Databases? Who needs that?

Man! Back in my days things were simple. All you needed to make furniture was some paper and a pencil. Not anymore: computers, CNC’s, this thing, that thing. Look at him, Mr. Smarty-pants. Sitting in front of his computer, “working”. Let him try production hall for a month. He’ll see what real work looks like.

Have you heard that before? I bet you have.

Nobody should dismiss the value of practical experience. I’m sure we could spend all night sharing stories of architects and designers who have only seen an electric screwdriver on a computer screen – and their “brilliant” ideas. Still, advanced technologies are entering all domains of life. If properly harnessed, they can really make life easier – not least for old, experienced foremen.

One of the technologies we have harnessed to a cart named WOODEXPERT are databases. In this article I’ll try to explain what they’re all about, what’s their goal and whether they make life harder or easier.

In a nutshell

In short: database is any set of data organized by specific rules.

An Excel spreadsheet with different plywood decors, their indexes and prices – that’s a database. A teacher’s gradebook – that’s a database. In the context of computers, the most popular standard dedicated for databases is SQL. That is the solution utilized by WOODEXPERT.

Database in WOODEXPERT

One of the steps of installing WOODEXPERT is setting up an SQL database in your company. This is done by our technicians.  It should be noted that using WOODEXPERT requires no programming skills. The only hardware requirement is a special computer handling SQL databases – a server. It is necessary for a full version of WOODEXPERT. Trial version operates on a mock-up database installed on a hard drive alongside the program itself and requires no server.

Database is a central hub storing:

• Project information
• Material information (plywoods, edgebands, laminates etc.)
• Bills of materials & price estimations
• Program settings
• Component library structure

With this solution, whole team can view this data and authorized persons can edit it. If we add a PDM solution (Product Data Management; cloud storage), we get a range of new capabilities. We can, for instance, install WOODEXPERT on 10 computers, purchase 2 licenses – and now 2 people can use the program simultaneously and work on projects from anywhere in the world (as long as they have access to the Internet). When working with PDM, project files are stored on the cloud as well as on the computers of all users, which creates redundancy and increases stability. A PDM system also features changelogs and allows to restore earlier version of files.

If you are not yet using PDM, our team will help you choose and implement the best solution for you. We have in our offer a PDM dedicated for SOLIDWORKS.

Summing up: a central data hub ensures that everyone involved in a project is on the same page & up to date.

Learn more about WOODEXPERT

Start saving time and money now! Download a free trial of WOODEXPERT and schedule a free presentation.