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Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Download the Solid Edge ST4 Maintenance Pack 10




Solid Edge ST4 - Maintenance Pack 10 Announcement:

The latest Maintenance Pack (MP10) for Solid Edge ST4 is now available for download.
You can download the Maintenance Pack here:
http://ftp.ugs.com/solid_edge/ST4/SolidEdge/

A valid WebKey account is needed to access Maintenance Pack downloads.  To create a WebKey you need your Customer Sold-To ID and your WebKey Access Code, both found under Solid Edge Help, About.  You can create your WebKey account here: https://plmapps.industrysoftware.automation.siemens.com/webkey/

Installing Maintenance Packs is quick and easy. Some known security issues arise with installing any software on Windows 7 OS regarding User Access Control (UAC); these same issues exist when installing MPs.  Windows UAC should be turned off and after unbundling the download run the .exe as administrator by right mouse clicking on the file and selecting Run as Administrator from the quick menu. Most UAC security issues can be avoided by installing Solid Edge to a location on the client machine anywhere other than the default “Program Files” folder.  As long as the user has full write permission to a folder location such as C:\SolidEdge\ these issues should not arise.


Ally PLM encourages all of our customers to stay current with released Maintenance Packs.  Maintenance Packs deliver the most current updates and resolution of PRs to your software platform.  You can find detailed information regarding the PRs that a Maintenance Pack addresses in the “readme” .txt file found with the MP download.

The Ally PLM Technical Support Team is available to answer any questions and provide support for all of your needs; including Maintenance packs.  You can contact the Ally PLM Technical Support Team via email at technical.support@allyplm.com or via phone at (513) 984-0480 Option: 4

Matt Johnson
Application Engineer
Ally PLM Solutions

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Solid Edge ST5 Maintenance Pack 2 Announcment



Solid Edge ST5 - Maintenance Pack 2 Announcement

The latest Maintenance Pack (MP2) for Solid Edge ST5 is now available for download.
You can download the Maintenance Pack here:
http://ftp.ugs.com/solid_edge/ST5/

A valid WebKey account is needed to access Maintenance Pack downloads. To create a WebKey you need your Customer Sold-To ID and your WebKey Access Code, both found under Solid Edge Help, About. 

You can create your WebKey account here: https://plmapps.industrysoftware.automation.siemens.com/webkey/

Installing Maintenance Packs is quick and easy. Some known security issues arise with installing any software on Windows 7 OS regarding User Access Control (UAC); these same issues exist when installing MPs. Windows UAC should be turned off and after unbundling the download run the .exe as administrator by right mouse clicking on the file and selecting Run as Administrator from the quick menu. Most UAC security issues can be avoided by installing Solid Edge to a location on the client machine anywhere other than the default “Program Files” folder. As long as the user has full write permission to a folder location such as C:\SolidEdge\ these issues should not arise.

Ally PLM encourages all of our customers to stay current with released Maintenance Packs.  Maintenance Packs deliver the most current updates and resolution of PRs to your software platform.  You can find detailed information regarding the PRs that a Maintenance Pack addresses in the “readme” .txt file found with the MP download.

The Ally PLM Technical Support Team is available to answer any questions and provide support for all of your needs; including Maintenance packs. You can contact the Ally PLM Technical Support Team via email at technical.support@allyplm.com or via phone at (513) 984-0480 Option: 4

Matt Johnson
Application Engineer
Ally PLM Solutions


Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Solid Edge Product Planning Survey



Ally PLM is excited to pass along the Solid Edge Product Planning Survey. This survey is put together by the Solid Edge Planning team to help plan future releases of Solid Edge and help you Design Better.   Dan Staples, Director of Solid Edge Product Development, says the survey is to “…ensure we are prioritizing things in the way that makes the most sense for the most people.”

Ally PLM encourages all users to contribute to this survey. Your experience as a user is very important to the Solid Edge Planning Team and is extremely valuable whether you are a seasoned Solid Edge user or just beginning to use the product.

Ally PLM and The Solid Edge Development Team encourage you to participate in this survey. Please share it with other Solid Edge Users and let’s all help Solid Edge continue to bring you the features and functions that you desire.

Take your Survey here: https://www.research.net/s/TNZ62HK

Matt Johnson
Application Engineer
Ally PLM

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Free 2013 Calendar from Siemens PLM Software


The Siemens PLM Global Image Program is providing complementary 2013 calendars filled with cutting edge images and the best of product design from companies all over the world using Siemens PLM Software. It's the perfect desk accessory to keep track of 2013 for any CAD enthusiast, engineer, designer, drafter, programmer, or machinist using Siemens PLM Software. The free 2013 Siemens PLM Calendar is currently only available in the Americas.

Order your Free 2013 Siemens PLM Calendar Here

Gina Yeagley
Marketing Director
Ally PLM Solutions

Friday, November 16, 2012

Upcoming NX (Unigraphics) User Group Meeting in Cincinnati, OH


The Western Ohio and Northern Kentucky Regional Meeting for NX (Unigraphics) and Teamcenter users is set to take place on December 4, 2012 in Loveland, OH just northeast of Cincinnati. 


When and Where:

December 4, 2012 at 7:30AM
Oasis Conference Center 
902 Loveland-Miamiville Road 
Loveland, Ohio 45140 



What to Expect: 

Through networking, NX and Teamcenter users share best practices and techniques for implementing and using the software more effectively. All of the sessions have been developed with the goal of providing immediate business value to you as a consumer of Siemens PLM NX Software products. The sessions will be a mix of high quality technical and training sessions and provide an excellent opportunity to network with other users and members of Siemens PLM NX team.


The sessions will share tips and techniques, best practices, and implementation and integration ideas. Siemens PLM Software will discuss and demonstrate key NX product features and enhancements available in both NX and in the newest release of NX.

Why You Should Attend

  • Enhance your knowledge and stay up to date with the software
  • Help improve productivity by networking with other users
  • Learn about the new tools that can help improve your business

Registration Info:

You can sign up and register for this meeting at: http://www.plmworld.org/wo_nkevent



Gina Yeagley
Marketing Director
Ally PLM Solutions

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Worldwide high schools now have free access to Solid Edge

Education Announcement: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math 

Siemens PLM is continuing their generous investments in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education. Today Siemens PLM Software announced a free worldwide Solid Edge High School edition for 3D Computer-Aided-Design (CAD).  This gives educators the opportunity to expose their students to the engineering and product design tools used all over the world.  Exposing students to this experience will hopefully encourage and help in understanding of STEM careers.  This investment and cooperation from educators in the long run can help the current shortage of qualified job candidates in engineering and closely-related fields.  A free 12 month academic site license for Solid Edge can be obtained at www.siemens.com/plm/solid-edge-highschool. 

Following the success of the Solid Edge Student Edition, the High School Edition now gives teachers access to use Solid Edge in the classroom and extra-curricular projects. Schools will have access to the Solid Edge modules of drafting, sheet metal, surfacing, and advanced assemblies. The free 12 month license can be renewed annually.


For access to free learning tutorials and self-paced training – please use the following resources:


Gina Yeagley
Marketing Director
Ally PLM Solutions

Monday, November 12, 2012

NX 7.5.5 Maintenance Pack 7 Is Now Available for Download



NX 7.5.5 - Maintenance Pack 7 Announcement:  

The latest Maintenance Pack (MP7) for NX 7.5.5 is now available for download.
You can download the Maintenance Pack here:
http://ftp.ugs.com/unigraphics/maintenance-packs/nx75/

A valid WebKey account is needed to access Maintenance Pack downloads.  To create a WebKey you need your Customer Sold-To ID and your WebKey Access Code, both found under Help, About.  You can create your WebKey account here: https://plmapps.industrysoftware.automation.siemens.com/webkey/

Installing Maintenance Packs is quick and easy. Some known security issues arise with installing any software on Windows 7 OS regarding User Access Control (UAC); these same issues exist when installing MPs.  Windows UAC should be turned off and after unbundling the download run the .exe as administrator by right mouse clicking on the file and selecting Run as Administrator from the quick menu. Most UAC security issues can be avoided by installing Solid Edge to a location on the client machine anywhere other than the default “Program Files” folder.  As long as the user has full write permission to a folder location such as C:\NX\ these issues should not arise.

Ally PLM encourages all of our customers to stay current with released Maintenance Packs.  Maintenance Packs deliver the most current updates and resolution of PRs to your software platform.  You can find detailed information regarding the PRs that a Maintenance Pack addresses in the “readme” .txt file found with the MP download.

The Ally PLM Technical Support Team is available to answer any questions and provide support for all of your needs; including Maintenance packs.  You can contact the Ally PLM Technical Support Team via email at technical.support@allyplm.com or via phone at (513) 984-0480 Option: 4

Matt Johnson
Application Engineer
Ally PLM Solutions

Friday, November 9, 2012

Solid Edge ST4 Maintenance Pack 9



Solid Edge ST4 - Maintenance Pack 9 Announcement:  

The latest Maintenance Pack (MP9) for Solid Edge ST4 is now available for download.
You can download the Maintenance Pack here:
http://ftp.ugs.com/solid_edge/ST4/SolidEdge/

A valid WebKey account is needed to access Maintenance Pack downloads.  To create a WebKey you need your Customer Sold-To ID and your WebKey Access Code, both found under Solid Edge Help, About.  You can create your WebKey account here: https://plmapps.industrysoftware.automation.siemens.com/webkey/

Installing Maintenance Packs is quick and easy. Some known security issues arise with installing any software on Windows 7 OS regarding User Access Control (UAC); these same issues exist when installing MPs.  Windows UAC should be turned off and after unbundling the download run the .exe as administrator by right mouse clicking on the file and selecting Run as Administrator from the quick menu. Most UAC security issues can be avoided by installing Solid Edge to a location on the client machine anywhere other than the default “Program Files” folder.  As long as the user has full write permission to a folder location such as C:\SolidEdge\ these issues should not arise.

Ally PLM encourages all of our customers to stay current with released Maintenance Packs.  Maintenance Packs deliver the most current updates and resolution of PRs to your software platform.  You can find detailed information regarding the PRs that a Maintenance Pack addresses in the “readme” .txt file found with the MP download.

The Ally PLM Technical Support Team is available to answer any questions and provide support for all of your needs; including Maintenance packs.  You can contact the Ally PLM Technical Support Team via email at technical.support@allyplm.com or via phone at (513) 984-0480 Option: 4

Matt Johnson
Application Engineer
Ally PLM Solutions

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

What's New in NX 8.5





Be sure to check out the below webinars for NX 8.5 as they become available.


  1. What's New in NX 8.5 Design - Watch this On Demand Webinar Now


Siemens PLM Resources:




How to Download NX 8.5


NX 8.5 is now available for download. The full product download is available on the Siemens PLM FTP Server for Windows (32 and 64-Bit), Linux (64-Bit), and Mac OS platforms.







Here’s how to download NX 8.5.

1.       You MUST have a valid WebKey account.
2.       In the browser’s URL – enter http://ftp.ugs.com/
a.       Enter your Webkey Username and Password
3.      In the Full Product Releases category, select “All Siemens PLM Products,” or the blue “Product Download” button.
a.       Select NX/Unigraphics to return a list of the available platforms of the new release.
b.      Expand the appropriate platform (Windows, Linux, Mad) to see a list of products and the links to the documentation
4.       Downloading NX 8.5 Software
a.       Right Click on NX 8.5.0 Product Link, Select Save Target As and save the file to your local destination
5.       Downloading NX 8.5 Documentation
a.       Expand the documentation link – right click on nx-ugdoc-8.5.0 and Save Target as to your local destination.

If you have any problems, you can access the What’s New help topic from GTAC with this link. Please feel free to direct any questions to the Ally PLM Technical Support team at technical.support@allyplm.com.


Gina Yeagley
Marketing Director
Ally PLM Solutions

Monday, October 15, 2012

Use IP address instead of server name in License file


I had a question on if you could use the IP Address instead of the server name in the license file as there was a DNS issue that could not be resolved quickly that would not allow them to use the server name.

So instead of the following:
Server MyServer Composite=456FACB67875 28000

You would use the following: 
Server 196.154.123.106 Composite=456FACB67875 28000

Also, on the clients instead of the following:
UGS_LICENSE_SERVER with a value of 28000@MyServer

You would use the following:  
UGS_LICENSE_SERVER with a value of 28000@196.154.123.106

However, on some servers, there is an issue with resolving locally.  The license file reread would fail.  To fix this do the following:
  1. On the server go to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc
  2. Open hosts with notepad
  3. Under the lines that start with pound signs on new line put in ipaddress servername Go through config services...browse to the license file and save the service.  Then, do the stop, start, and the reread will work.
  4. An example of the a hosts file is below.
# Copyright (c) 1993-2009 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each # entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should # be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one # space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual # lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
#      102.54.94.97     rhino.acme.com          # source server
#       38.25.63.10     x.acme.com              # x client host
# localhost name resolution is handled within DNS itself.
# 127.0.0.1       localhost
# ::1             localhost
196.154.123.106 MyServer

Email technical.support@allyplm.com with any questions.

Madison Rye
Application Engineering Manager
Ally PLM Solutions

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

How to add additional sold to on an existing webkey

Do you have several Siemens PLM Software products such as Solid Edge and FEMAP -- but don't see all your Sold To numbers when you log into the Siemens site? Here is how to add them so you get access to all the updates and information for all your products.

1. Go to support.ugs.com → license management → current licenses




2. Once you log in with your WebKey look at the top left side for your Sold-To/Install 


3. You will see right under the S/T it says Add Sold-To/Install to WebKey, click that





4. click add a SoldTo/Install, there you will enter the S/T # and web access code.

Email technical.support@allyplm.com with any questions.

Madison Rye
Application Engineering Manager
Ally PLM Solutions

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Save the Date: Solid Edge University 2013 Coming to Cincinnati!

Save the Date!
Join us for Solid Edge University 2013 in Cincinnati! 
June 24-27, 2013



Stay tuned for more details as they become available on the official Solid Edge University website.


Read some past posts about the recent Solid Edge University 2012 in Nashville and see the benefits of attending this great event for yourself.


What to expect at Solid Edge University 2013:

  • Technical training for your staff and the opportunity to interact directly with the Solid Edge development team and users from around the world. 
  • The first to witness the capabilities of Solid Edge ST6 - the most powerful version of Solid Edge with Synchronous Technology yet. 
  • A broad set of courses and presentations giving you valuable knowledge no matter what version of Solid Edge you are using today.
  • This event is open to both new and advanced users, or future users interested in seeing what the Solid Edge Community is all about. 

Some of the named topics at the event will include:

• Management update
• Introducing Solid Edge ST6
• Solid Edge ST6 - in depth
• Applying synchronous technology
• Assembly design
• Part modeling
• Sheet metal modeling
• Drafting
• Simulation
• Data management / Insight
• Tips and tricks
• Part lists
• Embedded client
• Academic program
• App ecosystem

...And many more!


Solid Edge. Design Better. 

Gina Yeagley
Marketing Director
Ally PLM Solutions

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Ally PLM Welcomes Matt Johnson as Application Engineer

Ally PLM Application Engineer Matt Johnson

As we continue to grow at Ally PLM we are excited to welcome Matt Johnson as our newest Application Engineer.  Matt has worked as a Mechanical Designer at a single seat Solid Edge install and worked as Senior Designer at a 100 seat Solid Edge and Teamcenter Engineering install; this vast experience brings much value and expertise to our clients. Matt is very excited to join the Ally PLM team and eager to bring his knowledge and experience in Solid Edge and Teamcenter to support our customers.  Matt is also very dedicated to the Solid Edge community at large; working with other local Solid Edge users he is excited to mature and grow the Cincinnati area Solid Edge User Community.

Matt’s experience using Solid Edge started way back in 2000 when he began on Solid Edge Version 9. He is very passionate about Solid Edge and has even been involved the past 2 years in beta testing with Siemens PLM for Solid Edge ST4 and ST5. In addition to his Solid Edge knowledge, Matt also brings our clients over 5 years of Teamcenter Engineering user experience.  Matt’s experience in new product development is highlighted with strengths in top level master model creation, kinematic functioning assemblies, using Solid Edge to verify form, fit and function and also working under the regulatory requirements of aerospace and medical device industries.

Born into a military family, Matt spent much of his childhood moving throughout the states and even spent 3 years in Germany as his father served in the U.S. Army. At the end of elementary school Matt moved back to the states and has called Cincinnati home ever since. He is married with 2 children and expecting #3 on Thanksgiving of 2012. He is actively involved in the church community and serves at his local church on the missions & ministry board. Matt and his wife were recently licensed as foster parents in the State of Ohio and are excited about the opportunity to host a child in need. In his free time, Matt can be found enjoying the outdoors – hunting and fishing. Matt also noted that “win or lose, I always support the Bengals.”

Gina Yeagley
Marketing Director
Ally PLM Solutions



Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Tip for larger companies with Solid Edge floating licenses

At larger locations with floating licenses, it may be easier to create an environment variable to point to the server instead of copying the license file to the C:\Program Files\Solid Edge ST(yourversion)\Program directory on every machine.

Here's how...


  • This would be a system environment variable (start…right click on computer…advanced system settings…environment variables…system variables…new). 
  • The variable for Solid Edge version ST3 (103) and lower versions is SEDEMON_LICENSE_FILE. The variable for Solid Edge version ST4 and above is SELMD_LICENSE_FILE. 
  • The value is portnumber@servername where port number is the same as in the license file typically 27001 and the servername is the name of the computer or server where the licensing is located. 
  • Remove all license files from the Preferences directory in the Solid Edge Installation Directory as Solid Edge will look at any license file first and then only if it does not see one will it second look for the environment variable.

Please contact us at technical.support@allyplm.com with any questions.

Madison Rye
Application Engineering Manager
Ally PLM Solutions


Monday, October 1, 2012

Siemens PLM grants $427 million in software to University of Louisville


Following the recent grant to West Virginia University in the summer, The Siemens PLM GO PLM™ Initiative has generously granted another $427 million dollars in software to the University of Louisville. Engineering students will have the ability to become more “real-world job ready.” The software will help students learn design, simulation, tooling, and the manufacturing process. "What we have not been able do to is afford software of this type because it takes decades of work and a lot of engineering knowledge that only really large companies have available,” said J.B. Speed School Dean Neville Pinto. Engineering students at University of Louisville can expect to gain real-world engineering knowledge on top of their acquired knowledge during their academic tenure. The university has acknowledged the need for software for a long time. With this new software implementation, students will have a competitive edge upon graduation from University of Louisville. “They can step into an industry and essentially contribute from day one,” Pinto said.

The software was installed in late August and students are using it this semester.
Read the press release from University of Louisville here.

Gina Yeagley
Marketing Director
Ally PLM Solutions

Find out what version your Solid Edge files are

If you want to crawl a directory and find out what version your Solid Edge files are…

1) Go to Windows Start Menu → All programs solid edge → data prep tools → analyze
2) Click analyze files from specified folder and browse to your top level folder
3) Click ok
4) When the spreadsheet comes up go to the SE Data Prep Tab at the top and click Get SE Version
5) After it is finished scroll over to the column Last Saved Version
6) Contact technical.support@allyplm.com with any questions



Madison Rye
Application Engineering Manager
Ally PLM Solutions

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

All new resources loaded with Solid Edge and NX (Unigraphics) tutorials

We would like to introduce our latest in web development at Ally PLM bringing you new video channel resources for Solid Edge and NX (Unigraphics) software. These clean, user-friendly, and searchable video channels are loaded with tutorials, tips, tricks, overviews, case studies, the newest product enhancements, and more.

New tutorials will be added monthly to each channel, and future topic suggestions are welcome and encouraged by contacting us. Both channels feature a Posts RSS feature in the upper right to add notifications right to your web browser (no more e-mails) when new videos are posted.

The links can be found in the top navigation bar of our blog or below.

Ally PLM Solid Edge Video Channel
Ally PLM NX (Unigraphics) Video Channel

How to Navigate

Categories are listed on the right side of the video channel. Click any category and it will generate the videos relevant to the category. Be sure to check out the "Lunch Bytes" for the newest tutorials and past replays from the Ally PLM Application Engineering staff.

Below the Categories is a post Archive including titles of each video posted which is in a hierarchy format and easy to find what you want.

To make things even easier, in the upper right, the search feature searches everything on the channel. Say you want to see all of the videos we have about Solid Edge ST3. Simply type "Solid Edge ST3" in the upper right, and any video we have in Solid Edge ST3 will generate. You can also search modeling specific features such as Drafting, Mold Tooling, Translators, etc.


Feedback and suggestions are always welcome as we stride in continuing to provide valuable and current technical resources for Siemens PLM Software users.

Gina Yeagley
Marketing Director
Ally PLM Solutions















Ally PLM Welcomes Application Engineer Chad Varney

Ally PLM Application Engineer Chad Varney
In August of 2012, Ally PLM added another new member to the staff. Please join us in welcoming Application Engineer Chad Varney. Chad will be responsible and dedicated to providing support and service for CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing).

Born and raised just southeast of Cincinnati, Chad has lived in the small towns of Williamsburg and Georgetown, OH. He earned his Associates Degree from the University of Cincinnati's College of Applied Science in CAD. After completion of the CAD program at University of Cincinnati, Chad has worked in a production machine shop and a plastic injection mold company before joining us at Ally PLM. Equipped with over a decade of experience, Chad has experience setting up, programming, and running CNC machines. In combination with this experience, he also has strong CAM Programming and CAD Solid Modeling skills.

In his free time, Chad enjoys spending time with his wife and 3 kids. He contributes to his children's sports programs by coaching their soccer and basketball teams. An activity his family enjoys together is dirt bike riding and cross country racing.

Gina Yeagley
Marketing Director
Ally PLM Solutions

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Ally PLM at Fifth Third Field

Fifth Third Field and The Dayton Dragons welcome Ally PLM Solutions!


Ally PLM is hosting a series of free informational events for Dassault Systemes SolidWorks users to talk about future development of the software and issues surrounding the kernel change. The events are free and consist of an hour presentation at the stadium from the SolidWorks Bible author Matt Lombard, immediately followed by the ball game - tickets courtesy of Ally PLM. Matt's knowledge, publishings, honest approach, and long-time history using the software make him a go-to resource in the SolidWorks community.

Last Thursday (August 30, 2012) we kicked off the first of our 3 events in Dayton, OH at Fifth Third Field with the Dayton Dragons. Be sure to join us on September 20 at PNC Park with the Pittsburgh Pirates or September 21 in Cincinnati for the last Friday night game at Great American Ball Park.

From Matt Lombard following the presentation:
"At least one of the SolidWorks users thought the main premise of the talk (Kill SolidWorks, long live Catia Lite) was beyond belief, and went to their reseller to ask. The response from the reseller was that the Catia-based product will be available in 2014, and that the data transition will be “seamless”. (They’re resellers, what do you want them to say?) Basically confirming the new direction. I’ve heard elsewhere that the new software will be shown at SolidWorks World 2013."

Get Informed:

See if the new direction of SolidWorks really makes sense for you, and determine if your CAD tools and data are at high-risk. Have the rare opportunity to network with a nationally-recognized SolidWorks authority at the baseball game while you're at it. We hope you can join us.

Get details or register for our upcoming events with the Cincinnati Reds or Pittsburgh Pirates at www.allyplm.com/solidworks

Related Articles:

See photos from our first event below:

VIP Tour of Fifth Third Facilities

Ally PLM Senior Application Engineer Brandon Carter and Marketing Director Gina Yeagley

The group on the field just before the game

Gina Yeagley
Marketing Director
Ally PLM Solutions

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

How to Improve Solid Edge Network Performance

If you feel that opening and saving is taking too long over the network – meaning you store and use your files on a network drive, the this is a simple setting change that at no cost to you can improve your speed ….

It is CRITICAL that all cards, switches etc from the client machines to the server be all set the exact same – 1 GB and full duplex.  Every single thing in the chain from the computer to the server must be set the same and they should be 1 GB full duplex for the best performance.  Auto negotiate should not be used.  We have many accounts where this took the time to open large assemblies from being measured in hours to being measured in minutes.  We have a guy that has traveled to France and Australia just to ensure that these settings were all the same and all he did was change auto negotiate to 1 GB full duplex.  He personally witnessed the difference of 45 minutes on an assembly around your same size to 2 minutes with only that change made.  But again all the settings for every single thing from the client to the server including NIC cards and switches must be the same setting of 1 GB full duplex.

I personally witnessed this with a customer.

From my customer:

“I believe our speed issue is now resolved. We found a new network card and installed on a client machine. Speed was set at 1GB full duplex, same as the server. “

They bought NIC cards for 60 dollars for 2 machines because they did not have 1GB capability on those cards.  Typically, the IT dept does not want to use full duplex,  but I actually saw that this myself that this was the only change we made – auto to full duplex and it went from unable to make an unmanaged copy because it was too slow and would time out (The model I used to do this time study has 3762 files and total size of all the files is 853 MB.) to being able to create it.  The opening of the model in work in progress from the 32 minutes to down to 4 minutes.

If you could do some time tests and get the numbers to compare, then you can tell you if this will help you.  It is an inexpensive and easy thing to change even just to test.  I will be glad to help you if you want to send me some numbers, I can tell you quickly if make this simple setting change will help your speed.

As the system is now and just testing between the hard drive and the network …
  1.   Find a very large assembly of about 5000 parts or as big as you can get
  2.   Use create unmanaged copy in view and markup to copy that to the local hard drive and also to a   network drive that is unmanaged
  3. Also create a zip of that assembly that was copied to the local hard drive
  4. Fill out the chart below using a stopwatch (there are many online)



Hard Drive
Network
1
Open large assembly


2
Make change and save large assembly


3
Open large draft


4
Update view in large draft


5
Save large draft


6
Copy zip of large assembly and use windows explorer to paste the zip file to location on network unmanaged where Solid Edge files are located




Madison Rye
Application Engineering Manager
Ally PLM Solutions, Inc. 

Friday, August 10, 2012

Thumbnail cache helping with cannot save file issue

If you are using Windows 7 and have a “cannot save file error” after you are working in your Solid Edge file that is stored on a mapped network drive and are trying to save, then you need to turn off the thumbnail cache.

With the release of ST4, we have learned about a Windows settings directly related to Save failures, and may also impact performance . The  setting ‘Turn off caching of thumbnails in hidden thumbs.db file’ needs to be enabled (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2025703):
  • At the windows start menu, type gpedit.msc in the search programs and files box which takes you into the Local Group Policy Editor.
  • Navigate to User Configuration/Administrative Templates/Windows Components/Windows Explorer
  • On the right, right-click "Turn off the caching of thumbnails in hidden thumbs.db files" and edit.
  • Change to Enabled and reboot the computer.

This should resolve that issue.  Please contact me (Madison.rye@allyplm.com) for more information.

Madison Rye
Application Engineering Manager
Ally PLM Solutions


Thursday, August 2, 2012

How does your company manage product data?

There are things that I see at every company without data management...files are stored out on a network drive, employees are not sure which version of a file is the latest and sometimes having to redo work, employees are working on the same assembly at the same time causing rework, manufacturing is working from print or a pdf without having the benefit of 3D, and finding out why a prior engineering change order was created involves finding a packet or file folder somewhere in a filing cabinet.  If you don’t have a data management system, you are probably shaking your head up and down right now knowing that some or all of these issues occur at your company, but you don’t have the time or money to fix them.

These are the reasons that Insight, product data management (PDM) tool, was created.  Insight licenses come free with Solid Edge Classic so only the installation costs money.  I can minimize downtime by working out the details on my virtual machine before I even go to install the software.  I have installed Insight for Solid Edge at companies with the issues discussed above and have seen the following major benefits at every company:

  • Searchable history – search tools are extremely fast and easy to use
  • Security – the right people get access to the right data at the right time – only allow manufacturing access to released data
  • Single source of data – check in and check out policy
  • Instantaneous access to information – as soon as a change is made - it is flagged as new in the system
  • Seamless integration – do not have to learn a new software package 

Solid Edge Insight is based on Microsoft SharePoint, the leading business productivity solution that brings information management and access, collaboration and people-driven processes into a familiar environment where people do their work every day. The all new Insight for Solid Edge ST5 is Solid Edge Insight XT. Insight XT builds on 10 years of technical leadership and customer success in the area of Microsoft SharePoint-based CAD file management with Solid Edge Insight. This entry-level solution for managing Solid Edge files was first introduced in 2001, and has been deployed by more than 1,000 customers. Find out more about how Solid Edge customers have improved their CAD data management over the last 10 years.

Join me for a webinar on August 28, 2012 from 10AM-11AM EST covering Solid Edge Insight: Learn how to manage your Solid Edge data with software you already have.


Madison Rye
Application Engineering Manager
Ally PLM Solutions

Friday, July 20, 2012

Solid Edge ST5 released to manufacturing!

As a follow-up to our Lunch Bytes session today, we wanted to ensure our customers and all Solid Edge Users know that Solid Edge ST5 has released to manufacturing. Solid Edge ST5, English will be available for download from http://ftp.ugs.com/download.php the week of July 22nd or shortly after customer license files are available. Additional languages will be posted for download as they become available. 

Shipments will begin in early August and will complete in September. 

To see the Best Tools and What's New in Solid Edge ST5 - Check out the replay below of our Solid Edge Lunch Bytes: What's New in ST5 (Part 1). Features being shown in the first video of our ST5 Lunch Bytes series include live rules, bounded surfaces, round edit behavior, threads, SM dimension to bends, multi body, and dimensions.

Click here to register for What's New in ST5 (Part 2) taking place on August 16, 2012 from 12:30PM - 1:00PM EST hosted by Ally PLM Application Engineer Ben Weisenberger.



Gina Yeagley
Marketing Director
Ally PLM Solutions, Inc.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

What you don't read might kill your company


I grew up in small town in the western part of the US.  During Junior High, we had 1 hour lunch period, which left just enough time to walk to the local hamburger stand, grab some food and get back in time for afternoon classes.  On occasion, we would skip lunch and just hang out in some of the stores along Main Street.

Being young and foolish, my friends and I thought it would be cool to go into one of the stores, slip a candy bar into our coat pocket and leave without paying. We thought this would get us a free candy bar.  What it did lead to was explaining our mistake to our parents as well as the local Judge.  Neither of them thought it was very cool. I don’t remember the amends required within the legal system.  However, my parents did not shy away from real punishment.  Rather than a hand, a paddle or a belt, my parents kept a razor strap hung behind the kitchen door. I remember they used it on this occasion.

Over the course of my professional career, I have worked with a few companies that have violated Software License Agreements.  The items below will help you understand these agreements and avoid violating them as well as the embarrassment, fines and penalties that go with such violations. Working with companies who violate these agreements, we pick our terms carefully.  We talk about being in violation of the license agreement; we call it a compliance issue and sometimes call it piracy.   We hesitate to call it stealing. When I stood in front of my parents, the judge and even the storeowners, they referred to my crime as shoplifting.  This sounded better than stealing; although we all knew my friends and I were a 13-year-old thieves.

Whether we call it compliance, piracy, or something else, when you use software without a legal license you are stealing from the company who created the software. I am not a lawyer and claim no legal knowledge.   As outlined in the confession above, I do have some minimal experience, though many years ago, as a thief.

Here are ten things you should know about your software license agreement.  I use the Siemens agreements for Solid Edge, NX, FEMAP, to create this list.  However, these are similar to most software agreements for similar products.

1)     Read and understand the agreement.   With some products, (NX/Unigraphics and Teamcenter) this is a written document signed during the purchase process.  With others (Solid Edge and FEMAP), this is an on-line agreement you accept when you install the software.  Once you install the software, the license agreement is legally binding.    The agreement is the final definition of your terms of ownership and use.

2)     You buy a license, not the software.  You don’t buy software and thus don’t actually own software.  You purchase a License to use the software under the terms outlined in the agreement. Software is protected under copyright and other similar laws and remains the property of Siemens PLM Software. 

3)     Only you can use the software.  If purchased by an individual, you can use the software.  If You are a company, your employees can use the software.   A contractor located at your facility can also use it.  A contractor not at your facility cannot use it.  No other company can use it – not even another company you own or a subsidiary of your company.

4)     Where can you use it?  You purchase the license in a Territory – this is typically a country.   You can use it within that country and not outside that country.  There are global licenses for some products, but these are very rare and have extra agreements, higher costs, minimum purchases and other additional terms.

5)     The license is non-transferrable.  You cannot re-distribute the license in any way.  You cannot sell it, give it away, loan it, etc.  Even if your company is acquired, the license is not transferred without the agreement of the owner of the software.

6)     You cannot analyze the software for any purpose competitive to Siemens PLM Software.  If you conduct benchmarks or tests with the software, the results of those tests are the confidential information of Siemens and you cannot publish them or reveal them to any third party.

7)     There are special terms in the agreement covering Student Licenses, Academic Licenses, Trial Licenses, etc.  Using this software for any commercial purpose (anything you are paid for), violates the agreement.  A non-student using a student version is also illegal.

8)     Compliance with the agreement.  The vendor reserves two right s relating to compliance with this agreement: a) they can embed mechanisms into the software to monitor compliance with the license agreement;  b)  you agree cooperate with any investigation into the violation of the agreement including access to your facility, your computers, etc.

9)     Home use Licenses – Solid Edge (and only Solid Edge) provides a home use license.  This allows a person who uses the software 80% of the time at work, to have a copy on a home computer or laptop.  Only this individual is authorized to use the home use license.  No-one else inside our outside your company can use this license. 

10)  Maintenance Services – the agreement outlines the services provided as part of your maintenance agreement.  You should review these terms as well. Violation of the license agreement (software piracy) is a significant business issue for software vendors.  The Business Software Alliance tracks and prosecutes software piracy.  They report over $63 Billion worth of software was pirated (stolen) in 2011. BSA estimates that 24% of software used in developed countries (42% worldwide) is obtained illegally. Software Piracy is theft.  In legal terms, it is copyright infringement.  It carries criminal fines up to $250,000 and 5 years in prison as well as civil penalties up to $150,000 per infringement.    Multiple infringements mean multiple penalties.

To learn more about software piracy, you can visit the BSA www site at www.bsa.org.
If you have a specific situation, you would like to discuss or if you think you might be in violation of your agreement, give me a call or drop me an e-mail.  We can discuss it while we share a legally-purchased candy bar.

Don’t wait for the Piracy Police to knock on your door.  The fines, penalties and jail time could kill your business.

Kim Corbridge
Director of Corporate Sales