3 Things to Ask on Cloud Based CAD Software

Whenever you talk with someone selling cloud based CAD software, they would tell you similar things: “You are keeping all your personal photos, bank account information and even info about your location in the cloud. Then why not keeping your design files and other works in cloud too?” This is one of the most common things that you can hear from a cloud CAD seller. However, you will need to have answers for some critical questions when you want to go further. Now let’s check them step by step.

 1-  What happens when I am changing cloud based CAD software? Am I going to face price increase or format changes?

A comparison with internet banking would be useful. Ok, but if you are not pleased with your bank, you can instantly transfer all your money to another one. Also you can withdraw your money whenever you want and keep it at home. Then can I switch to another software company without problems if I am not pleased with the current one? Or do I have to continue with the current one? Is it possible to download all my data whenever I want and work with different CAD software?

If this will be possible, with which file format can I download? Will my assemblies, technical drawings and all my design works still be revisable? There had been too many questions, right? However, all of their answers are very important.

 2-  Will I be able to work offline?

We can say that there is no place without internet today. However, internet connection and speed may be an issue in some places. Especially, there may be problems in access to internet in some industrial areas. Will it still be possible to work in case of internet outage or low connection speed? Will I experience speed issues while making a design?

 3-  Are you sure that I won’t need a workstation?

Many of the cloud solutions supplier companies are also selling workstations. They may advise to use powerful workstations for designing. Also they may say that you don’t need it since you are working with cloud. So this absolutely looks like a contradiction. So you should ask if you will be able to manage your design processes with any computer or tablet.

There are many concerns about cloud based CAD software. To sum up, I have no doubt that they are definitely safe. However, answers of some questions are still not clear. Hopefully cloud cad suppliers will clarify all the details in time.