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InnoCielo Global Collaboration Framework

The InnoCielo Global Collaboration Framework is an add-on module to InnoCielo Meridian Enterprise. It enables companies with multiple engineering teams and/or outsourced companies in different locations to collaborate with each other, while retaining their own separate working environments and processes. It manages and controls the seamless exchange of engineering content between teams working internally and externally, increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of outsourced processes.

The engineering content exchanged can vary from Microsoft Office documents to 2D/3D CAD drawings and assemblies. Metadata and references are exchanged together with the engineering content, preserving essential relations between individual files. Built-in and customizable rules make it possible to preserve consistency between files, assemblies, vaults and sites.

InnoCielo Global Collaboration Framework 2008 Now Available

The following new features have been added to InnoCielo Global Collaboration Framework (GCF) 2008:

Support for Advanced Document Workflow

Advanced document workflow (ADWF) is the versatile and fully configurable workflow feature introduced in InnoCielo Meridian Enterprise 2007. During a workflow, the ADWF state can now be synchronized to the collaborating vaults. This enables configuring global workflows for engineering processes such as design, review and approval.

Remote Command Queue

This allows for commands to be executed in remote vaults without the need for an active online connection. The command queue can be used in combination with script to implement complex cross-site document management processes.

Replication of Renamed Documents

When a document is renamed in the vault that currently owns it, the new name can be replicated to the collaborating vaults.

Optimization of the scheduled export process

The export of updates to remote vaults has been greatly optimized. For specific situations, this process is now up to 20 times faster, making it practical to schedule background updates multiple times per day.

Support for FTP Transfer

In GCF 2008, uploading of BriefCase files to the destination server through FTP is now supported.

Integration of HTTP Configuration

Configuring transfers through HTTP is now integrated with InnoCielo Meridian Enterprise Web Access, making it easier to configure and maintain.

Enlistment of Documents in Single Document Workflow

Single document workflow (SDWF) is the deprecated workflow feature from older versions of InnoCielo Meridian Enterprise. During a workflow, the SDWF state can now be synchronized to the collaborating vaults. This also enables configuring global workflows for engineering processes.

Support for a Read-only Main Area

Building on the introduction of general support for work areas in GCF 2.0, GCF 2008 now supports scenarios where all changes to documents are made in a work area before release to the main area. GCF 2008 will replicate the released documents to the main areas of the collaborating vaults.

Collaborative Engineering Across the Enterprise

The InnoCielo Global Collaboration Framework can be used in any of the following scenarios:

• Concurrent and cooperative engineering by geographically separated teams across the world
• Concurrent and cooperative engineering with suppliers of
  engineering services
• Collaborative environments requiring engineering content to be
  shared and exchanged between multi-disciplinary teams working
  across the globe

Collaborating Vaults

When collaboration between multiple teams is required, remote vaults are enlisted to be able to view and work on a document, such as an assembly. Once a vault is enlisted, the assembly and its components are transferred to it. Future updates are also automatically distributed to enlisted vaults.

For each document a different set of collaborating vaults can be
configured.

Document Ownership

Each document which is shared between vaults has only one owner
at any one time. When a vault does not have ownership of the
document:

• Its content cannot be edited
• Its workflow state cannot be changed
• It cannot be renamed or moved to another folder

Ownership can be claimed by another vault at any time. The owning vault can automatically or manually permit or deny such a transfer of ownership. Ownership can also be forwarded to another vault manually, or as part of a workflow.

Document Transfer

Updated documents and their metadata are automatically transferred to non-owning vaults. Transferring an updated assembly only exchanges the updated components of the assembly. Transfers are scheduled to occur at pre-defined times or at set intervals and can be initiated manually.

Documents are packaged in a virtual BriefCase which is sent to and unpacked at the receiving end. Multiple transfer protocols such as HTTP and FTP are supported.

The following picture shows how three vaults collaborate on a set of documents, where one document update is being transferred from one vault to the other vaults:

In this example Document 4 is owned and changed in Europe and automatically updated at scheduled times in the vaults in North America and Asia.

Managing Your Engineering Content Globally

Once the collaboration vaults are configured at each site, the engineering teams can truly start cooperating globally.

Engineering teams often work in project organizations using formal review and workflow processes. By setting up workflows which incorporate the InnoCielo Global Collaboration Framework, it becomes possible to perform global reviews and interdisciplinary check processes between global teams, and manage complex projects involving geographically separate or organizationally independent teams.

Benefits

The InnoCielo Global Collaboration Framework provides significant benefits to global organizations that need to exchange engineering content across dispersed teams:

• Automated engineering content exchange
• Shorter turnaround times
• Improved reliability
• Better protection of intellectual property
• Time efficiency
• Cost reduction