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Considering a new CAD system? Think twice. Buy once.
Design managers could paper the walls with unsolicited offers to replace their present CAD systems. The switch to a new system, these vendors claim, is painless, even pleasant. The truth, however,is a decision of this magnitude requires careful thought, preparation, and a prioritization of business goals.
The decision to put your old, established CAD system out to pasture is not to be taken lightly. Before deciding, companies need to consider the total cost for new software, expanded hardware, training, and handling legacy data. Without adequate planning, the cost for updating could exceed the returns.
Thanks to new technologies, easier-to-learn software, and better access to training, switching CAD systems is less complicated. But how do you know when it's time for an upgrade?
IS IT TIME FOR A CHANGE?
"The only reason to switch CAD systems is to save money," says longtime CAD industry analyst L. Stephen Wolfe, P.E. But manufacturers often switch systems simply because they're annoyed with a vendor. "When they switch for that reason, they find the new system is no better than the old one," Wolfe explains.
Savings from installing a new system come in many forms. Replacing an old system can result in less maintenance. And every year, new software gets less expensive and easier to maintain. Older, more-established systems may be slower to adopt...