previous blog to learn more about Share and Markup on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform!

Let’s talk about a decision we, as CAD users, often face: When do I save a design as a physical product versus a representation in our 3DEXPERIENCE platform?

It’s a common scenario, and getting it right can really streamline your workflow.

Managing Your Data with 3DEXPERIENCE Integration

First off, if you want more control over what gets saved, check out the “3DEXPERIENCE Compatibility” option under System Options. By using the Configuration Manager in SOLIDWORKS, you can decide whether to save your configurations as a physical product or just as a representation.

So, what’s the difference?

• Physical products are usually what we use to represent the actual manufactured design, complete with an item (part) number on the platform.
• On the other hand, Representations are more for our internal design process—they stay linked to the physical product but don’t get their own item number.

Think of a representation as a way to show, for example, an exploded view of a product without creating a whole new part number.

Prototypes and Production Parts & Assemblies

When it comes to prototypes or production parts and assemblies, it’s generally a good idea to stick to one physical product per part or assembly file. This way, each physical product on the platform represents a single manufactured item, capturing everything from lifecycle details to the enterprise item number.

Of course, there will be times when you need additional configurations to help with your design in SOLIDWORKS. In these cases, it’s smarter to save them as Representations, so you’re not cluttering up the system with extra Physical Products that aren’t really necessary.

To make this process smoother, be sure to enable the “Update SOLIDWORKS files for compatibility with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform” option for everyone. Also, if you go into System Options under 3DEXPERIENCE Integration and select “Allow a single physical product in new parts and assemblies,” you’ll find your workflow gets a lot simpler—and faster—because there’s less PLM data flying back and forth.

You can certainly choose to allow multiple physical products on new parts and assemblies, no problem! But make sure everyone is on board. Choose one way of working for everyone on your platform, without switching back and forth, to keep everything simple and clean.

Purchased and Library Parts

Now, for parts and assemblies we buy externally, the rules are a bit different. These usually sit in a library and aren’t something we revise or modify. So, treat these with the same care, but understand they have their own set of guidelines.

Managing Configurations in Part Files

If you’ve got a part file with up to 20 configurations, you’re good to go with Physical Product configurations without worrying about performance. But if you’re dealing with more than 20 configurations, it’s better to stick to one Physical Product configuration per file. Each configuration should get its own part file to keep things running smoothly.

Assembly Files and Configurations

The same rule applies to assembly files: one Physical Product configuration per file is the way to go for top performance. Again, save each configuration in a separate assembly file.

Let’s Look at Some Common Scenarios

Of course, every project is unique, so let’s dive into a few specific scenarios.

Cast & Machined Variations

When you’re managing cast and machined variations of a part, SOLIDWORKS configurations make it easy to capture these differences. The approach you take depends on whether you need to treat these variations as a single part number or manage them separately.

If both the cast and machined versions share a part number, keep them in the same file with one Physical Product configuration. Save the cast and intermediate machined states as Representations. If they need separate part numbers and lifecycle management, create individual part files and physical products for each.

Mirrored Parts

For mirrored parts—think left-hand and right-hand versions with unique part numbers—create separate files, each with its own Physical Product configuration. If both versions are part of the same product, go ahead and put them in a single file with two lifecycle-coupled Physical Product configurations.

Sheet Metal Parts – Flat and Folded States

For sheet metal parts where the flat and folded versions share a part number, use one Physical Product configuration for the folded state and a Representation for the flat pattern. If each variation needs its own revision management and lifecycle, create separate part files for each, with one Physical Product configuration and a Representation configuration for the flat state.

Weldment Parts

For weldments, if the “As Machined” configuration represents the final product, use that as the Physical Product configuration and save the “As Welded” configuration as a Representation. If both need to be managed separately, convert the “As Welded” configuration to a Physical Product configuration so both are represented individually on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

Best Practices to Keep in Mind

• Use the Configuration Manager from the get-go.
• Upgrade any existing files before going live.
• Stick to one Physical Product configuration per file to keep things simple and efficient.
• Only create multi-product files if all the products share a lifecycle.

By following these guidelines, you’ll find your work on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to be smoother, more organized, and just plain easier. Happy designing!

Reach out to our dedicated 3DEXPERIENCE specialists for more info about best practices, the latest available training courses, or, if you’re new here, how to start your 3DEXPERIENCE journey!