TIMS3 Document Management Software Suite has played a major role in the management of technical drawings and documents in many large development projects. This case study highlights the power of TIMS3 to communicate and manage large numbers of documents between different groups and companies.

In this case, the design management process used for this project is as interesting as its engineering features. Using advanced e-technology and TIMS Site Replication, engineers at the Honda Alabama engineering office could quickly download and view up-to-date documents designed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Giffels Associates Limited designed the original Honda Assembly Plant in Alliston, Ontario, and has subsequently expanded the operation to build the Odyssey Minivan. Now, Honda is increasing its output of this popular vehicle by building a further assembly plant in Lincoln, Alabama, USA.

Through a competitive bid process, Giffels and a joint venture partner from Alabama - BE&K Engineering - were awarded all building and site design. There are two manufacturing facilities in this $440 million, 1,700,000 square foot complex.

At the outset of the conceptual work, BE&K worked closely with their Giffels counterparts. Using TIMS3 to manage and transmit valuable information resources throughout this venture, helped to forge a strong and lasting bond between these two companies.

Using TIMS3 to manage their documents, Giffels and BE&K designed a large number of technical drawings for the Alabama Project. These drawings were transferred twice a day between Alabama and Toronto. The rapid availability of information helped to speed the collaboration and development of this large facility to completion.

Project Replication was performed using TIMS Cleanup, an automated file administration utility. TIMS Cleanup would update all the project files twice a day from the Giffels network to Alabama, and from Alabama to Giffels network. The technical drawings were shared between the engineering teams at both sites to assist collaboration.

The information was transferred through a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to ensure safety and security. Replication was performed during lunchtime and after work hours, and took between a half to two hours to update over one thousand drawings.

A great deal of the success of this project is shared with the TIMS3 system, making collaboration and communication quick and easy.