Latest SolidRules Updates

New Viewer

We have completely rewritten the 3D environment, now accessible directly from the web.

The viewer is now more powerful, with improved measurements and annotations and several new features added, including sectioning, scaling, edges, and transparency.

Viewer and Assembly Structure

Also in the viewer, as is already possible in the Parts environment, you can navigate the assembly structure, providing greater efficiency of the tool.

Today, for some file formats, such as 3MF files, it is possible to see the components they contain.

STEP File Viewer in the 3D Environment

The web viewer now directly supports 3D STEP files. These documents, often very large, are converted in the background into a lightweight vector (mesh) format.
For assemblies, it is also possible to display their hierarchical structure.

This brings several key benefits:

• Independence from a specific CAD system
• Ability to view the hierarchical structure regardless of the CAD
• Soon, it will allow displaying PMIs (Product Manufacturing Information) defined on the 3D CAD side

Native support for STEP formats opens up new possibilities in costing and product graphical configuration.

CPQ Configurator and 2D Web Planner Now Together

The CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) is now available in a version that can communicate bidirectionally with a 2D layout created in DWG format.

It can extract information from a 2D layout composed of blocks (static and/or dynamic) and populate the entire quotation or order.

If the layout represents a plant with multiple lines, thanks to the new hierarchical management, the quotation/order can reflect exactly what is shown on the drawing.

When a block in the layout corresponds to an item in the price list, the line in the document is simply populated. More often, the block serves as a placeholder to select the specific configurator to run, enabling its technical and economic definition.

Once the proposal is configured, it is possible to return to the 2D DWG layout to enrich it with information from the CPQ configurator. In the case of dynamic blocks, the 2D layout can also be graphically modified in a bidirectional workflow.

To read and write 2D DWG drawings, SolidRules is fully autonomous and does not require any third-party licenses.

CPQ: 3D Planner

The CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) is also available in a version capable of creating 3D layouts, working directly from the web interface without any installation required.

The system can configure layouts by selecting objects from the web catalog or importing parts from 2D layouts, using a mixed approach that is particularly useful for large plants.

It adds the flexibility of the 2D Planner with the power and effectiveness of a 3D environment, accessible even on a mobile device.

No CAD is needed on the server—just SolidRules is enough.

Document Configurator

The Document Configurator is a CPQ specialization focused on defining and managing content. Compared to the CPQ, it is heavily oriented toward translating texts into multiple languages and managing workflows that combine the various components that make up the final document.

The Document Configurator is an invaluable tool for those who need to comply with the Machinery Directive, but it’s also perfect for anyone looking to produce manuals, catalogs, and price lists in-house!

To simplify content management, we have introduced new ways to edit documents directly from the web portal.
This applies both to fragments created in Word and to parts created with SolidRules’ internal content editor.

“Almost” Intelligent Philosophy

Those who want to use external Artificial Intelligence systems like ChatGPT can do so easily today: SolidRules allows integration with any AI system.

But that’s not the only approach we offer.

We believe the future lies in local, secure, and sustainable AI systems:

1. No data leaves the company
2. The AI can operate offline
3. No third-party fees for each individual query

All data in SolidRules (documents, tickets, projects, quotes, orders, etc.) is analyzed in real time by pre-trained local models.

To use local AI, SolidRules leverages the company’s own hardware. Dedicated GPUs are required to build the AI layer, which is then used by "Ask SolidRules" to provide real-time responses.

"Ask SolidRules" to Search Within a Document

One of SolidRules’ long-standing strengths has been its ability to perform full-text searches within any document (PDF, DWG, emails, quotes, orders, etc.) thanks to its incredible indexing system.

Today, the new Artificial Intelligence layer allows for even more powerful searches.

Even if the searched words aren’t all present in the document, appear in singular rather than plural, or use synonyms, the "Ask SolidRules" system can still find the right document and open the PDF at the correct page!

Search for Similar Tickets

Using a logic similar to document searches, we have added the ability to find a ticket similar to another, even if it is written differently.

This feature is aimed at improving search effectiveness.

Of course, we won’t limit it to tickets, as the same logic could be applied to any type of content.

We have even tested it with great results for managing purchase orders.

New Search Interface

We have reimagined the interface and search functionality, as even with Artificial Intelligence, something more was needed compared to the past.

You can perform even more powerful searches thanks to AI, using the "Ask SolidRules" button to extend your search across a much wider scope, scanning all documents to get the most relevant results possible.

Additionally, when you enter the search area, the expanded interface now opens, showing the most recently opened documents and allowing you to access the list of recent searches.

Portal Filters: Power and Control

We have enhanced the column filters by introducing the concept of “Custom Filter”.

This allows a wide range of searches, such as “contains,” “does not contain,” and more. There is also an advanced filter function for further search options.

Now, it is also possible to have multi-value properties that can be filtered separately.

New Vault Management: Reducing Time!

The Manager is now more efficient, as is the entire Vaulting system, which in some cases no longer closes CAD files prematurely.

A new object-opening mode has also been added, which automatically checks if there are child items that need to be updated because they were modified in other Work Copies.

Searches and Filters in the PDM Manager

Search in the Manager now automatically hides columns that yield no results.

This way, as filters are added, irrelevant columns are gradually hidden.

We are also introducing the ability to make a multiple selection on a filter without triggering a new search, ensuring faster performance.

Alphabetical sorting of filter results has been implemented, and search filters have also been added to the Work List.

The New Intervention Scheduling

We have redesigned intervention scheduling, allowing users to create suggested interventions. This management is much more flexible and avoids adding unnecessary information to the system. The “suggested” intervention acts as a virtual placeholder that users can click to create the actual intervention.

Overall, intervention management has been enhanced to better meet service needs.

Online and Offline, You Can Have It All

The SolidRules web portal has always been accessible on PC, tablet, and smartphone, regardless of the end user’s operating system.

There are situations where you need to access information, or part of it, without an internet connection. For example, when managing interventions offline—the operator needs access to documents, bills of materials, spare parts, and to complete the intervention without live access to the portal.

To address this, we are developing a system that allows the portal to work offline on Windows PCs and tablets, automatically synchronizing the necessary information from the company portal.

Certification Management: Actually, Expiration Management

When we initially designed certificates, we approached them from the perspective of training and safety, linking them to user roles.

We realized that companies are interested in managing all those obligations that have expiration dates, not just certain types of documents, such as those related to Quality Certification, Durc, Risk Assessment, or POS for Construction Site Management, and more.

To meet these needs, we have enhanced these documents with expiration management.

New Skillscard Management

A chart has been added to the evaluation cards showing the difference between the current assessment of the resource and the required skills, helping guide training and track progress over time. The Skillscard management chart is a useful tool for strategic workforce planning and ensures that the skills within a company are aligned with its needs and objectives.

User List Visibility

Previously, without customizations, it was not possible to control user lists (Assignee, Participants).

This meant that when selecting an assignee or participant, all portal users were visible.

A new management system has been introduced, allowing these lists to be filtered based on Groups.

Rest API: Easier Data Integration and Sharing

We have expanded the Rest APIs to allow the invocation of generic rules. These APIs can be used to perform operations and apply specific logic defined in the application backend. This increases the capabilities of SolidRules while simplifying integrations with third-party tools.

We will provide integration examples with Telegram, Teams, WhatsApp Business, and more.

Authentication: Convenience and Security at Your Fingertips

We have long implemented two-factor authentication (2FA), providing users with enhanced security through a second form of authentication, the OTP (One Time Password).

Additionally, we have introduced two more authentication methods for the Web Application, using the SAML2 and OpenID protocols.
SAML 2.0 (Security Assertion Markup Language) and OpenID are standards for sharing authentication information between different applications, allowing users to access multiple services without logging in to each one individually (single sign-on, SSO).

Use cases:

SAML2: Ideal for federated authentication in corporate environments, where complex and secure identity management is required.

OpenID: Suitable for consumer applications, websites, and less complex scenarios where simplicity and ease of use are crucial.

New Reports

With SolidRules Factum, you can transform a customer order into a production order with a single click, thanks to the explosion of bills of materials, routing, and inventory management.

Several improvements have been made, the most significant being updates to production order scheduling and reporting related to the production warehouse.

With the production Scheduler, you can plan your daily production, get real-time information on machine availability, and determine whether a job is on schedule or delayed.

The New Philosophy

The SolidRules graphical interface has been completely redesigned, focusing on usability and aesthetics, knowing that requirements can vary.
In the past, SolidRules was heavily B2B-oriented, where substance was prioritized over style.

The new SolidRules also addresses the end user, moving towards B2C.

With the new version, it’s easy to adopt a B2C approach thanks to a graphical interface that can be tailored to specific needs.

For example, it’s possible to have a fully “naked” version capable of hosting product configurators without displaying the typical SolidRules toolbars.
…you might be using a SolidRules product without even realizing it’s SolidRules.

Card View

We have introduced the new Grid View (Card View).

The Grid View also allows for Kanban management within various dashboards. Essentially, it is a display mode that can be used in a query.

The Grid View makes information easier to view and organize, enabling a more systematic and structured way of working with data.

Timeline for Everything

The Timeline provides a chronological view of all key events related to a single entity or to activities logically connected to the current one.

The Timeline gives users an overall perspective of the relationship over time.

It can be accessed for a single object or for a selection of objects.

More Powerful Content Editor

We have revolutionized the Content Editor, making it even more powerful. The Editor is at the core of many SolidRules entities and has been completely redesigned.

Now, in editing mode for many objects, you have a live preview that makes the editor’s work easier. The "Ctrl + Spacebar" shortcut has been added to open the command menu, simplifying tasks when working with long texts.

The new Editor also allows for the management of complex objects, such as tables.