Looking for cloud file hosting

[erikspring]

We're looking at what it would take to go from hosting our files on our on-premise Exchange server to the cloud. What's the best solution to have files stored remotely and work on them at that location (rather than downloading each time we want to work on something)?

[pendean]

AutoCAD is not cloud-server friendly as is OOTB: for example, everyone in your office can open and edit the same single DWG file without any warnings and the last one that saves gets to overwrite everyone else.

With that in mind... you will need to invest in (time and effort and $$) a file check-in file check-out system that everyone will need to use. Are you all up for it?

[erikspring]

Ah, thanks for pointing that out. No, we're not looking to spend a fortune to achieve cloud hosting. We are actually looking to reduce our IT costs and thought offloading file hosting would be a good option. We're only using CAD in 2D and are light users. Is something like Revit more like what we're hoping to achieve (working in the cloud)?

[pendean]

No, REVIT is two parts if you want to use it 100% as intended, a Server and a PC combo: this allows for everyone in your office to work on a single model together all a the same time if they wanted and no one will overwrite anyone else' work. An exceptionally nice feature (think no more XREFs).

REVIT-LT, the lower end version, is similar to AutoCAD, it does not have a server component but you also risk everyone overwriting others files if there is no check-in check-out method.

Maybe Autodesk will make this more of a reality for you in the next 2-3-5-10 years, they seem to have entered into agreements with many cloud services providers in the last year.

[dgorsman]

Revit still operates on the check out/check in system, it just handles most the work for you.  And it's significantly more complex than 2D AutoCAD. 

It's highly unlikely to have a cloud storage system where you work live in the cloud.  There's just too many problems with latency/transmit/receive speeds/etc.  Whether it's Autodesk Vault, Bentley Projectwise, or Synergis Adept, they all operate on a similar concept.  There can still be some cost savings, especially if you have users in multiple locations. 

[erikspring]

That makes sense, thanks for the info. What are the options for us going with a check in/out system?

[pendean]

>>>...What are the options for us going with a check in/out system?...<<<

Look into "Autodesk Vault, Bentley Projectwise, or Synergis Adept" on the web to get started, reach out to those sales teams fore details.

[erikspring]

How does the check in/out system work with xrefs? Do you have to download all xrefs also when you need to work on a file? We work on many files throughout the day, sometimes we're in and out of files quickly so downloading and uploading might be too cumbersome for productivity.