Arena - a hassle free database and workflow tool
Overall Satisfaction with Arena
Pros
- Arena has great support for migrating current data as well as uploading individual or bulk records into a new database. Our Solutions Architect worked with us at our pace and helped to import all relevant data with a minimum of extra work.
- Arena is straightforward and easy to use - its interface is intuitive and well thought out, and the tool does what you need it to do with a minimum of customization. Component categories, BOM structures, part numbering schemes, and component sourcing from vendors and manufacturers all worked great right out of the box.
- Arena allows clear and comprehensive control over updates and messaging as well as delivery of needed information to third party manufacturers. The administrator can set up in a straightforward manner who gets what and when, who has visibility, and an effective change release process.
Cons
- A large business with many different groups all having different needs and requirements might see limitations using Arena. Though this was not the case in my company, I have seen a previous company struggle to implement a competing product that required extensive customization.
- As a small company, my company would get better use out of Arena if the per-seat licensing cost were lower. We are currently unwilling to pay for a license for the people who would be a 'nice to have' in accessing data but don't particularly need to create or edit information.
- From an engineering standpoint, the impact that Arena has had on cost-related factors is not clear. What is clear, however, is that clear, consistent documentation is a must-have when managing a design across countries and across time zones. Document quality and consistency is certainly improved, as are development decisions and documentation thereof.
- Product Features
- Product Usability
- Prior Experience with the Product
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