Why M4 Engineering moved its SolidWorks files into Sibe for CAD Management & 3D Collaboration
Company
Industry
Engineering
Headquarters
Website
From folder copies to a cloud-based Engineering Collaboration Platform purpose-built for SolidWorks
M4 Engineering designs, analyzes, prototypes and tests aerospace structures: composite wing structures, full-vehicle aeroelastic models, and filament-wound pressure vessels. Founded in 2001 in Long Beach, the firm has delivered 500+ programs and runs engineering out of multiple US sites. Design work runs in SolidWorks. Before Sibe, backing up work meant copying folders, and redundant copies piled up.
[Quote placeholder: Jay's own words go here after his review. Nothing goes live without his sign-off.]
Interviewed for this study
Jay Kempf
Title to be confirmed, M4 Engineering
Outgrowing folder copies
M4 Engineering hit three limits running a distributed SolidWorks team on folder copies.
Copies instead of versions
M4 Engineering backed up work by copying folders, so redundant copies of parts and assemblies piled up, and duplicate file names made it hard to tell which version was current.
One team, several sites
The team works out of several US locations. Folder copies gave no check-out control: nothing showed who had a part open, and nothing stopped two people from editing the same file.
Designs that leave the CAD group
Only part of the team works in CAD. Analysts, technicians and part-time specialists need access to current designs without holding SolidWorks seats.
The Solution: Sibe
Native SolidWorks Add-in
Engineers check files in and out directly in SolidWorks while Sibe tracks every version, handles assembly references, and keeps a local cache for offline work. The vault allows no duplicate file names, so every part has exactly one current version. No servers to install, no VPNs required. Everything live in under 20 minutes.
Version control and revision workflows
Every check-in creates a version automatically. When a design is ready, it moves through the revision workflow: In Progress, Pending Approval, Released. Released files lock automatically, so no one edits a released design by accident.
Cloud-based, no infrastructure
Sibe runs in the cloud: no servers to maintain, no VPNs, no infrastructure to purchase. Every site works from one central vault, SolidWorks custom properties stay searchable in the Web Dashboard, and visitor share links let analysts and program leads view the current model in any browser, no account needed.
Performance Benchmarks
Metric | Before Sibe | With Sibe |
|---|---|---|
File management | Folder copies, no version control | Cloud-based platform, every version tracked |
Version control | Duplicate copies, unclear status | Built-in on every Check-in |
File access | Folder access only, no check-out | Check files out in SolidWorks; |
Release control | None | Revision workflow with release locking |
Setup | Folder copies, no system | Live in under 20 minutes, no servers or VPNs |
Book a free Demo with Ken to see Sibe in action
Ken Maren
Chief Solutions Architect
SolidWorks Expert with 30+ Years Experience
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