planning & implementing a successful autocad upgrade
DESCRIPTION
Anyone facing the challenge of upgrading AutoCAD within his/her organization will quickly realize the daunting task ahead. The larger the organization, the more difficult the task This presentation covers every issue critical to a successful AutoCAD upgrade for any size organization. Will any systems need to be upgraded or replaced? Should we change operating systems? How much training will be necessary? How can the system be maintained easily? We will help answer those questions and present the strategies and tools that will make the difference between having your project be a success or a failure.TRANSCRIPT
Planning and Planning and Implementing a Implementing a Successful AutoCAD Successful AutoCAD UpgradeUpgrade
Planning and Planning and Implementing a Implementing a Successful AutoCAD Successful AutoCAD UpgradeUpgrade
Rick StavanjaPresident, CAD Systems Analyst
Tangra Development, [email protected]
MAN-W2
Upgrading AutoCAD
Summary
What We Will Cover…Past Upgrade MistakesThe Real Issues Involved In Successful
UpgradesHow To Analyze and Assess Your
SituationThorough Planning Implementation Strategies
What We Won’t Cover...How To Install AutoCAD
Upgrading AutoCAD
Questions Must Be Answered...
How much will an upgrade cost?Can we still use our
existing systems?Can we still use our
existing systems?
Why should we upgrade?
Will we have any downtime during
the upgrade process?
Should we switch to
Windows 95 or Windows NT?How much training will be required?
How much training will be required?
Can we still use our favorite AutoLISP programs?
When is the best time for us to do an upgrade?
Technology
Companies Used to Look at Computer Technology in Order to Gain a Competitive Advantage
Today Companies Rely on Computer Technology Just to Remain Competitive
All Too Often Companies Now Upgrade Technology Only When They Have To… Not When They Want To
The Legacy Of Failure
Upgrading For the Wrong Reasons Almost Always Ensures Some Level Of Failure
Failed Upgrades Have Long Lasting Effects
Failures Are Remembered Longer Than Successes
The Goal
Take a New Approach To The Problem Face The Real Issues Put Your Organization In The Best
Possible Competitive Position
Remember. . .
The Cost Of Doing a Bad Job Far Exceeds The True Cost Of Doing It Right
The Big Picture
What Steps Need To Be Taken To Do The
Job Right?
The Big Picture
Assessment Identify Goals Comprehensive Planning Determine Strategy Thorough Implementation Follow Up Support
Assessment
Understand Your Products & ProcessesWhat does the staff produce?How is it produced?What changes could make the most
impact?What good things should we keep doing?What bad things should we stop doing?
Determine Staff CapabilitiesDetermine the productivity scale.What is the staff capable of?
Assessment (continued)
The Current SystemHow far can we go with what we have?What more do we need? Is anything on the horizon to consider?
Evaluate AutoCAD FeaturesWhat features are we using now?What features should we be using now?Objectively evaluate new and old features.
Assessment (continued)
AutoCAD Issues & ComponentsWill a new AutoCAD impact our CAD
Standards?Will we need to rewrite our AutoLISP
Applications?… Menus?… Scripts?Do you need to accommodate roaming
AutoCAD users?How can you satisfy the needs of both
power users and novice or casual users?
Assessment (continued)
Other TangiblesTraining
What training needs to be done?Do we require training in issues outside of
AutoCAD?What training options do we have?
BudgetWho can approve a budget?What budget hurdles must be overcome?
TimingAre there events that may be effected?
Assessment (continued)
IntangiblesOffice Politics
Be aware of internal power strugglesFollow the chain of commandThe larger the project, the more likely
someone will encounter conflicts along the way
PersonalitiesIdentify possible advocates & dissentersBe sensitive to stepping on toes
Assessment (continued)
Identify Resources Peer or Production Staff IS Staff Vendors Consultants User Groups Systems Software Training Literature Online
Identify Goals
The Obvious Goal Do the job better, faster or cheaper.
Ask Yourself Questions What capabilities of AutoCAD will make our
designs better or our staff more productive? How can we make the process of designing
better or more efficient? How much more efficient can we expect to be? What are the foreseeable costs in upgrading? What hidden hurdles may stand in the way?
Identify Goals (continued)
Consider All Factors From AssessmentBe Diligent & Thorough
Identify Attainable TargetsBe Conservative
Plan For Delivering MoreBe Creative
Example GoalsUpgrade to AutoCAD R14 and Pentium II class
workstations for all CAD seats by January 1.Convert to a network-based design team running
AutoCAD on the network.Target an additional 10% reduction in editing time by
increasing use of editing features such as grips, context manus, the properties toolbar and Bonus Tools.
All hardware and software upgrades will be done after normal business hours.
Phase in utilizing XRefs and Paper Space as a fundamental drawing mechanism for all production drawings to achieve a 20% reduction in design and drafting time within 18 months.
Begin an ongoing training program targeted at getting all production CAD operators up to an AutoCAD Level II certification level within 16 months.
Make a Decision And Sell It
Sell The Project Like Any Proposal Large upgrades are big projects… treat them
accordingly
Identify The Benefits Identify all pertinent issues Be Thorough
Quantify The Issues Make reasonable estimates Management will likely digest them further
Live Presentations Work Best …but they’re the scariest...
Planning
Thorough Homework Technology changes quickly... Stay current.
Determine a Realistic Schedule Don’t set yourself up for failure
Test All Procedures Rehearse procedures & consider pilot projects
Contingencies for Surprises Plan on nothing going as planned
Plan Beyond Implementation Plan for tech support, ongoing training, etc...
Strategies
Training Do all training before implementation Reduce or eliminate the time between training
and implementation Users requiring substantial training should be
given adequate time to digest it Training on systems configured like your own Train users not just in AutoCAD, but other new
issues and processes as wellChanges to CAD StandardsNetwork IssuesProcedures
Strategies (continued)
Upgrading Systems Upgrade existing systems Replace with new systems Standardizing Systems
Upgrading Operating Systems Windows 95... Windows NT4 Windows 98... Windows NT5
Installing Upgrades Manual Installations Scripted & Network Installations
Implementation
Execution Large Teams Versus Small Maintain Consistency
Communication Cellular Phones or Pagers For Team Members Identify Telephone Extensions of Target Systems Take Advantage of Existing Network Communicate Problems & Solutions
Document Everything It’s Never Too Early to Start a Knowledge Base
Cloning Systems
Saves Substantial Setup Time Duplicates a Pristine Configuration Disk Imaging Software
Ghost (Symantec) DiskClone (Quarterdeck) DriveImage (PowerQuest) FlashClone (Suredata)
Understand the Limitations FAT vs. NTFS Hardware Must be Consistent
Windows NT Issues Machine & Network SIDs
Automated Application Installation
Scripted Installations Microsoft Sysdiff Tool Management Applications
Microsoft BackOffice SMSSeagate WinstallCA Unicenter
When Something Goes Wrong
Be Prepared You WILL Overlook Something Temporary Replacement Systems Revert To Old System When You Experience a catastrophe,
Determine the Cause in Order to Avoid a Repeat
Beyond Implementation
Provide Mechanism For Feedback Centralized Technical Support Log All Problems Monitor Progress Internal User Groups Intranet Site Email Document Everything
Sit Back And Relax
Let The Problems Settle Down Start Preplanning For The Next
Upgrade
psst... Release 15 is right around the corner...
Resources
For This Presentation and Links toOther Software and Hardware Discussed
TodayPoint Your Web Browser To...
www.tangra.com/au98/man-w2(Materials will be posted September 17)
Direct Your Email Questions To...
Autodesk University
Thank You For Coming
Please Remember To Fill Out The Evaluation Forms
Tangra Development, Inc.
CAD/GIS Training Consulting Programming Networking Scanning Web Design
Spokane, WashingtonP.O.Box 141757Spokane, WA 99201Tel: 509.893.0737Fax: 509.893.0838
www.tangra.com