SKDC Achieves Greater Efficiency and 70% Cost Reduction in CAD with ZWCAD

Shin Kurushima Dock Co., Ltd. (SKDC) Headquarters

SKDC has received various awards, including the Ship of the Year 2020 award, which acknowledges its excellence in both shipbuilding and environmental technologies. With a history of delivering high-quality ships to both domestic and international markets, SKDC continues to stay at the forefront of technological advancements, ensuring its leadership in the global shipbuilding industry.

Aerial View of a Large Vessel Under Construction at SKDC

Choosing ZWCAD to Lower Costs and Ensure Smooth Design Integration

As part of its efforts to stay competitive, SKDC was faced with rising costs due to AutoCAD’s shift to a subscription-based pricing model. The increasing expense led SKDC to search for a more cost-effective solution. Furuya explains, “We first became aware of ZWCAD in 2013 by research, in response to AutoCAD’s shift to a subscription model. We began testing ZWCAD in 2014. By 2021, we had fully implemented it across all group companies.”

While cost savings were a major factor, the compatibility with SKDC’s vast collection of existing design data also played a critical role in the decision to switch. Furuya notes, “Our top priority was compatibility. ZWCAD’s high compatibility with DWG/DXF files ensured we could continue using our existing design data without major disruptions.” The perpetual licensing model has allowed SKDC to avoid ongoing subscription fees, reducing CAD-related expenses by up to 70% compared to their previous software.

Achieving Efficiency Gains and Streamlined Operations with ZWCAD

Once ZWCAD is fully implemented, SKDC immediately experiences the benefits in cost savings and operational efficiency. By streamlining operations, SKDC makes the most of its resources, cutting unnecessary expenses while boosting efficiency. ZWCAD’s network license system simplifies license management across multiple locations, allowing SKDC to allocate licenses for lighter users at various sites with minimal resources. Furuya shares, “The network license eliminates the need for individual user activations and logins, making license management across multiple locations much simpler.” As a result, SKDC keep costs down while improving resource utilization.

The seamless switch to ZWCAD saves both time and money. By simplifying design workflows and removing unnecessary steps, SKDC increases overall efficiency without compromising quality. Furuya explains, “ZWCAD excels in all areas. We don’t need to make major changes to our workflows, and it allows us to continue using our in-house design tools and custom scripts.”

Design Team Utilizing ZWCAD for Ship Piping Layouts

Additionally, the expert support from ZWSOFT Japan plays a key role in helping SKDC maximize ZWCAD’s potential. Since the establishment of ZWSOFT Japan in 2022, SKDC has experienced significant improvements in both sales and technical support. As Furuya mentions, “In 2023, ZWSOFT began organizing training sessions for new employees, which have been well-received company-wide.” With this localized support, SKDC unlocks ZWCAD’s full capabilities, ensuring smooth operations and driving greater efficiency across their processes.

Maximizing ZWCAD’s Potential for Future Success

With the successful integration of ZWCAD into its design processes, SKDC is now focused on maximizing the software’s potential to improve future operations. The company plans to continue using ZWCAD to enhance design efficiency and reduce operational costs while exploring even more advanced features to streamline workflows.

Design Team Reviewing a ZWCAD-Generated Drawing in a Meeting

With ongoing support from ZWSOFT Japan and the scalability of ZWCAD, SKDC is well-positioned to remain competitive in the global shipbuilding market while continuing to deliver high-quality, eco-friendly vessels. The company is confident that ZWCAD will continue to be a key factor in their success moving forward.