Clearly, these concerns have led to much slower adoption (and, frankly, far fewer available mobile design tool apps) within the engineering space compared to the consumer and general business segment. According to some reports, apps are fast becoming consumers' preferred mode of interaction, even surpassing time spent browsing the Web. A recent report by the mobile analytics provider Flurry revealed that the average consumer spends 9 percent more time using mobile apps than on the Internet, mostly partaking in games, social networking, news, and entertainment.
At the same time, other studies have found there is a relatively short shelf life for the average mobile app -- users typically engage in around 20 sessions with an app before abandoning it and moving on to something new. That statistic, experts say, points out the relatively short attention span for these tools and the perception -- whether warranted or not -- that most available apps are more of a novelty, as opposed to a substantive, business-related productivity enhancer.
Siemens PLM Software is positioning its Teamcenter Mobility app as a solution for securely delivering Teamcenter-managed product data to users, oftentimes in unconventional locations.
Taking their lead from these early indications, design tool vendors have been cautiously approaching the mobile app market, heartened by what they say is steady interest among engineers, if not yet widespread adoption. "Demand is absolutely growing across all industries," says Shanna Tellerman, product line manager for cloud products at Autodesk, one of the design tool vendors out in front with a mobile strategy. "Whether you're looking at the architecture, engineering, or manufacturing industry, there are people working with people who are on site in various locations, and everyone needs access to shared data."
With that picture in mind, Autodesk is steadily putting together a pretty robust cloud and mobile tool strategy. Autodesk Cloud, unveiled in October, is a collection of up to a dozen Web services that allow users to collaborate on models via Web browsers or mobile devices, in addition to offloading processor-intensive tasks like rendering and simulation to the cloud to take advantage of its scalability and high-performance benefits.
Scotcan: Thanks for the very rich description of a real-world engineering scenario, which points up both the limitations and potential for tablets, including the iPad. I agree that the current technology might have limitations in the scenario you describe, particularly for the large design review applications where there are multiple people present. I do think, however, that the iPad could be connected via HDMI to a large-screen monitor for presentations--if it can't today, it will tomorrow.
Again, not sure the tablet will ever be a direct replacement for modifying geometries in CAD, but my guess is these auxilliary CAD apps and new mobile design tools will zero in on particular stages of that very same design review task and find ways in which they can add value. I'm curious to see what others think.
In Aerospace Liaison Engineering there is a need to visit the shopfloor on a regular basis to resolve problems. Most times there is a requirement to look at both the next higher assembly or the previous lower assembly. All over the shopfloor are (usually) a number of computer terminals in which Liaison has access to the whole aircraft if needs be and by accessing that data a speedy resolution of problems is possible. Authorizing a fix on the spot is possible by accessing the information, copying it into the Liaison personal account for formalizing later on AND at the same time running hard copy to sketch up the preferred fix in conjunction with the shop limitations (access and blind spots for example) which provides a comprehensive record of correcting nonconformance. It is oftimes necessary to work with several drawing sheets spread out on the shopfloor tables in order to figure out anything, so, the I-pad in these circumstances would be regarded as a toy. It depends on the job and the scale of whatever you are working with whether an I-Pad would be adequate...it is nothing to do with young engineers versus old engineers. The 64 bit laptop I use for concept work is taken to the clients place where I can plug in to a big screen via HDMI or to a monitor make the presentation and where change is necessary make notations in the CAD which is resident in the laptop. It would be interesting to see a counter point-of-view which shows that the I-pad can adequately do the same thing particularly when dealing with more than one person.
Darel and Dave both raise good issues. I think the idea of an engineer trying to do full blown CAD modeling on one of these devices is crazy given the size and performance characteristics you both note. On the other hand, there are definite uses cases where the right app could really improve an engineer's workflow. It's zeroing in on what exactly those use cases are that is the real challenge for developers building these apps. Once they do, the younger generation, even the gentleman I interviewed, and the more seasoned engineers will no doubtedly take note.
Oh, we'd embrace the mobile apps but seriously the iPADs fall well short of the requirements to run true engineering software. Turboviewer is just a viewer, right? CAD software on 512MB RAM to do hard core design or analysis when we are used to 4GB of RAM or higher with 64bit architectures? Also, it has to be capable of multi-tasking and running more than one app at a time in this way. Until it can do that, my/our mobile hardware will remain a laptop.....engineering grade laptop. As for the screen size, yes, size matters but that could be addressed through technology.
Perhaps it is a matter of focus, engineering tools still require workstation horsepower for productive work. Apps need to be geared more to post-build design review and troubleshooting aids to break into the market.
The devices still are new enough that the market hasn't shaken out yet and the concern of how the devices will survive on the floor is still an issue.
Super story. You re so correct. I love my station and the size does matter. HOWEVER sometimes it is very convenient while talking to some collegues in airports or shows to grab your android is show some small photos or drawings just to keep the conversation going. With the zoom options you can really show nice drawings. I never did any changes on the phone size screen , just review.
I found this story both interesting and, quite frankly, jarring, because it doesn't comport with what we think we know about uptake of mobile apps in CAD. For example, our recent Slideshow: 11 Top iPad Engineering Apps included a number of CAD apps, and I guess many folks -- myself included -- just assume usage, or more correctly the desire by engineers to use these apps, is rampant. This article gives one pause and cause to reassess this. Moreover, it's not simply a traditional early adopter/late adopter dynamic, cause you give the example of a younger person who's not too keen on the mobile apps.
Great story. I agree, Rob, that there's a generational issue here. And while I applaud vendors for trying to capture this space, I suspect it will be uphill battle for quite a few years. As Beth points out, many engineers (even younger ones) are tied to the screen size and graphics-rendering capabilities of bigger systems.
Nice story, Beth. It answers a number of questions I've had about why all these mobile apps. Are people really using them?
I believe there is a generational aspect to this. Young engineers will be much more comfy with mobile apps than their older counterparts. We saw this in automation, where a lot of the boomers were resistant to software developments, while the kids coming out of engineering school couldn't believe the plants were not more automated.
It is curious that tech-literate engineers would be slower to adopt mobile apps than general consumers, but I think it's likely because they don't necessarily see the real business value in apps yet. Engineers, by natural, are a skeptical lot and don't necessarily want to play around with "toy" apps that don't really do anything substantial. I think once the apps choice evolve to the point where they are delivering real business value and solving real problems, engineers will be first on the bandwagon. It just takes time.
Laura Sapiens' Ego! Smartmouse offers users a unique interactive experience by providing 2D and 3D connectivity, hardware identity authentication, data storage, and more.
From Dell / Intel® New Paradigms in Design Work Scott Hamilton, vertical market strategist for Dell Precision workstations, 5/2/2013 3
Early in my career, I worked as a draftsman and remember the days of drawing on vellum with numbered pencils and Mylar with plastic lead. This was a fun experience in the sense that I ...
I've been using workstations for more than 10 years and love finding ways to get more performance from my system. With demanding professional applications that require more power each ...
A lasting memory from my first job as an engineer in an auto assembly plant is standing on hard concrete at six in the morning, vending-machine coffee clutched in hand, listening to ...
A quick look into the merger of two powerhouse 3D printing OEMs and the new leader in rapid prototyping solutions, Stratasys. The industrial revolution is now led by 3D printing and engineers are given the opportunity to fully maximize their design capabilities, reduce their time-to-market and functionally test prototypes cheaper, faster and easier. Bruce Bradshaw, Director of Marketing in North America, will explore the large product offering and variety of materials that will help CAD designers articulate their product design with actual, physical prototypes. This broadcast will dive deep into technical information including application specific stories from real world customers and their experiences with 3D printing. 3D Printing is
To save this item to your list of favorite Design News content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
If you found this interesting or useful, please use the links to the services below to share it with other readers. You will need a free account with each service to share an item via that service.
Tweet This
3 
