A frustrating truth in manufacturing is that product design and production planning operate in separate silos. Engineering teams use CAD systems to design products down to the last screw while operations and purchasing teams rely on ERP systems to schedule jobs, manage inventory, and coordinate suppliers. When those two systems don’t talk to each other, delays, errors, and inefficiencies are inevitable.
That’s where CAD and ERP integration comes in, and it’s why manufacturers using ERP software like Infor SyteLine CloudSuite Industrial are increasingly focused on connecting engineering and operations more tightly.
Why CAD-ERP Integration Matters
ERP software is a manufacturing company’s operational nerve center. It controls workflows, purchasing, inventory, shop floor execution, accounting, and more. CAD software is where engineers and designers define what’s being built. Both are essential, but too often, they don’t automatically share information.
Without integration, product data has to be manually re-entered from CAD into the ERP system. This creates a few familiar problems:
- Duplicate work: Engineers or clerks spend hours transferring Bills of Materials (BOMs) by hand.
- Human error: Mistyped part numbers or quantities lead to scrap, rework, or late shipments.
- Version confusion: Changes made in CAD don’t always reach the ERP system quickly, or at all.
- Delayed production: Operations waits for the final design, even when it’s ready in CAD.
When CAD and ERP systems are integrated, these issues start to disappear.
What Does Integration Actually Look Like?
A well-integrated CAD-ERP setup allows data to flow directly from design to production. Here’s what that typically includes:
- Automatic BOM creation from CAD drawings
- Real-time part number syncing between engineering and ERP
- Revision control that keeps everyone on the current version
- Shared access to drawings and documents inside the ERP system
- Full visibility into new parts, assemblies, and product configurations
Instead of managing product data in two places, you create it once in CAD and push it directly into your ERP system. It’s faster, more accurate, and far less manual.
Infor SyteLine’s Approach to CAD Integration
Infor SyteLine is built for discrete manufacturers, particularly those that build complex or custom products. It already includes powerful tools for managing engineering data, but its real strength lies in how easily it can integrate with leading CAD systems.
SyteLine supports CAD integration through connectors developed by specialized partners, most notably CADLink and CADTALK. These integrations are designed specifically for Infor SyteLine and are widely used by manufacturers who want to streamline engineering and operations.
Key Capabilities of SyteLine with CAD Integration:
- Bi-directional synchronization between CAD and ERP
- Instant generation and updates of Bills of Materials
- Linking drawings and models to part numbers and jobs
- Automatic creation of items, routings, and documents
- Centralized revision and document control
This means engineering changes are immediately reflected in purchasing, planning, and production without duplicate entries or confusion.
CADLink: A Direct Connection Between CAD and ERP
CADLink, developed by QBuild Software, is one of the most popular tools for connecting CAD and SyteLine. It creates a live connection between engineering drawings and the ERP system, allowing teams to view, compare, and push data from CAD directly into SyteLine.
Features:
- Side-by-side interface showing CAD data and ERP records
- Visual discrepancy flags for mismatched or missing fields
- Single-click publishing of items and BOMs to SyteLine
- Support for major CAD platforms like SOLIDWORKS, Inventor, AutoCAD, and others
CADLink helps companies reduce errors by enforcing consistency between design and manufacturing. Engineers can verify each field before publishing, ensuring that item numbers, descriptions, units of measure, and part classifications are correct.
CADTALK: Automation and Intelligence for Engineering Data
CADTALK is another integration tool specifically designed for manufacturers using Infor SyteLine. It goes beyond just data syncing—it uses artificial intelligence to map and transform engineering data into ERP-ready records.
Highlights:
- No CAD license required to process files and create records
- Supports dozens of CAD, PLM, and PDM platforms
- Creates items, BOMs, routings, costing, and more automatically
- Built-in logic to clean, validate, and format data
CADTALK can also help manufacturers apply business rules during data import. For example, it can automatically assign cost types, categorize purchased vs. manufactured parts, or enforce part naming conventions, all without manual steps.
Benefits of CAD-ERP Integration for Manufacturers
Integrating CAD with ERP unlocks real operational value. These are the benefits manufacturers see once they stop managing product data in separate systems:
1. Faster Engineering-to-Production Cycles
Designs move from the engineering team to the shop floor in hours, not days. There’s no lag waiting for someone to manually retype a BOM or double-check each part number.
2. Fewer Errors
By eliminating manual data entry, you also eliminate typos, omissions, and miscommunications. That means less rework, fewer quality issues, and fewer missed deadlines.
3. Improved Change Management
Design changes are immediately reflected across the business. If an engineer modifies a part or assembly, the revised BOM and routing can be pushed directly to SyteLine with full version control.
4. Better Collaboration
Everyone works from the same source of truth. Purchasing sees the same part definitions as engineering. Planning sees the right routings. There’s less back-and-forth and fewer misunderstandings.
5. Streamlined Compliance
Revision tracking and document control are much easier when everything flows through a unified system. Audits become less painful when your ERP and design systems are fully aligned.
6. Time and Cost Savings
The time saved on data entry and corrections can be reinvested in higher-value tasks—like optimizing designs, improving processes, or launching new products faster.
Best Practices for a Successful CAD-ERP Integration
If you’re considering CAD-ERP integration, here are a few important recommendations based on what we’ve seen work with our clients:
- Clean up CAD data first: A messy CAD system will only create a messy ERP system. Consistent part naming, drawing templates, and file structures go a long way.
- Standardize BOM structure: Agree on what data lives where. Engineering BOMs and manufacturing BOMs can be aligned, but they should be clearly structured.
- Engage teams early: Engineering, IT, operations, and finance all have a stake in the process. Make sure everyone is part of the planning phase.
- Pick the right integration tool: CADLink is ideal for tight control and side-by-side validation. CADTALK excels at automation and working with multiple platforms.
- Work with an experienced partner: Implementation is faster and smoother when you’re working with a team that understands both SyteLine and your industry.
Let Us Help Set Up Your ERP Integration with CAD
At Godlan, we’ve been helping manufacturers implement ERP systems since 1984. We’ve worked with hundreds of companies that use Infor SyteLine and CAD tools every day. Whether you’re a custom job shop or a high-volume manufacturer, we understand how to make CAD integration work for your business.
We don’t just install software. We build enterprise architecture that works in the real world. We’ll help you assess your current processes, select the right tools, and train your team for success.
Godlan has over 40 years of experience helping manufacturers improve efficiency through ERP. Let’s talk about how CAD integration with SyteLine can transform your engineering and production processes. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
