MetaDesign Solutions
MetaDesign SolutionsEnhancing engineering efficiency by integrating real-time hardware design data into Word documents through a custom Valispace Add-in, developed by MetaDesign Solutions
Overview
Founded in 2016, Valispace is a collaborative platform designed to streamline hardware development for engineering teams working on complex projects such as satellites, medical devices, and cars. Based in Bremen, Germany, with operations in Lisbon, Portugal, Valispace focuses on providing engineers a single source of truth for their design parameters. Their software allows real-time updates and automation of engineering workflows, from specifying requirements to conducting trade-offs. Valispace’s platform has garnered attention for its ability to reduce manual documentation tasks, accelerate product development, and improve design accuracy.
With over 100 companies using Valispace’s platform across industries like aerospace, automotive, and robotics, Valispace plays a crucial role in managing precision and traceability in hardware development. Their integration of AI helps engineers write formal requirements and manage complex changes, further reducing human errors. Valispace continues to grow its influence in the engineering software market, recently being acquired by Altium, a leader in electronics design software.
about the client
Real Thread is a custom apparel printing company headquartered in Orlando, Florida, specializing in high-quality custom t-shirts and other apparel items. With a focus on using eco-friendly water-based inks, they cater to businesses and individuals who seek stylish, durable, and sustainable products. Offering a variety of customization options such as screen printing, embroidery, and unique retail-style enhancements, Real Thread stands out in the market for both the quality of its products and its user-friendly design and ordering process.
The company’s mission revolves around combining modern design techniques with a superior customer experience, making it easy for businesses and individuals to create apparel that reflects their brand. Their broad catalog includes t-shirts, hoodies, and accessories, all of which can be tailored using the tools provided on their online platform. By prioritizing sustainability and customer satisfaction, Real Thread has built a strong reputation as a go-to provider for custom apparel solutions across the United States.
Industry Domain
Tech/Media
Service Category (Service-line)
Word Add-in / Office Add-in Development / Digital Product Development
Technologies Used
C#
VSTO Add-in SDK
Microsoft Office SDK
Challenges
Data Synchronization: Enabling real-time synchronization of dynamic fields (Valis, graphs, matrices) between Valispace and Word without altering document formatting.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: Developing a plugin compatible with both offline and online versions of Word, including Word 365, Mac, and earlier versions.
Scalability: Ensuring the plugin could handle large-scale engineering projects with extensive data points while maintaining performance.
User Experience: Migrating from a VSTO add-in to an Office Add-in while maintaining a smooth, intuitive user interface.
Custom Test Procedure Integration: Adding support for test procedures and steps within Word, allowing engineers to manage validation documentation directly within their projects.
Solution Scope and Services
MetaDesign Solutions developed an advanced Word Add-in for Valispace, building upon the existing toolset while migrating the plugin to the more robust “Office Add-ins” framework using JavaScript and TypeScript. This solution enabled seamless integration of Valispace’s real-time data into Word documents, ensuring that design parameters such as values, matrices, and graphs could be dynamically inserted and refreshed directly within a user’s documentation. Furthermore, MetaDesign Solutions ensured that even offline users could benefit from the plugin, deploying the add-in in air-gapped systems as needed.
The project also involved improving the user interface by incorporating a sidebar for selecting Valispace data fields and providing dynamic display options. MetaDesign Solutions enhanced the plugin’s ability to insert test procedures, verification methods, and entire analyses from Valispace into Word, allowing engineers to efficiently manage requirements, tests, and validation processes.
Cross-Platform Development Using Office Add-ins Technology
The shift to “Office Add-ins” technology using JavaScript/TypeScript was crucial for enabling compatibility across various versions of Word, both online and offline. This development ensures that Valispace users can access the add-in regardless of the platform or environment they work in, allowing teams to continue their workflows even in air-gapped or disconnected systems.
Automating Test Procedure Documentation
The new plugin enables users to insert detailed test procedures and steps directly from Valispace into Word documents. This automation allows engineers to manage validation processes within the same environment as their design documents, ensuring a unified and traceable documentation workflow from requirements to verification.
Seamless Real-Time Data Updates
MetaDesign Solutions ensured that the add-in supports real-time updates, allowing users to refresh data fields with the latest Valispace inputs. Whether values, matrices, or graphs, all design parameters can be updated automatically or manually without losing formatting, offering greater precision and accuracy in engineering documentation.
Results
The collaboration between MetaDesign Solutions and Valispace resulted in a significantly enhanced Word Add-in that improves workflow efficiency for hardware development teams. By enabling real-time synchronization of engineering data, the add-in allows users to insert and refresh dynamic fields within Word documents seamlessly. The move to the “Office Add-ins” technology with JavaScript/TypeScript enhanced the plugin’s cross-platform compatibility and performance, benefiting teams working on complex projects across industries. Valispace’s engineering teams now enjoy streamlined documentation processes, reducing manual errors and increasing productivity, ultimately accelerating product development lifecycles.