File management set-up
File management set-up
(OP)
Please let me know if this is not the correct place to post this.
I have been given the job of setting up our office. My company is small and have never used a server system, pdmworks or anything like it. We are currently using an intra-net. We are expanding, moving to a building that we just built. I need some advice on what I need to do as far as file management goes.
What kind of filing set up do I need ( i.e. standard file names)?
What type of naming system is best? I have done some searches on what kind of system to use in naming files, but still have no clue.
We are going to set up a server and us pdmworks with stand along computers for the entire company.
Thank you in advance
I have been given the job of setting up our office. My company is small and have never used a server system, pdmworks or anything like it. We are currently using an intra-net. We are expanding, moving to a building that we just built. I need some advice on what I need to do as far as file management goes.
What kind of filing set up do I need ( i.e. standard file names)?
What type of naming system is best? I have done some searches on what kind of system to use in naming files, but still have no clue.
We are going to set up a server and us pdmworks with stand along computers for the entire company.
Thank you in advance
B. Long
Dell Precision 380
P 4 2.80 GHz
2.5 Gig Ram
Solidworks Office 2007 Sp. 2.2
AutoCAD 2005






RE: File management set-up
Naming standards are not enough as will be pointed out in the thread above.
If you have not found/read it in it's entirety please do so. If you have further questions please post back.
Kevin Carpenter
CAD Systems Administrator
Invacare Corp.
RE: File management set-up
Take to heart the part about not using a "smart" part numbering system. They will only make your life miserable down the road.
Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog
Dell M90, Core2 Duo
4GB RAM
Nvidia 3500M
RE: File management set-up
I should quit my job and become a numbering system consultant.
Kevin Carpenter
CAD Systems Administrator
Invacare Corp.
RE: File management set-up
Thanks
B. Long
Dell Precision 380
P 4 2.80 GHz
2.5 Gig Ram
Solidworks Office 2007 Sp. 2.2
AutoCAD 2005
RE: File management set-up
Having said the above, I will tell you what we do at our company - 5 SW seats. We use 5 digit insignificant numbering. I strongly recommend this, even though the significant number idea sounds like good adea. We save our files in numbered folders,100 numbers each, so saving and finding a file is a piece of cake. parts assemblies and drawings can be saved in the same folder because they have different extensions. We do not use a PDM product, we don't allow configuration to change part 12345 into 12346. This does cost us in ease of use, but anyone trying to manage SW parts or assemblies with 5+ configurations knows that while it is possible, it also can cuase a lot of headaches. So it isn't good or bad, we have just decided that we never use a configuration to turn a part into some thing else. My point is not to say one way is good and another bad, but that what ever you do MAKE SURE IT WORKS< AND WILL WORK IN THE FUTURE. Good luck.
RE: File management set-up
1)Insignificant part numbers.
We are a totally different company then we were five years ago. Our system is flexible to take on any product mix or size of project we have.
2 No configurations that manage part numbers.
The headaches that can be created from configurations from in-experience or carelessness out weighed their benifits for us. Your mileage may vary.
Cheers,
Anna Wood
SW 2007 SP4.0, WinXP
Dell Precision 380, Pentium D940, 4 Gigs RAM, FX3450
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/solidmuse
http://www.phxswug.com
RE: File management set-up
Kevin Carpenter
CAD Systems Administrator
Invacare Corp.
RE: File management set-up
Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog
Dell M90, Core2 Duo
4GB RAM
Nvidia 3500M
RE: File management set-up
Make sure ALL your files have unique names... even if they live in different folders. FAQ376
RE: File management set-up
B. Long
Dell Precision 380
P 4 2.80 GHz
2.5 Gig Ram
Solidworks Office 2007 Sp. 2.2
AutoCAD 2005
RE: File management set-up
While I do agree that the part number itself should simply roll over to the next new one (i.e. 9999 -> 10000), I'm simply saying to leave room to grow. One could choose to either show the leading 0's or not if the scheme is say 7 digit numbers. There's nothing saying he couldn't start at the 1000 mark and run with it. He could start at 1000000 just as easily, but he'd have ample room starting here. We also have one wacky business unit that insisted on having their own set of numbers. OK, you get to use 2000000 numbers while everyone else uses 1000000 numbers. Some what significant, but only by a certain division. Nothing is set in stone and things can be adapted.
Whatever happens, draftsman101 will still be ahead of the game today and in the future.
Kevin Carpenter
CAD Systems Administrator
Invacare Corp.
RE: File management set-up
RE: File management set-up
Thank you for all the responses so far.
Just to let you know, right now when I create a part I just call it what it is; i.e. wing, vertical, horizontal, rudder, main gear and so on.
B. Long
Dell Precision 380
P 4 2.80 GHz
2.5 Gig Ram
Solidworks Office 2007 Sp. 2.2
AutoCAD 2005
RE: File management set-up
Kevin Carpenter
CAD Systems Administrator
Invacare Corp.
RE: File management set-up
None of the airplanes that we are working on are new. They are existing airframes that we will be modifying. So there for I will not have every little part that makes up the airplane in my computer, just the parts that make up our modification.
Does that sound like a bad idea?
B. Long
Dell Precision 380
P 4 2.80 GHz
2.5 Gig Ram
Solidworks Office 2007 Sp. 2.2
AutoCAD 2005
RE: File management set-up
You could have a simple 3 digit project numbering system or use the make and model of the aircraft you're retrofitting as the project name/number. Remember the PDM can do more than just vault and manage your files. It can also hold information outside of what would be on drawings or in models. I might sound somewhat stubborn regarding my view point but it's because of what I've seen and know about PDM/PLM systems. Part numbers are just one piece of the PDM puzzle. I can offer you some off forum one on one time if you'd like to help you (or anyone else) any way I can. Just let me know.
Kevin Carpenter
CAD Systems Administrator
Invacare Corp.
RE: File management set-up
Thank you for you input. I might take you up on that when the time comes to actually implement pdmworks.
My boss just told me that I should mimic what the military does for the part numbering system because we will be working with military contracts.
Again Thank you.
B. Long
Dell Precision 380
P 4 2.80 GHz
2.5 Gig Ram
Solidworks Office 2007 Sp. 2.2
AutoCAD 2005