The rise of digital transformation has increased the amount of SaaS applications on the market, encouraging users to migrate to the cloud. This has also increased the amount of features many of these software tools contain. While migrating to the cloud often has many benefits, certain on-premise applications offer unique capabilities. Let’s explore the differences between two ALM tools, RV&S and Codebeamer, and discover how a migration could benefit your business.
What are Windchill RV&S and Codebeamer?
Both Windchill RV&S and Codebeamer are powerful ALM platforms from PTC. RV&S is a Java-based, on-premise solution providing a suite of tools to ensure robust project management and collaboration across development teams. Codebeamer on the other hand is a browser-based solution designed to help organizations manage the entire lifecycle of their software and systems. The two tools offer a wide range of similar features from requirements and change management to compliance and reporting capabilities.
Strengths of Each Tool
RV&S, while remaining on-premise, has some capabilities which Codebeamer does not. For example, it offers first class documents and supports multiple instances of a document type within a project. Additionally, it includes built-in sophisticated software configuration management capabilities, benefitting users in regulated industries. Furthermore, RV&S provides more control over layout and item configuration compared to Codebeamer as of Codebeamer version 2.1.
Codebeamer on the other hand is a web-based platform with a user-friendly interface. Its import and export capabilities for Word and Excel make data migration simple. Additionally, it has a strong rules framework allowing process automation without requiring scripting. With the differences in how RV&S and Codebeamer support ALM, there are use cases for using both in tandem as well as instances that support a Codebeamer migration. SPK has the capability to resell RV&S licenses, Codebeamer licenses, and dual licensing for companies looking to move from RV&S to Codebeamer while supporting both systems for 1 year.
Why Migrate from RV&S to Codebeamer?
While RV&S offers some extended capabilities Codebeamer does not include, it is important to remember Codebeamer is a web-accessible solution, which means IT maintenance costs are much less in comparison to RV&S. A migration from RV&S to Codebeamer can provide development teams with several benefits, including enhanced efficiency, collaboration, and better overall software lifecycle management.
As mentioned previously, Codebeamer offers a more intuitive and user-friendly interface than RV&S, making navigation simple. Teams may also customize their dashboards to make monitoring tasks and projects more efficient. In addition to this, Codebeamer facilitates better collaboration due to its Agile software development features, such as the support of Kanban boards. Users may assign tasks, leave comments, and receive real-time notifications from anywhere.
Codebeamer also offers end-to-end traceability, ensuring quality and compliance. The platform supports rigorous quality assurance practices, ensuring products meet the required standards and specifications. Codebeamer provides audit trails to support compliance audits and reviews. It also has built-in risk management tools, allowing teams to identify and mitigate risks throughout the development process. Its robust requirements management capabilities allow users to organize requirements in hierarchical structures to simplify complex projects.
Another benefit of Codebeamer is its ability to seamlessly integrate with a wide range of third-party tools. This includes CI/CD tools, which facilitate automated testing and deployment pipelines. It is also extremely scalable, making it fit for small teams or large enterprises. The platform can handle complex projects and datasets with ease due to its performance optimization. Even with these capabilities, Codebeamer is often the cheaper option between RV&S and itself. Users may purchase a Codebeamer license or a dual license to simultaneously use Codebeamer and RV&S. Lastly, Codebeamer offers amazing reporting and analytics capabilities that provide real-time insight into project performance. Team members may customize reports to ensure all specific needs are met.
Ensuring a Successful Migration
While this migration can provide a more flexible and integrated ALM solution, it is important to understand the business objectives that the RV&S solution addresses and the constraints that are key to that solution. Prior to migration, businesses should have an in-depth understanding of both tools. That is where SPK can help. We excel in assessing customer processes as we have extensive experience in several regulated industries such as medical devices, aerospace, and automotive. Our experts are also well-versed in RV&S and Codebeamer. If you would like to know if a Codebeamer migration is right for you, or would like to purchase Codebeamer or RV&S licenses, contact our experts today.
