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1. PDM Applications
3. CAD Compatibility A lot of PDM / PLM applications are not specifically focussed on CAD applications or other files that are largely linked with relationships (such as programming files).
Here, I’ll just try to focus on applications that work with SolidWorks files
4. Why is PDM better than saving files in a network location? PDM applications generally work by saving files to a central location called the “vault” usually located on a server.
5. Why is PDM better than saving files in a network location? Files in the vault can be copied to individual workstation, but the vault will only allow one person to have “Write” access to any one file.
6. Why is PDM better than saving files in a network location? If you try to manage all old versions on a network manually, you will have a mess in short order, keeping this part with that assembly and the other drawing version…
7. Why is PDM better than saving files in a network location? PDM applications generally do this by either renaming the file (so there are none of the conflicts in SolidWorks file references), separating files into different folders and / or using a database to assign an ID to files.
8. Why is PDM better than saving files in a network location? In the end, you wind up working on the files locally on your computer, which makes things faster.
9. Why is PDM better than saving files in a network location? …not to mention real where used, BOM functions, search capabilities, reports, lots of stuff any engineering department needs which no manual system is going to provide for you.
10. What are we talkin’ about here? PDM Applications fall into different types of categories:
11. What are we talkin’ about here? PDM Applications fall into different types of categories:
12. What are we talkin’ about here? PDM Applications fall into different types of categories:
13. Here’s the beef. PDMWorks Interface
14. Here’s the beef. PDMWorks Interface
15. Here’s the beef. DBWorks Interface
16. Here’s the beef. Conisio Interface
17. Here’s the beef. Conisio Interface
18. Here’s the beef. Product Center Interface
19. Screen shot from SmarTeam website…
20. SmarTeam is sold by IBM…
21. Personal Experience The following is really just my opinion
If you have fewer than 15 people, or have no IT department, get PDMWorks. Really.
If you have fewer than 15 people, have IT support, and want to customize your PDM app, get DB Works.
If your company aspires to big-time PDM, but can’t afford it, get Conisio
If your company needs Workflow, multi-site, customization, web interface, get Product Center
22. Personal Experience The following is really just my opinion
PDMWorks is simple to install and maintain (really)
There is no database to maintain, install or license
There is an API so some customization is possible
Don’t believe most of the negative stuff you hear on the newsgroup about PDMWorks
Don’t consider it if you need to do multi-site vaults
23. Personal Experience The following is really just my opinion
DB Works has an insanely loyal following
It is not as easy to install / maintain as the acolytes would have you to believe
Nor is it as easy to use as they say… but it does look pretty powerful
It doesn’t appear to have an interface for use outside of SolidWorks
It is reputed to be highly customizable
Cost is within 1X of PDMWorks
24. Personal Experience The following is really just my opinion
Conisio is easy to use, but fast and loose on the administration
Conisio was recently purchased by SolidWorks, so this might be the safest mid-range choice
Works right inside Windows Explorer, and your Open / Save dialog, so it really is easy to use.
25. Personal Experience The following is really just my opinion
For higher end PDM with SW compatibility, I really recommend Product Center.
I bought and implemented it in a previous life.
Absolutely the world’s BEST tech support!
This is not cheap software, but it is customizable with some programming experience.
26. Personal Experience The following is really just my opinion
If you are under duress from a larger company, you might consider SmarTeam, but it is hands down the worst PDM application I have worked with
Worlds worst tech support
Holds customers WAY back on SW releases
Introduces lots of SW crash bugs
Upgrades often require 30 days of consulting on site
27. Final Recommendations