Five Common Data Management Myths

If you’re a manufacturer, you may have considered implementing a Data Management solution, but then decided that it wasn’t the right option. All too often, misconceptions cause organizations to shy away from Data Management. Below we’ve debunked five Data Management myths that we frequently encounter:

1. Data Management is only needed for 3D design. In the manufacturing sector, 2D design is still common. Many 2D users don’t believe that Data Management tools are necessary. However, Data Management offers many benefits to 2D users including the ability to search for files, file access logging, revision control, and XREF management. Autodesk Vault Access is integrated directly in the Project Browser and supports collaborative design on large projects.
   
   
2. Small companies won’t benefit from Data Management. Company size doesn’t drive data management challenges. In reality, data complexity is the source of many data management concerns. Both large and small companies struggle with locating files, managing links between files, controlling access, and revision control. Product data contains structured relationships and can quickly become complex. The structure of 3D models includes the top-level assembly, sub-assemblies, and drawings. 3D models also include relationships to marketing renderings, specs, CAM, analysis data, tech pubs, and BOMs.
   
   
3. Data Management is only for managing CAD files. The truth is that any file type can benefit from storage in a single location, managed access, access history, revision control, and change management. Even the simplest of products has a significant number of product data-related files. Autodesk Vault is designed to manage any type of file.

4. It takes too long to implement a Data Management system. Complex data management implementations can be lengthy. Complexity typically results from multiple locations, large amounts of legacy data to load, many people to train, and custom programming. Most small organizations don’t have these characteristics and Data Management systems can be implemented quickly. A recent survey conducted by Tech Clarity found that the median time to implement a PDM system is around nine months and more than one quarter of survey respondents completed their implementation in less than three months. Most of IMAGINiT's data management implementations take between six weeks and three months to complete.

5. Data Management tools are cost prohibitive. If your organization is currently using Autodesk CAD tools, you may already have access to Vault Basic for free. Other options include Vault Workgroup which offers revision control and Vault Professional which supports change management and multi-site installations. When considering the cost of implementing Data Management, it’s also important to consider the cost of not using these tools. Without Data Management, valuable time is lost as employees search for files, repair broken links, determine which revision is correct, and accidentally overwrite data.

Data Management solutions offer benefits to manufacturers of all sizes. They compress the design cycle and reduce time to market. In addition, they reduce manufacturing costs, support quality initiatives, and secure intellectual assets. To learn more about how Data Management can help your organization, feel free to contact us.