PROCAD, a leader in 3D and 2D piping design software, released its newest product PapriCAD 3D. Built on a scalable data-centric platform, PapriCAD® 3D offers a comprehensive solution that delivers 3D modeling, component design, material reports plus AutoCAD. Quickly transform ideas into data rich 3D piping installations with minimal training, accelerated productivity and lowered costs. http://bit.ly/NmdQGu

Quote from your website re: Owner Operators, "Capture return on investment more quickly from piping models to first oil. Effectively plan, manage and control short-term project performance and long-term plant operations success.
- Manage concurrent projects across multiple contractors
- Share data across teams and with customers
- Ensure projects and plant operations comply with regulatory standards and customer specifications
- Upgrade projects"

As an owner operator, please explain to me how your 3D CAD software will help me effectively plan, manage and control project performance and plant operations success; manage concurrent projects, and ensure regulatory compliance.

GREAT! ....Another 3D piping program that is promising to make my life easier!!! I can't wait. ;D-=-=

Not just make your life easier, but accelerate designs and eliminate errors; improve collaboration; maximize productivity; efficiently manage workflows, materials and resources; effectively plan, manage and control project performance and plant operations success; manage concurrent projects; and ensure projects and plant operations comply with regulatory standards and customer specifications.

Obviously I'm being facetious; however, when CAD software manufacturers continue to make claims like this year after year, they bring it on themselves. I'm a big believer in 3D CAD, but as has been said many times before, it’s a drafting tool, a powerful one, but none-the-less just another tool in an arsenal of tools we use in the engineering world. What irritates me is that these types of claims are thrown out by people who don’t actually have to do the work around the development and writing of the work processes. These have to come from the experienced hands at the engineering companies who have the talent to manage and maximize the results. No 3D CAD system can plan my work nor eliminate errors on its own any more than my old mechanical pencil could.

I remember similar claims made about 2D CAD twenty years ago that convinced companies the software could replace "high-priced" seniors, which led to the laying off of the experienced people with disastrous results. Maybe one day they’ll realize that they’re not talking to the MBA's and inexperienced management any longer. They’re now talking to experienced designers and managers who know how CAD works; people who understand the capabilities of the software and have developed the procedures and customizations to execute projects utilizing it.

Anyway, it's all been said before, so I'll quit my rant, other than to say that I hope we have all learned to take claims like this with a grain of salt, and weigh the pros and cons of the true functionalities when selecting a software; not trust in the nebulous buzz words of the salesmen. It would be refreshing however to meet a software manufacturer for once who would cut to the chase and explain the particular features that makes their product stand out from the competition for the hands-on users, and who's claims didn't include a lot of hype that I have to wade through.