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August 24, 2006      No. 157

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About the Author

Account Management

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Outsourcing, Part 2

More issues to consider when deciding whether outsourcing is for you.

In the August 10 issue of CAD Manager’s Newsletter (click here for archives), I began a discussion of outsourcing by defining some common terms and concepts. This time I'll continue the discussion by talking about the business factors that affect your company's decisions to outsource or not.

Thinking Faster and Cheaper
In my series on CAD management finances, I introduced you to a concept called the faster-cheaper paradigm. This paradigm simply states that your management likes anything that gets work done faster or cheaper, and ideally both. Outsourcing is no different and should be subjected to the faster-cheaper paradigm of work just like any other process change you might want to make.

So in order to decide whether outsourcing can genuinely generate faster-cheaper work results, I encourage you to analyze your company’s needs in terms of common outsourcing parameters and how you think they'll be managed. Once you analyze your outsourcing possibilities using this faster-cheaper methodology, you can apply the same type of ROI (return on investment) metrics to outsourcing that you use with any other business process. The difference will be that you’ll actually know whether outsourcing makes sense. And believe me when I say many companies have rushed in to outsourcing without this financial analysis and have experienced dire consequences as a result. Read more >>

:: CAD Manager's Q&A

I’ve noticed that computer hardware prices have really dropped lately. Is now a good time to buy?

Robert Green replies: Good question. It really is astounding how prices on really nice computers, workstations and laptops have dropped recently. With prices this low you can almost buy a new machine every year and just throw them away! There is a reason why the prices are dropping, though, and I think that CAD users should be especially wary of getting new hardware on the cheap right now. Read more >>

Submit your questions to Robert Green at rgreen@greenconsulting.com.

:: Resource

CAD Community Resource Site
Eat Your CAD's Web site states that its goal is "to provide you with a central umbrella resource and one-stop-shop to finding answers." The site, which is maintained by CAD users, managers and consultants from various countries, provides reviews of commercially available products and services. Among the site's abundant offerings are regular columns, articles, downloads, editorials, a Q&A section, standards, instruction, a community section and software tips.

:: Events

ASQ’s Design and Construction Division’s Annual Conference
August 29, 2006
Tucson , Arizona
The Design and Construction Division of the American Society for Quality (ASQ) will be holding its Annual Conference in conjunction with the Energy and Environmental Conference, which will take place August 27-30. Read more

SolidWorks World Australia Conference
September 18, 2006
Sydney , Australia
The first SolidWorks World Australia Conference will serve as a platform for local users to network, exchange ideas and find new business opportunities. Read more

AUGI Manufacturing User Groups Bedford and Waltham Chapters Quarterly Meeting
October 3, 2006
Tyngsboro , Massachusetts
M2 Technologies partners with Autodesk User Group International (AUGI) to sponsor these new chapters’ first quarterly meeting. Attendees can take part in a seminar on Autodesk Inventor 11 and discussion with fellow users, as well as food, drink and door prizes. Read more

For Cadalyst's full calendar of events, click here.

:: What's New at Cadalyst.com

Cadalyst now has new features that give you more say!
Check out the new "comments" feature at the bottom of articles on our Web site. Post your thoughts and view comments from other readers.

And don't forget our expanding array of Discussion Forums
CAD Manager, CAD Questions, Hot Tip Harry, Tech Forum: AEC and the NEW Product Reviews Forum. Visit today to find out what's on the minds of other CAD professionals.

Cadalyst Daily Update
For all the latest news and new products, subscribe to Cadalyst Daily e-newsletter. Plus, every issue includes a feature you won't find anywhere else – hardware and CAD software reviews, success stories, AutoCAD tips and much more! Here's a sample of what you missed this week:

:: About the Author

Robert Green performs CAD and document management programming and consulting throughout the United States and Canada. He is a popular public speaker and holds a degree in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Check out his Web site at www.cad-manager.com or e-mail him at rgreen@greenconsulting.com.

:: Account Management

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