Not All Cloud CAD Is Equal: 10 Terms That Reveal the Difference

As cloud technology becomes increasingly prevalent across industries, the CAD space is no exception to this transformative shift.

With CAD vendors promoting their “cloud CAD software” solutions, understanding the terminology surrounding cloud computing is crucial to making informed decisions, because there’s a lot of “cloud-washing” happening. Cloud washing involves using the term “cloud” as a marketing buzzword rather than truly delivering the benefits and capabilities associated with cloud computing.

You might already be feeling the pressure from your CAD vendor to try their “cloud” offering or like you’re being forced into adopting their “cloud” version of CAD software. Even CAD experts who consider themselves “cloud-aware” can have trouble distinguishing between closely related terms that crop up in marketing materials or daily conversations.

We aim to clarify the top 10 cloud terms commonly used by CAD vendors while advocating that “cloud-native” CAD cloud systems are the gold standard.

But before exploring these terms, it’s essential to distinguish between software “built for” the cloud and those “retrofitted for” it. Legacy code and architecture present challenges for many CAD vendors, hindering their ability to leverage cloud benefits fully; therefore, some cloud CAD software solutions were retrofitted for the cloud. In contrast, cloud-native solutions were “built for” a cloud environment. As such, it delivers all the benefits of the cloud, from real-time collaboration to greater data security.

Not all “cloud” CAD software delivers every transformational benefit associated with the cloud. Some are limited by their architecture. Let’s explore 10 essential cloud terms you should know:

1. Qu'est-ce que le cloud computing ?

Commençons par les bases. Qu'est-ce que le cloud exactement ? Outre ces objets blancs duveteux que nous voyons lorsque nous levons les yeux, le cloud fait référence à un réseau de serveurs distants accessibles via Internet pour stocker, gérer et traiter des données plutôt que d'utiliser un serveur local ou un ordinateur personnel. Il permet aux utilisateurs d'accéder aux applications et aux données de n'importe où avec une connexion Internet.

So, rather than “downloading” software on a computer, users can access the software via the internet, and the software runs via the servers' cloud computing resource. This is one of the main advantages of cloud-based 3D CAD software over traditional software: There’s nothing to install, maintain, or update on your local machine. Cloud computing technology offers scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, as users can pay for only the resources they use and easily scale up or down as needed.

2. Qu'est-ce que le Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) ?

SaaS stands for Software-as-a-Service. It’s a cloud computing model where software applications are hosted and provided by a third-party provider over the internet for a subscription fee. Users access these applications via a web browser or mobile device rather than installing and maintaining them on their computers or servers. SaaS providers handle the maintenance, updates, security, and infrastructure, allowing users to focus on using the software rather than managing it. Common examples of SaaS software from CAD vendors are PTC’s Onshape and Creo, billed monthly.

3. What is Single-Tenant and Multi-Tenant?

Single-tenant architecture is a software hosting model where a single instance of an application or service serves a single customer. In contrast, a multi-tenant hosting model serves multiple customers. Multi-tenancy is commonly used in SaaS deployment models and provides the benefits of cost savings and scalability.

4. Qu'est-ce qu'un cloud public ?

A public cloud is defined as computing services offered by third-party providers over the public internet, making them available to anyone who wants to use or buy them. These services may be free or sold on demand, allowing customers to pay only for what they use.

Companies using a public cloud can access the applications they wish without the large upfront costs for hardware, software, or system maintenance.

5. Qu'est-ce qu'un cloud privé ?

Un cloud privé est une architecture informatique sur site accessible et gérée par une seule entreprise ou organisation. Comme un seul client en bénéficie, cette stratégie est plus coûteuse que le cloud public, mais les ressources peuvent être personnalisées en fonction du client.

Private clouds are best suited to companies that must meet regulatory requirements or deal with unusually sensitive data, such as financial data or health information. For manufacturers and engineering teams with strict IP protection requirements, a private cloud deployment of CAD cloud systems can offer tighter control over who accesses design data and how it's stored.

6. Qu'est-ce que le cloud hybride ?

Un cloud hybride est un environnement informatique qui combine des éléments de clouds publics et privés, permettant de partager des données et des applications entre eux. Dans une configuration de cloud hybride, certaines ressources sont hébergées dans un environnement de cloud public, géré par un fournisseur de services cloud tiers, tandis que d'autres sont hébergées dans un environnement de cloud privé, généralement géré par le service informatique de l'organisation.

7. Qu'est-ce que Cloud Storage ?

Cloud storage is a service that allows users to store and access data over the internet on remote servers maintained by a cloud service provider. Instead of storing data on local storage devices like hard drives or flash drives, users can upload files to the cloud storage provider's servers, securely stored and accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft OneDrive are examples of cloud storage for individuals.

It’s important to note that cloud storage alone does not make a CAD platform “cloud CAD.” Storing files remotely while running the application locally is fundamentally different from a true cloud-native CAD experience.

8. Qu'est-ce que Cloud-Hosted ?

Cloud-hosted is a model in which a third-party cloud provider runs an application on its own servers on behalf of a customer. Cloud-hosted CAD software offers the flexibility and cost-efficiency of a rental business model. Instead of investing in and owning your software, hardware, and servers on-premises, you buy them as a service. Companies that choose cloud-hosted can quickly scale what they need or don’t need without incurring the large and ongoing investments required to run the applications on their own.

Cependant, les services hébergés dans le cloud ajoutent un intermédiaire (et souvent un intergiciel). Vous pouvez transférer la charge de l'administration et de la mise à jour de vos logiciels de CAO et PDM, mais vous en assumez les frais.

9. Qu'est-ce qui est basé sur le cloud, connecté au cloud ou alimenté par le cloud ?

Ces termes génériques indiquent aux utilisateurs que le cloud est impliqué d'une manière ou d'une autre, mais c'est aux utilisateurs de découvrir dans quelle mesure. S'agit-il d'un modèle de stockage dans le cloud dans lequel l'application est exécutée sur du matériel local ?

De nombreux fournisseurs ont adopté la tactique du « cloud washing » ou, mieux encore, ont étiqueté ou commercialisé leurs produits, services ou solutions sous la forme " de " ou " de type " basé sur le cloud, afin de tirer parti de la popularité et de l'engouement autour du cloud computing, même si l'offre ne répond pas vraiment aux caractéristiques ou aux normes du cloud computing.

This misleading marketing tactic can lead to confusion among consumers and businesses who may believe they are purchasing or using genuine cloud CAD solutions when, in fact, the product may simply be traditional software or services hosted on remote servers without the scalability, elasticity, or other benefits typically associated with true cloud computing. When evaluating any platform that claims to be cloud-based CAD, ask directly: Where does computation happen? Where is data stored? Can multiple users access and edit simultaneously without file check-out conflicts?

10. Qu'est-ce que Cloud-Native ?

Le cloud native fait référence à la conception, à la création et à l'exécution d'applications qui tirent pleinement parti de tous les avantages du cloud computing. Il met l'accent sur l'évolutivité, la résilience, l'automatisation et les principes de livraison continue. Les architectures cloud natives permettent aux entreprises d'innover plus rapidement et de répondre plus efficacement aux évolutions du marché tout en proposant des expériences utilisateur de qualité supérieure.

With cloud-native CAD software, all data is stored on the cloud, and all required computation happens there. Nothing is downloaded or stored on a user's machine, and CAD files don’t exist in the traditional sense. Instead, data is stored in a centralized cloud database. Cloud-native architectures are optimized for reliability and eliminate crashes, data corruption, and data loss normally associated with CAD software.

Onshape: True Cloud-Native CAD Software

Onshape is the clearest real-world example of cloud-native CAD in action. Built from scratch for the cloud, with no desktop version, no local file system, and no installer, Onshape demonstrates what's possible when CAD software is designed entirely around cloud infrastructure rather than retrofitted for it. Every save, every version, every collaborator edit happens in the cloud, automatically.

Collaboration is a standout advantage of cloud-native CAD software. Engineers and designers can work on the same model simultaneously, in real time, from any location without the friction of checking files in and out or reconciling conflicting versions. For global manufacturing and engineering teams, this means faster design cycles and fewer bottlenecks.

Security is another key consideration. Cloud-native CAD platforms typically benefit from enterprise-grade security infrastructure, including encryption at rest and in transit, role-based access controls, and audit trails, often exceeding what most in-house IT environments can provide. Your IP stays protected without sacrificing accessibility.

For manufacturing teams specifically, the benefits of a cloud-native manufacturing platform extend beyond CAD with integrated PLM, real-time BOM management, and seamless supplier collaboration all become possible within a single, always-updated environment, including PDM built in by design, not added as a separate tool.

Cloud-Native comme référence absolue

Now that we've clarified these essential cloud CAD terms, why are cloud-native architectures considered the gold standard?

A cloud-native architecture is the best because it is specifically tailored to harness the full potential of cloud computing – and now AI development – since it was designed for a cloud environment.

By embracing microservices, containers, and serverless computing, cloud-native CAD software enables organizations to achieve unprecedented agility, scalability, and reliability. With cloud-native approaches, businesses can innovate quickly and rapidly adapt to changing market conditions while delivering exceptional value to their customers.

Moreover, cloud-native architectures promote a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. By embracing DevOps agile practices and automation, organizations can streamline their development and deployment pipelines, reducing time-to-market and accelerating innovation cycles.

Bien que le cloud soit truffé d'un jargon déroutant, la compréhension de ces termes essentiels constitue la base pour exploiter son pouvoir de transformation. Ne vous laissez pas berner lorsque vous entendez un fournisseur de CAO parler de son logiciel cloud. Posez des questions.

En adoptant la CAO et le PDM natifs du cloud, vous pouvez vous aussi atteindre de nouveaux niveaux de collaboration, d'efficacité et d'agilité, propulsant ainsi votre entreprise vers un avenir aux possibilités illimitées.

(This blog was originally published February 29, 2024.)