Aras Innovator

Delaval user-Production engineer

Pros

The thing I find most enjoyable is that it works seamlessly with Solid Edge. As an engineer who frequently needs quick access to documentation, this feature is very helpful.

Cons

I haven't encountered any major issues with the system. It functions smoothly without any problems. However, it would be beneficial to have a feature that allows for previewing documents (drawings, models) directly within the application.

All your data is just 100 clicks away with Aras Innovator!

Pros

I believe it's not an inherent feature of Aras itself, but there are various "connectors" available that integrate different software packages with Aras. Being an electrical engineer, I can directly push/pull data between my CAD product (Altium) and Aras using my designer suite. Although my connector functionality has been broken for the past few months (uncertain who is at fault), this has been my favorite feature since I started using Aras (when it was functioning). Additionally, Aras allows me to view PDF drawings without downloading them. This is convenient when I just need to quickly check a drawing, as it saves me from accumulating a large number of drawings in my downloads folder.

Cons

Since my company transitioned to Aras over a year ago, I have faced numerous problems with the system. Here are some noteworthy points: 1. Aras performs quite slowly. When I approve an ECO, my Chrome browser often prompts me with the option to "kill the page or wait?" as it perceives the window as unresponsive. Over time, I've learned to utilize this waiting period to grab a cup of coffee or check my emails until the page becomes responsive. 2. It appears to be difficult to implement updates in Aras to enhance functionality for the company. I have suggested numerous improvements, but only a few of them seem to make it into the system. Furthermore, when updates are released, they often come with additional issues that require subsequent patches. It shouldn't be such a challenging process. 3. Due to the extensive clicking required, my right index finger has become significantly stronger. While all the necessary data is present in Aras, reaching it can be quite cumbersome. I find myself clicking through numerous pages and tabs to reach my final destination. 4. I have encountered features that appear to be missing or not properly implemented, such as "Check for Completeness" under the actions menu. It would indicate that my ECO is ready to progress, but upon signing off, it would inform me that certain fields are missing. Additionally, when creating parts or drawings, there is no indication of mandatory fields, leading to trial and error when attempting to sign off on items. 5. BOM management in Aras is a nightmare. Ref designators often get truncated, causing issues with manufacturers. Editing BOMs is a highly manual and error-prone process.

Better PLM tools out there than ARAS

Pros

When compared to other PLM tools available, there isn't anything I particularly like about this software. If it's your first PLM software, perhaps the advantage is that it can be configured to meet your specific needs. However, why should this much customization be necessary if the software isn't usable right out of the box?

Cons

Considering that ARAS positions itself as a PLM software, it surprisingly missing even the most basic features expected from a PLM tool. For instance, there is no Reference Designator field readily available; instead, you need to custom configure a field for that purpose. The same applies to BOM notes. Additionally, to release a completely new part, you have to go through an ECO process. This seems unnecessary since the part doesn't exist yet, ECOs are typically used for modifying existing parts. The excessive number of clicks required to access the necessary information is frustrating. Moreover, the ECO does not provide a comprehensive list of changes; you have to delve into the part itself to determine what modifications have been made. In summary, ARAS lacks intuitiveness. A good PLM tool should simplify your work, but ARAS only complicates matters, leading to significant time wasted in retrieving essential information.