Cadalyst - November 2007 - (Page 35)

cadlabsreview with multiple projects on behalf of any firm likely will face multiple interfaces, each with its own login and file structure and each demanding its own cycle of file uploads and synchronization. Newforma Project Center literally turns this problem inside out, providing a uniform interface to all project personnel for all projects within a firm. Project personnel retain total control over external file transfers — without duplicating, moving, or posting files to any external site; without navigating the arcana of the in-house FTP server; and without stepping outside their familiar user ID and login/security system. Users need only identify the files to be transferred and to whom they are going. This system maximizes any project-centric business’ scarcest resource: the time and attention of experienced project staff. Because Newforma’s approach to solving informationmanagement problems is to digitally enable and enhance a firm’s workflow, the developers wisely resisted the temptation to impose a de novo workflow system (many concoctions by other vendors may have been theoretically correct software designs but ended up disrupting work). Again, Newforma Project Center works the way users expect, rather than expecting users to work the way the software demands. Finally, Newforma has chosen to build on and use the existing technology infrastructure of most firms, rather than starting over with new servers, new access controls, and security models or new file-directory structures and indexing methods. This is good news for the vast majority of AEC firms who run a predominantly Microsoft IT environment with Microsoft Office (2003 or later), the latest Windows file servers, and Exchange as the e-mail and calendaring server. For the much smaller group of non-Windows AEC firms? Not so much. Productivity Software Done Right This software promises almost everything a user could want and delivers almost everything it promises. As a reviewer, I must resist scrounging for silly little nits to pick, such as criticizing the help system (any software that requires a massive help system is not very productive software, in my opinion). On the other hand, Newforma Project Center is not a standalone desktop application that can be tested as one might test a CAD application. Instead, I requested and received a full-day, in-depth walkthrough of product features and functions from the folks on Newforma’s development team who know the product best. Because I had to rely on this vendor-controlled demo envi- make the TM Choose Colortrac SmartLF Large Format Scanners Optimized for YOUR Technical or Graphic Needs Smart Choice. ONLY COLORTRAC gives you a choice of scanning technology customized for your specific wide format applications. 888.722.6434 www.geiwideformat.com © 2007, GEI WideFormat is a trademark of Graphic Enterprises Inc., sole North American authorized distributor for Colortrac SmartLF, trademarks of Colortrac Ltd. www.cadalyst.com | cadalyst | November 2007 35 http://www.geiwideformat.com http://www.geiwideformat.com http://www.cadalyst.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Cadalyst - November 2007

Cadalyst - November 2007 Contents Editor's window Cad Central Conceptual Inspiration for Less Than $200 From Any Angle - Publish and Share Your 3D Designs NX 5, Part 1 - CAD/CAM/CAE Software Newforma Project Center Fourth Edition - Software for Project Information Management CAD Manager's Survey 2007 Sharing and Collaborating with Your Team To BIMfinity and Beyond! Solutions for Sending Large Digital Files Cad Cartoon Issue Indexes Cad Fidential

Cadalyst - November 2007

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