Frequently Asked Questions
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Q1. How does AutoEDMS pricing work – is it a ‘purchased’ or ‘subscription’ license?
A. When AutoEDMS v7.0 was released in 2019, both ‘purchased’ and ‘subscription’ license models became available. These are ‘floating’ licenses, which means that a license is available for use again as soon as a user closes the program, so if you have a 10-user license of AutoEDMS, up to 10 machines can concurrently run the program. The previous released AutoEDMS v6.5 also offered ‘floating’ licenses, but was only sold with ‘purchased’ license pricing.
Q2. Is it possible to get a “trial” or “evaluation” copy of AutoEDMS for review?
A. AutoEDMS is normally delivered as a “customized off the shelf” product, meaning that each customer’s configuration of AutoEDMS is “tailored” to meet their requirements. Over the years we’ve found that by providing an Evaluation copy of AutoEDMS with no customization, the prospective customer doesn’t get a true picture of whether AutoEDMS will truly meet their needs. The demonstration videos posted on this website (click here) will provide answers to many questions – anything beyond this can be addressed with live online meetings and ‘proof of concept’ demonstrations. So the answer is basically that we have better methods for proving if AutoEDMS is a fit than providing an Evaluation copy.
Q3. Can AutoEDMS be used “out of the box” without customization?
A. Yes, but at the very least, most organizations will need to make adjustments to field names and settings. Too often, EDM solutions fail because of over complexity at the initial stage, which only leads to frustration and disappointment for all involved. Logical Systems recommends that anyone considering implementing AutoEDMS should begin with our “Quick Start Program”, for a limited number of users and a well-defined project scope.
Another related point… Some prospective customers want to take a shot at doing their own configuration & customization, and AutoEDMS does include extensive documentation for learning the tools… but in our experience, most organizations don’t want to wait 6 – 12 months for one of their staff to learn what’s necessary to do a properly functioning one-time implementation. AutoEDMS can be implemented much more quickly by someone experienced in all the various tools and features – this is why we recommend our “Quick Start Program”.
Q4. What database engines does AutoEDMS work with?
A. AutoEDMS utilizes the “PSQL” client/server database engine from Actian/Pervasive – this is a ‘zero maintenance’ system which evolved from the Btrieve database products that were introduced in the early 1990’s. PSQL is a high-speed system with an extremely small footprint, and is built-into the products of many other software companies around the globe.
Q5. Is there any way for remote users or contractors to access AutoEDMS installed on our server?
A. There are multiple ways to accomplish remote access with AutoEDMS. If the remote users only require “Read Only” access to your AutoEDMS database, to view/print or even download files, they can use our “AeWeb” browser interface – click here to see some information and watch a demonstration. If the remote users need to do any editing, AutoEDMS can be run over a WAN or VPN or Terminal Services products such as Citrix Metaframe/Xenapp – we would need to know more about your company’s network infrastructure in order to make a recommendation.
Q6. Is AutoEDMS capable of auto-generation of file names or drawing numbers?
A. Yes, for a demonstration of this feature, click here and watch our demonstration video Part 5.
Q7. What is “ACL programming”?
A. AutoEDMS includes the “ACL” customization programming language, which is similar to a scripting language, and is used to create specialized & custom functions to meet unique business requirements. The ACL language does not require a specialized compiler, and is easy to learn for those who’ve never written a line of computer program code. At Logical Systems, we have pro-level skills in ACL programming and can help you get started with learning the language, or assist you with problems you might be having with your own custom ACL programs.
Q8. Can AutoEDMS be used to manage the documentation created by SolidWorks, Pro/Engineer, Inventor, or any other 3D solids-modeling or parametric design systems?
A. AutoEDMS can manage individual files created by those applications, but it’s important to note that AutoEDMS will not provide the same type of “parent/child relationship management” for these applications as their own EDM/PDM systems offer. Having said that, we have a few manufacturing customer sites who manage part or assembly drawings with AutoEDMS, making them easy to find and available for viewing and/or printing by non-users of the 3D systems within their company.
Q9. Why should we use AutoEDMS instead of a larger 'corporate-level' systems like Microsoft Sharepoint?
A. AutoEDMS is a true “Engineering document management and workflow system”, used to manage creation, editing, viewing, printing and revision control of actual AutoCAD & Microstation drawing files, as well as other file types like Microsoft Office documents and PDF files. AutoEDMS is most commonly used at the “workgroup level” in an organization’s Engineering or Document Control department, but it’s also used in other departments like Project Management, Quality Control, Customer Service, etc., which allows staff in those departments to have “read only” access to Engineering information. ‘Corporate-level’ systems like SharePoint are great products for disseminating documentation throughout an organization in the form of PDF files, but they don’t generally include features for “workgroup level management” of Engineering drawings. AutoEDMS will allow you "fingertip control" over drawing & document management, and it can also be configured to assist you with ‘publishing’ drawings & documents to systems like SharePoint in PDF format.
Using both AutoEDMS and corporate-level products like SharePoint in the same organization is a common practice, but one does not replace the other. Another point to mention in favor of AutoEDMS is that it contains many tools and features for customization of its functions, including a built-in customization programming language (similar to scripting), which makes it possible for us to create a ‘tailored’ solution to meet any organization’s unique needs. SharePoint can be customized to a certain degree, but it’s our understanding that it is more difficult than what you’ll find in AutoEDMS, and the end result will likely still not give you the features offered by AutoEDMS. So if you need to truly manage the native files like AutoCAD drawings or Office documents, you need AutoEDMS. And if you then need to publish PDF copies of your native files in a medium to large organization, to be viewed by users in a web browser interface, systems like SharePoint would be appropriate.
Q10. In the event of a server crash or database, how can we recover?
A. In the last 20 years of AutoEDMS customer usage, there have been no reported database corruptions on systems running the PSQL Client/Server as the underlying "database engine", which is what we highly recommend and sell to all customer sites. For more info about PSQL, please see Q4 above. So the chance of this happening with AutoEDMS/PSQL is almost non-existent.
It's always a good idea to regularly "backup" sensitive data, even in this age of high reliability servers with RAID drive systems. Only three (3) folders in the AutoEDMS system will contain database files belonging to a customer site, so it's quick & easy to restore from a backup, IF it should ever be necessary.
Q11. Does AutoEDMS include a "Full Text Search" capability for AutoCAD drawings or other document types?
A. The answer to this question is two-part... In "Service Release 3" (SR3) of AutoEDMS v7, we plan to offer Full Text Search as an optional extra-cost feature. There will be two different versions... a "Document" version to search MS Office documents and Adobe PDF files, and a "CAD" version that can search AutoCAD drawings (and possibly other CAD program drawing files).
If the most important files you need to manage are AutoCAD drawings, AutoEDMS includes technology (at no extra cost) to populate database records with information from drawing title blocks, which minimizes the need for a Full Text Search Feature. This is a great value because at nearly all of our customer sites, the drawing title block contains 95% or more of the information the user might need to search on. In AutoEDMS, we can also utilize bi-directional data exchange with DWG files, allowing the drawing title block to be populated or updated with information from the database record. For more information, click here to watch our Demonstration video, part 4, for an overview of "Attribute Data Read and Write" features.
Q12. What Training options are available when a new AutoEDMS system is purchased?
A. AutoEDMS includes “built-in” Help documentation for Users, including a “Quick Tour” of standard features and how to use them. But due to the fact that our product is usually “tailored” to meet a customer’s requirements, our Help documentation cannot cover everything.
During the “customization & configuration” period after the purchase, while working with the “primary contact” at the customer site, we spend some time familiarizing that person with special features of their AutoEDMS system. We also provide basic written documentation on the specialized features in the customer’s system, and this documentation can then be used by the customer to create their own “in-house” User training or instructions manual.
Also, based on demand, we offer a 3-day “ Administrator ” training class. This type of training is intended for those who want to know how to use the various administration and configuration utilities in AutoEDMS. For more information, please click here to visit the “Download” page of our website, and select the “Administrator Training” item.
A. When AutoEDMS v7.0 was released in 2019, both ‘purchased’ and ‘subscription’ license models became available. These are ‘floating’ licenses, which means that a license is available for use again as soon as a user closes the program, so if you have a 10-user license of AutoEDMS, up to 10 machines can concurrently run the program. The previous released AutoEDMS v6.5 also offered ‘floating’ licenses, but was only sold with ‘purchased’ license pricing.
Q2. Is it possible to get a “trial” or “evaluation” copy of AutoEDMS for review?
A. AutoEDMS is normally delivered as a “customized off the shelf” product, meaning that each customer’s configuration of AutoEDMS is “tailored” to meet their requirements. Over the years we’ve found that by providing an Evaluation copy of AutoEDMS with no customization, the prospective customer doesn’t get a true picture of whether AutoEDMS will truly meet their needs. The demonstration videos posted on this website (click here) will provide answers to many questions – anything beyond this can be addressed with live online meetings and ‘proof of concept’ demonstrations. So the answer is basically that we have better methods for proving if AutoEDMS is a fit than providing an Evaluation copy.
Q3. Can AutoEDMS be used “out of the box” without customization?
A. Yes, but at the very least, most organizations will need to make adjustments to field names and settings. Too often, EDM solutions fail because of over complexity at the initial stage, which only leads to frustration and disappointment for all involved. Logical Systems recommends that anyone considering implementing AutoEDMS should begin with our “Quick Start Program”, for a limited number of users and a well-defined project scope.
Another related point… Some prospective customers want to take a shot at doing their own configuration & customization, and AutoEDMS does include extensive documentation for learning the tools… but in our experience, most organizations don’t want to wait 6 – 12 months for one of their staff to learn what’s necessary to do a properly functioning one-time implementation. AutoEDMS can be implemented much more quickly by someone experienced in all the various tools and features – this is why we recommend our “Quick Start Program”.
Q4. What database engines does AutoEDMS work with?
A. AutoEDMS utilizes the “PSQL” client/server database engine from Actian/Pervasive – this is a ‘zero maintenance’ system which evolved from the Btrieve database products that were introduced in the early 1990’s. PSQL is a high-speed system with an extremely small footprint, and is built-into the products of many other software companies around the globe.
Q5. Is there any way for remote users or contractors to access AutoEDMS installed on our server?
A. There are multiple ways to accomplish remote access with AutoEDMS. If the remote users only require “Read Only” access to your AutoEDMS database, to view/print or even download files, they can use our “AeWeb” browser interface – click here to see some information and watch a demonstration. If the remote users need to do any editing, AutoEDMS can be run over a WAN or VPN or Terminal Services products such as Citrix Metaframe/Xenapp – we would need to know more about your company’s network infrastructure in order to make a recommendation.
Q6. Is AutoEDMS capable of auto-generation of file names or drawing numbers?
A. Yes, for a demonstration of this feature, click here and watch our demonstration video Part 5.
Q7. What is “ACL programming”?
A. AutoEDMS includes the “ACL” customization programming language, which is similar to a scripting language, and is used to create specialized & custom functions to meet unique business requirements. The ACL language does not require a specialized compiler, and is easy to learn for those who’ve never written a line of computer program code. At Logical Systems, we have pro-level skills in ACL programming and can help you get started with learning the language, or assist you with problems you might be having with your own custom ACL programs.
Q8. Can AutoEDMS be used to manage the documentation created by SolidWorks, Pro/Engineer, Inventor, or any other 3D solids-modeling or parametric design systems?
A. AutoEDMS can manage individual files created by those applications, but it’s important to note that AutoEDMS will not provide the same type of “parent/child relationship management” for these applications as their own EDM/PDM systems offer. Having said that, we have a few manufacturing customer sites who manage part or assembly drawings with AutoEDMS, making them easy to find and available for viewing and/or printing by non-users of the 3D systems within their company.
Q9. Why should we use AutoEDMS instead of a larger 'corporate-level' systems like Microsoft Sharepoint?
A. AutoEDMS is a true “Engineering document management and workflow system”, used to manage creation, editing, viewing, printing and revision control of actual AutoCAD & Microstation drawing files, as well as other file types like Microsoft Office documents and PDF files. AutoEDMS is most commonly used at the “workgroup level” in an organization’s Engineering or Document Control department, but it’s also used in other departments like Project Management, Quality Control, Customer Service, etc., which allows staff in those departments to have “read only” access to Engineering information. ‘Corporate-level’ systems like SharePoint are great products for disseminating documentation throughout an organization in the form of PDF files, but they don’t generally include features for “workgroup level management” of Engineering drawings. AutoEDMS will allow you "fingertip control" over drawing & document management, and it can also be configured to assist you with ‘publishing’ drawings & documents to systems like SharePoint in PDF format.
Using both AutoEDMS and corporate-level products like SharePoint in the same organization is a common practice, but one does not replace the other. Another point to mention in favor of AutoEDMS is that it contains many tools and features for customization of its functions, including a built-in customization programming language (similar to scripting), which makes it possible for us to create a ‘tailored’ solution to meet any organization’s unique needs. SharePoint can be customized to a certain degree, but it’s our understanding that it is more difficult than what you’ll find in AutoEDMS, and the end result will likely still not give you the features offered by AutoEDMS. So if you need to truly manage the native files like AutoCAD drawings or Office documents, you need AutoEDMS. And if you then need to publish PDF copies of your native files in a medium to large organization, to be viewed by users in a web browser interface, systems like SharePoint would be appropriate.
Q10. In the event of a server crash or database, how can we recover?
A. In the last 20 years of AutoEDMS customer usage, there have been no reported database corruptions on systems running the PSQL Client/Server as the underlying "database engine", which is what we highly recommend and sell to all customer sites. For more info about PSQL, please see Q4 above. So the chance of this happening with AutoEDMS/PSQL is almost non-existent.
It's always a good idea to regularly "backup" sensitive data, even in this age of high reliability servers with RAID drive systems. Only three (3) folders in the AutoEDMS system will contain database files belonging to a customer site, so it's quick & easy to restore from a backup, IF it should ever be necessary.
Q11. Does AutoEDMS include a "Full Text Search" capability for AutoCAD drawings or other document types?
A. The answer to this question is two-part... In "Service Release 3" (SR3) of AutoEDMS v7, we plan to offer Full Text Search as an optional extra-cost feature. There will be two different versions... a "Document" version to search MS Office documents and Adobe PDF files, and a "CAD" version that can search AutoCAD drawings (and possibly other CAD program drawing files).
If the most important files you need to manage are AutoCAD drawings, AutoEDMS includes technology (at no extra cost) to populate database records with information from drawing title blocks, which minimizes the need for a Full Text Search Feature. This is a great value because at nearly all of our customer sites, the drawing title block contains 95% or more of the information the user might need to search on. In AutoEDMS, we can also utilize bi-directional data exchange with DWG files, allowing the drawing title block to be populated or updated with information from the database record. For more information, click here to watch our Demonstration video, part 4, for an overview of "Attribute Data Read and Write" features.
Q12. What Training options are available when a new AutoEDMS system is purchased?
A. AutoEDMS includes “built-in” Help documentation for Users, including a “Quick Tour” of standard features and how to use them. But due to the fact that our product is usually “tailored” to meet a customer’s requirements, our Help documentation cannot cover everything.
During the “customization & configuration” period after the purchase, while working with the “primary contact” at the customer site, we spend some time familiarizing that person with special features of their AutoEDMS system. We also provide basic written documentation on the specialized features in the customer’s system, and this documentation can then be used by the customer to create their own “in-house” User training or instructions manual.
Also, based on demand, we offer a 3-day “ Administrator ” training class. This type of training is intended for those who want to know how to use the various administration and configuration utilities in AutoEDMS. For more information, please click here to visit the “Download” page of our website, and select the “Administrator Training” item.
Announcing...
AutoEDMS v7 Released
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AeWeb 2022 Interface
For those needing remote access to drawing and document data, a new web interface for AutoEDMS is now available...READ MORE
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ZEN v15 for AutoEDMS
The latest version of Actian database engine software, ZEN v15, is now available for your AutoEDMS system. ZEN v15 is compatible with Windows Server 2022 and...READ MORE
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Titleblock Attribute Extraction
For sites using AutoEDMS to extract attribute data from their drawing titleblocks, a brand new "titleblock configuration" Form is available for AutoEDMS which...READ MORE
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AutoImage Support for AutoCAD 2023
If your site has disabled the display of AutoImages because of problems with newer DWG files...READ MORE
If your site has disabled the display of AutoImages because of problems with newer DWG files...READ MORE