Trace Elec Pro has been designed to stand the test of time.
Its development is based on the fundamental choices that insure a major potential keep evolving :

	No proprietary technologies to store customer data.
	Based on the AutoCAD graphical engine, which is the worldwide standard (Powered with Autodesk Technology).
	The electrical data is stored in a standardised relational database.
	Development of a client-server application that manages collaborative, multi-user processes for extensive projects.
	An open product that allows full integration in enterprise information systems to insure data integrity.
	Developed to meet with international standards and needs.
	Allowing co-operation with clients and subcontractors.

Since it is important to have superb graphic functionality (symbols, layer management, block technology, attributes, printing tools, …), we have chosen to use the Autodesk technology to create the graphical interface.

Trace Elec Pro's graphical interface is AutoCAD. The used technology (ObjectARX®) allows to create industry-specific objects and assign industry-specific behaviour.
This way, the user is working with electrical components instead of graphical entities but nevertheless keeps a native AutoCAD format file.

So you don't just draw lines but electrical connections and the commands will react to a line or a complete maze according to the context.
Inserting a symbol will automatically cut the connection into two distinctive circuits and deleting a symbol will close the connection. You are really designing electrical circuits.

Trace Elec Pro can be supplied with its own graphical engine (OEM autonomous version) or without a graphical engine for user who have AutoCAD at their disposal.
AutoCAD's graphical engine : a strategic advantage

Moreover, using Autodesk's technology offers certain strategic advantages :

	The product profits from Autodesk's research and development to improve the graphical engine.
	The Trace Elec Pro interface is available in all languages.
	Trace Elec Pro can be distributed all over the world through the Autodesk partners channel. They can also provide product maintenance and training.
	Since AutoCAD is the world standard in 2D design, projects made with Trace Elec Pro can be easily exchanged and read.

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Standard and open, data integrity and continuity.

In Trace Elec Pro, electrical installations are not just a bundle of files made with a graphical editor.
With Trace Elec Pro, all data needed to create the drawings and the project is stored in a relational database.
This insures the data's integrity while treating and exploiting it.

This database is not only used to manipulate the project, it also manages the collaborative design and allows to share data with the company's information system.

Considerable advantages :

It assures continuity of the project data : the data isn't stored in a self-made format but it in a standard relational database that is accessible in a clear and documented manner.

Every operation invokes a real-time update of the electrical database.
This makes it possible at any time to recreate the complete AutoCAD drawing, even if the file by any chance becomes damaged or lost.

The project database can be accessed through SQL queries or API programming.
This makes it possible to attend to more advanced needs (pre-design or post-design needs, configurator, automated design, command manipulation, …) while maintaining the integrity of the project data.

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Trace Elec Pro is a client-server application that allows to work with several designers on the same project, maintaining data integrity and to distribute the calculation power.

Natural multi-user functionality :

When working with extensive projects, Trace Elec Pro takes care of the handling and control that comes with working in a multi-user environment.
To the user it feels like working separately while the server application manages the project's coherence and controls restricted commands.
The server application updates all the drawings in a project in real-time while executing commands, even those opened by other users.

Exploiting know-how

In addition to sharing projects, Trace Elec Pro promotes collaborative design and thus sharing fundamental data like configuration elements, creating new symbols, creating standard layouts and manufacturers' catalogues.

Creating intelligent subassemblies that can be used by co-designers contributes to enrich the team and improves productivity significantly.