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Questions and answers

Are you interested in GAIN Collaboration?
Here you will find the first answers.

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Product Data Management Questions and Answers

The management asks …

What is the implementation like?

Before the actual implementation, you will first receive a test environment of the GAIN Collaboration System with your desired configuration. After a test phase with your employees and your approval, we switch the test system to the productive system.

How long does it take to implement GAIN Collaboration?

It depends on a few factors. For example, the number of users. Simply get in touch with us.
After an initial discussion, we will be happy to narrow down the time required for your planning.

What kind of downtime should we expect during the rollout?

The length of downtime due to implementation depends on a few factors. Do you wish a migration (data transfer) from a third-party system to GAIN Collaboration? Or do data that was previously stored in Explorer have to be transferred?
We at GAIN Software or one of our system partners will, of course, ensure that you experience as little downtime as possible. Simply get in touch with us. After an initial discussion, we will be happy to narrow down the time required for your planning.

How high is the benefit potential after the introduction of GAIN Collaboration?

Depending on the requirements or circumstances, different potentials arise in different departments.
We at GAIN Software are always at your disposal to help you determine your potential. Please get in touch with us.

What are the consequential costs of using GAIN Collaboration?

Subsequent costs relate almost exclusively to the annual subscription (software maintenance). Follow-up costs for services rarely arise and usually only when the demands on the system grow and you want extensions, for example.

The IT director asks …

What is the system architecture behind GAIN Collaboration?

The GAIN Collaboration System is a client / server architecture. Each computer working with GAIN Collaboration has its local GAIN Collaboration Client installation. The main system, the GAIN Collaboration Server, is located on a server.

Which database does GAIN Collaboration use?

GAIN Collaboration uses an SQL database. Here, the SQL Server depends on the number of users and the data to be processed. SQL EXPRESS can be used for small installations. For larger installations with a high number of users and/or high data throughput, you can use the SQL Standard Server. The licensing of the SQL Standard Server depends on the number of GAIN Collaboration users. A license is required for each user.

How are the documents filed? In the database or physically?

The documents managed by the GAIN Collaboration System are located in an archive directory (folder) in Windows Explorer. Neither directories nor file names are encrypted or cryptically renamed. Since no share is required for archiving, the archive cannot be found in Windows Explorer or on the network. Another advantage: Since the storage location of documents is handled relatively in the GAIN Collaboration System, documents can be moved at any time and without effort.

How to install GAIN Collaboration?

Basically, there is only one installation for the GAIN Collaboration Server. The installation only involves setting up a service and assigning a database. The client registers after assigning the GAIN Collaboration Server. The interfaces register automatically.

The CAD Administrator asks …

How user-friendly is GAIN Collaboration?

GAIN Collaboration allows you to learn quickly and to work flexibly.

How flexible is GAIN Collaboration configurable?

GAIN Collaboration can be easily configured via graphical configuration menus. And this at any time, even during operation.
Furthermore, an integrated database editor makes it easy for you to expand and customize the SQL database.

How are the GAIN Collaboration interfaces integrated?

The integration of GAIN Collaboration interfaces into individual applications is very deep. GAIN Collaboration intervenes and supports you in all areas of document processing.

What possibilities does the programming interface offer?

With the existing GAIN Collaboration API based on .NET Framework and C-Sharp (C#) you can realize any extension with additional functions or couplings to other systems.

Can we also connect GAIN Collaboration to our ERP?

Yes, GAIN Collaboration can be connected to any system via its ERP interface. You can transfer different information from GAIN Collaboration to your ERP system. From exchange formats such as Excel, XML or text files to direct coupling with the ERP database, everything is possible.
Of course also bidirectional: for information from the ERP system into GAIN Collaboration.

How updatable is GAIN Collaboration?

Updates can be imported easily. No adjustments are changed in the process. All the settings you have selected are retained.
The update module in GAIN Collaboration automatically checks for updates. The administrator can download an update via the GAIN Collaboration Client and decide when it should be applied. The update will then take place automatically on the server at the specified time. The clients are updated as soon as they are started.

How long does the administrator seminar last?

The administrator seminar usually lasts two days. Here, administrators learn how to configure and administer the system. If required and for even more flexibility, you can learn programming techniques for GAIN Collaboration on another day.

What is the installation process?

The installation is simple. First, the GAIN Collaboration Server directory is placed on a server directory of your choice.
A service to the Collaboration Server is then set up and the database is mapped. The client gets the GAIN Collaboration client directory, which you can also put anywhere you want. When the client is started for the first time, it searches for its server. The client automatically registers the interfaces to existing applications. During the initial setup, the client requires administrator rights.

Server change?

Switching the GAIN Collaboration Server to another server is also easy. For this purpose, only the GAIN Collaboration Server directory and possibly the archive itself are copied to the new server. Then set up the service to GAIN Collaboration: Done!

In what form do we receive support?

Our support will assist you by phone and e-mail. With a remote maintenance module GAIN Software or a partner offers you fast, direct and unproblematic support.

The design manager asks …

How do we benefit from GAIN Collaboration in detail?

GAIN Collaboration can automate many processes and thus simplify the daily handling of documents. For fewer queries, clear structures and error reduction. This results in valuable work simplifications in everyday design and documentation work and also in subsequent departments. Here is an overview of all features of GAIN Collaboration.

How can other departments access information and documents?

Depending on the configuration of the users, the user groups and the access rules behind them, users can have write access, read access or only access to certain information and documents.

With GAIN Collaboration View, for example, users from production have read-only access to documents. Accordingly, you can only view or print them. Are there ancillary documents to main documents? Then, for example, purchasing or work preparation can retrieve them directly from the system by e-mail for inquiries.

How long does a training course take?

Users learn how to use the system in the user seminar within one day. The navigation on the surface, its individual adjustment, as well as the search possibilities with filter creation are conveyed. Also, the creation, editing, copying and revision of documents.

What is the implementation like?

Before the actual implementation, you will first receive a test environment of the GAIN Collaboration System with your desired configuration. After a test phase with your employees and your approval, we switch the test system to the productive system.

How time-consuming is the data import?

The data transfer runs automatically and only needs to be monitored. If desired also by yourself. The duration of the data transfer naturally also depends on the quantity, variety and quality of the files to be imported.

What kind of downtime should we expect during the rollout?

The length of downtime due to implementation depends on a few factors. Do you wish a migration (data transfer) from a third-party system to GAIN Collaboration? Or do data that was previously stored in Explorer have to be transferred? We at GAIN Software or one of our system partners will, of course, ensure that you experience as little downtime as possible. Simply get in touch with us. After an initial discussion, we will be happy to narrow down the time required for your planning.

The designer asks …

Is it possible to work via drag & drop?

Documents from Explorer or e-mails and contacts from MS Outlook can easily be dragged and dropped into GAIN Collaboration. You can also drag and drop documents into an application.

When using Autodesk Inventor, for example, you can drag components from GAIN Collaboration directly into an open assembly.

How can I customize GAIN Collaboration for myself?

GAIN Collaboration is very adaptable. For one thing, you can set up the user interface however you want. From the creation of folders and filters to the display of columns in the table and the window layout.

Furthermore, you can easily adapt GAIN Collaboration to the needs of your company. Read more about customizability.

How is the handling regarding releases/statuses?

The functions for status management and release management are clearly arranged. You can easily customize them through a graphical interface. For documents with links or references, GAIN Collaboration takes the document structures into account and thus saves you a lot of work when changing the status.

How well do the interfaces do their job?

The integration of GAIN Collaboration interfaces into individual applications is very deep. GAIN Collaboration intervenes and supports you in all areas of document processing.

How long does a seminar last?

The user seminar lasts only one day.

Which documents can be stored and edited in GAIN Collaboration?

Depending on the user configuration, any document can be stored, viewed and edited in GAIN Collaboration: images, videos, PDF, MS Office documents, CAD, ECAD or CAM data. GAIN Collaboration always opens a document with the program that is assigned to the respective file extension in the operating system.

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