Rolf Laudenbach さんのグループアクティビティ

Who is on the Aras Partner Program Team?

Jay Pappas — Thu, 01 May 2025 14:41:01 GMT

North America Partner Operations

Jeff Hillberg
Abigail Hetes

EMEA Partner Operations

Amar Kabli
Oleksandr Karlash

APAC Partner Operations

Gaolin Hu

Ecosystem Solution (SIs, VARs and Build with Aras)

John Sperling

Partner Technical Enablement

Rolf Laudenbach

Partner Operations

Jay Pappas

Global Team Lead

Don Cooper

How does Aras Innovator integrate to other platforms?

Rolf Laudenbach — Tue, 13 May 2025 15:25:48 GMT

There are many ways Aras Innovator can integrate to other platforms and systems. Utilizing the right approach to meet specific business requirement is critical. In general, there are three common approaches; Open Schema / API’s, Data Federation and Best in Class Connectors. They can be used to connect systems such Authoring Systems (MCAD, ECAD, Business Applications), Enterprise Systems (ERP, CRM…) and PLM / PDM Legacy Systems (Windchill, TeamCenter, Sales Configurator…)

Open Schema and APIs

Unlike many other systems, the Aras Innovator’s low code platform uses a single API that can be used by Aras Developers, partners, consultants and customers. There are no internal API’s. Nothing is hidden. Even Open Access users have access to this single API.

The Adaptive Markup Language, sometimes referred to as Aras Markup Language, serves as the backbone of Aras Innovator. Almost every action that a user performs in the client sends an AML request to the Aras Innovator server to process the business logic. The Aras Markup Language (AML) is an XML dialect that follows the simple;

/Item/Relationships/Item/Relationships repeating pattern to describe Item configurations.

Clients submit AML documents to the Aras Innovator server and receive an AML document back.

Integration is also eased because in Aras Innovator everything is an Item, which is an instance of an ItemType, which itself is an Item; illustrating that Aras Innovator is a self-describing system. Items may have relationships to other Items illustrating that Items have structure. Relationships are defined by RelationshipType, which is an Item that has three properties to define the RelationshipType:

source (parent) Item.
related (child) Item.
relationship Item.

If you would like more detail on AML here are two links

https://plmalpha.wordpress.com/2012/05/25/web-services-apis-xml-and-adaptive-markup-language-explained-for-aras/

https://community.aras.com/b/english/posts/aml-basics

Data Federation Services

Aras Data Federation Services is development and will provides an intuitive user interface to connect many systems directly. Critical business systems often have complex data models, varying business requirements, and different connection needs from one installation to the next making off the shelf partner integrations less ideal.

Aras Data Federation, as a platform service, enables users to leverage data objects while reducing the need to write custom code. Information extracted from outside systems can either be physically copied into an Aras Instance, or can be referenced in real-time by an Aras application. No matter where your business data is located, it can be available to key people through your core collaboration system.

Aras Data Federation Services are part of the core services layer and utilizes a sophisticated modeling engine. It is not an afterthought, an API, or a back door, but rather a planned part of the open Aras platform stack. With Aras’ singular user interface, users and administrators can easily view data from multiple federated systems, audit their connections, and manage connected systems from a single place.

Processes can easily be shared between systems, based on triggers which enables workflows across various key business systems. Aras Innovator has several standard triggers to ensure timely integration, including get /add /update /delete logic to retrieve and manipulate data from external sources, but custom methods with programable logic are available as well.

Rather than sifting through lines of cryptic code to understand enterprise applications, the Aras Federation extension package will describe three elements:

What the external data model looks like
How the data is communicated to Aras Innovator
The format of the data

This user-friendly data federation environment enables a new level of clarity around the vital connections between core business systems, surpassing old methods of writing custom code.

The development is being done Aras Labs and by the Aras ASF team. A presentation was given at ACE 2019 which was a proof of concept and can be viewed here.

https://www.aras.com/en/resources/all/aras-innovator-demo-series-platform-integrations-using-federation-services

No date has been set for its release.

Best in Class Connectors

Sometimes the easiest way to connect the most common systems is by leveraging off the shelf connectors developed by partners who work with specific applications. There are many packaged integrations offered by Aras’s Partners for MCAD, ECAD, ERP, MSFT Office and other PLM / PDM systems.

Some may be purchased through Aras and some are purchased from the partner. These include solutions from companies such as Essig, XPLM, T-systems, ITI, Ops Hub, Elysium, Focus PLM, Tasktop, ProSTEP, RazorLeaf and T-Systems. Aras prefers to let the customer decide which solution best meets their need. Each partner provides a setoff connectors. These partners are listed in Aras’s Partner Directory (https://www.aras.com/en/partners/find-a-partner). Each listing contains a link that will take you to their site where you can find more details.

Summary

For a more in-depth look at the how to’s of connecting suppliers, partners, and manufacturers, as well as the security consideration check out Making the Connection.

To learn more about the Resilient Aras Innovator platform, check out Resilient Platform

Are CAD connectors available to academic institutions?

Rolf Laudenbach — Tue, 13 May 2025 15:25:09 GMT

Aras works with academic institutions who have access to Commercial CAD Licenses and their associated tool toolkits. These third parties have developed integrations to Aras Innovator. Academic Institutions can either purchase the connector thorough Aras (About $6,750/floating license). Or you can reach out to the CAD vendor and ask for about an Academic Discount. Many offer significant discounts.

What are the Aras connector policies?

Rolf Laudenbach — Tue, 13 May 2025 15:24:30 GMT

MCAD, ECAD and ERP connectors require a separate subscription in addition to the Aras Innovator subscription.
While upgrades are included in an Aras Subscription, upgrading the CAD connector is typically not covered. Details of what is covered under a CAD Connector subscription can vary from the CAD Connector supplier.
Partners who supply CAD Connectors can sell their products directly to OpenAcess users. In this case Aras is not involved and does not provide the license keys. The partner sells, delivers, and supports. It is important that the CAD partner supplier provide a version of their product that does not require Aras license keys.
Commission/Margin for 3rd Party Products such as CAD Integration Connectors is always 25%
If a partner wishes to demo a CAD connector, they should reach out to the CAD Connector supplier and arrange for access to the license and / or demo
For ERP Connectors there is a requirement to have the same number of ERP Connector seats and Innovator seats. (This differs from MCAD and ECAD Connectors).
ERP Subscriptions are matched with the Aras Innovator number of users one to one. For example, if a customer purchases an Aras Innovator subscription for 250 users, the ERP connector must be also purchased for 250 users.

Who are the suppliers of connectors?

Rolf Laudenbach — Tue, 13 May 2025 15:23:57 GMT

Listed below is a matrix of the suppliers and contact representatives.

A complete list of the suppliers and the connectors they offer can be found in My I. You can search on Connector Matrix, or D-005152

Pricing and Ordering of Connectors

When you quote an Aras Partner product, such as a CAD, PLM or ERP connector, please reach out to the supplier of the connector in advance of publishing the quote. It is important to notify the supplier, so they are prepared and to ensure support compatibility. It is also important so that the right level of services is quoted. You will need to work with the supplier in advance to determine how implementation, configuration, migration and training will be done. Typically, the price listed is only for Connector license. There may be an additional charge for these services.

MCAD and ECAD connectors are shareable and priced in bundles that start at 5 users and can go up to 10, 25, 50 and higher. It’s best to price these to match their shareable CAD licenses. For example, if the customer has 250 PLM users and owns 50 shareable licenses of NX and another 50 shareable licenses of CATIA v5, then the customer has to purchase an Aras Innovator Subscription for 250 users (~$222,500) and an NX subscription for 50 shared users (~$47,250) and a subscription for CATIA v5 for 50 shared users (~$47,250), a total of (~$317,000) per year. CAD Connector pricing on the Aras price list is the same for all suppliers.

The price per seat can be calculated if it does not match the break points listed in My I. This can be done by calculating the price per seat to the closest lower tier and then adding the needed additional seats. In some cases, it may make more sense to go to the next tier level and have additional seat for expansion.

Will Aras upgrade a partner's instance of Aras Innovator?

Rolf Laudenbach — Tue, 13 May 2025 15:22:45 GMT

Typically, this not covered. Partners have several options.

Stay on the existing version. If the partner is active in the program Aras will continue to offer support
Keep projects short. When the project is complete, down load the latest version and begin the next project
Save and document all your configure and customizations as well as backup your institutions data. The Aras architecture is comprised of four layers: Client, Application, Services and Repository. The repository layer is where the application models and vaulted files are stored, which can be packaged and moved at any time. If a newer version is download, you can reconnect connect to the repository but you will need to rewrite the configurations and customizations
Pay Aras for Upgrade Services – In special situations Aras may be contacted to updated a university. Depending on the scope the fee maybe between $10,000 and $15,000.
Aras has recently created several tools to help prepare for upgrade. These documents can be found in the Upgrades tab of the subscriber portal. They include:
Upgrade Planning Enhancements Video
Why Upgrade Presentation
Upgrade Introduction
New Upgrade Test Planning Guide
How to plan test cases for development
Typical approach to write test cases
The Test Case Template
A Updated Marketing Materials
Insitu video on Upgrade Best Practices

What is not covered in an upgrade?

Rolf Laudenbach — Tue, 13 May 2025 15:22:09 GMT

Project management of the upgrade project – The subscriber is responsible for coordinating resources and management on the project on the subscriber side. Each subscriber must assign a single point of contact.
Onsite services – And onsite service will be quoted on a time and material basis.
Installation of the new version- Downloading and installing the new version is the responsibility of the subscriber. Aras support is available to help.
CAD / ERP Connectors – All third-party connectors will need to be addressed separately. If the integrations were purchased through Aras, Aras will coordinate with the appropriate supplier of the connector. The subscriber will be responsible for the installation and testing of any integration software. Likewise, if you have customer HTML pages that hook into Aras Innovator, this will need to be handled separately.
Requirements Management to Requirements Engineering – While targeted at a similar audience to solve similar use cases, Requirements Engineering uses a different approach to the data model and processes. It requires data migration and surrounding services to move from one application to the next.
Subscriber created external application and or web
Third party solutions

What is covered in an upgrade?

Rolf Laudenbach — Tue, 13 May 2025 15:21:33 GMT

General Statement – Give Aras the subscriber code tree and database and Aras will upgrade the subscriber to the next current release. Aras will execute any test plans you have to insure the upgraded database works as it did before the upgrade, we will iterate on the upgrade/test/fix until you accept the upgraded database.
Aras Innovator core schema upgraded to new version. Core schema will be updated to match the current release.
Aras Innovator applications, such as Product Engineering. Allows the subscriber to take advantage of the new functionality and keep their existing configuration of forms, lifestyles, workflows, methods etc.
Aras Add on Solutions such as Office Connector and Program Management.
Solutions Developed for the subscriber by Aras Professional Services
All files modified by Aras Professional Services will be merged to the target version.
Subscriber installed community solutions
Subscriber developed solutions.

What are the different types of upgrades?

Rolf Laudenbach — Tue, 13 May 2025 15:20:57 GMT

Type Example Comments

Major 11.0 to 12.0 Changes everything.

Service Pack (SP) 12.0 SP x to 12.0 SP y Core of Innovator Only

Application PM12 OR1 to 12.0 OR2 Application Only

Managed 11.0 SP x to 11.0 SP8 Any service Pack plus complications.

How do I prepare my subscriber to upgrade their Aras Innovator implementation?

Rolf Laudenbach — Tue, 13 May 2025 15:20:10 GMT

Aras has recently created several tools to help you prepare your subscriber to upgrade . These documents can be found in the Upgrade tab of the subscriber portal or the support section of the Partner Portal They include:

Upgrade Planning presentation
Presentation to the key Enhancements of Aras Innovator, why customers should upgrade
Upgrade Introduction
New Upgrade Test Planning Guide
Test case template
Major upgrade schedule outline
Upgrade Pratices examples
- Insitu
- Microsoft

How does Aras assess the "health" of its partnerships?

Rolf Laudenbach — Tue, 13 May 2025 15:18:54 GMT

Aras periodically holds business reviews with selected partners to assess the health of the partnership. A tool that the team uses is the Partner Executive Scorecard. This 2-page tool is jointly completed with the partner and is a key governance tool to summarize the relationship, maintain alignment, highlight areas of success and concern. It looks at the Value Proposition, Predictive Measures (Health) and Joint Outcome Measures.

There are a series of questions behind the predictive measures that help to quickly assess Green, Yellow or Red status. The use of the tool often raises the importance of the Aras partnership in much larger organizations.

Shown below is the Partner Executive Scorecard template

What are the signs of an at-risk subscriber?

Rolf Laudenbach — Tue, 13 May 2025 15:18:16 GMT

Relationship

We are not in regular contact + difficult to get responses
Unwilling to be a reference
Champion status is unclear

Business Value Received

Has not addressed orig bus challenges
Requests to reduce subscription
Unclear what is next step

Subscription Usage

Low % of Licenses Consumed
Little interest in Applications

Experience with Aras Std Services

Support – Have they experienced substantial # of issues
Upgrades – If 18 month and no upgrade
Training – is their admin team trained?

Implementation Experience

Implementation + resource challenges
Implementation team unclear of business needs + priorities

What are the signs of a healthy subscriber?

Rolf Laudenbach — Tue, 13 May 2025 15:17:33 GMT