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Issue Date: April 2003

Change is fundamental to the effective adoption of new generation mechanical design software

1 April 2003

Mechanical design technology that fails to trigger ripples of change that will improve both business and technical processes delivers limited benefits, curbing the value companies get from their IT investments.
That is the view of Alan Savin, managing director of the technology resource company, Caddman. "Implementation of modern technology no longer simply involves installation and training for drawing office staff. Its influence ripples through organisations affecting a wide variety of business and technical processes." He attributes the technology's far-reaching influence to its model based architecture. "Models created with new generation technology, like Autodesk Inventor, are a rich repository of design data," explains Savin. "Intelligence embedded in a single model can be used and re-used by diverse departments within a company." Previously, the focus of drawing office personnel was generation of detailed drawings, adds Savin. They were measured on the speed and accuracy with which they produced drawings. Today however, drawings are generated, with a click of a mouse, from data contained in a model. It is therefore necessary to redefine the measurement of drawing office outputs, review key performance areas of personnel, and re-evaluate overall management of the drawing office.
Alan Savin, managing director, Caddman
Alan Savin, managing director, Caddman
Buying office systems have to be revised so as to derive maximum value from design data embedded in models and technical changes must be implemented to streamline process methods.
Savin says software installations in isolated drawing offices only offer short-term gains.
"Real competitive advantage only comes with sustainable change," says Savin. "That is when companies begin reaping the full value of their IT investments." Savin credits Caddman's competitive edge and success to its own adaptability. "We are much more than software resellers and implementers. We are selling technology-triggered sustainable change." The impact of the company's repositioning has been very positive for Caddman. It has enjoyed significantly improved results, recently posting a turnover 71% up on the previous year.
Its staff complement has almost doubled in the past 18 months and is a key success factor in the company. "We have a stable team which has extensive industry experience, giving us a unique insight into the needs of the engineering fraternity." Caddman scored high again at the annual Autodesk reseller awards ceremony held early in March. It was voted the Best Partner 2002 in Autodesk's manufacturing solutions category and retained the Best Salesperson award, which was presented to Manny de Magalhaes.
Fifty percent of Caddman earnings come from the plants and mines sectors, to which it supplies both Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD software. The remainder of Caddman's revenue is generated in the manufacturing sector.
For more information contact Autodesk, 012 664 8115.


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