As a customer, our aPriori representatives have been very helpful and quick to respond. Coming from a different software, I have found aPriori is easy to use and intuitive.

I like how aPriori is easy to use and the interface is friendly. Running scenarios is quick and easy and I like the built in feature where aPriori can analyze and figure out the proper machining for you if you don’t know what would be used.

At least for my application, I would like more customization on changing which holes/features are exempt from certain processes (i.e. the part is anodized everywhere except certain holes etc).

It helps us deliver product leadership. For the NPI project, we have high confidence when negotiating with the supplier for the low-cost delivery. For existing products, we use this costing tool for apple_to_apple comparison between our product and competitor and then generate cost-saving ideas from a design perspective.

This software is an excellent cost tool with the cost evaluation capability for not only CAD models but also physical parts. Based on five_year end-user experience, the user guide costing function module has sufficient flexibility and allow the users to develop and customize the process routing in term of specific products. Also, the bulk costing function does help us to proceed with the batch part costing analysis in high efficiency. We always need to conduct the costing for the condenser, evaporator, motor that is fabricated with many stamping and tube parts with complicated assembly operation inclusion. For these components, there is no standard template in the cost tool. So we develop the cost models with user-guided costing methodology and integrated with bulk cost function to conduct these assemblies cost, following this approach, we deliver very high-quality cost data with significant time_consumtion eventually.

From my practice, I think a simple GUI is needed to have the filter capability to quickly select or pick secondary processes based on process group and material selected.

Poor. I have high hopes for the tool but it needs to become more user friendly as advertised and the output needs to get closer to actual cost. Right now I can't trust the quote from the tool or use it in any meaningful way. The best part of it is for concept parts at the moment to decided between two different designs.

I like that I can quickly compare two prototype concepts and get a relative cost difference. I also see the value in having a software that could be easy to use and dump a part in to get cost in a few clicks.

I think there is a huge gap in actual cost vs apriori cost. I don't think it is as user friendly as advertised. The software has odd quirks and poorly set defaults on the interface. If a cost is off, there are too many parameters to check to understand why, which requires advanced users to troubleshoot. The VPE doesn't get updated often enough. I can't cost painted parts. The weld tool is junk, hard to use and takes too long. Weldments always quote way off of actual cost. Special materials are not in the list unless manually added. Our common steel types are not set as default so I have to search for them in the list each time. It would be nice if the material could pull in automatically from Creo. I have been told the tool can help save cost by recommending better thicknesses, clearance hole sizes, or tolerances, but these are chosen based on our standards and best practices so I have not seen any valuable cost reductions from recommended geometry changes. The material nesting tool is totally inaccurate because our manufacturing group uses their own software to nest laser cut parts. Sometimes it chooses the wrong default manufacturing processes because it is looking for the cheapest way to make a part but not how we actually would. Ex. I've seen laser cut parts default to water jet and we don't have that capability so I have to go in and manually change the process. The costs for piece parts are starting to approach actual cost but assemblies are way off.Im out of characters

I like the ability to modify details the VPEs and processes to more accurately model unique processes and specific features of complex parts. I also like how aPriori very clearly indicates which features are driving your overall cost, through the cost breakdown and part summary. When discussing parts with engineering and with suppliers, it is incredibly useful to be able to drill down to specific operations and have discussions around tangible times and costs. It is also very helpful to distinguish between cycle time and setup time as this helps to highlight part volume as a cost driver.

The software sometimes has difficulty adjusting to different monitor resolutions (especially very high resolution monitors which use a default zoom) which results in menus being cut off and difficult to navigate ( I am able to resolve this by changing my monitor resolution when using aPriori). Also, more of a knit-picky complaint, but I have a difficult time thinking in seconds, so having things like cycle time displayed in seconds requires me to do some mental math to conceptualize the amount of time spent on each operation. Both of these cons are greatly outweighed by the value provided by the software and overall really aren't problems at all.

- I've been using the tool for almost 3 years and I've learned a lot about metal-mechanic manufacturing. - The aPriori support team is always open for help. - The regional database is accurate and receives up-to-date information.

We've been using the software aPriori in my department for 3+ years helping the supply chain in cost reduction projects. It is a reliable tool and accurate at process groups such as stock machining, sheet metal, and 2-Model Machining. We have accomplished some successful cases with products ending in cost reduction negotiation. It is primordial to work together in order to get beneficial results.

The learning curve can be slow at the beginning but once you get familiar with the modules and know how to move around you'll get better and will get optimal input from the software. What I like least: the welding tool selection, the measurement tool, and secondary process availability.

So far the best cost modeling tool we have used and This tool has very powerful functions.

Powerful functions to cost batch parts; Professional insight into the manufacturing process;

Add search to material selection UI Add frequently used buttons on UI such as PSO, Machine Selection, routing selection, toggle message on/off Better decimal setting for number, For cost related data use 3~4 digital decimal number, cycle time use one digital decimal number, and level use integer. Route the primary process as what user need. For example the shaft process: Bar& tube -> surface lubrication -> Cold forging -> hydraulic stamping -> Machining -> Induction harden -> Machining.

Added capability, increased speed to model, global integration, regular machine and materials updates from supplier

The ability to customize the software is of incredible importance to me. Since switching to this brand, we (as a company) have been able to greatly increase the amount of internal costing support we've been able to provide to our commodity management and engineering teams.

Upgrade time seems to be the most painful time for me, being an administrator of the tool. The unknown issues that can happen with an installation, and finding new things that were not thoroughly vetted through the testing process cause me the greatest issue.

Excellent

Best and the Economical Costing Solution

The storage space aPriori utilizes for set up.

Increase in productivity, but observing some updates regarding Quality

Precise timing to estimate compared to our previous software.

Consideration of features if 3D model is created with all working functions.

Automation, transparency and easy of use

Database and collection of database are difficult to manage

We especially like and use the Cost Model Workbench for the ability to create User Guided models which are not available as well as models we can use when 3D files are not available. One business area we have been able to work on is identifying gaps where we could not model costs in the past. Now we can build cost models to do those. This provides extra resources in providing target costs and is useful in supplier discussions. I am continually impressed with all the features aPriori allows and has. The more you know...the more you can do. This is especially true within Cost Model Workbench and User Guided cost models. We are creating more and more capability by leveraging what we know along with the aPriori's ability to let us code or own logic.

Due to the intense ability to customize things, incorporating updates from aPrioir is a bit of an exercise.

Overall experience with apriori is very good, its very advanced costing tool and every-time whenever i go through their helping doc. i always learned new way of seeing the things.I strongly recommend aPriori to all manufacturers specially OEM's in order to have excellent understanding related with Major cost drivers in product costing and management

aPriori costing tool gives us leverage to do the costing with CAD model itself. Well-designed , easy to use interface and updated data for different regions help us to validate all cost drivers and refined our should cost as per the actual practice. Cost models are built with reliable logics and can be used as explanation for negotiation with suppliers.

Some of the cost models like milling,electroplating etc need to be reviewed and refined with updated logics and parameters. Super finishing processes like lapping, honing etc. need to be added.

Overall we have a good experience with the tool usage.

1) The Process & intelligence within the tool is excellent 2) Cost calculation & recommendation for the early visibility of Cost towards business is good 3) The tool is going digital Now & can be used any where in the world with all the data in it

1) The material cost intelligence could be incorporated based on volume 2) Reports customization could be made easy

Other Articles for the better understanding, case stories of the other customer, success stories,etc...

FACT Base approach and easy to negotiate with the suppliers, as well as for the Target Costing in New Product development

Enhancement & PSO for other process group i.e for the Proces group under the intial phase or half developed, better Logic,etc..

Love it! Has made my time doing my job more productive!

Easy to use - opened my eyes to options for manufacturing. So fast in offering options for detail manufacturing.

units of measure across the board - they do not ally to all reports.

Overall aPriori is a very robust and dynamic software. We make use of it on a weekly basis when we are on a time crunch to get quotes back and rely on estimation. The aPriori team has been very helpful on customization as they are constantly updating/upgrading the software.

The speed at which it is able to estimate with a high level of detail. They are constantly updating and upgrading their features. We get design time with where we look at customization.

Working with a 2D file it can be cumbersome at times albeit the tool was built for 3D files. Some of the features are a bit cost prohibitive.

Easy to use and the fact that we can see the 3D part

It's no that easy to change the parameter data.

Some success in initiating discussions with incumbent suppliers on their cost to manufacture.

Detailed exploration of all the cost elements that go into the manufacture of a part.

With being a gas turbine manufacturer that procures significant quantities of raw forgings and castings, it is my experience, that as these are often times dependent on the manufacturing facility process routing, aPriori may not lend itself to accurately representing the cost of producing these raw components.

It has been overall success at this point. My first time out, i was able to take a small handful of parts and save over 200k.

I like that it provides me a guide and/or targets that helps me align with my current suppliers and potentially get substantial cost savings

That i have to wait for my engineer to pull drawings and provide me the should cost.

I really like to customization capability.. Someone without a programming background can easily edit and build their own cost models

I think the licensing can be uncomplicated.

I like all the capabilities of the tool and how is very easy to understand and use.

Sometimes it is hard to modify the custom routings and the custom processes.

It has been great! The Apriori Team made the integration process easy.

We were able to customize the software to meet all of our quoting requirements.

The purchase price was expensive; however, the end result was a software package that performs very well.

Good for accurate calculate, possibility to customize, mass data handling, easy to export, import.

3d importing and costing based of that.

Difficult to find the source and formula behind the shown numbers. Like how the cycletime is calculated.

Overall I have been extremely happy with the products and services provided by the aPriori team so far.

I am a member of the implementation team and have worked with many costing software packages over the years. I will say aPriori is the first company that feels like a costing partner vested in the success of our initiative rather than a costing software supplier that provides a service and then disappears.

The software is great and relatively intuitive. I believe strides could be made in the user based costing spaces to simplify costing where 3D information is not available.