Infrastructure On Demand Webcasts

It's on demand! A screencast is a digital recording of a computer screen output with audio-narration -so it's easy to follow along.

Exclusive Synergis Training for CAD Managers: Robert Green Webcast 2008 Series

Staying Billable for CAD Users - Part#1
As a CAD user you’re constantly under pressure to learn new CAD features and work methods to speed projects and getter better results yet you’re under so much pressure to stay billable that you can’t seem to find the time to do so.  So how do you learn more to improve your CAD skill set while still remaining as billable as possible?  In this web cast we’ll explore some ideas to help you achieve these sometimes competing goals.

We’ll start with aligning your learning needs to your project work responsibilities to make sure you’re learning the right stuff.  Then we’ll focus on achieving greater individual CAD productivity so that any time you do spend learning better skills will be paid for with faster, higher quality CAD production.  To help put these ideas into motion we’ll also explore creating informal users groups, time tracking methods to document productivity, and working closely with your CAD manager and project management.  If you’ve ever felt frazzled by the competing pressures to learn more and stay billable you’ll want to attend.

View Available Recording
Webcast Recorded: March 3, 2008

Staying Billable for CAD Users - Part#2
As a CAD manager you’ve always got too many things going on and many of them are not project billable.  But billable or not the plotters must be tended to, questions must be answered, and software must be maintained even though these all fall into “overhead” expense categories - yet CAD managers are still called upon to be billable.  What should you do?  This web cast should give you some ideas to help break the log jam.

We’ll start by challenging old assumptions about what is overhead and what should be billable and how to morph the former into the latter.  We’ll explore proactive CAD management techniques like user training, project kickoff meetings, standards maintenance and vendor management in the context of project management which is, in fact, billable.  Along the way we’ll discuss how you can expand your CAD management skill set while making a case that the learning time you’ll spend can be beneficial to billable projects.  Finally, we’ll do a quick return on investment sample so you can document what you’re doing.  If you’re a CAD manager under pressure to be billable you don’t want to miss this session.

View Available Recording
Webcast Recorded: March 17, 2008

Managing the Software Backlog
CAD managers and power users see a lot of new software every year yet have precious little time to implement these new tools, thus creating a software backlog.  In this web cast we’ll explore why this backlog exists and provide a strategic way for CAD managers to decide what software should be implemented, why and when.

We’ll start with a CAD manager’s checklist that you can use to evaluate new software features to make a quick “go or no go” decision on implementation.  Then we’ll transition into communicating new software benefits to both your users and your senior management so you can build support for new software implementations.  Finally we’ll discuss how project schedules and workloads determine how fast or slow you’ll need to proceed with implementation while still keeping the company running.  If you have to evaluate new software versions and make the tough call of when to implement them you don’t want to miss this session.

View Available Recording
Webcast Recorded: March 31, 2008

Planning for Software Upgrades
In this continuation from “Managing the Software Backlog” we’ll look at ways CAD managers can become more proactive about forecasting new software technology and keep the software backlog from materializing in the first place.

We’ll begin by outlining some resources CAD managers can use to “pre-screen” new software releases to determine if implementation will be likely.  We’ll then present a checklist approach you can use to categorize the medium and long term needs of your company that will help you prioritize which types of software enhancements you’ll want to implement most.  To wrap things up we’ll explore some ideas for preparing users and management team members for the changes about to come.  If you’ve ever felt that there must be a better way to manage all the software you receive and understand your upgrade options more thoroughly, you’re sure to get some usable ideas in this session.

View Available Recording
Webcast Recorded: April 14, 2008
Download as a PDF

Getting Ready for Upgrade Implementation
CAD managers are on the hot seat when a new piece of software gets implemented right?  So what can you do to be better prepared for the inevitable and how can you reduce the chaos of implementation?  In this web cast we’ll examine ways to better plan for implementation so that the actual task will go much smoother and easier when the time comes.

We’ll start with a list of resources you need to have in place prior to software implementation from the user’s perspective and senior management’s perspective as well.  Then we’ll transition into planning for training and phase in of new software based on project or team schedules.  Finally we’ll discuss some ways to mitigate implementation problems by picking the right people to lead the implementation charge and how you can use your power users to assist.  If you’ve ever suffered though difficult software implementation you don’t want to miss this session.

View Available Recording (50 minutes)
Webcast Recorded: April 28, 2008

Keeping Production Running During the Upgrade
Now that you’re about to implement new software how can you assure your management and users that the new software won’t impact productivity or compromise job deadlines?  In this web cast we’ll examine these tricky questions from a CAD manager’s point of view.

We’ll begin by making sure that you pick the right “launch window” for your implementation to assure minimal conflicts.  Next we’ll investigate some strategies for pausing implementations and how to isolate the risk of new software to minimize the possibility of productivity impact.  To sum it up we’ll talk about the availability of outside resources to assist you with implementation in case job pressures start to become unmanageable.  If you ever have to implement new software on a tight timeline while still having to support ongoing CAD work, you’ll gain valuable insights in this session.

View Available Recording (55 minutes)
Webcast Recorded: May 12,, 2008

Download as a PDF

Exclusive Synergis Training for CAD Managers: Robert Green Webcast 2007 Series

Automating Standards
The CAD standard that is easiest to use is most likely to be followed.  So how do you take the CAD standards you’ve created and automate them so there’s essentially zero effort for the user?

In this presentation we’ll go over some concepts for getting your CAD installation more standard, centrally based, and easier for you to maintain all while achieving an automatic CAD standard environment for your users. 

We’ll use AutoCAD as an example platform to illustrate centralized network standards storage, configuration tips, and how to create startup drawings that can deliver CAD standards every time the user logs in.  The concepts illustrated will be scalable to any CAD program in any environment though special attention will be paid to managing standards over wide area installations. 

We’ll also cover a few tips on how to test and manage your standards offline then easily move the standards on line to make the standards process easier for you, not just your users.  If you need to deliver standards to multiple users and want to make the process as painless as possible you’ll get some great tips in this presentation.

Download: Automating Standards - Robert Green Series - Recording 3
Webcast Recorded: October 29, 2007
Format: Webex. wrf (webex player & PDF version included in zip file)

Capturing Your Standards
How can you write standards and convey them in a way that makes convey them in a way that makes people read and follow them? Why are standards so hard to write and communicate?

• Why the old way doesn’t work
• A new outlook on standards
• How to capture standards easily
• Converting standards to written form
• Publishing standards
• Multi-media standards

Download: Capturing Your Standards - Robert Green Series - Recording 2
Session recorded on October 1, 2007. No audio available. Format: PDF

Setting Up Standards
As power users and CAD managers we know that CAD standards can help us achieve greater efficiency in our workplace, right?  But do our users and senior managers understand this fundamental truth?  What could we do while setting up our standards to make our users and senior managers really see the benefits?

In this presentation we’ll touch upon the key reasons why CAD standards are good for everyone and explain the benefits in standard language so everyone can get on board with the idea.  Once we’ve covered the concept of explaining the benefits of CAD standards we’ll discuss what areas to standardize on and what order to do so to achieve a smooth implementation for all.  Throughout the presentation we’ll focus on the concept that standards must be enforced to be useful, so emphasis on helping you enforce CAD standards by working with upper management will be a repeating theme.  If you need to take control of your company’s standards but don’t know where to start this presentation will help you get the ball rolling.

  Download: Setting Up Standards - Robert Green Series - Recording 1
Webcast Recorded: September 10, 2007
Format: Webex. wrf (webex player included in zip file)

Maintenance Mode Training
So you’ve made it through training users on a new release and have the software working. Great! Are you done with training now? No! Once initial training on new software is completed it is essential that a "maintenance mode training" approach be adopted so users continue to learn and use their software ever more effectively. In this webcast Robert will address training in maintenance mode by sharing methods he’s used to achieve success.

Topics include:

• creating mini user groups and junior CAD managers
• using power lunches to reinforce/teach best practices
• getting users to help maintain and upgrade CAD standards while they train
• using training to cut production costs
• establishing a learning library that can be used to train new employees quickly.

If you’ve gone to all the trouble to run a great training program don’t lose momentum now! Stay in the mode of constant learning and improvement by using the concepts you’ll learn in this webcast.

Download:  Maintenance Mode Training - Robert Green Series - Recording 3
Webcast Recorded: May 21, 2007
Format: Webex. wrf (webex player included in zip file)

What to Train?
If you find yourself in the position of running a training program you’ll need to identify the topics contained in your training courses. In this On-Demand Webcast Robert will introduce the concept of "targeted technical training" that delivers solid business results via increased user productivity while teaching users about the software on their desktops.

• identification of key features for training
• building a prioritized training syllabus
• inclusion of real world examples and standards
• training materials development
• segmented training timelines
• how to report back to management so they see the progress you’ve made.

  Download: What to Train? Robert Green Series - Recording 2
Webcast Recorded: April 23, 2007
Format: Webex. wrf (webex player included in zip file)

Why Training?
If you’re a CAD manager or power user who supports other CAD users you probably realize how much training you perform as you answer questions and fix problems. But how can you convert these informal training activities into a training process that makes users more productive? In this On Demand Webcast Robert covers how to get started with a training program by getting your users and senior management to see the benefits of "targeted technical training."

  Download: Why Training? Robert Green Series - Recording 1
Webcast Recorded: March 26, 2007
Format: Webex. wrf (webex player & PDF version, included in zip file)