You’re in a small shop of 10 people, or you’re working in a company with hundreds of users who break into teams to deliver a project. What you share in common is the need to effectively collaborate and manage the data. You’ve had a look at Data Management and it looks like it will solve some significant business needs, but you don’t know how to present it to your manager, or who to ask for more information. Join us in this class where we’ll talk about use cases for Data Management, from small customer needs to those solving the needs of the enterprise. We’ll talk about Data Management for those who have needs in manufacturing to those who may want to use it to help them manage civil or architectural data. We’ll also discuss ways you can go back to your office, understand and assess your requirements, choose the appropriate product, and have an understanding of what software, hardware and training requirements will be necessary to present a business case to your manager.

You’ve got a new title—building information modeling (BIM) / virtual design and construction (VDC) manager—and your role has changed from hands-on production to supervisor or manager. Now you’ve been tasked with writing a business plan for the next three to five years for your firm's BIM/VDC department. Join a roundtable discussion on how to approach this task, and get tips and resource tools to help you take the next step in your career and shift your mindset from "doer" to "thinker."

Ever feel like your boss doesn't like you? You aren't alone. The battle of Management versus CAD/BIM Manager is real. It's not how well you know the software that will lead to your success, but how well you can manage management that will determine your outcome. This class gives you ringside seats as a non-tech principal and a CAD/VDC director go head to head. We will give you a glimpse into the dark side of business and explain why this matters. We will give you tips on how to overcome the roadblocks that principals will throw your way. Both sides will give you tips on how to articulate your CAD/BIM agenda in business terms that your manager will understand and respect. We will explain why CAD/BIM Managers shouldn't make their boss look stupid even when they can and why diplomacy and IT tact will go a long way. We will discuss the challenges management faces and how as a CAD manager, you can become a valued and respected leader in your firm.

CAD and BIM managers deserve professional recognition. Gathering together will enable that to happen. Getting CAD and BIM managers to define their roles will encourage growth in the industry. At this time it is every man for himself and no standards exist for what is expected from a CAD or BIM manager. Companies do not know what they are looking for and managers have no measures to prove their capabilities. Is it time to create a community of CAD/BIM managers with certifications or guidelines for quality?

While manufacturing departments come in all shapes and sizes, business owners and production managers will all face similar challenges, such as keeping up with design changes, needing to automate computer numerical control (CNC) machine usage, and improving part quality—all while addressing potential skills gaps in their workforces. This class will look at these challenges in detail, and then use an example manufacturing department to illustrate how they can be addressed with a series of scenarios where Autodesk Fusion 360 software can be used to provide possible solutions.

In the current architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, many companies have a BIM manager position. However, the title has different definitions and responsibilities within each organization. In this roundtable discussion, we will come together to discuss how your organization views the role of BIM manager.

Have you been working as your company's unofficial CAD Manager, and don't have any official authority with management? In this class, join other individuals who are in a similar situation or other full time CAD managers for this roundtable discussion. Learn tips from others on how to turn an unofficial position into an official position. Engage in a lively discussion where you can learn from others and share your experience on CAD support and CAD management.

Fabrication Data Manager is the new cloud-based offering that enables database management in the cloud. Built on the Autodesk Platform Services platform (formerly Forge), the new UI facilitates intuitive visual management for collaboration and consumption in both Revit software and Fabrication authoring products.

As technology, applications, and solutions continue to expand into the realm of BIM (Building Information Modeling), the BIM manager is more critical than ever and has taken on new roles and responsibilities. At first glance, BIM managers are in charge of various tasks related to BIM efforts in their respective organizations. More so than ever, we see the role of BIM manager to also be that of a thought leader and solutions expert. In this session, we'll take a look at the role of BIM manager, how it fits in today's fast-paced environment, and we'll discuss how to transition to such a role within an organization.

Over the past 7 years, hundreds of Associated Engineering production staff members across our 23 offices have been using AutoCAD software’s Sheet Set Manager (SSM) to efficiently coordinate project drawing packages. Throughout that time frame, we have continually adapted and fine-tuned our Sheet Set Manager templates (and support files) to not only provide flexibility for utilizing internal, project, or client-specific CAD standards, but also for ensuring conformance and standardization for all AutoCAD (and AutoCAD software-based) software output. Sheet Set Manager can greatly impact productivity while reducing repetition, user frustration, project budgets, and schedules. Please join us for this class, as we will be discussing 6 “key” Sheet Set Manager strategies that have proven to successfully assist CAD managers, project CAD leaders, and production management through incorporating this powerful productivity tool throughout development, implementation, and ongoing support.

As technology, applications, and solutions continue to expand into the realm of building information modeling (BIM), the BIM manager is more critical than ever and has taken on new roles and responsibilities. At first glance, a BIM manager is in charge of various tasks related to BIM efforts in their respective organization. More than ever, we see the role of BIM manager to also be that of a thought leader and solutions expert. In this session, we’ll take a look at the role of BIM manager, how that role fits in today's fast-paced environment, and how to transition to such a role within an organization. During the session, we’ll share common processes, applications, add-ons, and other tools to help the transition to the role of BIM manager and to help customize the role to fit your organization’s unique requirements and projects.

Come join us for a civil industry-focused CAD-manager discussion panel with some of the industry's most experienced CAD managers. Learn from managers from both small and large firms as we cover a full range of issues, including software implementation and customization, training and support, and challenges in bridging the gap between end users, management, and software. There will be a series of questions submitted to the panel before class, and we'll also take some questions from the audience. The mediator will be Brian Levendowski, support manager, CAD Technology Center.

This round-table discussion will focus on the actual experiences that infrastructure engineering companies have working with Vault software. The speaker will present a training strategy that was especially useful for introducing employees to Vault software. He will also share experience regarding effective motivations for employees. The discussion will include the functionalities of Vault software most useful to and appreciated by engineers, managers, and administration. We will examine the main advantages of Vault software as seen by the employees of the company (the administration, managers, engineers, and IT and CAD administrators) who carry out different functions and use different software that includes Vault Client software, Microsoft Office software, AutoCAD LT software, AutoCAD Civil 3D software, and Bentley Microstation software. The speaker will share practical ideas for optimizing Vault software through the use of additional programming and configuration. The discussion will also cover tasks for job servers.

The tools and ancillary programs that CAD managers use seem to miss out when it comes to updates and new features. In fact, some of these tools haven’t been updated in years. This roundtable discussion will focus on what feature changes or improvements would make the CAD manager’s job more efficient. Tools and features to be discussed will include (but will not be limited to): Reference Manager, Sheet Set Manager, Standards Manager, eTransmit, and Fields. Attendees will be expected to actively participate, as an AutoCAD Product Team member will attend, so this is an opportunity to have the CAD manager’s voice heard!

This course starts with the assumption that many CAD / Building Information Modeling (BIM) managers have little to no direct managerial authority over the staffers they support, yet they're still expected to get results. To make things worse, many times these managers are also engineers, architects, or designers working under severe time constraints while expected to remain billable. This course will present strategies for peer-to-peer interaction with users and project managers that can help you persuade people to comply with key CAD/BIM management directives such as standards, file storage, training, and interdepartmental coordination. If you fit the peer-to-peer CAD/BIM manager profile, you're sure to pick up some solid ideas you can use immediately. And even if you do have full managerial authority, you can still benefit from using some of these collaborative and persuasive strategies. This class is designed for managers of numerous disciplines.

This is your chance to have a direct dialog with a panel of Inventor product managers. This session will focus on the strategy and vision that drives Inventor software. The hosted panel will give you some insight into the “why” and “what” of the functionality that makes it into Inventor. Attendees will hear responses from the panel, as well as get the chance to ask Inventor product managers direct questions. This is a great session to take along with the "Ask the Inventor Developer" class.

Many CAD and Building Information Modeling (BIM) managers have little to no direct managerial authority over the staffers they support, yet they're still expected to get results. To make things worse, many times these managers are also engineers, architects, or designers working under severe time constraints while expected to remain billable. This discussion will focus on strategies for peer-to-peer interaction with users and project managers that can help you persuade people to comply with key CAD/BIM management directives like standards, file storage, training, and interdepartmental coordination. If you fit the peer-to-peer CAD/BIM-manager profile you're sure to pick up some solid ideas you can use immediately. And even if you do have full managerial authority, you can still benefit from using some of these collaborative and persuasive strategies. This class is designed for managers of multiple disciplines.

As a follow-up to “A Complete Guide to the Sheet Set Manager,” this class will focus on professional tips and techniques you can employ while using the Sheet Set Manager. We will do a deep dive into the commands and settings and all components of the Sheet Set Manager, covering more than 50 tips that will help you increase your productivity. We'll start by creating multiple templates for different disciplines. We'll then review the Sheet Set Palette and how you can use it on projects. Finally, we’ll cover areas with which you may or may not be familiar when using the Sheet Set Manager. This class will help you understand the power behind the tools included in the Sheet Set Manager that are rarely used or ignored. At the end of this class, you’ll be able to apply your knowledge and take your designs to the next level by connecting the data and staying on top of current industry practices.

Last year we discussed the feature changes and improvements to the tools and ancillary programs that Autodesk has included for years, but which have remained basically the same. This year we'll investigate the group's findings and add our own suggestions. The tools and features we'll discuss will include the Reference Manager, the Sheet Set Manager, the Standards Manager, eTransmit, and Fields. Additionally, we'll expand our topics to include anything that can make the CAD manager's job more efficient, whether it currently exists or not. Attendees will be expected to participate actively, as a member of the AutoCAD Product Team will be in attendance-so this is an opportunity to get the CAD manager's voice heard.

Previous CAD-manager wish-list sessions focused on the ancillary tools and programs that come with AutoCAD software, but haven’t been updated or improved since their release. We've discussed desired improvements to things like Reference Manager, Sheet Set Manager, Standards Checker, eTransmit, and Fields. In the 2018 edition, we’ll focus on your ideas for a perfect CAD management world. We’ll discuss your various bottlenecks and challenges, and what you, as the CAD manager would like to see as solutions. These solutions may be updates to current tools, or something that may not even exist (yet!). Attendees will be expected to actively participate, as an AutoCAD Product Team member will attend, so this is an opportunity to have the CAD manager’s voice heard!