Engineers say this is the most important part of their online search
There are many ways to search for parts from suppliers - but one way trumps all others: direct access to CAD data on a manufacturer's website. Often, engineers won't consider a product until they've reviewed key CAD data because it's so informative about the performance and fit of the part and assembly. By providing comprehensive CAD/BIM models for potential customers to analyze and evaluate online, manufacturers can provide engineers with the information they need early in the buying process.
A CAD drawing is a computer-aided design that leads to more important steps within a project. CAD drawings contain the necessary, finer details than the original design drawings/ideas and are crucial for engineers as they convert something from an idea into a visible, digital format.
Securing sales by providing engineers with the necessary details upfront
While suppliers can focus on selling products directly, providing CAD drawings is key to increasing sales of industrial and architectural components. More than 70 percent of engineers purchasing parts will choose a supplier if they provide native CAD/BIM models. Therefore, the availability of CAD/BIM data for review by potential customers is a key factor in keeping them engaged online.
Research also shows that 80 percent of design engineers drop out of contact with suppliers if there is little CAD/BIM data available online. Manufacturers must therefore provide potential customers with high-quality CAD drawings from the outset. There must be complete transparency.
Avoiding additional costs by providing engineers with the correct CAD files
But even if engineers review CAD/BIM models online, do these files contribute to a product being purchased?
DownloadingCAD/BIM models has become an important indicator of future sales. Although it is difficult to track the profitability of file access, recent survey data shows that, on average, a model download leads to an actual sale 82 percent of the time.
In addition, it can be costly and risky for the engineer to design a product without a specific CAD drawing. They need to know exactly how the product will fit into their overall concept and function. It's cheap and easy to test and fit multiple components in the design phase, but it becomes very costly later in the process when designers have to buy, ship and test a physical product. Manufacturers should structure complex CAD models so that others can easily understand them.
Increasing productivity is the goal of every manufacturer, and that is what technology should ultimately do. Digitization makes it easier to identify errors and correct them earlier in the process. The visual representation of a finished product in a virtual environment gives engineers the opportunity to make their designs more realistic.
This is not only important information for the engineer, but also for the purchasing department. In some cases, engineers may redesign the part if a supplier does not provide CAD demos online. This can lead to costly mistakes and result in many reorders. This can be an even bigger problem as today's supply chain challenges cause delays.
Engineers say this is the most important part of their online search
When selecting products for a design, engineers need features such as online product configurators, detailed product information, PDF datasheets and native CAD model downloads. This content allows them to learn everything they need to know about the product they are evaluating.
Interestingly, according to a recent study, a "simple and easy-to-use website" is the most important factor for engineers searching for supplier parts online. A company website is the foundation for many of a manufacturer's marketing strategies. If the navigation, structure and design of a website are not intuitive, many other marketing efforts will be frustrated.
Thinking about the future: preparing models for Industry 4.0
Industry 4.0 is increasing the demand for intelligent design and digital transformation, and that starts with the models provided by component manufacturers. Having access to high fidelity CAD/BIM models with rich data helps engineers in the next stage of the fourth industrial revolution. It's also a sure-fire way to a more efficient design process that leads to higher customer satisfaction.
Knowing a supplier's product standard saves engineers time and money. They can make informed decisions because they can see what meets their design specifications.
Overall, there is compelling research evidence for the inclusion of downloadable CAD/BIM material on a website. The majority of CAD/BIM downloads result in a purchase, and this practice provides the level of detail that engineers demand.
Learn how manufacturers are providing on-demand content for engineers
