Choctaw Defense | SOLIDWORKS Cloud PDM
SOLIDWORKS Challenge
Choctaw Defense Manufacturing LLC needed a better way to support collaboration across engineering, design, and production. As projects grew more complex, the company also needed stronger data management and easier remote access.
Owned by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Choctaw Defense has grown from a finishing company into one of the largest Native American-owned DOD contractors in the U.S. Today, it supports both build-to-print work and self-designed products for the military.
As Pilgreen said, “I had to develop a way to collaborate on the design simultaneously, and our existing system would not allow for that.”
Converge Actions and Recommendations
In 2018, Choctaw Defense worked with Converge to upgrade its legacy vault to SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard and move it to the cloud. The change supported the company’s larger cloud strategy while improving both cost and efficiency.
It also gave the team a better way to collaborate on active projects. As Pilgreen said, “The fact that this solution was Cloud-Based was the lynchpin from our perspective.”
With SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard in a cloud-hosted environment, Choctaw Defense gained easier file management, secure remote access, and a solution that met DOD compliance requirements.
To support Choctaw Defense’s growth, Converge implemented several key services:
- EpiGrid cloud-hosted Axis Vaults designed to meet required DOD compliance standards and additional security requirements
- A cloud-hosted vault that enabled offsite collaboration across multiple design teams in three different time zones
- Secure, role-based access that helped each team member work in the correct project area without creating file management confusion
Together, these improvements gave Choctaw Defense a more reliable and collaborative design environment without compromising compliance.
Choctaw Defense Results
Choctaw Defense faced a learning curve when moving from its legacy PDM system. However, with support from Converge, the team adapted quickly.
The new cloud-hosted vault gave the team secure access to CAD models from anywhere. As a result, collaboration became easier and projects moved more smoothly.
Pilgreen called that access a “game-changer” and said 24/7 availability was critical to his role.
Even after one major project, the benefits were clear. The team saved time, reduced headaches, and worked more effectively with outside contractors.
Without having a long history of projects completed in the new file management system, the only gauge Choctaw has is this one major project. But, based on the success of this one project, Shea's whole team is excited to realize the time savings and reduced headaches this solution provides. Of course, the designers did their part to create a highly successful design.
“My coworkers remarked numerous times about how well the design came out compared to previous projects, partly due to their new ability to collaborate seamlessly with their outside contractors.”
-Shea Pilgreen, Engineering Manager Choctaw Defense
Moog Music
Learn how Converge helped speed their revision process through version control using a cloud-based PDM solution.
Vita Inclinata
Learn how Converge and EpiGrid provided Vita Inclinata with an infrastructure that immediately solved their collaboration issues with their globally distributed design team.
