FAQ
July 31st, 2008Licensing
Q: We have 25 AutoCAD users and 100 SharePoint users. What type of licenses do we need?
A: You only need licenses for the 25 AutoCAD users. Although CADnection provides several powerful features in SharePoint such as DWF and reference file management, these features are available to any and all users on the SharePoint side.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: CADnection is sold in 25 seat bundles. Pricing starts at $ 6,995 USD per bundle. Maintenance is charged at 18% of the purchase price.
Q: Is it tied to a specific server
A: No, CADnection is licensed on a per-seat basis.
Q: Is it tied to the end-user in any way
A: CADnection is sold on a per-seat basis. This refers to the number of computers that have CADnection installed. If you buy 100 licenses of CADnection, then 100 computers can have CADnection installed on it. CADnection requires that AutoCAD 2007+ be installed.
Q: How is it licensed?
A: The CADnection license is acquired on a subscription basis, similar to that as used by Autodesk. The initial license, cost and maintenance fee is paid in the first year. A yearly maintenance fee provides ongoing releases, updates and support.
Q: How do I buy the CADnection solution?
A: CADnection is sold directly by CADnection. Several purchase options such as purchase orders or credit card options are available.
Compatibility
Q: Will CADnection support Autodesk Inventor files?
A: No. CADnection is designed for use with AutoCAD and certain add-ons. Inventor generates a number of files and has other file management requirements. However, you may want to consider Autodesk’s Productstream solution. Productstream also has a feature to link directly to SharePoint or for that matter other enterprise applications.
Q: Does CADnection support the use of the Autodesk Map add-on?
A: Yes … with caveats. Some of the Autodesk and third party ad-ons have symbol libraries that are loaded into regular directory structures (i.e. S:\map\symbols). Although it is possible to load these symbols into SharePoint, the actual file access operations of the ad-on would have to point to SharePoint … which most ad-ons do not support.
Q: Are CALS files supported?
A: Yes. The .cal format is treated just like an XREF. So at check-in, CADnection updates relationships that can be viewed via the “where-used” and “composed-of” options.
Q: Is CADnection compatible with AutoCAD LT?
A: No. It turns out that the “lite” version does not support Object ARX API. CADnection uses this API set in our integration.
Q: What versions of Autodesk AutoCAD does it support?
A: v2007 and v2008
Q: What version of SharePoint are supported?
A: Both WSS and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS) 2007
Features
Q: Does CADnection utilize blocks made in the model space of my drawing?
A: No. Currently, CADnection only reads blocks created in a layout of a drawing.
Q: I have multiple blocks with the same name. Is that a problem?
A: Yes. Because CADnection searches for blocks via their name, it only supports the use of unique block names. If more than one block with the same name exists, there is no way to tell which of those blocks CADnection will use.
Q: Can we save our drawings inside of subfolders in SharePoint?
A: Yes. You can make as many subfolders as you like underneath your document vault (folder where your CADnection settings point to save drawings). This must be done inside of SharePoint. To save your new drawing in a subfolder, simply double-click the “Destination” box next to the file you wish to move and a dialog box will appear so that you can navigate to the desired folder location.
Q: Can I use a drawing as an XREF after it is in SharePoint?
A: Yes. Open the parent drawing in AutoCAD. Under the CADnection menu choose “Attach from SharePoint…” and select either “External Reference” or “Raster Image.” The CADnection wizard will walk you through the quick steps to check out and attach the drawing as an XREF. Simply check-in your newly attached drawings via CADnection and you’re done!
Implementation
Q: Is CADnection a client-side or server-side install?
A: Both. During the install process, an install occurs on the client to link AutoCAD to the SharePoint server. Additionally, we also install on the SharePoint server.
Q: What implementation service options are available?
A: Implementation and deployment services are available and are quoted on a case by case basis.
Q: Does the integration allow me to take drawing content such as title blocks and map it into SharePoint fields?
A: Yes. Any file properties and attribute tags can be mapped to SharePoint properties. Information from the AutoCAD file may be updated to SharePoint during the check-in process. Likewise, drawing properties maintained in SharePoint can be updated and reflected back in the AutoCAD file during check-out.
Q: What kind of access controls and security provisions are available?
A: SharePoint maintains the access control and security as assigned within the SharePoint environment. Within AutoCAD, you log into SharePoint via the CADnection menu.
Q: Can CADnection help me pre-populate the SharePoint environment with existing drawings?
A: The CADnection solution is specifically designed to facilitate the day to day activities of AutoCAD data management. Fulfilling the needs and requirements of so called bulk loading and migration activities into SharePoint is not the intent of CADnection.
Q: Does it require that the each end-user has AutoCAD client installed on their machine
A: Yes, CADnection requires AutoCAD to be installed.
Q: How is the software supplied download or disk?
A: Downloaded – download information is provided to the customer via email upon purchase of CADnection.
Q: What is in the Download Area?
A: CADnection Server setup program, CADnection Client setup program, Administrator Guide, User Guide, Release Notes
Q: How is the software installed?
A: CADnection has both a server and client setup program. Installation and post-installation instructions are provided in the CADnection Administrator guide.
Q: Do you have an admin/end-user guide and installation guide?
A: Yes, CADnection provides an Administrator Guide, User Guide, and Release Notes. This documentation is provided in the download area.
Support
Q: Does the 18% support provide for minor and major updates?
A: Yes, CADnection will provide an electronic copy of the Product and associated documentation as updates occur. You will be notified about each update.
Q: What about incident support is it by email or telephone or both and are there any limits on this?
A: CADnection provides telephone and email support to all licensees who have purchased Maintenance Services.
Q: Do you have telephone support?
A: Telephone Support hours of operation and telephone numbers are as follows: Monday through Friday (with exception of selected US holidays); 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Pacific Time -0700 UTC; 1.714.921.9300; support@CADnection.com
Q: What can the support help me with?
A: CADnection Support personnel are available to answer questions related to CADnection’s supported products and how they perform with compatible hardware systems. Assistance in the development of custom applications for CADnection’s products is not included in standard hotline support.