natek64 - Thursday, February 22, 2007 2:35 PM:
We have a couple of pain points that we'd like to immediately address:
1. Unmanaged data in eMail attachments. We need to have a centralized vault for part prints and presentation drawings for internal review, as well as (ultimately) external client review.
2. Paper-based approval work-flow. (Yes, I know, in this day and age???!???) We'd like to implement electronic approval work-flows with email notification for all new documents going forward. (This is a bit more of a challenge since we use Lotus Notes mail).
Are there any standard best practices for getting set up to do this as rapidly as possible? My first inclination would be to just start adding users, parts, products, then add those users into identities with appropriate approval privileges, configuring email settings, and then practicing with an existing work-flow. I'd just like to know if there's a more structured way of going about this.. Checklists are always nice.
I know that help for specific requests are probably covered under support contracts, but if any general best practices are available for a basic initial setup, it would be very helpful. Once we engineers start using Innovator, it's very likely we'll get attached to it and want to have support available. Unfortunately, as engineers, we only have so much influence on decision-making. I'm a believer in PLM in general and I can't tell you how much easier it will be to gain management approval for expenditures on such support if we can show them what we can achieve with this software.
Thanks,
~ n8
RobMcAveney - Thursday, February 22, 2007 4:32 PM:
Hi Nate -
Based on what you've written, I think you're headed in the right direction already. You might want to look at the QuickStart Package that Aras offers to get you started. Pain points and processes vary wildly between companies and industries, and experienced consultants are invaluable in applying best practices to specific scenarios. QuickStarts are designed specifically for those who want to get started without a large capital expenditure.
If you're not ready to invest in a QuickStart, we'll still be happy to help you as much as possible in the forums. I'm not aware of a checklist that is applicable directly to what you're looking to do, but I can be available to help guide you through. I will need a little more info about your company, products, processes, etc. Feel free to PM me if you'd like to keep that info private.
Regards -
Rob
