Engineering workstations: A field report: Interviews with engineers having access to CAE workstations yield mixed responses; amidst the praise are complaints of insufficient power and excess complexity

Abstract

Interviews with electronic engineers reveal the benefits and shortcomings of CAE (computer-aided engineering) workstations. There was general agreement that workstations make it possible to complete designs more quickly and improve their overall quality. They also allow engineers working alone or in small groups to tackle much larger designs than they could otherwise. However, simulation is seen as a weak point, as are slow speed and lack of good interfaces with other computer. Bringing workstations into a `mature company' is contrasted with building a startup company with workstations in mind from the beginning. The value of workstations in producing designs meeting severe constraints is also discussed.