A simple prefix, I have no problems with, because I can use a bulk rename utility.
Here's what typically happens in these situations, the filename is set with some sort of convention, then another drafter at the architect's office is assigned to the project, they decide that they don't like how files are named and change them, then send them to us.
I have tried to get my boss to go for extra services when they change all of their filenames, but he will not go for it.
Here is an example of how we get to 100 files easily:
Say we have a project with 3 floor and 8 buildings, each of those buildings have 30 units on 3 floors spread across 20 unit types. Each unit type is an xref, so that is 20 files right there, then each building has nine files (one for the xref of each floor and the roof and each one has the sheet that we have to xref because that is what has the room names, slopes, etc. on it. There is also the gridlines for each bulding), then there are the site plans, then the elevations and sections, which are quite often required these days. The total can quite easily get up to 100.
Now when file names are renamed, they will do something like:
1st flr plan -> First Floor Plan
or
1st flr plan -> A-2.0
or
A-2.0 -> 1st flr plan
But this can change with some architects every single time that they send files.
Also, please note that I never once said Architects are stupid (others may have, but I did not), I only said that this issue causes major problems. As I said, a prefix makes sense, but to educate the Architects on this board, your changing one filename can affect 20+ sheets.
For Example:
You change the filename for Building 1 (3 story), well that file is referenced into the following sheets:
Mechanical
Site Plan
First Floor Plan
Second Floor Plan
Third Floor Plan
Roof Plan
Enlarged Plans (2-3 Sheets worth)
Electrical
Site Plan
First Floor Lighting Plan
First Floor Power and Signal Plan
Second Floor Lighting Plan
Second Floor Power and Signal Plan
Third Floor Lighting Plan
Third Floor Power and Signal Plan
Roof Plan
Enlarged Plans (4-6 Sheets worth)
Plumbing
Site Plan
First Floor Waste & Vent
First Floor Water & Gas
Second Floor Waste & Vent
Second Floor Water & Gas
Third Floor Plan Waste & Vent
Third Floor Water & Gas
Roof Plan
Enlarged Plans (4-6 Sheets worth)
As you can see, it adds up fast and the enlarged plans are enlarged areas of the floor plans, not including the unit plans. If i had my way, every time that a file is changed by the architect, I would charge an extra service, but since it is not my choice, I have to do what I can to make it easier to deal with.