For manufacturing and design companies, as well as for professional engineering firms and technical departments, two key processes are critical for efficient operations: the production of technical documentation and the management of updated drawings. These processes are foundational not only for ensuring smooth internal workflows but also for delivering accurate and timely information to external stakeholders, such as customers and suppliers.
Modern businesses face increasing demands for compliance, traceability, and real-time collaboration. In this context, LogicalDOC provides a powerful, centralized platform to streamline technical documents and drawing management, version control, and the generation of manuals. It supports the needs of diverse departments—design, production, and technical writing—through advanced features tailored specifically to the technical documentation workflow.
Document and Drawing Management in Design and Production
In technical environments, designers often use CAD software like AutoCAD to create vector-based drawings. These documents are living entities that evolve over time through iterative revisions and updates. LogicalDOC provides seamless integration and robust support for managing these drawing files. Thanks to its preview capabilities, users can view CAD drawings without having to open them in native software, saving time and simplifying access.
One of the most critical functionalities LogicalDOC offers is version control. Each modification to a drawing is tracked automatically, ensuring that the entire history of the document is preserved. This enables users to review previous versions, compare changes, and maintain full traceability of all revisions—an essential requirement in regulated industries such as aerospace, automotive, and industrial manufacturing.
LogicalDOC also simplifies the process of categorizing and retrieving drawings. Users can define metadata parameters such as project code, drawing number, revision date, or product line. Advanced search functionalities allow for quick retrieval based on these parameters, significantly reducing the time spent searching for the right document and minimizing the risk of using outdated files.
Full Support for Technical Documentation Workflows
Beyond drawings, LogicalDOC is a powerful ally in the creation and management of technical documentation. This includes manuals, technical documents, product sheets, project files, installation guides, testing protocols, certifications, and compliance reports.
Managing Technical Manuals
Technical manuals are indispensable for communicating how to assemble, use, maintain, or troubleshoot a product. LogicalDOC facilitates the structured production and continual updating of these manuals. Documents can be collaboratively edited, reviewed, and approved through configurable workflows that ensure consistency and compliance with internal or external standards.
Once completed, manuals can be linked to specific products, stored in logically organized folders, and versioned to ensure clarity about which manual applies to which product generation or model.
Product Sheets Management
Typically, each product is accompanied by two essential technical documents:
- Feature and Production Sheet: This document describes the product’s technical specifications, prerequisites for manufacturing, and the required materials or components.
- Production Cycle Sheet: This outlines the sequential steps and processes involved in manufacturing the product.
LogicalDOC enables the creation, storage, and retrieval of both types of sheets. These can be organized by project or product line in dedicated folders, ensuring clarity and accessibility. All document updates are tracked, providing transparency and auditability over time.
Project Documentation and Customer Deliverables
In most industries, especially where certifications and quality standards matter, customers expect complete and traceable technical project documentation. This includes not only the product sheets and manuals but also any additional compliance or test reports.
LogicalDOC offers an efficient method to compile and deliver this documentation. Using the Export to ZIP feature, users can package selected technical documents into a ZIP archive and share it with external parties. This ensures that customers receive a consolidated, readable, and professional package, while also simplifying recordkeeping and reducing the risk of missing documents during handover.
Enhancing Access with the Web Interface
One of the most valuable features of LogicalDOC is its robust and secure web interface, which allows access to documents from anywhere with an internet connection. This functionality is particularly useful for field technicians, installers, and support staff who may need to consult technical documentation while on-site or at customer locations.
The web interface includes comprehensive permission controls, allowing administrators to grant access to specific folders or documents based on user roles. This ensures that internal staff, partners, or customers can only view the documents that are relevant to them. For example, a customer might be granted access only to their product documentation folder, while internal technical personnel can view and edit all related technical projects.
Integrating LogicalDOC in the Technical Office
The integration of LogicalDOC into a technical office's day-to-day operations brings numerous process improvements:
- Drawings Archive Management: Centralized storage, full version history, and quick search capabilities streamline the handling of CAD files.
- Technical Manual Production: Streamlined collaboration and review workflows ensure manuals are accurate and up-to-date.
- Product Sheet Management: Clear organization of feature sheets and production cycles improves traceability and access.
- Project Documentation Delivery: Export functions make it easy to deliver clean, complete documentation sets to customers.
- Real-Time Access and Security: Web access allows on-the-go consultation, while robust permissions maintain data security.
Departments and Teams Involved
LogicalDOC provides benefits across multiple departments involved in technical documentation and production workflows:
- Design Department: Manages CAD drawings, annotations, and design revisions.
- Production Department: Uses product and cycle sheets to coordinate manufacturing processes.
- Technical Writers: Collaborate on the creation of user manuals and technical documents.
- Technical Managers: Oversee technical projects, ensure compliance, and deliver customer packages.
Conclusion: A Modern Approach to Technical Office Management
In summary, LogicalDOC offers a complete and scalable solution for managing the complex documentation needs of a modern technical office. It empowers organizations to maintain structured, searchable, and version-controlled archives of their most critical technical documents—drawings, manuals, product sheets, and more.
By introducing LogicalDOC, companies benefit from improved efficiency, stronger collaboration, reduced administrative overhead, and enhanced customer satisfaction. Whether in the office, on the production floor, or in the field, LogicalDOC ensures that the right information is always at hand—securely and efficiently.
