Thoughts on managing Pro/E systems (part 1)

I've recently had a couple of requests for help from folks who are new to managing Pro/E installations and standards... I'm happy to help, but tend to be too busy during the week to think about anything other than my day job.  So I'll use this blog to look at related subjects when I get the chance.  I'll write whatever comes to mind - and you can add comments + questions right here, maybe spark more discussion + thinking.

Any system of working requires some degree of management - whether detailed procedures or informal guidelines or ideas carried around in your head.  CAD systems (particularly 3D) come with their own baggage - a host of related files, configs, settings, etc... that you can learn, use, tweak and manage.  My particular area of expertise is gearing up Pro/E + Intralink for large groups of users, so that's what I'll stick to here... hopefully the principles apply elsewhere too.

Start Me Up

Get people starting up the same way.  It seems obvious, but often I stumble across users launching Pro/E or Intralink different from the "norm".  Choose a standard method of launching - whether that's a desktop shortcut, menu pick, etc?  And have everyone use the same file if/when it's updated.  These startup files change over time - and it's useful to have them automatically filter to your users.  Build in a check + copy when your clients start.  I cover the technical aspects of this on the site... look there for more (and I'll make a note now to update it soon!).

More to come on this topic soon - including configs, start parts, plotting, etc.