Siemens PLM Software has released a SharePoint-based platform to manage the 2D and 3D files created by its Solid Edge CAD program as well as related design data, called Insight XT.

It adds new part, product and project structures that are required by manufacturing organisations but are not available in standard SharePoint document libraries.

“As product complexity increases, the volume of associated design data continues to expand. Mainstream manufacturers are under great pressure to affordably manage this increasing data and often struggle with the complexities of data management solutions,” said Karsten Newbury, Vice President of Mainstream Engineering, Siemens PLM Software.

“Insight XT is a simple, intuitive and easy to use solution that helps increase efficiency and allows mainstream manufacturers to have full control of their data and intellectual property.”

Insight XT provides easy vaulting and retrieval of Solid Edge files and related design data, using a new approach to managing part, product and project structures and their related documents, thereby automating and simplifying complex error prone processes such as new product introduction and release to manufacturing.

New content and relation browser interfaces provide a dynamic visual approach to displaying data relationships and associated tasks, enabling users to quickly understand complex design data and the impact of proposed design changes.

A recent survey of more than 2,000 representatives from global manufacturing organisations conducted by Siemens PLM Software with the support of independent research firm Tech-Clarity, found that the majority of respondents are still using Windows application folders and network drives to manage their design data, rather than any type of specific data management software.

These users are experiencing significant challenges with finding the data and tracking progress of engineering changes. The survey showed that about 25 percent of the companies use more than 20 percent of their time on non-value-added data management tasks – that is one full day in a five-day work week.

Those respondents who rated their organisations highly for their performance in product development were 30 percent more likely to use specific data management solutions and were significantly more effective in key areas such as finding and sharing data and managing their design projects. To read the full report titled, “Best Practices for Managing Design Data,” visit www.siemens.com/plm/bestpractices.