8 Key Advantages of Cloud-Native CAD

A recent poll conducted by Siemens discovered that 64% of electrical engineers surveyed are not using cloud-native CAD (electrical computer-aided design) software. The question is why not? 

While on-premises CAD solutions offer some advantages, such as high security, customization and stable performance without depending on internet connectivity, these solutions can require substantial hardware investments and ongoing maintenance. They may also lack flexibility and scalability, making it difficult to adapt to changing business requirements over the long-term. Additionally, on-premises solutions require a dedicated IT team for setup and troubleshooting, adding to operational costs. 

These are some of the reasons some forward-thinking systems engineering teams and the organizations in which they work are turning to the cloud. According to Precedence Research and HelpNetSecurity, the global cloud computing market will surpass $1 trillion by 2028, with 47% of organizations pursuing a cloud-first strategy, 30% already cloud native, and 37% intending to go cloud-native in the next three years. As this trend gains momentum, cloud-native CAD software promises to deliver numerous advantages to electrical engineering teams, including data accessibility, scalability, cost savings and more. 

A recent whitepaper by Thomas Yip, Software Development Director at Siemens Digital Industries Software, explores the key advantages of cloud-native CAD in detail, and how Siemens Capital Electra X is helping organizations adopt cloud-native CAD quickly and cost-effectively. Here’s an overview. 

What are the advantages of cloud-native CAD? 

Cloud-native CAD solutions offer an array of advantages that make it a compelling alternative to on-premises solutions: 

1. Work anywhere: Instead of being tied to a specific location, you can leverage cloud-native CAD to access your work from anywhere with an internet connection. This makes collaborating on designs faster and easier, particularly for teams that are spread across different geographical locations. You can access the software on any device, as well, and any updates made when internet connectivity is down are automatically synced once a connection is re-established. In this way, the accessibility of cloud-native CAD boosts team productivity and shortens development cycles. 

2. Deploys quickly: Since there’s no software to install, teams can get up and running quickly, with minimal setup. Intuitive interfaces and workflows reduce the learning curve and encourage adoption, so engineers can start designing and collaborating without delay. 

3. Fast access to new features: Updates are delivered over the cloud as soon as they’re available, so you don’t have to wait for the latest features and functionality. Plus, they’re delivered seamlessly, eliminating any downtime.  

4. Easy change tracking: Any changes made by anyone are automatically logged and available for review at all times. You can see who made what changes and when, and roll back to a previous version, if necessary, with just a few clicks. 

5. Real-time collaborative editing: WIth a cloud-native CAD solution, you don’t have to wait for others to enter your changes before you make yours. Instead, multiple users can enter changes simultaneously and work collaboratively, as if they were in the same room. You can leave comments to discuss ideas and changes, as well. This level of co-design and collaboration boosts productivity and reduces time-to-market, while improving product quality. 

6. Access sharing for efficient reuse: Reuse is helpful for accelerating time to market – and with automatic access sharing, you can share symbols, circuits, plugins and other data quickly and easily with team members, without having to purchase additional software or dedicate resources to the task.  

7. Data security: Cloud-native CAD solutions are becoming increasingly security-focused, providing multi-factor authentication mechanisms and complying with all the essential standards for data protection – GDPR, CCPA, ISO and more.  

8. Limitless scalability: One of the best things about cloud-native CAD software is that it can dynamically adjust to meet the needs of projects of any size. So, as your company grows and your projects proliferate, you can scale up to meet demand immediately, without additional infrastructure costs. 

With all of these benefits, it’s expected that many more electrical systems engineers will upgrade to cloud-native CAD systems, and Siemens Capital Electra X is a top choice.  

Why choose Siemens Capital Electra X? 

Siemens Capital Electra X offers a user-friendly interface with robust tools for electrical design, enhancing productivity and accuracy. Its cloud-based nature facilitates easy collaboration among teams, allowing real-time access and updates to projects from any location. As a Siemens product and part of the Xcelerator portfolio of products, Capital Electra X benefits from strong support and continuous development, ensuring reliability and adaptability to evolving design needs.  

Read the whitepaper about the efficiency and convenience to electrical CAD to learn more about the advantages of cloud-native CAD and how Siemens Capital Electra X meets the complex and evolving demands of modern electrical system design.  

Download the White Paper→ Use cloud-native CAD to streamline electrical design

Watch the Webinar→ Opportunities and Challenges for Wire Harness Manufacturers

Learn more about Capital Electra X