A technical review package your supplier can actually use
CoLab lets you bring suppliers into design conversations much earlier — shortening product development cycles and exposing risk before a drawing gets to production.
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How it works
CoLab provides secure file sharing that works with your PLM system, so you can get better, faster design feedback from your suppliers.
Speed up the supplier review process
Does this sound familiar?
- You create a file package for your supplier to review.
- You send that package via email or a PowerPoint link.
- You wait… and wait… and wait for your supplier to review the files
- You set up a meeting to review the final quotes.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Speed is still the greatest hurdle for teams trying to bring suppliers into the product development process. Whether it’s an RFQ, DFM review or quality check, there doesn’t seem to be an easy way to get feedback from suppliers earlier.
Teams who use CoLab set-up dedicated online portals for suppliers to review drawings, 3D models and PMI documentation. All with direct support from your PLM — rather than just another app for your team to ignore.
So, you get the critical input you need without the hassle of packaging, sending and waiting for feedback. And without a complicated license fee.
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Get full visibility into what’s happening with your files
Up to 80% of drawings and models get shared by suppliers (to their suppliers), without you ever knowing.
Regain control of your critical IP with secure, traceable file sharing.
CoLab lets you create portals for external sharing, each with custom permissions to view, share, or download files.
That means every supplier gets the access they need. When you’re done collaborating, shut down file access just as easily.
Turn vendors into partners
Yes — your vendors are just as frustrated as you with how you engage them during product development. And as engineering teams get more top-down pressure to diversify supplier networks or ensure vendors can meet predicted demand, this frustration leads to commodity vendor relationships.
What if, instead, you had a platform where your team could engage with vendors early and often during a PD cycle?
Teams who use CoLab bring their vendors into product development conversations earlier by sharing 3D models, drawings and more in a dedicated, online vendor portal. Then vendors participate in design conversations rather than pilot build requirements requests.
This means less late-stage design errors for your team and a smoother experience for your vendors.
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Integrations
You don’t need yet another disconnected software solution. That's why CoLab does two things:
- It integrates with your CAD and PLM software to create a connected tech ecosystem.
- It replaces the 5-10 apps you use to complete a single process workflow with 1-2 apps (CoLab + PLM, for example)
CoLab supports more than 70 file types, including native and neutral CAD and integrates with many PLM/PDM systems.
Aside from engineering system integrations, CoLab also integrates with Jira and supports security protocols, like SSO, user permissions and more.
Supplier collaboration case studies
Engineering teams use CoLab to collaborate with suppliers nearly every day.
Mainspring Energy saw a huge opportunity to speed up product development by streamlining their supplier collaboration process. With CoLab, during the first six months, the team has seen a 50% cost reduction during product development… in half the time.
“The way we were doing our work is the same way that everyone else has traditionally been doing their work. Take screenshots [of a design], put that into a slide deck, and send that slide deck around for comments. Then you’re getting 10 people in a conference room for an hour. That's how we were doing things, but we knew there had to be a better way.”
FAQs about using CoLab for Supplier Collaboration
How engineering teams use CoLab
Whether you’re discussing a prototype or a production drawing, CoLab makes sure everyone is on the same page. Review designs together, in 3D, and pin feedback directly to a model or drawing.
It shouldn’t be hard to tap into your supplier’s expertise. Whether you need DFM feedback or you’re running a multi-supplier RFQ, CoLab makes it easy to share CAD and drawings, exchange design feedback, and approve revisions.
With CoLab, you can make design expertise your competitive advantage. Run interactive technical evaluations with prospective customers to stand out in RFQs and grow your business.
CoLab helps engineering teams achieve 6, 7, and 8-figure cost reduction targets by giving you a repeatable way to run highly engaging value analysis events with groups of any size.
Better products start with better design conversations.
If you’re ready to see how CoLab can transform the way you work with suppliers, here’s how the process works.
- Every conversation starts with a discovery call. During this call, a technical expert will understand your team’s challenges with design review today
- Then, we’ll tailor a demo to address those challenges. This demo includes you, of course, but also some key members from your team who can speak to your challenges in greater detail and vet CoLab as the solution.
- Finally, we do a workshop with more members of your team. This is the fun part! During this workshop, your team will each have temporary CoLab licenses and participate in a sample design review. You and your team will be guided through key features and use cases right inside the CoLab platform.