I. Collaborative Product Development Process
Generally, collaborative refers to the ability of changing serial 
operation into parallel operation, and it has two modes. First model is 
let multiple designers to work simultaneously on the same design flow. 
It's not new in market, but it has big difference on efficacy compared 
before. Designers are always able to operate PCB design database and 
split, and every designer is working in design process. But the database 
must be re-combined, though it's very time-consuming and error occurs 
easily, it can shorten the design cycle at the end!

Currently, we have the ability to let multiple designers work 
simultaneously in the same database, without having to split the 
database. It can be used for many PCB design process, such as schematics 
inputs, constraining inputs, management and physical layout. Besides, 
let designer see the real-time result of others. It not only 
significantly reduces the design cycle time, but also improve the 
productivity of the designers and quality of products. Some users' 
reports show that the technology saves 30 to 70% of the design time. 
Companies ought to get the similar improvement to keep competitive.

The second model is the ability to run several different processes, and 
it's a parallel pattern which is different form sequences. Schematics, 
constraints, and layout analysis can be parallelized, thereby improving 
designer productivity better and shorten design cycles. However, this 
mode requires complex design data management which contains version 
management, synchronization, calibration, permissions, this will be 
explained later in this article.