Short and simple.
Updated November 19, 2019
Short and simple.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with Arena
Across the whole organization. Engineering uses it for doc control purposes. The official release drawings go to production for fabrication. Official release BOMs authorize the purchase of components.
We also use it extensively as part of our ISO certification, as it allows us to track out entire device history record. This includes customer communications, meeting notes, project schedule, and everything possibly relevant to the project. Having all of that on an online server is invaluable when working remotely.
We also use it extensively as part of our ISO certification, as it allows us to track out entire device history record. This includes customer communications, meeting notes, project schedule, and everything possibly relevant to the project. Having all of that on an online server is invaluable when working remotely.
Pros
- Controls documents in a revision-based system.
- Easy to ECO.
- Approvals are documented and dated.
Cons
- Better search functionality. Searching partials sometimes doesn't work too well.
- Ability to set all revisions to "unchanged" when doing an ECO, instead of having to manually set each one
- Quality has definitely increased, since process controls are more closely followed. There is no way for production / vendors to access incorrect test forms or drawings.
- Price
- Product Features
- Product Usability
- Product Reputation
Ease of use and customization for our organization's needs.
Arena had modules that made more sense with our objectives with a PLM. The cost structure was much better than Agile.
Using Arena
30 - Our engineers use Arena for overall document control. It is the base for drawing, CAD, specification, and revision control. It also houses all designed control documentation in the Projects module.
Our purchasing department use Arena to reference datasheets, quotes, and costing information.
Our production and vendors use Arena to find the latest revisions of drawings, models, and test sheets.
Our purchasing department use Arena to reference datasheets, quotes, and costing information.
Our production and vendors use Arena to find the latest revisions of drawings, models, and test sheets.
1 - Arena support needs to have a comprehensive knowledge of all modules and how they work. Even the less used features such as BOM upload may eventually be required, and the support staff either needs working knowledge, or enough accumen to get answers quickly.
- Revision control. It's invaluable for tracking revision changes, as well as approval dates.
- Drawing and CAD access. Allows production to only access the most recent revisions of an item, thus eliminating possibility of manufacturing incorrect versions.
- Comprehensive storage of device history records in the Projects module.
- We did not expect to make such extensive use of the Scribe function. It's a streamlined way to communicate any issues during the ECO approval process.
- When future budget permits, we'd love to use Solidworks integration for more comprehensive control of models.
Lessons for Success
Evaluating Arena and Competitors
We underestimated how useful the Projects module would be. If we had to evaluate again, we'd likely prioritize device history systems like Projects.
Arena Support
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Quick Resolution Good followup Knowledgeable team Problems get solved Kept well informed No escalation required Immediate help available | None |
Using Arena
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using | Lots to learn |
- ECO approvals
- Revision history control
- Costing
- When generating an ECO, all revisions are automatically set to the next revision. If an ECO is merely a correction without revision roll, there's no way to set all of them to "unchanged". You can only set as a specific number/letter. This is cumbersome when an ECO involves 200+ parts at different revisions.
Comments
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