Concurrent Engineering is defined as “a systematic approach to the integrated, concurrent design of products and their related processes, including manufacture and support.” “This approach is intended to cause the developers, from the outset, to consider all elements of the product life-cycle from conception through disposal, including quality, cost, schedule, and user requirements” [Winner et. al., 1988].

PDS Solutions uses Concurrent Engineering as a tool to interact with customers and solve engineering problems in real time. In addition, PDS uses Concurrent Engineering as an everyday business tool to communicate with our customers in real time on a myriad of different issues.

NetMeeting for real time communications. NetMeeting is a tremendous real time communication tool, plus it comes free with all versions of Microsoft Windows. PDS supplies customers with internally-written white papers giving detailed description of NetMeeting's setup.

AutoVue for redlining and markup. AutoVue is a tremendous tool for documenting online, real-time discussions. In addition to its redlining and markup capabilities, AutoVue can render and display over 200 image formats.

AutoCAD for remote graphics. When sharing AutoCAD, the drawing database is actually changed, unlike AutoVue, where a separate markup layer is created. Sharing AutoCAD lets drafters create drawings using any computer that is connected to the Internet.

Staad Pro for Stress Analysis. Sharing Staad Pro with NetMeeting is a tremendous collaboration tool for engineers. Loads can be changed and re-analyzed in real time so that engineers in two geographic locations can share the data at the same time.

Can other applications be shared? Most applications that run on Microsoft's Windows platform can be shared with NetMeeting. PDS has successfully shared Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Imaging, 3d modeling, plus other CAD and Design programs.

Mitch Thaxter and Michael Tucker. Mitch and Mike are show during a Concurrent Engineering session on one of Mike's projects. Concurrent Engineering helps get everyone on board at the same time, and is helpful on large multi-scope projects

Mitch Thaxter. Mitch is shown during a Concurrent Engineering discussion regarding secondary air duct hangers and their possible relocation. Mitch does quite a bit of PDS' 3d modelling. Three of his models are on out home page!