March 24, 2023 · Electrical CAD

The Advantages of Cloud-native Electrical CAD

We are now part of Siemens’ family. Electra Cloud is now Capital Electra X and Electra E9 is now Capital Electra 2210.

In today's fast-paced world, engineering and design professionals require tools that can keep up with their demanding workflows. One such tool that has become increasingly popular in recent years is cloud-native electrical CAD (Computer-Aided Design). Cloud-native electrical CAD tools have numerous advantages over traditional, on-premises CAD tools that make them an ideal choice for modern design teams. In this article, we will explore these advantages and explain why more and more engineering and design professionals are turning to cloud-native electrical CAD.

Scalability

One of the primary advantages of cloud-native electrical CAD is scalability. With traditional, on-premises CAD tools, users are limited by the hardware and software installed on their local machines. This means that as design projects grow in size and complexity, designers may need to invest in new hardware or software licenses to keep up. This can be both expensive and time-consuming.

Cloud-native electrical CAD, on the other hand, allows users to scale their design projects up or down as needed without worrying about hardware or software limitations. This is because cloud-native CAD tools are hosted on remote servers in the cloud, which can be scaled up or down as needed to meet demand. This means that designers can take on larger, more complex projects without needing to invest in expensive hardware or software licenses.

Collaboration

Another major advantage of cloud-native electrical CAD is collaboration. With traditional, on-premises CAD tools, collaborating on a design project can be challenging. Multiple designers may need to work on the same project simultaneously, but they may be located in different parts of the world. This can lead to delays, miscommunications, and errors.

Cloud-native electrical CAD tools, however, allow multiple users to work on the same project simultaneously, regardless of where they are located. This means that designers can collaborate on projects with colleagues, partners, or clients in real-time, which can help speed up the design process and reduce errors. With cloud-native electrical CAD, designers can work together on a project from anywhere in the world, as long as they have an internet connection.

Collaborating in Capital Electra X editor
Collaborating in Capital Electra X editor

Accessibility

Accessibility is another major advantage of cloud-native electrical CAD. With traditional, on-premises CAD tools, designers are limited by the hardware and software installed on their local machines. This means that they may not be able to work on a project unless they are at their desk, with their computer.

Cloud-native electrical CAD tools, however, can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. This means that designers can work from home, on the go, or at a client's site without needing to install software on a local machine. This can be a major advantage for design teams that need to be flexible and responsive to changing work environments.

Access CAD resources through multiple devices
Access CAD resources through multiple devices

Cost-Effectiveness

Cost-effectiveness is another major advantage of cloud-native electrical CAD. Traditional, on-premises CAD tools can be expensive to purchase and maintain. Users may need to invest in expensive hardware, software licenses, and maintenance costs to keep their tools up to date and functioning properly.

Cloud-native electrical CAD, on the other hand, can be more cost-effective than traditional CAD tools. This is because users only pay for what they need, when they need it. This means that designers can save money on hardware, software licenses, and maintenance costs, as they only pay for the services they use. Additionally, cloud-native electrical CAD tools are often offered on a subscription basis, which means that users can easily scale their usage up or down as needed.

Security

Finally, security is a major advantage of cloud-native electrical CAD. With traditional, on-premises CAD tools, data is stored on local machines, which can be vulnerable to hardware failure, theft, or other disasters. This can be a major concern for design teams that rely on their data to complete projects.

Cloud-native electrical CAD, however, can be more secure than traditional CAD tools. This is because data is stored in the cloud and can be backed up automatically. This means that designers can avoid the risk of losing their work due to hardware failure, theft, or other disasters.

In addition to backup and disaster recovery capabilities, cloud-native electrical CAD tools often include advanced security features such as multi-factor authentication, encryption, and access controls. These features can help prevent unauthorized access to design data, ensuring that sensitive information remains secure.

Cloud-native electrical CAD vs Traditional CAD: Which is Right for You?

While cloud-native electrical CAD offers numerous advantages over traditional CAD tools, it may not be the best choice for every design team. To determine which option is right for your organization, it's important to consider your specific needs, workflow, and budget.

If your team requires the ability to work on large, complex projects, collaborate with colleagues or clients in real-time, or work from remote locations, then cloud-native electrical CAD may be the best choice. However, if your team has already invested in expensive hardware and software licenses, or if you have specific security or compliance requirements that are best met by on-premises tools, then traditional CAD may be the better option.

Ultimately, the decision between cloud-native electrical CAD and traditional CAD comes down to a variety of factors, including scalability, collaboration, accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and security. By carefully weighing the pros and cons of each option, design teams can make an informed decision that best meets their needs.

Conclusion

In today's fast-paced world, design teams require tools that are flexible, collaborative, and secure. Cloud-native electrical CAD offers numerous advantages over traditional CAD tools, including scalability, collaboration, accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and security. By harnessing the power of the cloud, design teams can work together on complex projects from anywhere in the world, while also saving money and reducing the risk of data loss. While cloud-native electrical CAD may not be the right choice for every organization, it's clear that this technology is rapidly transforming the way that design professionals work and collaborate, making it an exciting and innovative option for modern design teams.

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AUTHOR

Thomas Yip
Software Development Director

As the creator and founder of Electra Cloud, which is now known as Capital Electra X, he introduced the market to an innovative, disruptive, and fully cloud-native electrical CAD solution. The driving force behind Capital Electra X, he is committed to shaping the future of easy-to-use Electrical CAD software development. Find him on Linkedin.

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