Almost a third of CAD/CAM using companies have no access to the Internet at their CAD desks, according to recent research by the Business Advantage Group. The findings would seem to have clear implications for the ability of companies to take advantage of the Internet-based collaborative design solutions currently being made available. Further research, however, indicates that around half of CAD/CAM using companies are using the Internet to some degree to facilitate the design process. According to David Eaton, sales and marketing director at Business Advantage, "this is a healthy proportion, bearing in mind that the infrastructure for collaboration is still young and there is a range of interlinked barriers facing potential users."
"The non-interoperability of CAD systems, cost, fears over security and reliability, and cultural barriers over not wanting to release design data until it's complete, are among the factors that will hinder the widespread adoption of collaborative Web-based working."
The Group has also found that almost half (47 per cent) of CAD/CAM users are now using 3D software and a further 17 per cent plan to invest in 3D solutions over the next 12 months. Just over half of users only use 2D software, seven per cent use only 3D software and two fifths use both 2D and 3D. A third of 3D users perceived the productivity benefits of adopting 3D design methods to have been greater than anticipated, while almost half indicated the impact on productivity has met their expectations. Only eight per cent felt the impact has been less than expected.
"Two factors appear to be foremost in the attitudes of those unconvinced by 3D; fear of change, and simply not seeing its relevance to its business," says Eaton. "Although fear can be overcome through awareness-raising, this needs to be targeted to take into account the different needs of different businesses. CAD manufacturers and suppliers need to understand these varying attitudes among their market segments."