Data Migration to 3DEXPERIENCE Platform – MTorres Success Story

• How MTorres developed their transition strategy: the steps they took to plan and streamline their data migration from SmarTeam, Teamcenter and Designer Central to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
• The transition approach MTorres adopted: the strategies and methodologies they used to reduce effort and downtime during the transition.
• The key factors MTorres monitored: how they safeguarded against potential data migration failures and ensured a smooth transition.
• The tools and techniques used by MTorres: an insider’s view of the tools and approaches that contributed to their successful transition.

PLM managers, PLM owners, IT managers, solution architects, CAD and PDM administrators, engineering managers and digital transformation leaders.

• JR

  Jesús Cobos Romano

  Head of IT PMO & Applications · MTorres

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• JP

  Jose Antonio Perez

  PLM and CAD Manager · MTorres

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• KZ

  Kalpesh Zalavadia

  COO, Founder · SteepGraph Systems

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• LH

  Lars Peder Hansen

  Principal PLM Consultant · SteepGraph Systems

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What tools and utilities were used for data migration across the three PLM systems at MTorres — 3DEXPERIENCE, Teamcenter and NX?

We used SteepGraph’s ETL tool for all three migrations. We have separate extractors for 3DEXPERIENCE, Teamcenter and SmarTeam, which extract the data into our ETL tool. The tool then transforms the data into the 3DEXPERIENCE UPS data model and loads it accordingly.

What approach was followed at MTorres — direct UPS migration, or migrating to DEC first and then to UPS?

In this project the DEC upgrade was completed first, followed by the UPS migration in 2021x.

Is MTorres’ current 3DEXPERIENCE implementation on-premises or cloud-based?

The current implementation is on-premises.

Did users work with the DEC process for a period, or was it simply upgraded to DEC and then immediately migrated to UPS?

The customer first upgraded to DEC, and users began using DEC on the new 3DEXPERIENCE version. Following that, the customer migrated from DEC to UPS.

Were EC Parts used alongside DEC? Migration tools like EDAT seem to be lacking when it comes to migrating EC Part metadata and relationships from DEC to UPS.

When migrating to UPS, both the CAD BOM and the EBOM need to be merged into a single product structure. Our tool can extract the CAD BOM and EBOM separately and merge them into one BOM, following predefined rules, before loading into UPS.

Are SteepGraph’s data migration tools fully automated, or do they require some manual effort as well?

SteepGraph tools automate the migration process to the fullest extent possible. For orchestrating the various steps, a user-friendly interface and dashboards let you define and fine-tune the migration process to the project’s requirements.

Does the migration tool accept input data in any format, or does it need a specific format such as CSV or XML?

We have extractors for various PLM systems, including Teamcenter, 3DEXPERIENCE and SmarTeam, which extract data directly from their databases — so there is no need for CSV or XML.

How much time does SteepGraph’s migration tool save compared to a standard migration process?

Migration time depends on factors such as the size of the metadata and files, infrastructure sizing and data quality. With all other parameters equal, our ETL tool can save approximately 30 to 40% of the migration time.

For the migration of CATIA data, how were missing links addressed, assuming the implementation uses a black-box approach?

During migration you can either proceed with missing links or raise an error when links are missing. The customer chooses which; most customers prefer to correct missing links after migration.

What were the critical issues in the 3DEXPERIENCE 2021x upgrade and UPS migration project, and how were they fixed?

Challenges:

• Keeping the productive platform running without interruption

• The complexity of merging existing data into the new system

• A slow legacy migration process that needed speeding up

Solution:

• Educating end users on the UPS data model before migration

• SteepGraph’s upgrade tools during execution

• ANT scripts to automate the upgrade procedure

• A three-way merging tool

• An upgrade analysis tool

What were the critical issues in the Teamcenter data migration and NX integration project, and how were they fixed?

Challenges:

• Immature NX integration tools

• Merging existing CAD data

• Handling large volumes of data

• Supporting user adoption while minimising impact

Solution:

• Close Dassault Systèmes involvement to improve the out-of-the-box NX integration tools (a critical improvement)

• SteepGraph’s ETL-based migration tools and expertise

• Analysing the source data properly

• Loading data incrementally

• Deciding the migration strategy: big bang, bottom-up or top-down

• SteepGraph’s methodology for migrating large data volumes within a short cutover

What were the critical issues in the SAP S/4HANA integration project, and how were they fixed?

Challenges:

• Design references are only part of the whole set of components

• Identifying master data, duplicates and the multi-CAD platform

• Guaranteeing data integrity through changes

• Existing commercial tools are too rigid

• MTorres’ design methodology is complex and changing

• Keeping the project in step with the SAP S/4HANA adoption

Solution:

• SteepGraph custom tools and development team

• Permanent follow-up meetings and key-user availability