So far in this blog series we’ve talked about how CAD visualization can improve processes in Design, Sales, and Customer Communication. This final installment of the series will be going into the benefits of CAD data access for communicating with suppliers.
Prefer a deeper dive right away? Download our free eBook on Enterprise Visualization for Manufacturers, to see how CAD access can streamline workflows across your organization.
Supply chains are an integral part of engineering and manufacturing projects, often requiring communication between multiple companies located across the globe, each with their own way of doing things. Differences in CAD software can create one of the most significant obstructions to effective, efficient communication. Without a tool to solve the issue, projects can grind to a halt, money is lost, and customers get frustrated.
Collaborating Across Global Supply Chains
No matter where they are in the world, designers and engineers working in global supply chains need to constantly share data to stay on the same page. CAD files carry all sorts of crucial information, from the designs themselves to product and manufacturing information (PMI) and more. When everyone has different experience levels and software, how can you and your suppliers take advantage of this information?
The key is having a solution with the flexibility to view multiple types of CAD files. This means that one tool can be used to collaborate with multiple suppliers even if they use different software. Not only is this more cost effective, but it also requires less training than teaching users how to work with multiple tools. CAD viewers are designed to provide the detailed information that an expert user might need, while offering a user-friendly experience for less technical team members. They offer a way of future proofing your design processes, ensuring that you can share data with any supplier you start working with.
How does SpinFire Insight Enhance Supplier Communication?
SpinFire Insight offers CAD viewers that provide a neutral CAD environment, which allows you to share data with all of your suppliers. Plus, since SpinFire Insight gives data access to everyone in the enterprise, communication is made simple no matter who is talking with your suppliers at the time.
Sometimes just being able to visualize the data you’re working on isn’t enough. SpinFire Insight also includes a variety of markup tools and the ability to include comments alongside the model, helping put your notes in context. Having a 3D model as a visual aid helps ensure that everyone is on the same page, which is incredibly important when working with multiple people within a supply chain.
Last Thoughts
Supply chains can be complicated, often involving multiple CAD systems that can make collaboration with each supplier difficult. With a CAD viewer like SpinFire Insight you can easily view and markup any CAD data sent by your suppliers, improving collaboration and speeding up processes.
This wraps up our blog series on how SpinFire Insight can be used throughout the enterprise, benefiting many departments and processes. If you’d like to continue learning, check out our previous blog on how data accessibility can help customer communication or start from the beginning with a blog on how it can accelerate design processes. Alternatively, if you’d like to find out about how SpinFire could benefit your business, be sure to contact our team directly.
