Library and Add-on management across multiple locations

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

I am currently wondering what is the most efficient way to manage libraries for multiple parties across a physical server, a cloud and the individual Add-ons native to each device. This is becoming an issue as I have colleagues that work from home and potentially from different offices that would like to you use my template and libraries.

Do you guys have any tips or links to discussions on this topic that you know of?

Muchos gracias,

Michael

[Anonymous]

Michael

The easiest way by far is to setup a BIM Server and save your template as a teamwork project! This will share your libraries and your template and all your colleagues need do is save it as a solo project for the project they are starting!
It is a little dependent on how you have your network setup but it is by far the best way! It also helps when pushing updates of the template and libraries.

You will however have to install the add-ons on each machine!

[Anonymous]

Hi Kristian,

thanks for the reply. I was anticipating this would have to be my next step. I guess I have a little reading to do. Can anyone recommend the best reference or a thread?

Ta,

Michael

[Anonymous]

No worries at all!
The help center articles make is look a little daunting but it isn't too bad at all!
http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/guides/archicad-18-bimcloud-and-bim-server-help/getting-started-wit...
It really is almost as simple as picking a machine to install it on, doing the install, making sure the ports are open and available and then setting up the users and their roles on the server!

[Barry Kelly]

I just use synchronising software that copies the libraries and templates from our server to everyone's local hard drive.
The files are constantly kept up to date.
No need to set up teamwork, share files, set up roles, etc.

And if you don't want external users to have access to your server you can set up something like Dropbox.

Barry.

[Anonymous]

You've given me a bit to think about.

I guess you want to future proof but at the same time not have unnecessary complication.

Barry how many people does your libraries and templates service? At what point would you consider switching to a BIM server?

[Barry Kelly]

Michael wrote:
Barry how many people does your libraries and templates service? At what point would you consider switching to a BIM server?

About 100 people.
And I have never even tried to set up teamwork.
Maybe I should look at it but it seems like a lot of work to me.

I have a master library and templates that sync to about 7 separate servers - one in each of our offices.
This is controlled by out IT people and is not a necessary step.
We do it just so we don't have 100 people all accessing the same files first thing in the morning.

Then the individual users sync from those servers to their local drives automatically every time they start their machines.
Their sync programs are set to run automatically at start-up.

For people outside the office that we don't want to give access to our system I have setup a sync that that updates the files in Dropbox.
I then share the Dropbox folder with the external users so they constantly have an updated library and templates as well.

With Dropbox you need to be a little careful though.
The free version is a 2-way sync so if your user makes a change to the library or deletes a file then it will automatically sync back to the master Dropbox folder and all other users will get the same change.
But if you pay for a subscription you can control access so the changes can only go one way and the users can have no impact on the files.

Barry.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Barry. I had concerns that that may be the case with dropbox.

I will be servicing a much, much smaller group. I guess i'll do some reading over christmas and decide the best way forward next year.