Rockwell Automation Fair 2017

By Madeleine Neisler

Rockwell Automation is a premier automation event where you will see the latest trends in the industry and how the Connected Enterprise is taking the Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) to the next level. This year, Automation Fair will be held November 15 to 16, 2017 in Houston, Texas. This event has hands-on labs, technical sessions, forums, exhibits and the chance to network with peers and industry experts. What’s not to love?

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Autodesk University 2017

By Madeleine Neisler

Autodesk University is an annual event where architects, engineers, and designers get together. Autodesk University started in 1993 and was originally an Autodesk software user conference that took place in San Francisco. Designers, architects, and engineers had the chance to come together and learn from Autodesk and industry experts and network with their peers. Since that first conference in 1993 was such a success, Autodesk decided to make it an annual event. As the attendance grew, Autodesk added new products and expanded their list of keynotes and other speakers, including but not limited to, Autodesk experts, software users, and industry leaders. In 2008, Autodesk decided to add international events, and later added Autodesk online so that individuals could learn anytime, from anywhere. Pretty sweet, right?

Facility Design and Construction in Agricultural Engineering

By Madeleine Neisler

Just like the considerations taken to construct human dwellings, considerations are taken when constructing animal dwellings. Agricultural and biological engineers are the ones who design these structures. This is key to creating a more sustainable environment as it relates to agriculture. As an equestrian, and someone who has firsthand experience with livestock housing, I can attest to how important it is for these groups of talented engineers to be successful.

SAP Leonardo

By Madeleine Neisler

SAP Leonardo came on the scene with a bang and had a major presence at Sapphire Now 2017. But what is it? How does it relate to SAP PLM and all of the recent developments regarding the digital supply chain space? Let’s start with a detailed overview of SAP Leonardo, then move on to SAP PLM and the role SAP Leonardo plays. Lastly, we will look at recent developments and news about SAP Leonardo. We will also include a recap of Sapphire Now 2017, where a detailed presentation of SAP Leonardo and Internet of Things (IoT) was provided, as well as the upcoming SAP Leonardo Summit in Chicago TODAY. There are many resources throughout the blog where you can learn more about these solutions and how they connect to take you into the realm of Industry 4.0 and Digital Transformation.

Automated Efficiency

By Christoph Fischer

Today we discuss automated efficiency. Its purpose, how it is done, what you need and why it matters. So what is the purpose of automated efficiency? To automate processes from engineering / PLM across the enterprise / ERP. How? For SAP users, with the implementation of SAP PLM. Why? Automated efficiency improves efficiency, productivity and profitability without the need to deploy and maintain additional systems and integrations.

DSC User Meeting

By Madeleine Neisler

As mentioned in a couple of my previous blog posts, fall events are upon us! The DSC User Group is a private, invitation only event. It’s about bringing together those who use SAP as their central platform and have branched or are considering a move into SAP Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and SAP Engineering Control Center (ECTR) for multiCAD integration and real time facilitation of collaborating across the enterprise.

PI PLMx Texas – 2017

By Madeleine Neisler

Fall is upon us, along with many exciting events in the world of Product Lifecycle Management! Coming up in mid-October is PI PLMx Texas, bringing together a cross-industry group of manufacturers to discuss the rapid evolution of product development, engineering, and IT. Technological trends are constantly and quickly evolving as well as the way in which manufacturers are designing, manufacturing, and servicing their products. The CIO is a key player behind the business strategy and technology to make the magic happen. PI stands for Product Innovation and this conference is designed to help link attendees to a network of companies and individuals similar to one another. Each year this conference takes place on two continents and consists of keynotes, training courses, and multiple networking opportunities.

Venue and Workshops at PI PLMx

Highlights at SAP TechEd 2017 – A Follow-up

By Madeleine Neisler

Welcome back to SAP TechEd 2017 Las Vegas everyone! If you joined us there we hope you got as much out of it as we did. There were so many amazing sessions and keynotes to participate in and watch. If you did not make it, look no further. This blog will give insight into one of the year’s best events!

CIDEON Tips & Tricks; AutoDesk Inventor: Using Virtual Intersections

There are several tips and tricks in the world of SAP PLM. Today we look at AutoDesk Inventor: Using Virtual Intersections.

We have broken everything down into seven user friendly steps.

So let us go over how we Use virtual intersections. What is the challenge? Due to a rounding or bevel, the theoretical corner can not be captured for dimensioning.

What is the solution?

Work Smarter, not Harder with SAP PLM!

By Thuc Nguyen

After 2 years of working at CIDEON America and helping SAP Customers improving their data throughput performance across the entire company and between ERP, PDM/PLM, I have learned that many SAP Customers are implementing SAP just with sole purpose of managing their business processes such as human resources, accounting, customers relationship, manufacturing, etc. Based on our daily conversation with SAP users, I noticed the disconnection between Engineering/R&D and Business Enterprise. Many of them chose to separate PDM/PLM systems and SAP ERP Platform. This disconnection would then cause delays in time to market, manufacturing of the wrong product, higher overhead costs, which impact their net profit.

SAP TechEd

By Madeleine Neisler

SAP TechEd is almost here! SAP TechEd has been held since 1996 and is THE premier technical conference for all things SAP. It is usually held in at least two to three locations every year. Today we discuss years past, what to expect this year and how you can bring your A game.

The Art of Writing Methods

By Douglas Golomb

Many companies either do not have any published written methods, or have them but they are very difficult to follow. It can be an extensive amount of work up front to write them, but there is a huge payback in results. A method should be the first layer of support to the end users. They need to be mandatory prior to opening a helpdesk ticket for a solution. If the user ignores published methods; it is the responsibility of the support person to send them a link to the proper instructions. In time this will eventually become a habit by the end user to go directly to the published methods.

Engineering in Fashion

By Madeleine Neisler

Fashion is not simply clothing and style. It’s so much more. It is fine arts, architecture, and engineering to name a few attributes seen in this pliable art form.  Focusing on the engineering aspect, Carnegie Mellon University, College of Engineering, electrical and computer engineering alumna Nere Emiko is making waves in the fashion industry.  She has gained notoriety in industry magazines, participated in significant trade events and has her own business.  She uses her advanced engineering education to design wedding dresses, jewelry, furniture and embroidery rather than designing processors, systems, circuits and computational algorithms.

Benefits of Green Technologies

By Walter Riskie

While there is still a debate about the reality of Global Warming, there are a great number of global scientists as well as the general population that do agree Global Warming is a reality. While a percentage may see this as something to fear, others see it as an opportunity to innovate. Instead of curling up in a ball and waiting for the oceans to rise and sweep them out to sea, they decided to come up with solutions to start fixing the problem.

Cideon Software GmbH & Co. KG and Seal Systems AG Forge Partnership

Software companies Cideon Software GmbH & Co. KG and Seal Systems AG, providers of conversion and output management solutions for SAP, have entered into a partnership. The aim is to optimize and enhance their respective data-conversion as well as information and document-provision product portfolios. The two companies’ existing solutions will not be affected.

Insects in Engineering

By Madeleine Neisler

We’re in the midst of summer and, in many places, it’s not only hot out – but the bugs are out too. This got me thinking about insects in engineering… always thinking engineering. You may ask yourself how an insect could be involved in an engineers experiment. Have you looked closely at, let’s say, a beetle? Every beetle has a special shell, almost like a suit of armor to protect it. According to Manufacturing and Engineering Magazine, engineers are working to de-code the architecture of a beetle’s shell in order to make evolutionary advancements in the engineering field.

Making the Impossible, Possible

By Bill Svokos

Is there such a thing as impossible? This all boils down to perspective. Things that are deemed impossible one day become a day to day routine the next. For example, man being able to fly was considered an impossible task, yet today thousands of people are flying, daily, as normal routine. Some may say this is due to an advance in technology, or intellect, of mankind over time, but what is it that gets us past that threshold? What is it that causes the change from impossible, to possible? The short answer is you have to ask a question. Ask yourself, ask others, but at the end of the day a question must be posed. Why is this you might say, because in order to find the answer to something impossible, you first need the question as to why, or what, is “impossible”.

Nikola Tesla Day

By Madeleine Neisler

Happy Nikola Tesla Day everyone! Today we celebrate the namesake of Tesla Motors, and more importantly one of the most renowned inventors, electrical and mechanical engineers and physicists! He is most widely known for his influences on the development of the modern alternating current electricity supply system. Today we discuss some of his greatest accomplishments and celebrate how this genius helped to shape modern technology, still very much relevant in this day and age.

SAP Optimization & Performance Tuning – Implementation; Part 2

By Matt Costello and Travis Stonebraker

The implementation of SAP, supporting software, and other tools can impact system performance. With SAP, as with any software implementation, if the implementation is not run properly or corners are cut, the users will suffer in their day to day activities. In Part 2 of SAP Optimization and Performance Tuning, we’ll focus on how issues caused by poor implementations can be avoided, as well as discuss some best practices to follow.

Week of Making

By Madeleine Neisler

Welcome to the National Week of Making everyone! What an exciting time to be a “maker.” With all of the advances in modern technology we are sure to see some great inventions and meet the amazing makers behind them. National Week of Making is happening right now! It started June 16 and runs until June 22, 2017.

Legacy CAD Data Migration to SAP – Part Two

By Matthew Costello

A business migrating data from a legacy software into any new system, including SAP, has hurdles to overcome, even once the high-level plan for the migration has been discussed and put in place. There is more to it than just moving files from one storage location to another. Ideally, the migrated files will be searchable, usable, and migrated in a way that best suits the business needs. In part one of this blog, we discussed considerations for coming up with a migration strategy, as well as how to relate the legacy system to the SAP system. Here, we will talk about some of the key details that can make or break the end to end migration processes such as data extraction, metadata mapping, and standardization. We will also touch on data cleansing and responsibilities.

Engineering Behind Running Shoes

By Madeleine Neisler

Each year, millions of runners across the globe join in celebrating Global Running Day. This year, it takes place on June 7th. Participation is easy – just lace up those shoes and go for run. The idea is to spread the joy of running – in a marathon, around the block, or just in a game of tag.

A Newcomer’s Perspective on Sapphire Now 2017

By Khalif Woodard

As I boarded the plane from Philadelphia, PA to Orlando, FL I pondered what my experience would be like at SAPPHIRE Now. I envisioned an exciting time with very knowledgeable people, and that is the exact experience that I had. This was my first time attending SAPPHIRE Now and most certainly will not be my last. Rows and rows of exhibitors occupied the 1,000,000 square feet of Orlando’s North and South convention center halls. Each booth possessed its own unique appearance, as well as its own unique brand of people. There were so many companies at this event and their focus was learning more about SAP and connecting with the community at large.

SAP Optimization & Performance Tuning – Infrastructure; Part 1

By Travis Stonebraker and Matthew Costello

SAP system performance is a common topic of discussion in the world of consulting, and as consultants, we are usually tasked with identifying and assisting with the solution to challenges causing a system to run slowly or inefficiently. We’d like to take some time to lay out and discuss some improvements that can be made in infrastructure, implementation, and work process to increase the speed of a slow system, or how an inefficient process can be improved. In part one, we’ll focus on infrastructure.

SAPPHIRE NOW & ASUG – Five Years in the Making – PLM

By Christoph Fischer

Having worked exclusively with SAP customers over the last five years, this year marked my 5th consecutive SAPPHIRE NOW & ASUG, focusing on Discrete Manufacturing & PLM.

Each year I attend the event with more experience, knowledge, and eagerness to hear from “real-world” SAP customers. This also provides the opportunity to empower new and existing SAP customer’s with the industry best practice and future direction, leveraging SAP software.

Benefits of Implementing SAP for Multi-CAD Systems

By Thuc Nguyen

1. Advantages of the SAP Engineering Control Center Interfaces (ECTR)
   a) All CAD relevant data and object links are available at any time for downstream processes. This includes procurement, project system, production planning, production preparation, production, sales, services etc.
   b) Engineers can work comfortably in their own CAD environment Continuous SAP change management with a complete change history in one system
   c) Significant cost savings due to optimized CAD process integration in SAP and no cost for a separate PDM system or its interfaces.

How are Instagram Filters Related to Engineering?

By Madeleine Neisler

What is the significance of an Instagram filter? Instagram filters make an image more appealing and draw more attention to an image, thus resulting in more media traffic and followers. Instagram is certainly one of the top social media platforms for promoting your brand. But what about behind the scenes? The engineers that work around the clock supporting the app are so vital to its success. A lot of times we do not even think about the creators behind these apps, the engineers that support and maintain them, and the overall big picture of what it takes to make an app successful.

SAP GUI Navigation For Beginners – Part Two

By: Travis Stonebraker

Welcome to part two of the CIDEON quick guide to SAP GUI Navigation for beginners. In our last post we covered the basics of logging into SAP and working through the table of contents including any presets for favorites based on your role.

Acronyms…stop the Madness!

By: Doug Golomb

Good Morning everyone, I am Kim Doe; on behalf of your project team, I am here to provide you a status update on the HDF for GGP in PPD. My hope is that PPD will grant approval in conjunction with DFM in our up-coming release gate.

Ford Motor Company’s Revolution, Industry 4.0, and IoT

by Chris Fischer

In 1913, Henry Ford and his team at Highland Park assembly plant launched one of the world’s greatest contributions to manufacturing, business, and ultimately the consumer. This contribution and innovation – known as the world’s first mass production assembly line – revolutionized production and drastically dropped the assembly time of the automobile, enabling Ford Motor Company to pump out a fully assembled automobile every 24 seconds by 1927. As a result, employee wages increased, production cost decreased, product quality improved, and industries across the United States, and eventually the world, began to innovate and shape the products that we know and use every day.