User Overview

I-FIND
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User Overview
· What is I-FIND?
· How to run I-FIND
· What can I do with I-FIND?
· Where can I get more info?

I-FIND is an intuitive web-based search engine for engineering data. It is often coupled with background processes which enable the user to launch processes (e.g. create ECO's) or create derived data (IGES or PDF files). As such, I-FIND's capabilities for both data search and creation depend on how it is implemented at your enterprise.

By itself, I-FIND does not create or store databases. Rather, it 'mines' the data from several databases (e.g. CAD, MRP, etc.) and maintains indices of the metadata (data attributes such as part number, revision, creation date, etc.) which can be quickly searched. Since the location of the source data (e.g. CAD files) is known it can be passed to automated programs which can perform tasks with the data. This is illustrated in figure 1 below in which I-FIND acts as a portal to the arena of data available in the corporate intranets and extranets.

figure 1. I-FIND ties many different systems together and acts as a portal

How to run I-FIND

All you need to run I-FIND is a web browser (4.0 or higher) and access to the I-FIND URL. Your system or CAD administrator should be able to give you the location of this URL. It will look something like http://localhost/ifind-bin/ifind-plus.exe. Enter this into Netscape or MS Internet Explorer and presto! You're running I-FIND. Also, you may run a live demonstration of I-FIND on WAMware's internet website.

What can I do with I-FIND?

This really depends on how I-FIND is set up at your company. At a minimum you should be able to find CAD files from various systems using a metadata search and view the native data with commercial viewers. The real power of I-FIND comes when it is integrated with your company's processes to enable other actions, such as:

plot CAD files without access to the CAD program itself

create PDF files (with Document Control watermark stamps)

correlate BOM info

create IGES, DXF, VRML, HPGL and other derivative files

attach non-CAD documents by part number

initiate ECO and purchasing processes

Where can I get more info?

WAMware.com has the most up to date information on I-FIND and its related products.
Go directly to the I-FIND web page for more details.

Try these links for specific help on:

Your system or CAD administrator should be able to tell you about I-FIND at your company