Database Driven
NetSPEX uses a standards database to store predefined styles, attributes, drawing types, configurations, and drawing components. This allows the standards content to be both dynamic and current. When a standards administrator makes changes to the standards that are stored in the database, these changes are immediately made available to both local and remote design participants.
Direct Connection
Because the information contained in a NetSPEX standards database is distributed through a web server, the standards database can be accessed from virtually anywhere. This allows remote offices to be granted access to the standard drawing components and other resources stored in the standards database without a direct connection to the database.
Mirror Server Connection
NetSPEX allows multiple mirror servers for those remote offices. This feature allows an organization to maintain a primary standards server, and at predefined intervals, push standards information to mirror servers. This database-driven distribution model minimizes network traffic, ensures that standards information is synchronized throughout the entire organization, and reduces common concerns related to tracking, management, and deployment of new or revised versions of a CAD standard.
Disconnected
In addition, off-line or part-line users can access a snapshot of any NetSPEX standards database in XML format. If an administrator makes changes to a standard, a snapshot can be created from the main database and sent to the off-line or part-line user via FTP, DVD, CD or e-mail.
Importing Standards into the Database
To facilitate the population of the standards database with information, NetSPEX supports import and export of CAD standards to and from ExcelŽ spreadsheets. This enables a CAD administrator to develop standard drawing types, layer structures, component types, and component groups, as well as color, style, and weight attributes. With the help of a few easy-to-use interface wizards, the spreadsheet can be imported into the CAD standards database. Changes to an existing standard in a NetSPEX CAD standards database can be made directly in NetSPEX Administrator, or if desired, the standard - or portions thereof - can be exported to another spreadsheet for editing purposes.
NetSPEX supports Microsoft SQL ServerŽ 2005.
