109 - successful implementation of new solid edge · pdf file · 2017-12-27109 -...

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109 - Successful Implementation of New Solid Edge Releases John Pearson, Technical Trainer and Application Analyst, Designfusion


Siemens PLM Software

4th Generation VLC

courtesy of Edison2

Agenda: 109 - Successful Implementation of New

Solid Edge Releases

Who am I?

What you will learn

Basic Steps

Getting your license

Setting up your test site

Training your staff

Launching your new release

Examining ways to improve

efficiency

Q&A



About the presenter:

John Pearson

Technical Trainer and Application Specialist for Designfusion.

Over 26 years in the CAD/CAM industry.

16 years in Tool and Die industry and over 10 years with a reseller.

Certified Trainer of adults. Has taught CAD night courses at Durham College.

Seta certified trainer.

A major contributor to the Designfusion blog and has provided Tech Tip

articles to the Design Engineering’s 3D Dojo newsletter.



What you will learn

This session will demonstrate techniques for implementing new releases of Solid

Edge. Topics to be covered include:

• acceptance testing

• how to install across large organizations

• important files and cleanup tools

• how to train users on (or learn) new capabilities

• PDM implications, and integration with other systems in the company

• importance of management awareness and support.

This session will include actual examples from customers who have gone

through major upgrades between Solid Edge releases. This presentation will

benefit any user or IT person who plans to update their software or who may

have had issues with previous updates.



Basic Steps

1. License - make sure you have your new license.

2. Install a test version of the new release.

3. Test the new release with your workflow and other related software.

4. Train your staff on new features.

5. Launch the new release to the users.

6. Examine ways for improved efficiency in your workflow.



Getting your new license.

Your new license file may be emailed to you from Siemens.

Emailed to your contact on the licenses file.

If emailed in .txt format make sure you save it as a .dat file.

Can download your license file from the GTAC webpage.

Or you can contact your VAR for assistance.



Setting up a test site

It is strongly recommended that you test the new version

before you put it in to production. Especially if you have

custom settings and/or routines in your previous version.

For example: - Create a test project.

- Run your custom routines.

- ensure your custom settings are OK.

This can be done by setting up a separate test computer or

by using a VMware session on the same computer.

New in ST6 – Multiple version installation

ST5 workflow



Multiple Version Installation

• Solid Edge ST6 now provides the user with the ability to run multiple release

versions at the same time

• Users should not install different 32/64 Bit versions of Solid Edge on the

same system

• Secondary Applications are not fully supported with multiple installs

• Examples:

• Solid Edge Embedded Client, Standard Parts, Automated Executions

ST5-32 Bit

and

ST6-64 Bit

ST5-64 Bit

and

ST6-64 Bit



Multiple Version Installation – Silent Install

• In order to successfully install multiple versions of Solid Edge, the user must

run a silent install on the latest version

• To do this, the current user must have administrative privileges on the system

being used

• Open a Command Prompt window and run the msiexec with appropriate

install parameters



Multiple Version Installation

Set Active SE Version

• If running multiple versions of Solid Edge on a single machine,

users will have to decide which version they will want to be active

• Users will be provided with a SESetActiveVersion.exe tool in order to switch

between active versions of Solid Edge

• This will be located within the “DVD\Solid Edge\SptTools\SESetActiveVersion”

directory on the installation disk

The User Interface provided with the tool will show which major release versions

of Solid Edge are present on the system



Multiple Version Installation – Uninstalling

• Upon uninstalling one of the multiple versions

of Solid Edge that is located on your drive, it is

recommended that you uninstall all versions

and reinstall the production version from

scratch

• The possibility of corruption of the remaining

versions exists following the uninstalling of

one version of Solid Edge

• Clean registry with regedit.exe



Test related software

It is also important to test that your new release integrates well with other

related software.

For example: Review your workflow and make sure the new release works

with your company’s:

PDM system

ERP system

Translators for other CAD formats

Printers

Add-ons – PCBto3D, Edge Config, etc.

Drivers – 3D mouse.

Networks mappings

The more you test now, the easier it will be for you and your staff when you

launch the new release.



Train your staff on new features

Each new release contains hundreds of new features and updates to existing

features.

Set time aside to train your staff.

“ But I don’t have time.”

A lot of companies calculate the cost of training but

fail to calculate the cost of not training.

(1 hour of instructor lead training = 16 hours of self teaching)

Training can be done:

Through your VAR (Instructor lead or mentoring).

By reading the What’s New section in Help.

Some new features may be available through the online

training or in the tutorials.

Solid Edge blogs, seminars and conferences.



Customer Success Stories

MacDon Industries Ltd.

“When MacDon upgraded from Solid Edge V20 to ST3, we had quite a large

transition for our user base of some 75 users. We were upgrading to a Windows

7 64 BIT environment, from XP 32 BIT, and had to deal with the “New ST3

interface and command structure”. So we approached Designfusion for their

recommendation and assistance.

Designfusion recommended training us on the new UI first, followed by their V20

to ST3 Transition course, for our experienced users, and their ST3

Fundamentals course, for our new users. The training lasted eight weeks,

combined with on-site mentoring, which made for a smooth transition for our user

base. I would recommend that any Solid Edge customer should consider similar

upgrade training when implementing new releases of Solid Edge.”

Bruce Beally - Engineering Software Support Specialist



Customer Success Stories

S&C Electric Company

“Designfusion was instrumental in helping us develop and implement a

successful upgrade from v19 to Synchronous Technology (ST4) for our 100+

users. The methodology of breaking the training into sessions where the new

User Interface and Ordered enhancements were delivered separately from the

introduction of Synchronous was key. This staged approach gave the users time

to develop a comfort level with the new UI using the functionality they already

knew, allowing the Synchronous training to be more focused and

successful. Users of all levels were engaged and left prepared to apply the

concepts and tools to their everyday work.”

Carl Breving - Project Engineer - Engineering Systems

Information Technology



Launch the new release to staff.

Once you are satisfied with the testing and training, launch the new release.

Install new version on each client.

Completely remove old version. To do this:

First, back up any custom files that may be stored in the Solid Edge

directory.

Template files

Parts lists (Reports)

Custom.xml

Material.mtl

Pipethreads.txt and/or Holes.txt, etc.

Any custom translation files

Uninstall the old version.

Delete old version directory (eg: C:\Program Files\Solid Edge ST5).

Have IT clean the registry.



Launch the new release to staff.

Install all the clients and make sure the File Locations are set on each client.



Updated Folder Structure

New functionality within ST6 will allow all

editable preferences to be stored in a local

“Preferences” folder delivered with the install



Examine ways for improved efficiency

Each new release is loaded with new functionality and enhancements.

Take some time to investigate how these can

improve your design workflow.

Some of this will occur naturally if proper

training is done.

If you need help contact your VAR for assistance.

At Designfusion we provide auditing and mentoring services which allows us to:

Review your workflow and suggest improvements

Show your users how to apply these improvements

Ensure that your users are using the latest tools, to maximize efficiency.



Management Support

Management support is crucial in any system upgrade.

Management should schedule time for installation and training of new

releases.

Time spent here will prevent downstream delays and mistakes.

As a user, make sure that management is aware of what is involved in the

upgrade to a new release.

Don’t be afraid to ask your VAR for assistance with this task.

Consider this:

As a Manager, you would not install large equipment on your production line

without proper testing and training. Why would your CAD software be any

different ?



Conclusion

With a LITTLE effort up front, you can successfully implement new releases of

Solid Edge, just remember to follow these steps.

1. License - make sure you have your new license.

2. Install a test version of the new release.

3. Test the new release with your workflow and other related software.

4. Train your staff on new features.

5. Launch the new release to the users.

6. Examine ways for improved efficiency in your workflow.



Q & A

Thank you for your time.

www.designfusion.com

109 - successful implementation of new solid edge · pdf file · 2017-12-27109 -...

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