UPCOMING WEBINAR - #5 Flatter Files Data Distribution
We’re back with the next session in our 3 Pillars Webinar Series Wednesday November 12th at 10:30 Eastern, and this one tackles a subject that is often left for final consideration - CAD Data Distribution. Even if an organization is strong in the first two pillars (Data Creation and Management), if the wrong files are being sent to the manufacturers and purchasers, it doesn't matter how great your creation and management processes are.
Data distribution doesn’t sound flashy, but it’s one of the most critical (and most error-prone) steps in the engineering workflow. And without the right system in place, it becomes a source of confusion, delays, and costly mistakes.
Let’s break down the problem—and show you how Flatter Files solves it.
The Problem: CAD Data Distribution Is Manual, Risky, and Painfully Inefficient
Most engineering teams start out distributing drawings the “old-fashioned” way:
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Exporting PDFs manually
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Emailing files to vendors or internal teams
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Uploading to shared drives or portals
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Wondering if the file on someone’s desktop is still the correct one
This approach might work, but it’s fragile. Here are the most common pain points we hear:
Outdated Versions Floating Around
People grab whatever file they can find—email attachments, local copies, outdated folders—and build or quote from the wrong version.
Zero Visibility
You send a file and cross your fingers. Did the vendor open it? Are they using it? There’s no traceability.
Manual Exports Are a Time Sink
Engineers waste time generating, naming, and sending PDFs, DXFs, STEP files, and more—over and over again.
Security Concerns
Once files leave your vault via email or USB, you lose control over who sees them and how they’re used.
Once files leave your vault via email or USB, you lose control over who sees them and how they’re used.
✅ The Solution: Flatter Files Automates and Secures Your Drawing Distribution
Flatter Files is a cloud-based publishing platform that connects directly to your SOLIDWORKS PDM vault (or even just local files) and automatically publishes your engineering drawings and related files—securely and always up to date.
Here’s why it’s a game-changer:
1. Always the Latest Version
When a drawing is approved or updated in PDM, Flatter Files automatically republishes it to the cloud—so your team, vendors, and customers always access the current version. No more “oops” moments from using the wrong file.
3. Simple, Searchable, and Linkable
Every published drawing gets a clean, searchable interface. Need to send a file? Just send a secure link—no attachments, no guessing. Users can view or download multiple file types like PDF, STEP, DXF, and more, all from one place.
2. Secure Access Control
You can create user-specific access for internal departments, customers, vendors, or the shop floor. Set view/download permissions, expiration dates, and even watermark drawings with user info to track distribution.
4. Audit Trails and Visibility
Want to know when a file was accessed or downloaded? Flatter Files tracks it. You get full visibility into how your data is being used—which is a huge help in regulated industries or when managing supplier relationships.
What Our Clients Say
“Before Flatter Files, we had vendors building off outdated PDFs constantly. Now, I know they’re always pulling from a secure, live link. Our errors dropped significantly.”
— CAD Manager, Industrial Equipment Manufacturer
Built to Work with SOLIDWORKS and PDM
At Converge, we integrate Flatter Files into both on-prem and cloud-hosted PDM environments, so your publishing process fits seamlessly into your current workflow. No extra steps, no duplicated effort—just automated, accurate data distribution.
Ready to Stop Losing Control of Your Drawings?
Flatter Files is the fastest way to take the guesswork out of file sharing, while protecting your IP and giving your stakeholders confidence they’re always working with the right version.
Want to see how it works?
Reach out to us or catch a demo during our next 3 Pillars Webinar Series.
WHEN: Wednesday November 12th at 10:30 Eastern
WHERE: Zoom Webinar
Catch up on past sessions and register for the next one here:
🔗 3 Pillars Webinar Series – Converge
Let’s get smarter about the people and processes behind your CAD tools—see you there!
