Simplifying Cloud Migration: How xLM Solutions Helped a Tier 1 Automotive Supplier Extract and Archive CATIA Data for 3DEXPERIENCE Cloud

February 20, 2025 3DEXPERIENCE, Catia Like: 0

ByMarc Young, Founder and Owner, xLM Solutions

Discover how xLM Solutions helped a Tier 1 automotive supplier extract and archive 100,000+ CATIA V5 files from ENOVIA 3DEXPERIENCE On-Premise for migration to 3DEXPERIENCE Cloud.

Migrating from on-premise systems to the cloud can feel like trying to move an entire warehouse without losing a single item. Every file, every link and every metadata tag must be preserved and structured correctly—because a broken data migration can disrupt operations, slow engineering workflows and lead to costly errors. That was the challenge facing a Tier 1 international automotive supplier. With multiple engineering centers and nine different ENOVIA 3DEXPERIENCE On-Premise file storage locations, they needed a way to extract and archive over 100,000 CATIA V5 files while ensuring everything remained intact for their transition to 3DEXPERIENCE Cloud. The stakes were high, and a manual approach simply wasn’t an option. The Challenge: Extract, Structure and Preserve Data Integrity Migrating to the cloud wasn’t just about moving data—it was about ensuring that every file remained usable, every relationship between files stayed intact, and the entire process complied with corporate IT policies. The key challenges included:

Maintaining file relationships between assemblies and parts post-extraction.
Structuring extracted data to reflect the original ENOVIA 3DEXPERIENCE On-Premise organization.
Managing global data transfers across multiple locations in Europe and the U.S.
Supporting a corporate split, ensuring proper segregation of data for different entities.
Automating the process to handle large datasets (over 6.5TB of data) efficiently.

With no existing tool capable of solving these challenges, xLM Solutions stepped in to design a custom, automated solution. The xLM Solution: A Purpose-Built Data Extraction Tool xLM Solutions developed a highly automated extraction and archiving tool designed to ensure data integrity, traceability, and structured storage for future reuse. The solution included:

Direct database queries to extract data into a structured staging database.
Post-processing SQL queries to optimize metadata extraction.
Batch execution processes to efficiently copy and structure data onto a network drive.
Metadata reports in XML and Excel formats for easy re-upload into 3DEXPERIENCE Cloud.

The result? A streamlined, error-free extraction process that preserved the integrity of all CATIA V5 files while ensuring a smooth migration path. The Impact: A Seamless Migration to 3DEXPERIENCE Cloud By leveraging xLM’s solution, the Tier 1 supplier successfully:

Decommissioned their legacy ENOVIA 3DEXPERIENCE On-Premise system, reducing operational costs.
Preserved and structured all critical CATIA V5 data for seamless re-upload into 3DEXPERIENCE Cloud.
Ensured compliance with IT policies while maintaining easy data accessibility.
Optimized global data transfers, reducing disruptions and improving migration efficiency.

If your organization is planning a move from ENOVIA 3DEXPERIENCE On-Premise to the Cloud, xLM Solutions has the expertise and automation tools to ensure a seamless transition. Download the full case study now to see how our solution can simplify your cloud migration!