Streamlining AutoCAD and Point Cloud Data Management with CentreStack

Secure, Efficient Access to Complex Engineering Files

Managing AutoCAD files and point cloud data is a major challenge for IT service providers and engineering firms. CentreStack empowers teams to seamlessly manage and access these large, complex files with intelligent caching and syncing — directly addressing issues like slow file syncing, broken locks, and the limitations of SharePoint and OneDrive. With built-in support for NTFS permissions and multi-user collaboration, CentreStack ensures data security and accessibility without sacrificing speed or productivity.

The Challenge: Data Management Bottlenecks in IT Services

In the evolving IT landscape, companies face increasing pressure to maintain efficient and secure access to growingly large data sets. A Managed Service Provider in the U.S. encountered these challenges while supporting engineering clients who relied heavily on AutoCAD and point cloud photogrammetry. Despite their solid infrastructure, moving to SharePoint didn’t solve the problem — files were slow to load, version conflicts occurred frequently, and real-time collaboration suffered.

A Common Industry Pain Point

This story mirrors a widespread struggle across IT and engineering sectors: finding an effective way to manage and synchronize large, specialized files. Traditional cloud platforms such as SharePoint and OneDrive are well-suited for office documents, but they often fall short when dealing with AutoCAD drawings, point cloud models, or other large-scale data used in engineering and surveying.

The Turning Point: Moving Beyond Generic Cloud Services

The MSP soon realized that generic cloud tools couldn’t deliver the performance or control required for their use case. They sought a more specialized platform — one that could combine the simplicity of cloud collaboration with the performance of on-premises file access. This search led them to CentreStack, a solution purpose-built for hybrid file access and data management.

The Solution: CentreStack’s Intelligent Caching and Syncing

By adopting CentreStack, the company transformed how their teams accessed and shared data. CentreStack’s intelligent caching and syncing technology delivered fast, reliable file access — even for massive AutoCAD and point cloud files — while preserving NTFS permissions and ensuring file version integrity.
Key benefits included:

• Optimized Remote Access: Large AutoCAD files open quickly without VPNs.

• Secure Collaboration: NTFS permissions and versioning maintain compliance and data integrity.

• Improved Productivity: File locking prevents overwrites and sync errors.

• Flexible Deployment: Works seamlessly on AWS, Azure, or private infrastructure.

Results and Industry Implications

The adoption of CentreStack improved operational efficiency, reduced file access times, and strengthened data security. Field technicians gained faster access to data, while IT teams retained full administrative control. This approach highlights a growing trend in the industry: organizations moving from one-size-fits-all platforms to specialized, hybrid file access solutions that align with the realities of modern engineering and IT workflows.

Expert Insights

Industry experts agree that managing large engineering data sets requires a new generation of cloud technology. CentreStack bridges the gap by blending cloud scalability with local performance — enabling real-time collaboration, compliance, and control across distributed teams.

Conclusion: A Smarter Path Forward

The experience of this Managed Service Provider underscores a critical shift in IT strategy: adopting specialized tools like CentreStack to handle complex data management challenges. As companies continue to adopt remote and hybrid work arrangements, solutions that strike a balance between performance and security will define the next era of productivity.

Call to Action

Facing challenges managing AutoCAD or large engineering files?
Discover how CentreStack can transform your data management strategy — enabling secure, VPN-free access, faster collaboration, and full control over your data.
Contact us today to learn how CentreStack can be tailored to your organization’s needs.