A system for multi-user design includes a host computer having a memory and a processor. The host computer is configured to operate a multi-user CAx environment including a part file, a plurality of local computers in communication with the host computer, a plurality of data storage systems in communication with the host computer, and a load balancing module within the CAx environment. Each of the local computers includes a local CAx environment portion of the multi-user CAx environment. Each of the data storage systems includes at least a portion of the part file. The load balancing module is configured to cause the host computer to assign edits originating at one of the local computers to one of the plurality of data storage systems.