Instead of operating time-consuming and costly workstations for computer-aided design, companies with high graphics requirements can transfer CAD tools to the cloud. CAD from the cloud enables greater scalability, flexibility and cost efficiency.
Computer-aided design (CAD) has become indispensable in numerous sectors such as engineering, architecture, electrical engineering and game development. CAD is used in almost every design or simulation project. Graphic-intensive tasks usually require enormous computing power. In the past, companies with high graphics requirements often set up their own workstations. It is time and cost-intensive to maintain these. Cloud computing opens up new possibilities for outsourcing CAD tools to the cloud. One of the biggest advantages of CAD from the cloud is scalability,
When drawing in the cloud, the IT infrastructure can be adapted or expanded depending on the order situation. The cloud is also accessible around the clock, which enables flexible working hours and minimises downtime. Access to CAD tools in the cloud infrastructure is possible from anywhere in the world, the only requirement is an internet connection. Therefore, users can work regardless of location. This can be a great advantage when recruiting new employees. Many digital natives stated in surveys years before the outbreak of the pandemic that flexible working hours and the possibility of remote working played a non-negligible role when choosing an employer.
In addition to scalability and flexibility, cost savings are often the main reason why smaller and growing businesses choose cloud migration. An external partner takes responsibility for software and hardware and patches the systems regularly to minimize security risks and ensure the best possible functioning of the systems. This eliminates the recruitment of IT talent, which often involves a great deal of effort. User-friendly billing models guarantee that only the resources actually used are paid for.
An external IT infrastructure partner takes care of the installation and reconfiguration of CAD tools in the cloud, the corresponding licenses and sizing. This prevents companies from overpaying for resources that they ultimately don't need - or from underperforming at critical moments. An IT partner with the appropriate know-how can help to develop a tailor-made cloud migration concept for CAD tools by taking into account individual performance sizing requirements. There are currently only a few IT infrastructure providers who are familiar with CAD from the cloud.
When choosing an IT infrastructure provider, in addition to expertise and know-how, the location of the data centres also plays an important role: access to data, as practised for example by US companies without judicial control by means of the American Patriot Act, is not permitted in Switzerland. Local providers comply with Swiss data protection laws and can thus guarantee the highest data security standards.
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