SolidWorks Enterprise PDM Data Loading Strategies

SolidWorks Enterprise PDM Data Loading Strategies Marc Young, CEO xLM Solutions, LLC

SolidWorks Enterprise PDM Data Loading Strategies • Strategies to ease the migration pain… With diligent planning and thorough testing, the process can go smoothly Loading, or migrating, data into EPDM can be a daunting task…

SolidWorks Enterprise PDM Data Loading Strategies

Data Analysis

AnalysisData Clean-Up

AnalysisProcess Reviews and Updates • An opportunity to review business processes • Opportunity to evaluate and update user experiences • Important: new changes to the underlying data model must be verified with the migration processes

AnalysisData Formats CAD Data Meta Data to be Loaded or Added Combined Data

AnalysisDetermine the Data Loading Rules

Analysis – Effort and Cost Estimations

Data Loading OptionsManual Processing – Load Data as Needed Legacy System EPDM • Update/Verify Attributes: • Part no. • Revision • Descriptions • … • Read • Write • Execute

Data Loading OptionsManual Processing – Load Data as Needed Pros Cons

Data Loading OptionsManual Processing – Drag-and-Drop EPDM • Conditions • Migration approach is limited to pre-defined variable mappings with consistent data properties • SolidWorks, Inventor, AutoCAD, PROE • Alternatively, perform queries and check-in returned results

Data Loading OptionsManual Processing – Drag-and-Drop Pros Cons

Data Loading OptionsCombined Load Data as Needed and Drag-and-Drop Approach EPDM Legacy System Legacy Folder • Read • Write • Execute • Update/Verify Attributes: • Part no. • Revision • Descriptions • … • Read • Write • Execute Production Folder(s)

Data Loading OptionsCombined Load Data as Needed and Drag-and-Drop Approach Pros Cons

Data Loading OptionsEPDM Import and Export Tools

Data Loading OptionsEPDM Import and Export Tools Pros Cons

Data Loading OptionsEPDM Import and Export Tools – An Import Example

Data Loading OptionsOverview of Custom Scripts and Programs • Best suited for larger data volume migrations • Manipulates both meta data and data files simultaneously • Data relationships and links may be created programmatically in the system • Supports custom logging and error handling • Highly suitable for implementing complex data load scenarios • Supports all data loading rules • Best suited for larger data volume migrations • Manipulates both meta data and data files simultaneously • Data relationships and links may be created programmatically in the system • Supports custom logging and error handling • Highly suitable for implementing complex data load scenarios • Supports all data loading rules • Supports all data loading rules • Dynamic determination of target data directory • Modification of incoming data based on existing data in the system • May optionally reformat the data before entering into EPDM • Allows updating the revision number and workflow state of the data if the entire data history is imported • etc.

Data Loading OptionsEPDM Custom Script Tool Examples of Custom Script Functions A Scripting Example

Data Loading OptionsPre-Developed Data Migration Tools • Requires a basic, one-time configuration • When properly configured, tool execution requires no operator intervention • Most tools support full • Migration of revision history • Attribute mappings • Events logging • And more… • Existing tools • PDMWorks Workgroup  Enterprise PDM (www.solidworks.com) • SmarTeam  Enterprise PDM (www.xlmsolutions.com) • Pro/Intralink  Enterprise PDM (in progress?)

ExecutionTesting the Migration Process • Test the migration process!!! • Mitigate all discovered issues • Legacy data issues • Missing data files • Orphan links and/or blank fields • Inconsistent legacy data such as revision schema • Bad formats • E.g., Attempts to load characters into integer fields • Class determination rules fail • Repairing the legacy data • Manual clean-up • Change data load rules (i.e., change the code) • Modify the EPDM data model to better accommodate the legacy data • Bug(s) in the migration tool code • Data loading procedural issues • e.g., failure to delete all files with a creation date before 12/31/1999 • Document the migration procedure or update the tool to automate the migration process • Test again!!!

ExecutionData Verification • Crucial to implement a data verification strategy • Analyze migration process log files • Spot-check data • Randomly verify the data objects loaded • Check at least 10% of data • User validation (done through testing with the pilot system) – an important part of the verification process • User validations >> IT/CAD administrators sign-offs • Develop a tool to compare and analyze the data in EPDM and legacy system(s) • Verify the number of records between systems • Ensure pertinent fields and data are preserved in both systems

ExecutionPre-Data Load Planning • When will the legacy system be turned off? • How long will it take to load the data? • Will the data loading occur during non-business hours? • Specify the data load process: • What are the required pre-data loading activities/events? • e.g., legacy data clean-up • Document the data load sequence • Populate the lookup tables • Import users before documents • Import projects and documents, followed by the associated links • Create references to class data • Identify personnel responsible for the various parts of the data load process

ExecutionFinal Data Load • With proper planning and testing, the final data load process “should” go smoothly • Advices: • Follow the documented procedures • Allocate buffer time for unexpected issues • Prepare to support users in the new system

SolidWorks Enterprise PDM Data Loading Strategies Thank you! Questions? Script example shown is available at: http://www.xlmsolutions.com/sww2009/example.zip Marc Young xLM Solutions, LLC. 248-926-5932 myoung@xlmsolutions.com

SolidWorks Enterprise PDM Data Loading Strategies