One of the biggest benefits for companies to use a central data management system is definitely the opportunity to automate routine processes like:

• Creating of neutral file formats (PDF, TIFF, etc.),
• Creating of specials viewing formats (DWF, eDrawing, JT, etc.)
• Updating document information from the data base,
• Stamp information or watermarks into documents,
• Exchange text to localize documents and drawings for other languages,
• Generating of CAD exchange formats (STEP, DXF, IGES, etc.),
• Mark documents with digital signatures depending on document status.

To ensure access of documents, drawings, 3-D-Views and CAD models with current status information for everyone throughout an organization, these have to be subjected to a conversion to neutral and exchange formats. The conversion to neutral or viewing file formats organized in conversion jobs is a routine process that can be done in the background. A conversion job can be initiated through a defined primary status change in SAP’s data management system or another optional commissioning procedure.

The CIDEON Conversion Engine takes care of these routine processes. The Conversion Control Center (CCC), a part of the CIDEON Conversion Engine and fully integrated in the SAP GUI organizes the download and upload of files and information from the appropriate SAP Content Server. It monitors the entire process and provides the functionality to manage all conversion jobs. The Conversion Clients control the various applications and CAD converters for producing neutral formats. They are communicating with the original application which makes it possible to recognize special functions of the different applications. That’s the reason why CIDEON Conversion Engine is able to:

• use customer AutoCAD LISP routines,
• create multiple sheet PDF’s out of multiple CAD layouts
• select a specific SolidWorks configuration,
• use integrated configuration systems,
• create all file formats which the original application can create with the “Save as ..” command, etc.