Cardiff University centre chooses software

A PTC - Parametric Technology (UK) product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Mar 15, 2007

Cardiff University's Manufacturing Centre of Excellence (MEC) has selected PTC Windchill, to become the project collaboration backbone for the Virtual Enterprise Network for Wales.

Through PTC VAR Optima Solutions, Cardiff University's Manufacturing Centre of Excellence (MEC) has selected PTC Windchill, the PTC content and process management solution, to become the project collaboration backbone for the Virtual Enterprise Network for Wales.

The Virtural Enterprise Network for Wales aims to bring together Welsh SME's to win larger contracts that would be normally only accessible by a larger company.

With the challenge of connecting disparate organisations, PTC Windchill offers a secure virtual workspace solution for project management, communication and collaboration, all essential for the project to be a success.

The Virtual Enterprise Network for Wales is run by the Manufacturing Engineering Centre (MEC), the first autonomous research centre within Cardiff University.

Founded in 1996, MEC has won both awards and international recognition such as The Queen's Anniversary Prise and the DTI Innovation award for its activities in support of industry.

PTC's Windchill ProjectLink provides a web-based platform through which network members collaborate, pool knowledge and production facilities.

By working together, members can provide a more comprehensive service to their customers.

Windchill is used as the project management hub through which projects, data and communications are managed securely to ensure that the partnered organisations work as effectively as a single virtual entity.

According to Alex Noyvirt, Project Leader, Virtual Enterprise Network for Wales, the benefit of deploying PTC Windchill enabled the Network to generate much interest among the SME community.

He commented that "We have been successful so far - we have 13 companies using the software today and we are growing and expanding quickly".

In addition to Windchill, Optima also provides Pro/Engineer, PTC's 3D CAD software and associated training to companies who do not have in-house CAD capabilities or want to move from another system.

Easy access to Pro/Engineer means that each member can use a common system to create their 3D CAD models and documentation, allowing them to fully participate throughout the collaborative process.

PTC was already a preferred solution partner to Cardiff University, but the Optima team had to go through a formal quotation process.

Virtual Enterprise Network for Wales Project Leader, Alex Noyvirt, stated that "Optima offering the PTC Product Development System was successful because Windchill provided the control and collaboration capabilities needed by the network".

"PTC's strength in managing complex data in a distributed environment is key for this network to be successful", said Richard Allan, UK Regional Channel Director, PTC.

"Windchill provides an integral and flexible architecture that makes it easy for customers to adopt new functionality such as project collaboration".