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BobFrindt1-Visitor
1-Visitor
February 25, 2010
Question

[network] Who are the drafting service providers in India?

  • February 25, 2010
  • 4 replies
  • 1052 views
I meant to include you guys on my original response.

Bob Frindt
Sr. Designer
Parker Hannifin Corporation
Parker Aerospace
Gas Turbine Fuel Systems Division
9200 Tyler Boulevard
Mentor, OH 44060 USA
direct (440) 954-8159

    4 replies

    G
    gaston_lachapel1-Visitor
    1-Visitor
    February 25, 2010
    Robert, I have been using a company call Infotech since 2007.



    In general, I have been pleased with their services, however, there are
    some limitations due internet when they working on large assemblies,
    since they need to access all of the components. We 'do not" have
    Intralink or PDMlink. The limitations are typically on our end.
    Electrical cable harness routing & final assembly work is typically
    performed in-house by my full-time drafting staff.



    There is some loss in productivity due to difference in time 10.5 to
    11.5 depending on day light savings time. Work submitted to India during
    the day (7 to 4:30 central standard time) typically arrives in India
    after they are closed. They do run multiple shifts, however, all is shut
    down typically by 9:30 AM our time. Since they are working while we are
    sleeping, work sent to India can be completed by the time we start the
    next business day. They have holidays (12) & vacations similar to what
    occurs in the states, however, they occur at different times of the year
    than ours.



    I can communicate with them (audio & video conferencing) in the early
    morning, typically 6:30 - 8 AM as needed, however, this causes them to
    make staff available late at night for them, so I only do this
    occasionally. Verbal communications can be a challenge. E-mail
    communications with pictorial examples works best for daily issue
    resolution with engineering staff members. Infotech sends queries to our
    engineering staff. I am copied on all communications and get involved
    only when necessary. Most issues are resolved without my assistance.
    Communication from Infotech is typically clear & concise. I can
    increase/decrease staff at Infotech as needed. We typically use between
    2-8 people. They will place people on site if required, however, on-site
    support is nearly 3 times the rate. We have not needed anyone on site
    the past couple of years, however, it worked well to begin the process.
    Infotech had to learn our drafting practices. Their staff typically
    consists of engineers not drafters or designers. They are a contract
    house, so they have other customers they support besides our company and
    several CAD platforms including different releases of Pro/E



    The decision to use off-shore resources was not mine (corporate
    decision). However, I am responsible for using Infotech successfully to
    meet documentation release schedules. Overall, this has been working.
    Prior to Infotech, I primarily used local contractors. This option is no
    longer available to me.



    Sorry, I may not provide additional information other than this due to
    my work load requirements and available time. I hope this helps.



    Gaston


    J
    jdriscol1-Visitor
    1-Visitor
    February 25, 2010
    Gaston,

    Two questions.

    Do you thinkyour company (TORO) has saved money overall by having projects done in India vs the US?

    You didn't mention whether or not your products were being manufactured in India or China. If so,
    they have your manufacturing and they have your design data bases, so what's to prevent them from
    eliminating your partof the process in a year or so? Or is that something that Toro has on the back burner.

    jd


    G
    gaston_lachapel1-Visitor
    1-Visitor
    February 25, 2010
    Yes, the hourly rate is far less than for US contact houses & contractors. The productivity is less than my on-site drafting staff, however the cost is nearly 2/3 to ½ less overall.



    Yes, we have parts manufactured in China, Germany, Chech republic, England etc, but not in India. However, they have done reverse engineering (scanning, part generation & drawings generated from scanned data) for us successfully.



    There is nothing to prevent China, India or the other countries mentioned above from copying our intellectual property to my knowledge and "eliminating our company from the process" to my knowledge, however, they are manufacturing engines & other parts for our company today. China is more of a concern to most people I know here, however, that too is a corporate decision (a decision I would never have made), that I have no influence on.



    Again, my primary responsibility is to successfully utilize their services for design & engineering. Corporate management makes the decisions that these services off-shore are used. I prefer that all was done domestically, but, that is just my opinion. I "do not" have to agree with these decisions to make them work successfully.



    Gaston


    J
    jdriscol1-Visitor
    1-Visitor
    February 25, 2010
    Thanks for the forthright answer. I'm surprised that your projects in India cost half the price of doing
    them locally assuming the quality is comparable.

    jd





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