Software Vendor Audits are Increasing

Gartner has recently published the study “The Software Vendors That Are Auditing Now and What to Do About It”.

At Gartner's IT Financial, Procurement and Asset Management Summits in September 2011, they asked 228 attendees about software vendor audits. That survey revealed that 65% of respondents reported at least one software vendor audit in the previous 12 months, up from 61% the year before. Back in 2007 only 35% of respondents had been audited.

The vendors doing most audits were IBM, Adobe, Microsoft, Oracle and SAP and during recent years the audits has increased. Other vendors mentioned were McAfee, Attachmate, HP, Autodesk and VMware. Even WinZip Computing was included (if you can’t afford or want to pay for WinZip there is the 7-Zip open source).

Gartner recommends that CIOs and IT managers should proactively look at SAM and license compliance as ongoing disciplines, to manage audits and improve financial responsibility and accountability, rather than leaving them as audit-driven projects when it may be a case of too little, too late. There is also the recommendation to identify the significant financial risks facing from software license compliance issues to help justify investment in the software asset management (SAM) discipline.

One solution that can help with companies SAM is JTB World’s JTB FlexReport.

JTB FlexReport is a report tool for applications using the FlexNet / FLEXlm (flexlm license manager), IBM LUM (IBM License Use Management), SPLM (Intergraph SmartPlant License Manager), SLM/Sentinel LM/Sentinel RMS, LM-X, Solidworks SNL License Manager, T-Systems license manager product LICMAN, Primavera from Oracle or 12D software licensing.

See also our free JTB FlexReport LT that can easily be distributed within your company to anyone that needs to see current usage of FlexNet/FLEXlm based products.

How to Use an AutoLisp Routine in AutoCAD

Here’s a video showing both of to load and use an AutoLISP program in AutoCAD as well as how to modify it.

Thanks Bill for featuring my AreaText.lsp code in this video. Check also out Bill’s other AutoCAD videos.

How to Customize AreaText.LSP for AutoCAD to use other formats.

How to Customize AreaText.LSP to change the text justification.

Volvo Concept You

Autodesk Alias and Autodesk Showcase was used for the design of Volvo Concept You from the Swedish Volvo Car Corporation.

Autodesk Alias Software Helps Volvo Car Corporation’s Vision of Luxury and Good Design

Software played a key part in creation of much acclaimed Concept You

FARNBOROUGH, England--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Volvo Car Corporation (Volvo) one of the global car industry’s strongest brands, has revealed that Autodesk design and visualisation software was key to the successful design of its Concept You car. The fully-functional concept model was unveiled to great critical acclaim at the Frankfurt Motor Show last autumn.

Following the earlier success of Volvo’s Concept Universe at the Shanghai Motor Show in April 2011, the Volvo design team was under extreme pressure to further refine its ideas and produce a working model with full interior in a matter of months, in time for Frankfurt. Both concepts were created to demonstrate Volvo’s vision for the future of luxury cars under its new ownership.

Using Autodesk Alias software, the concept modelling team was able to quickly create digital prototypes from the designer’s initial sketches. This enabled the team to quickly hone and test the design on screen, helping to save time and maintain the original design integrity behind the concept. As a result, designers were able to get to the best option with the technical surfacing and visualisation of the car as quickly as possible without having to start from scratch with every iteration.

Although the Volvo team was working under a particularly tight deadline, timescales such as this are becoming typical in such a competitive industry. Cars are becoming increasingly complex and sophisticated with a high technical content, yet manufacturers are under pressure to design them faster, while incurring lower costs. Like Volvo, a growing number of manufacturers are using Autodesk Alias to accelerate the entire design process from concept to class A modelling.

As part of the design workflow, Volvo also used Autodesk Showcase software for advanced visualisation of its ideas. This enabled the concept to be quickly communicated to the design management team and board so that they could easily understand what was being created. Despite the punishing time-frame, Volvo’s new concept was ready in time to create a real talking point at the show. The automotive press was full of accolades, describing the car as, “beautifully done”, “a much-needed tonic” and simply “stunning”.

A long-term user of Autodesk software, Volvo has recently become a Platinum Support customer which gives it direct access to Autodesk experts, promoting a two-way dialogue to help influence future development of Alias and other products.

Via press release

SSMPropEditor 4.4.2 released

SSMPropEditor is a Sheet Set Manager (SSM) Properties Editor. With SSMPropEditor you can edit  Sheet Properties and Sheet Custom Properties on multiple sheets belonging to AutoCAD's Sheet Set Manager (SSM) or AutoCAD Architecture's Project Navigator (PN) Sheet Set View. AutoCAD is not even needed needed to use SSMPropEditor.

Tip: Do you have a sheet set with a bunch of custom properties and another sheet set that you want them in too? SSMPropEditor will create the needed properties when using the Paste Properties button. No need to manually recreate all properties within SSM.

The upgrade is free for customers that purchased any earlier version.

Contact us to get a time limited license file for free.

Autodesk to cease support of Windows Vista

Still using Windows Vista? If you plan on using Autodesk 2013 products on Vista read this:

Microsoft Windows Vista Support FAQ by Autodesk

Beginning January 1, 2012, Autodesk will have formally ceased support of the Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System for all new (and upgraded versions) of its products and services released in 2012.

Currently shipping versions and previous versions of our software (delivered prior to January 1, 2012) will continue to be supported on this operating system.

Why is Autodesk ending support for Windows Vista in 2012?

Microsoft ended sales support for Vista in 2011, and will end mainstream support in 2012. Our research and customer engagement on this topic has shown that an overwhelming majority of our installed base has already moved off of this operating system. Customers looking to upgrade their hardware and operating system have indicated Microsoft Vista is not a viable option given the availability of Windows 7.

Where can I find information on Microsoft’s planned support for its Operating Systems?

You can find information on Microsoft’s Windows lifecycle (both sales and support) here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/products/lifecycle

Why are you ending support for Windows Vista when XP, an older operating system, is still supported?

Through Autodesk’s research and customer engagement, there is still a large population of customers utilizing this Operating System in their work environments. We will work with our customers in the coming 12-24 months to understand their transition plans and make a support decision about Windows XP when it is appropriate to do so.

If I upgrade my Windows Vista computer to Windows 7, will my existing 2012 licensed products still work?

If you are intending to upgrade your Operating System, it is recommended that you reinstall your Autodesk products once that upgrade is complete. Your existing product license is still a valid, but the product will need a new authorization code to work with the new operating system once installed.

If I choose to buy a new computer with Windows 7, can I reinstall my 2012 products on the new computer or will I have to buy new licenses?

Yes, you can continue to use your current Autodesk products with this new operating system. Once installed, you will have to obtain a new authorization code.

How do I migrate my older licensed Autodesk products to a Windows 7 computer? I lost the install discs and serial numbers a while ago.

Please contact the reseller or company where you originally purchased the Autodesk software for a copy of the product and your original serial number. If you are on Autodesk Subscription you can just go to the Subscription website and access the previous three versions of the product.

When will Autodesk support Windows 8?

Depending on Microsoft’s own release schedule for this new operating system, Autodesk will test its product line with Windows 8 and release a support statement when it is appropriate to do so.

Will the Autodesk software/application I recently purchased (i.e. 2012 version) work on Windows Vista even though Autodesk is ceasing support for this Operating System?

Yes, the current Autodesk product line (version 2012) will continue to be supported on Microsoft Vista. Support will cease for new versions of Autodesk products released beginning January 1, 2012.

How does this ‘ending support’ affect me and the products that I currently own (version 2012 and earlier)? I am still on Windows Vista and do not have the ability to migrate to other Windows OS.

Autodesk will continue to support you and your existing, purchased products on Windows Vista in alignment with our current product support policies.

What do I do if I run into issues with Autodesk products on Windows Vista? Who do I contact for support?

You can continue to utilize your existing Autodesk support channels for Windows Vista issues for Autodesk products/versions which have shipped prior to January 1, 2012. For new versions of Autodesk software shipping after this date, please refer to the Autodesk Discussion Forums for peer-to-peer support if you decide to install these Autodesk products on the Windows Vista operating system.

I’m running Microsoft Vista with my Autodesk Products – can I still purchase apps and plug-in’s from Autodesk Exchange beyond January 1, 2012?

If you are installing apps from Autodesk Exchange, please check with the supplier/developer of the app for system and product requirements pertaining to Microsoft Vista support for your particular Autodesk product(s).

Via Microsoft Windows 7 and Windows Vista Compatibility

Virtualizing applications myths and realities

I’ve used and managed virtualized applications several years ago and at that point it worked fine with office applications and the like but not so good with CAD applications. Today I know that it works much better with CAD applications even though I don’t have any experience of it myself. I think the below is not taking GPU and CPU intensive applications into account that much but could be worth considering if your company have virtualizing in mind.

Virtualizing applications myths and realities according to two IDG Research Services studies on behalf of EMC Corporation and VMware Inc.

To learn more, visit http://emc.im/mc-apps

How to select all entities passing through a point in AutoLISP

In AutoCAD if you want to use AutoLISP to select all entities/objects that crosses a point the ssget function can be used by passing the same point twice like this:
(ssget "c" pt1 pt1)

AutoCAD 2011 Hotfix for Complex PLine Measurements

This hotfix repairs the area calculation problem of polylines positioned at a great distance from the origin and is for AutoCAD 2011 with Update 2. When a complex polyline with excessively large curves is positioned far from the origin, its area calculation is incorrect. This hotfix does not fix issues when calculating areas of the polylines including curves that are self-intersecting or contain interior loops.

Download it here: DL18225251

Project Inspire for AutoCAD Map 3D

If you’re in Europe and use AutoCAD Map 3D you may find this Technology Preview from Autodesk interesting. Project Inspire for AutoCAD Map 3D. Description about it:

Today, Government organizations and an increasing number of private sector companies are adopting Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) specifications when implementing new geospatial solutions, helping drive interoperability and easier data exchange across borders and between communities. In Europe, this is primarily driven by the Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Community (INSPIRE) directive. // more

Developed in support of the INSPIRE directive, the free* Project Inspire Technology Preview for AutoCAD^® Map 3D^® 2012 software, helps AutoCAD Map 3D users to find, bind, and publish INSPIRE compliant metadata using an open standard CSW (catalog service for the web) interface. With Project Inspire, Map 3D users can more easily share environmental spatial information locally and over the web.

You find Project Inspire for AutoCAD Map 3D at Autodesk Labs.

Kenesto beta opportunity

Here is some of what Alex Neihaus (that moved from Vuuch to Kenesto) emailed me: “Kenesto is developing a new kind of process automation system – one that is elegant in its simplicity, native to the cloud and which can become as universal as email and spreadsheets. Kenesto’s objective is to make it easy for everyone in the company to participate in product-based processes.”

Raykurland’s Blog post mentions that Mike Payne is CEO and explains: “Aimed at the category called business process automation, this cloud-based application allows asynchronous spawning of processes. Different from similar systems that try to model processes, Kenesto builds processes on the fly. Users wanting to track a process they are initiating, for instance an ECO, initiate a process, attach documents to it, and add users to the next process by adding their email addresses. Different types of “next processes” can be defined, such as “review and approve.” At each step in the process the recipient can add additional processes that add steps to the overall process. Kenesto builds the process diagram as steps are added. Note that this differs significantly from the BPM (Business Process Modeling) approach that models processes using a cumbersome programmatic approach. Kenesto calls it Business Process Automation (BPA).”

Press release:

Kenesto Announces Beta Program
New System Attacks the Complexity, Costs of Legacy PLM

Waltham, MA, January 4, 2012 – Kenesto, developer of a process automation system designed to deliver unprecedented ease of use and immediate productivity, announced today the opening of its beta program for customers and value-added resellers (VARs) in the manufacturing industry.
Kenesto is a completely new, 100% cloud-based system that allows users in all departments of the manufacturing enterprise to create processes and manage work easily. With Kenesto, users create processes graphically by simply naming participants and attaching documents, drawings, bills-of-materials (BOMs) and any other required information. Kenesto then manages the flow of that process through the enterprise, keeping information secure and delivering enhanced visibility across the business.
Kenesto automates common manufacturing processes including engineering change proposals, requests for quotation and new product introductions. Processes like these share attributes with many common tasks in an enterprise, including the need to securely share intellectual property, the requirement to involve people outside the R&D group and the desire to include vendors and suppliers in the process. These processes also involve a company’s product and/or service, making them vital to the success of the business. Through its intuitive understanding of what users want to do, Kenesto brings new productivity to a company’s crucial work processes.
“Until Kenesto, users wishing to automate their work were caught in a bind between simple but inadequate tools or very complicated, inflexible and pre-programmed PLM processes,” said Michael Payne, CEO, Kenesto. “Our ‘big idea’ in Kenesto is to use cloud technologies to deliver a system that is as universal as email or spreadsheets without the difficulty, delays and costs of using legacy PLM systems. The customers and VARs who have seen Kenesto during our pre-beta demonstrations have all been excited by Kenesto’s potential. Now, we are ready to bring this new way of working to more customers by means of our beta program.”

How to participate in the Kenesto beta program
Manufacturing companies and industry VARs are invited to participate in the Kenesto beta program. Send a request to beta@kenesto.com with your contact information, type of business and, if possible, an idea of a process you might wish to try in Kenesto. The company will contact you to discuss your participation in the beta program.
Kenesto is seeking companies whose work processes can be completed successfully in the beta version of Kenesto. In this way, beta program participants will be able to measure the real productivity of using Kenesto. Resellers who have clients with processes that have been attempted in legacy PLM systems but which have not delivered the desired level of results or user participation are encouraged to apply for the beta program.
To learn more about Kenesto, download An Introduction to Kenesto at http://www.kenesto.com/intro.

About Kenesto
Kenesto (www.kenesto.com) is a new kind of process automation system. In contrast to legacy PLM systems, Kenesto is people-centric, product-based and enterprise scalable. Kenesto combines these three attributes into the first system that can be widely deployed across an enterprise to improve a company’s teamwork and efficiency. Kenesto revolutionizes process automation by making process automation more widely applicable, more affordable and easier to use than ever before. Kenesto is privately-held and based in Waltham, MA.

Let’s see how this will compete with Autodesk 360 for PLM.

AutoCAD 2012 for Mac Service Pack 1

This update resolves compatibility issues that have been reported while using the software on the latest versions of Mac OS X Snow Leopard (10.6.8) and Mac OS X Lion. It also resolves problems reported by the Customer Error Reporting (CER) utility and other general problems identified after AutoCAD 2012 for Mac was made available. Please refer to the associated readme for more details and installation instructions.

Get SP1 here: DL18344661.

UPDATE: AutoCAD LT for Mac version 2012.1 is also available. Open Mac App Store and check the Updates.

Sheet Set Manager for AutoCAD LT videos

Kate Morrical, LT Unlimited has put together some videos showing usage of Sheet Set Manager usage in AutoCAD LT.

1. Introduction to the Sheet Set Manager
2. Creating Sheet Sets from Existing Drawings
3. Organize and Display Sheet Lists
4. Use a Sheet Set to Plot Drawings
5. Create Transmittal & Archive Sets
6. Add Layouts to an Existing Sheet Set
7. Use a Sheet Set to Create New Drawings
8. Add Content to Sheets
9. Place View Labels
10. Automate View Label Data
11. Automate Callout Label Data
12. Create Custom Properties
13. Automate Title Block Data

But if you would like to edit properties on multiple sheets SSMPropEditor can save a lot of manual work. Change properties like a revision, date or name on two or more sheets at the same time something that cannot be done using only Sheet Set Manager.

Computer Performance and Flash Player problem and solution

Having problems with the computer being slower that expected?

Is the Flash Player causing the CPU fan to sound too much? The Flash Player is known for using a lot of CPU and is often a first indicator that it’s time to clean the computer. Check the CPU temperature using for example Real Temp.

Vacuum cleaner and Gas duster (canned air/compressed air) can do magic with the computer performance and eliminate noise. Note! Shut down the operating system and remove the power cord.

You don’t want it to look like this.

All the dust will lead to overheating because it acts like an insulation blanket on heatsink cooling surfaces and clogging fan filters. Optical disk drives like CDROM and DVD are very vulnerable as they contain motors and servos as well as rely on a dust-free light path for the laser-light and optical lenses to function properly.  The keyboard and mouse are also affected by dust and might lead to stuck keys or sticky mouse movements.

When did you clean yours last time? When did your IT department perform cleaning of the office computers?

Autodesk acquires T-Splines technology

Autodesk has acquired certain technology-related assets from T-Splines Inc., a privately-held surface modeling software company, based in Utah according to this short press release.

“The technology acquisition will strengthen our Digital Prototyping portfolio with more flexible free-form modeling and will help achieve even closer integration between industrial design and engineering workflows,” said Buzz Kross, senior vice president, Manufacturing Industry at Autodesk. “T-Splines technology will benefit designers and engineers that require watertight surfaces for downstream analysis and manufacturing.”

The image below is from the T-Splines technology page for T-Splines showing a duck toy model converted from polygons to T-Splines to NURBS. The duck in the middle is done with T-Splines. “All T-Splines surfaces are 100% compatible with NURBS and create gap-free, smooth and manufacturable surfaces.”

It will be no surprise if we can see this added across products like AutoCAD, Revit, Maya, Alias and Inventor in the future. But from what I understand there is a lot of work to make a easy to use UI as it has been missing so far.