Showing posts with label Integrated Workplace Management System. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Integrated Workplace Management System. Show all posts

What Reports are Required of an IWMS System?

Friday, November 11, 2016






The reports in an IWMS system are mostly used to make strategic decisions. Utilization of space is one of the more common reasons to invest in an IWMS.

When I was helping a  tech company sell their real estate to another company they told me that the numbers the IWMS system was producing did not line up with the numbers that the real estate company was producing. They told me that I had a couple of hours to figure out why. I found out the real estate company had excluded the vertical penetration of the building. I stayed late and walked all eight buildings with the real estate representative and proved all of my numbers. This resulted in a $30 million increase of the sale of the buildings. This made my job worth the work.

So who are the people that are going to read these reports and learn from them? There are four basic audiences that I break it down into.


1) V and C level


These are CEOs, CFOs, CIOs, and all other chief executives and vice presidents. This group is looking for summarized data sheets packed full of numbers that will help them make strategic decisions. They are looking for anomalies so they can dig down and ask questions and figure out why the anomaly exists.

2) Managers/Directors


These people help to drive and accomplish the decisions made by the chief executives and vice presidents. The reports that are tailored for this level are similar to the V and C level, but are more detailed. This allows them to get to the depths of an anomaly and make decisions.


3) Individual Contributor


This level manages the raw data that provides the analysis for the company. They need very granulated reports that allow them to input and modify data for the two previous levels.


4) Staff at Large


The data for this level has basic information like locations of conference rooms, how to submit a work request, how to change the temperature, where are the hotel spaces in every building, etc. These reports allow all staff to search the IWMS system and then schedule or request what they need. 


IWMS reporting at all four of these levels makes for a very strong system. The reports used and produced by the IWMS system justify the expense of the system. While they are not the most expensive systems that exist, they are not the least expensive, either. Sometimes these systems are reduced or removed in order to save money for the company. Without the reports produced directly form the IWMS system, it can take longer to see that there actually are results coming from using the IWMS.



  Like what you read?  Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin! Subscribe to our mailing list to keep up to date with the latest news from RSC, LLC.


Thoughts? Questions?  Comment below and let us know what you think!  We'd love to hear your insights.

 

What Reports are Required of an IWMS System?





The reports in an IWMS system are mostly used to make strategic decisions. Utilization of space is one of the more common reasons to invest in an IWMS.

When I was helping a  tech company sell their real estate to another company they told me that the numbers the IWMS system was producing did not line up with the numbers that the real estate company was producing. They told me that I had a couple of hours to figure out why. I found out the real estate company had excluded the vertical penetration of the building. I stayed late and walked all eight buildings with the real estate representative and proved all of my numbers. This resulted in a $30 million increase of the sale of the buildings. This made my job worth the work.

So who are the people that are going to read these reports and learn from them? There are four basic audiences that I break it down into.


1) V and C level

These are CEOs, CFOs, CIOs, and all other chief executives and vice presidents. This group is looking for summarized data sheets packed full of numbers that will help them make strategic decisions. They are looking for anomalies so they can dig down and ask questions and figure out why the anomaly exists.


2) Managers/Directors

These people help to drive and accomplish the decisions made by the chief executives and vice presidents. The reports that are tailored for this level are similar to the V and C level, but are more detailed. This allows them to get to the depths of an anomaly and make decisions.


3) Individual Contributor

This level manages the raw data that provides the analysis for the company. They need very granulated reports that allow them to input and modify data for the two previous levels.



4) Staff at Large

The data for this level has basic information like locations of conference rooms, how to submit a work request, how to change the temperature, where are the hotel spaces in every building, etc. These reports allow all staff to search the IWMS system and then schedule or request what they need. 

IWMS reporting at all four of these levels makes for a very strong system. The reports used and produced by the IWMS system justify the expense of the system. While they are not the most expensive systems that exist, they are not the least expensive, either. Sometimes these systems are reduced or removed in order to save money for the company. Without the reports produced directly form the IWMS system, it can take longer to see that there actually are results coming from using the IWMS.



  Like what you read?  Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin! Subscribe to our mailing list to keep up to date with the latest news from RSC, LLC.


Thoughts? Questions?  Comment below and let us know what you think!  We'd love to hear your insights.

 

How much does it cost to install an IWMS system?

Friday, October 28, 2016


Knowing how much a company is going to invest in an IWMS system before they invest in it is naturally what any client is concerned about.

To give just one blanket number is impossible because there are many features that can be bought in an IWMS. It is very customizable. It is similar to looking at the different types of features in a satellite dish TV package, though, unfortunately, satellite TV is not one of the features available in an IWMS.


What features are available?

Features range anywhere from tracking physical space to tracking cost and even building certifications. AutoCAD drawings, highlights by department, occupancy/vacancy, realization and utilization, and asset tracking are some examples of physical space that can be tracked. By means of cost tracking, lease management, capital budgeting, and project management are just a few examples of this. MSDS specifications, LEED building and compliance can be tracked. Even work requests and mainenance can be tracked with features such as building operations, on demand work, preventive maintenance, and housekeeping.

Depending on the combination of options a client wants, IWMS systems can be relatively inexpensive or a large amount of money.



How much does all this cost?


Historically, in the last four years, RSC's proposals were:
  • $700 (lowest)
  • $370,000 (highest)
  • $75,000 (average)
IWMS is very maleable to what companies need and want to track, not only in terms of features, but also cost. RSC is willing and committed to finding this perfect fit for companies.


  Like what you read?  Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin! Subscribe to our mailing list to keep up to date with the latest news from RSC, LLC.
Thoughts? Questions?  Comment below and let us know what you think!  We'd love to hear your insights.

 

The Two Scheduling Approaches for Preventive Maintenance Work Orders

Friday, September 16, 2016



Preventive maintenance work orders are proactive actions, like changing oil in a car regularly, or putting a new roof on a house every fifteen years. Companies require maintenance requests on air handling units, elevators, life safety equipment, etc.

In IWMS, there are two types of preventive maintenance requests: fixed and floating. Each has its uses and its downfalls.


Fixed Preventive Maintenance Requests

A fixed request follows a set schedule as to when the maintenance needs to be performed and sends out notifications accordingly. For example, if a regulatory agency requires that a certain piece of equipment needs to have work done every three months, the IWMS system can be set to send out a notification every three months regularly.

The downfall to this type of maintenance request is that if the craftsperson gets busy, as they do, and cannot complete the request according to the schedule, the notification will still be sent on the preset three month schedule, whether the work has been checked as completed or not.


Floating Preventive Maintenance Requests

A floating request does not follow a set schedule, but instead adds the interval from the last date the maintenance was performed. So, if a piece of equipment needs to be maintained every three months, the three months will be added from the last date on which the work was completed. 

The downfall to this type of request is that if a regulatory agency requires that the maintenance be done four times a year and the craftsperson is unable to complete the work, it may not fulfill the deadlines and regulations the agency has put. This feature is better for equipment that does not require a regulatory review.

Either of these two features are good for maintaining a variety of equipment depending on the different regulations put on them. Companies can use either or both of these features for an effective and regular maintenance.


  Like what you read?  Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin! Subscribe to our mailing list to keep up to date with the latest news from RSC, LLC.


Thoughts? Questions?  Comment below and let us know what you think!  We'd love to hear your insights.

 

ARCHIBUS Applications: Furniture & Equipment Management

Friday, September 9, 2016



The purpose of ARCHIBUS' Furniture & Equipment Manager is to monitor and control physical asset cost and utilization to increase organizational accountability.

Benefits

  • Manages asset ownership and usage to increase organizational accountability and reduce costs
  • Reduces the need for write-offs by tracking the location and depreciation of assets
  • Facilitates trial layouts for analyzing various move options before executing them
  • Executes simple moves, adds, and changes to maximize/minimize disruption and sustain productivity
  • Analyzes the financial impact of furniture and equipment inventories

Effectively managing physical assets, such as furniture and equipment, is vital to maintaining the financial health of an organization. Yet trying to track the changeover of assets and staff while keeping an eye on costs can often seem overwhelming. The ARCHIBUS Furniture & Equipment Management application is an AutoCAD®-based solution that helps you manage those assets cost-effectively and design more productive work environments. This application also helps minimize costs and maximize productivity in the planning and execution of individual or small group moves,
adds, and changes. Organizations encountering large group moves or complex move/add/change processes can also implement the Web-based ARCHIBUS Enterprise Move Management application.

Like what you read?  Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin! Subscribe to our mailing list to keep up to date with the latest news from RSC, LLC.
Thoughts? Questions?  Comment below and let us know what you think!  We'd love to hear your insights.

 

ARCHIBUS Applications: Asset Portal

Friday, September 2, 2016



Track and manage physical assets to improve data accuracy, increase asset utilization, and optimize acquisition or disposition decisions.

Benefits

  • Delivers improved furniture and equipment utilization rates, which can reduce capital expenditures by as much as 10% annually
  • Tracks and manages asset ownership and usage to increase organizational accountability and promote redeployment opportunities
  • Ensures compliance with financial accounting requirements and/or regulatory mandates
  • Establishes a coherent process for integrating asset planning, acquisition, tracking, disposal and investment recovery
  • Maintains an accurate inventory of network infrastructure to facilitate improved planning and a high level of internal customer support
  • Asset Management Screenshot

Asset Portal provides the means to improve data accuracy of the asset registry, increase asset utilization, and optimize asset acquisition and disposal decisions within an overall capital plan

Increasing asset utilization and optimizing acquisition and/or disposition practices are essential to increasing organizational efficiency and achieving superior financial results. ARCHIBUS Asset Portal provides the means to improve data accuracy of the asset registry, increase asset utilization, and optimize asset acquisition and disposal decisions within an overall capital plan. Asset Portal’s capabilities go beyond a merely financial focus and can also trace assets to the entity that is responsible for the asset, the cost center or department that depends on the asset, and/or the physical location where the asset resides. This helps increase organizational accountability and facilitate asset redeployment, when appropriate.



  Like what you read?  Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin! Subscribe to our mailing list to keep up to date with the latest news from RSC, LLC.


Thoughts? Questions?  Comment below and let us know what you think!  We'd love to hear your insights.

 

ARCHIBUS APPLICATIONS: Condition Assessment

Friday, August 5, 2016




Benefits

  • Mitigates risk by prioritizing problems for correction, based on objective measures and organizational needs
  • Enables proactive identification of deficiencies to extend asset service life
  • Demonstrates how costs are associated with corrective measures to justify budgets
  • Reduces administrative cost by establishing a closed loop assessment and resolution process costs

Track conditions in the field, identify high-priority items at a glance, and drill down to detailed information for taking immediate corrective action


Could you justify increased deferred maintenance and capital renewal spending based on static, and possibly outdated information? Web-based ARCHIBUS Condition Assessment provides an objective, dynamic process for evaluating physical assets to help substantiate corrective action, based on risk mitigation and operational priorities. Using Condition Assessment’s accurate, timely repository can help increase asset service life, minimize costly downtime, reduce administrative expense, and streamline capital planning and budgeting processes. Successful deployment could deliver improved Facility Condition Indices at a lower total cost of occupancy.

content and images provided courtesy the ARCHIBUS website

Like what you read?  Subscribe to the blog and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin to keep up to date with the latest news from RSC, LLC.

Thoughts? Questions?  Comment below and let us know what you think!  We'd love to hear your insights.

 

10 Keys to a Successful IWMS Integration: Pt. 10, Automation

Friday, April 22, 2016


This week we are proud to bring you our final segment of our 10-Part series on successfully implementing an IWMS.  In this article we will discuss transitioning from a “Crystal Ball Mindset” to a “Successful Garden” approach.

An IWMS system is only as good as the data that is being fed into it. I have had experiences with clients when, after we have installed an IWMS system, they have come back to us and asked why they are not receiving the data in the reports that they want. We will go back and find out that no one has input data into the system, which is why there is no data, or incorrect data, in the reports.

IWMS Systems aren’t crystal balls, they’re a garden.

IWMS Systems and gardens work in a similar way. If you want to eat watermelon this fall, you’re going to have to plant and cultivate watermelon this spring and summer.

Similarly, if you want to understand your occupancy and vacancy, you’re going to have to synchronize employee data, walk the floors from time to time, and update data and reports for strategic planning. It’s the same thing with asset tracking, building operations, and lease management.  The system has to be carefully cultivated to be able to get the answers back in due time.

Solving problems is still possible.

All of this being said, an IWMS System is still the best way to get the data and information needed. It will help solve every problem that is present.

However, it’s not a crystal ball; it will only generate data if data is being regularly fed into it. The business process and the resources required to provide that information are very important. Once the reports are produced from the IWMS systems, the information that provided will help you continue to make strategic decisions when planning how to use and manage your space

There are 9 essential things that are needed to make your IWMS Systems garden grow.

  1. Have and Internal Champion 
  2. Appropriate IT Department collaboration 
  3. Define ownership
  4. Defined standards
  5. Understand your business process
  6. Pace yourself
  7. Exercise proper resourcing  
  8. Turn chaos into communication  
  9. Have accessible tools
  10. Input correct and correlated data

Keep it simple and straightforward

Extending the garden metaphor even further when talking about IWMS systems, if you want to be able to tell what you’re growing, you’re going to have to label everything and not mix seeds.

If you want better data, keep it simple. Use the proper resources to input valid data to reap labeled, precise results.

 IWMS Systems, while not a crystal ball, can still get you the answers you need – provided that they are fed the right data.

If you’re ready to make sure that your IWMS System is being properly fed and maintained, we’d love to help you get everything squared away so that your reports are top-notch. Just give us a call.

Like what you read?  Subscribe to the blog and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin to stay up to date with the latest news from RSC, LLC.

Thoughts? Questions?  Comment below and let us know what you think!  We'd love to hear your insights.

 

What is BAATUG?

Friday, April 15, 2016



What is “BAATUG”?
BAATUG is short for Bay Area ARCHIBUS Training and User Group. It is a FREE on-site, collaborative forum with one hour of free training on a set topic and a second hour of round-table discussion for any topic(s) suggested by the group.

Who will be training us?
Our BAATUGs are led by Bob Stephen, CEO & Managing Director of RSC and is hosted by our clients.

Who attends a BAATUG?
The training consists of current clients and interested individuals wanted to learn more about ARCHIBUS, AutoCAD, and report writing.

Where are BAATUGs?
Our free on-site trainings are hosted by various clients located in the Silicon Valley and San Francisco Bay Area.

When are BAATUGs?
With the help of our clients, we host one BAATUG per quarter. They are generally on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 5/5:30PM – 7/7:30PM

Where have BAATUGs been held in the past?
Past BAATUGs have been hosted by a variety of our clients including, but not limited to: Lucas Film, Stanford, eBay, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and many more!

What else can you tell me?
Not only do attendees get a free training from an ARCHIBUS master, but it is also a phenomenal opportunity to meet with other ARCHIBUS users who are going through similar challenges and triumphs. Our attendees love the chance to discuss with other like-minded ARCHIBUS users and see how different companies are benefiting from their IWMS.

How can I get involved?
Are you ready for this? Pinterest is hosting a BAATUG at their brand new facility in San Francisco THIS MONTH! Check out our evite for more information and to RSVP to this one-of-a-kind free ARCHIBUS training.

Who do I contact if I’m interested in hosting?
If you would like to bring a BAATUG to your facility, please don’t hesitate to contact us at training@rsc2lc.com

Don't forget to check out our evite and RSVP to this month's BAATUG!



Like what you read?  Subscribe to the blog and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Pinterest to keep up to date with the latest news from Robert Stephen Consulting, LLC.

Thoughts? Questions?  Comment below and let us know what you think!  We'd love to hear your insights.

 

10 Keys to a Successful IWMS Integration: Pt. 9, Accessibility

Friday, April 8, 2016

This week we are proud to bring you Part 9 of our 10-Part series on successfully implementing an IWMS.  In this article we will discuss accessibility.



In any industry, there are certain tools that are considered industry staples because of how efficiently they allow one to accomplish tasks. Part of this efficiency is because of how accessible the tools and information needed are. In the IWMS arena, this is certainly true. In this article, I would like to discuss, not the applications themselves, but the types of applications that are available, and their advantages.


















When my wife and I were first married, we would take many camping trips. I noticed that she would use a Swiss Army knife when she was cooking, and it served its purpose well. I asked her why she didn't just use the knife at all times, not only while we were camping. It would be a cost effective solution and simple to maintain and clean. She answered my question by saying that the utensils she
had in the kitchen, while many, were useful because they each had their own purpose and were constructed specifically for their individual jobs. She also was able to accomplish more because she had everything she needed right there in the kitchen, locally, whenever she needed it; the tools were accessible. So, while the Swiss Army knife was useful when she was away from the kitchen, the utensils she had at home were more effective and, in the long run, more efficient.

Server Applications vs. Web Applications

Professionals in any field will have a similar response to that of my wife's when talking about web applications versus server applications. The applications that are on premise have been designed to give users all the tools needed to complete a job, no matter how finite that job may be. Web applications, while useful and quick to access, may not always have the exact tools needed, or may require users to find a round - about solution to complete a task. Both types of applications, however, have their advantages and purposes. We've created a useful graphic that highlights the main differences.



Finding What's Right for You

Experienced professionals will prefer on-premise applications to complete the brunt of their work,
but cloud applications can be useful for quick fixes or remote work. The determining factor here has everything to do with accessibility. 

Like what you read?  Subscribe to the blog and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin to keep up to date with the latest news from RSC, LLC.

Thoughts? Questions?  Comment below and let us know what you think!  We'd love to hear your insights.

 

RSC's Guide to Hoteling

Friday, April 1, 2016


With the increased popularity of telecommuting and working remotely, it’s no wonder hoteling has become so popular. But what is hoteling exactly?

Hoteling is a method of space management where employees schedule the use of their work environment (e.g., desks, cubicles, and offices) rather than having a singular assigned location.
Think of it the same way you think of booking your hotel stay on vacation.  Ather than the traditional method of permanently-assigned seating, employees reserve a desk or workspace based on availablility for the specific days they plan to be in the office.

It’s beneficial for a number of reasons.

  1. Reduces Carbon Footprint
  2. Saves cost on commercial real estate
  3. Allows for Flexible Work Arrangements
  4. Promotes Space Efficiency
  5. Promotes creative work environment

In some ways, the practice of hoteling itself has caused a shift in employee mobility. It has allowed employees to more comfortably work when they travel frequently or work remotely.


“With the help of Hoteling, organizations can quickly find and book the required number of rooms for specific time periods and at desired locations, thus optimizing space utilization and fostering productivity for visiting employees, contractors, teleworkers, or temporary project-based teams.

At many organizations, office space is frequently underutilized by 50% or more, resulting in a larger than necessary real estate and carbon footprint, along with their associated costs. Web-based ARCHIBUS Hoteling enables organizations to more fully utilize existing space, potentially reduce leased/owned space in their portfolios, as well as decrease carbon emissions and workspace operating costs. It supports temporary allocation of on-site workspace to dynamic project-based teams and makes implementation of increasingly popular telework initiatives possible. Additionally, Hoteling simplifies implementation of shared space chargebacks, which further encourages space efficiency and responsibility for occupancy costs.”1

RSC has over 10 years of experience helping our clients successfully implement and use the Hotel Scheduling Module in ARCHIBUS. We currently have many clients happily using this tool and would love to help you make the switch!

If you would like to learn more or request a demo on Hoteling, contact info@rsc2lc.com


Like what you read?  Subscribe to the blog and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin to keep up to date with the latest news from RSC, LLC.

Thoughts? Questions?  Comment below and let us know what you think!  We'd love to hear your insights.

 

5 REASONS YOUR COMPANY NEEDS A PAINTED PICTURE: PT. 3, Present a Unified Growth Strategy

Friday, March 4, 2016


This is part 3 of a 5 part series on "The 5 Reasons Your Company Needs A Painted Picture"

With each New Year, I noticed many friends and family, myself included, making resolutions to finally “get in shape.” While “getting fit” is a great goal, it is rather arbitrary. Simply stating you want to get in shape or get fit lacks the detail others need to adequately comprehend your goal. My understanding might be to simply drop ten pounds, while yours consists of a lifestyle change resulting in healthier eating habits and establishing a routine exercise plan. It is only when we are able to share the full picture that we are able to fully understand and help each other accomplish our goals.  Having a Unified Growth Strategy at work is no different.

 
Share your vision: Paint the Picture
By now, you understand the basics of a Painted Picture. Thus, you know that it is hands-down, a good tool for a CEO to express their vision to staff. Therefore, one component of the painted picture should address how the company is going to move forward and grow in the upcoming years.

Not only do we need to share what and where our destination is; We need to share with our teams how we are getting to our destination. Driving cross country on Route 66 is a much different experience than a direct flight from JFK to LA. You can’t leave your staff guessing what they’re doing, where they’re going, and how they’re going to get there or you will wind up at different destinations or even worse getting to the same destination at completely different times.
exactly

Which Growth Strategy is right for you?

Well, it’s going to depend on what you want. Perhaps your company’s strategy is going to be working with existing clients and helping them with their needs. That is a viable and sustainable growth plan. On the other hand, perhaps you’re going to look at selling to new clients and having a strong marketing strategy. If that is the case, then you’re going to need to look at implementing a sales force to go and do the legwork. Or perhaps you’re looking at expanding into new geographic areas. Maybe it means bringing in new software or technology to increase your ability or reach.

Once you made your decision, the point then is to clearly express the goals to your staff. Because if you just say, “We need to grow this year,” each team member is going to envision a different process to reaching that goal. Once your team fully understands the vision, though, they will jump on board. They will be behind you and they will understand what their role is in the plan or they will leave to other opportunities that fit their goals more closely.

Again, it all ties back to painting the picture for your team: whether it is in a growth strategy meeting or in the gym, you must have a very clear and specific goal you are reaching for if you want to get anything done.


Like what you read?  Subscribe to the blog and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin to keep up to date with the latest news from RSC, LLC.

Thoughts? Questions?  Comment below and let us know what you think!  We'd love to hear your insights.

 

10 Keys to a Successful IWMS Integration: Pt. 8, Working in the Relationship Arena

Thursday, February 25, 2016







This week we are excited to bring you Part 8 of our 10-Part series on successfully implementing an IWMS.  In this article we will discuss how to maintain a healthy relationship arena.


In any situation that requires collaboration, tense relationships may exist between any given parties involved. An IWMS system may span many, if not all, departments in a company, and those installing the IWMS must work with and get permission from many department heads. If the relationship arena between departments in a company is not healthy, the IWMS installation can be slowed down, inefficient, or stopped completely.

What is the Relationship Arena?

The relationship arena is a term we use at RSC to refer to the teamwork between departments in any given company and/or between the company and the third party installing the IWMS. Ineffectual teamwork within the relationship arena may lead to a slower IWMS installation. For an IWMS to be installed as quickly and efficiently as possible, quick and efficient communication and collaboration needs to happen. This will be hindered if the relationship arena is not healthy and functioning, or in other words, if there is a breakdown in teamwork because of strained relationships between departments.

How To Maintain a Healthy Relationship Arena

In earlier posts, we talked about the irreplaceable value of an Internal Champion. For a more defined role of an Internal Champion, please see article 1 of this series.

As discussed above, two key elements of teamwork are communication and collaboration; the Internal Champion will be able to shine, not only because of his/her ability to communicate in the vernacular of many departments, but also because of his/her ability to collaborate with different individuals. If the Internal Champion can help with effective inter-departmental teamwork, the IWMS installation process can be moved forward with minimal to no inefficiencies.


Even if a relationship arena is not functioning at its best when the third party arrives to install the IWMS, the Internal Champion should be able to help facilitate the installation because of his/her leadership skills and willingness to cooperate, creating an environment of teamwork, building a positive relationship arena.

The key role of the Internal Champion here is mediation — not only does working within a relationship arena require strong communication skills, but the ability to help others when a problem arises. This latter ability can look like helping two team members solve a disagreement, protecting a company from aggressive, third-party sales, negotiating between departments, etc.

The Result of Having a Healthy Relationship Arena

Together, with the support of the Internal Champion, as well as the roles that each team member play, the companies involved in installing the IWMS can create a synergy and unity based on compromise and understanding that will move the installation along smoothly.

Once good teamwork is established, the tasks that need to happen to install the IWMS can be completed as efficiently as possible. Consequentially, your IWMS will operate as you need it to because no important piece of information will have been lost in the process of working as a team.


Like what you read?  Subscribe to the blog and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin to keep up to date with the latest news from RSC, LLC.

Thoughts? Questions?  Comment below and let us know what you think!  We'd love to hear your insights.

 

Friday Training Follow Up: Smart Client Extensions for AutoCAD

Monday, February 22, 2016












Robert Stephen Consulting, LLC provides free 30-minute Client Training session every Friday at 10:00AM PST.  RSC prides itself in providing learning opportunities for our clients.  We feel that if our clients know the system better, we will able to work better with them to discover and implement the solutions that they need.  

Last week Matt Ritzman discussed AutoCAD, specifically Smart Client.  Below is an overview of the training.



SMART CLIENT EXTENSIONS FOR AUTOCAD

BACKGROUND

Smart Client Extension for AutoCAD tends to install fairly easily. Most of the time issues arise when there's a copy of Overlay installed on the same computer. Also, 20.x versions of Smart Client had difficulty switching away from Smart Client, and required editing the registry to allow AutoCAD to run with a regular profile.


COMPATIBILITY

Smart Client Extension for AutoCAD


The Smart Client version determines the compatible versions of AutoCAD allowed.
  • The version of Smart Client DOES NOT have to match the version of Web Central.
  • As an example, you can have Web Central 21.2 installed but run Smart Client 22.1, if you are on subscription.
  • If you are on subscription, you can install any version of Smart Client you like; it doesn’t require a database backend upgrade.
  • Generally, Smart Client is compatible previous versions of AutoCAD:
  • Smart Client 22.1 (which just came out 1 month ago) is compatible with AutoCAD 2016 (which came out last April).
Here’s the matrix for the some of the most recent versions:

Smart Client
21.1
21.2
21.3
22.1
ACAD 2009
yes
no
no
no
ACAD 2010
yes
yes
yes
no
ACAD 2011
yes
yes
yes
no
ACAD 2012
yes
yes
yes
no
ACAD 2013
yes
yes
yes
yes
ACAD 2014
yes
yes
yes
yes
ACAD 2015
no
no
yes
yes
ACAD 2016
no
no
no
yes

TROUBLESHOOTING


  • Smart Client needs to have an installation AutoCAD set in Preferences
  • Check that the profile is "Smart Client Extension for AutoCAD"
  • Support file search paths should have only Smart Client path information (paths should look like this: C:/Program Files (x86)/ARCHIBUS/2X.X NOT C:/Program Files (x86)/AFM2X.X).
  • Smart Client Path should be first in Support file search path
  • Use APPLOAD to be certain that only the routines you intend are being loaded.
  • Use CUILOAD to check which menus are loaded.
  • Use CUI to check which menus are visible
  • Sometimes the ribbon won't load. To get it to show up type: RIBBON
  • If the ARCHIBUS Ribbon panel does not show up type afm_disable into the command line and press enter. Then type afm_enable into the command line and press enter. The ARCHIBUS panel should now display in the ribbon.
  • Sometimes the drop down menu won't show up. Most of the time you can just set the workspace to AutoCAD Classic and that will solve the problem.
Additional checks for RSC tools:
  • Need to have RSC_SC_Main.lsp in the Startup Suite
  • Need Plotter configuration to be consistent across all computers using the system.

REGISTRY EDITS

Versions 20.X of Smart Client didn't release control of AutoCAD. An adjustment to the registry was required. To simplify registry edits, a batch file (*.bat) can be created.


AutoCAD without Smart Client Extensions

REGEDIT4
; 
@ECHO OFF
; CLS
; REGEDIT.EXE /S "
%~f0"
; Start "" "C:\Program Files\AutoDesk\AutoCAD 2012 - English\acad.exe" -p std
; 
EXIT

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R18.2\ACAD-A001:409\Applications\AfmOverlay]
"LOADCTRLS"=dword:0}}}}


AutoCAD with Smart Client Extensions

REGEDIT4

; 
@ECHO OFF
; CLS
; REGEDIT.EXE /S "
%~f0"
; Start "" "C:\Program Files\AutoDesk\AutoCAD 2012 - English\acad.exe" -p "Smart Client Extension 
for AutoCAD"
; 
EXIT

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R18.2\ACAD-A001:409\Applications\AfmOverlay]
"LOADCTRLS"=dword:2
This is the code for AutoCAD 2012. You will have to change the pathing for other versions of AutoCAD. Acad.exe will be in a different directory location, and you'll need to change the \R18.2\ACAD-A001:409\ portion of the registry key.

AutoCAD with Overlay

REGEDIT4

; 
@ECHO OFF
; CLS
; REGEDIT.EXE /S "
%~f0"
; Start "" "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2012 - English\acad.exe" -p Overlay
; 
EXIT

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R18.2\ACAD-A001:409\Applications\AfmOverlay]
"LOADCTRLS"=dword:0


If you'd like to know more about this particular training, email us at training@rsc2lc.com

We’d love to have you join us for this week's training on MicroView/SpaceView: SV Moves  this Friday, February 26, 2016. 

Please register by clicking on this link and follow the instructions:
Registering is required to receive a confirmation email and a link to the training.

Our weekly client trainings are held Fridays from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM PST.  This is an opportunity to learn more about an area of ARCHIBUS that you may not be familiar with.  

We look forward to seeing you there!


Like what you read?  Subscribe to the blog and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin to keep up to date with the latest news from RSC, LLC.

Thoughts? Questions?  Comment below and let us know what you think!  We'd love to hear your insights.