PDM Works

[rockguy]

We are thinking of upgrading to Office Professional(with the demise of Office)and I'm wondering peoples thoughts on PDMWorks. We started with (1) user and now have (3). We will be adding a couple more in the next year. I think PDMWorks would help us with file management, especailly with more users coming in. I'm just looking for peoples experiences with the software. Good and Bad.

 

[PDMAdmin]

PDMWorks is great at keeping track of files (i.e. loading necessary components with assemblies) and revision control. Those two features alone make it an excellent tool. Its ability to look up files is also very helpful, as well as its "Reporting" function for generating BOM's and parts lists. (Just make sure the assembly on which you generate a report was checked in recently.)

The biggest drawback, IMHO, is that it is not as strict as it should be. Pro/INTRALINK has different classifications like "Locked" and "Intent to Modify," but PDMWorks only has file ownership. Either you own a file, or you don't, and if you don't, anyone can make changes to it. Owned files can't be manipulated by anyone, even admins, so most users don't keep ownership on files unless it is necessary. The larger the user base, the more essential it is to have rigorous procedures in place. The Vault Admin utility (which is included) can help you do that, as well as frequent communication with the users.

 

[ctopher]

I use it and we have had it approx 2+ years. Before, it was a nightmare managing all SW files and there revisions. In PDMW you can also "check in" other types of files from other programs and tie them to your parts/assy's/dwgs. I don't know how anyone can manage SolidWorks without it.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 2005 SP0.1

 

[Standing]

I am one of the administrators for our PDM/Works here at the office and also do designing. What I like best is that we or I cannot change the options in PDM/Works a whole lot. We used SmarTeam and there are lots of settings. The Engineers want everything and then some more. PDM/Works tool is relatively easy to use. There is only one really big rule we have, “If you are going to change a file take ownership, before you start”. The new feature I really like is “Bulk Check-in”. We upgraded to SolidWorks Office Pro the first year they gave us the option. You will find other tools besides PDM/Works. For example compare Features, Documents and Geometry. We have never looked back.

Bradley

 

[cadcoke5]

We have been using one station of Solidworks for about 6 months now. We are about to add two more, and will get the Office pro version. However I am having my doubts about PDM in our situation.

We normally work very independently of each other (using AutoCAD for the most part in the past). We do occasionally share a file, where I give someone else a part I've designed so he can use it in his design also. In the very rare times we've actually handed over a project from one person to another, it is a very clear hand-over... the origninator of the file may have nothing to do with that file in the future.

So, it seems to me that PDM would just be a hassle without a benefit for us. Our management has been sold on the idea, but I am the one sitting in front of the computer.

Is there something I am missing as a benefit from PDM?

Joe Dunfee

 

[Standing]

Joe Dunfee,
As long as you are going to be getting SolidWorks Office Pro, set up PDM. The cost for software will be the same. Even if I was working alone, I would use PDM to store my files. You get a cool search tool, cool revision control and you can back track if you want. I have been blamed for changing things that I did not and PDM showed who changed it and when. PDM saved me that time. Get the training and have your VAR setup the vault and I am sure you will not regret it.


Bradley

 

[ctopher]

At first, PDM seems hard to use and too time consuming. Once you get used to it and know it well, you will wish you had it long time ago.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 2005 SP0.1

 

[J-C]

So Office is gone? Is the Pro upgrade free? What's the cost difference?



Jason Capriotti
Smith & Nephew, Inc.

 

[dsgnr1]

PDMWorks is a great tool because it considers Solidworks hierarchy. Iv'e never had a problem with it. We have 3 or 4 Solidworks users. We are migrating away from WT cms.
We will use for all data...not just solidworks. Noone has had any training(just a demo by VAR) and IMHO there is no need. It is very simple to use.

To get the best from these forums read FAQ731-376 before posting

" I haven't slept for ten days...
because that would be too long" Mitch Hedburg

 

[jmongan]

I will agree with everyone else. The tool is a must have for one user or 20 users.

It's not perfect. It has it's flaws, but what program doesnt. I have a long list of enhancemnts that I have requested.

The benifits far outwieght the time it will take to get up to speed with the tool. It will be a pain for a week or two until you get the hang of it.

I personally dont think you need a VAR to set up your vault. It is simple to install. Read everything you can from SW on on forums like this and you will be fine. I think a half day to a day of training from your VAR will speed things up for you quite a bit though.

Josh

 

[rockguy]

Jason,

SW office is no longer. You can upgrade to Office Pro for no cost until April 15th. When your maintenace comes due it will be increased to the Office pro cost of $1495. There is also specail offers for current office cutomers for SW Premium which includes routing and Cosmos Designer.

All in all I think it's an ok deal. You can stay on office with the normal maintenace fee or upgrade to pro for free (save $500 cause that was the $ difference between office and Pro)and pay an additional $200 in maintenace every year. You are basically recieving PDMWorks for no up front cost.

 

[J-C]

So how is Offce Pro priced for a new seat. Still $5500? or $5000 like Office?

Do you know what the seat price and maint for Office Prem is?

I was wondering what Solidworks would do since Inventor now has a vault tool much like PDM/Works that they offer as a free download.

Jason Capriotti
Smith & Nephew, Inc.

 

[rockguy]

Jason,

This the info I was given. I'm told this whole issue will be discussed in a general session at SWW. I believe Office Pro is still priced at $5500.


1) Customers with SW Office can upgrade existing license to SW Ofc Pro, no addditional charge. Subscription service is $1495/yr. Expires April 15, 2005.



2) Customers with SW Office can buy NEW seats of SW Ofc Pro, at SW Office price ($5k, which is a $500 discount). Sub svc is $1495/yr. Expires April 15, 2005.



The real deal is with Premium package. It's SW Ofc Pro + Routing + CosmosWorks Designer. Not everyone needs this package, but price used to be ($7000 + $3000 + $4000 = $14000). Now it's only $10k.

 

[MimiN63]

Ctopher mentioned something about PDM Works controlling other files and even linking these to SW ones. Does this include ACAD files? Whether you've tied them to a SW file or not, does it manage ACAD dwgs well? If I had a P&ID dwg could that be linked to a SW assy or slddrw? And what is the viewer like with PDM Works. We are probably going to get it soon but I'd like a heads up on it. Is there an outline somewhere about it's features?
MimiN

 

[ctopher]

You can check in any type of file ... even ACAD. PDMWorks is only a file managment tool. You can check in from disc and have a file linked to another within PDMW. It is also in PDM help.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 2005 SP0.1

 

[bvrooman]

Ctopher, I was wondering how your install of PDMWorks 2005 went or has gone. I am about to plan a 19 seat upgrade and don't want any suprises. Any tips you can forward would be appreciated.

Brooks
Mechanical Designer

 

[Standing]

Brooks,
A couple mistakes I made while installing PDMWorks was not remembering the PDMWorks administrator password. Also not remembering it takes a long time to rebuild the SolidWorks data base links. For us now, it is 1 hour 5 minutes.


Bradley

 

[ctopher]

Went pretty well, thanks. We moved the vault to a new server. With a apprx 25gb vault, it took about 3.5 hrs to move. We have about 15 users. First we upgraded the new server to SW 05 and PDMW 05 together, copied the vault, then made a admin image of SW 05. Then went to each pc, browsed to the new server, clicked on admin image, updated SW, last opened SW/PDMW typed in new server location of PDMW...everything fine. This will not deleted SW 2004. It will have to be deleted separately. INSTALL 2005, DON'T UPGRADE 2004. Then upgrade to SP1.1. Good luck

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP0.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site

 

[bvrooman]

Thanks to both of you Bradley and Chris,

Chris, I had heard about some issues with SolidWorks recognizing a PDMWorks license after the install. Whats up with that? And when sp1.1 came out I was told not to ugrade to it an hour later by my VAR without a explanation of details. Have you experienced any troubles with your 1.1 upgrade of the vault.

Brooks
Mechanical Designer

 

[ctopher]

I have not experienced either problem you listed.
I have not heard from anyone NOT to install SP1.1.
After the install, you just need to link to the PDMW license. Your IT dept should know, it not they can call support.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP0.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site