5 reasons why PDM Standard is better than Workgroup PDM

With the upcoming release of SOLIDWORKS 2017 and it being the last version which will include Workgroup PDM, its worth taking a straightforward look at its replacement – PDM Standard.

Introduced in SOLIDWORKS 2016 and the only PDM system included with Professional / Premium SOLIDWORKS licenses from SOLIDWORKS 2018 onwards, here are some simple reasons why it is better

#1: INTERFACE: Customer query – Are you sure it’s PDM? Looks like Windows to me.

The image below is the vault view which users can use to navigate the folder structure in the vault, just like you do in Windows. You could be forgiven for thinking it IS Windows. For argument sake let’s just call it Windows.

An important difference is that simply renaming parts in the vault will automatically update all references, so it’s better than Windows

 

#2:  REFERENCES: Customer query – I’m going to make a change to a part. How many assemblies should I check? …

The image below shows where a part is used, even down to configurations within assemblies. You don’t even have to search. Simply select a file in the vault and click the Where Used tab in Windows.

… or, I’m going to make changes to this assembly; how can I tell what’s in it, without me having to open it in CAD (so isn’t that 2 reasons!)

The image below shows what an assembly file contains. We can even filter the results to different versions or configurations. Again, no searching required, just pick a file and click the Contains tab.

 

Exporting the information in ‘Where Used’ or ‘Contains’ couldn’t be easier (for a meeting perhaps) either. Open as CSV will open the info from the Contains tab straight to excel, assuming csv files default to open in excel which they do by default in Windows (so… 3 reasons)

 

#3:  WORKFLOW: Customer Query – We’ve got a manual release process we need to replicate; something I can visualise easily to get an instant understanding of our document control process.

You may also be familiar with…

We looked at Lifecycle in Workgroup PDM but couldn’t get our head round the interface; I hope PDM Standard is better.

The image below shows an out of the box Workflow, delivered with PDM Standard. Simple I know but it’s a good start. You can see and edit the entire process from this screen. It shows us exactly what state the files in the vault can be and how users can change a file from one state to the next.

So when you right click on a file in the vault (in Windows), which is currently Work in Process, you can push it to a new state…

Or you could do this from the Task pane in SolidWorks…

>

 

#4:  SEARCHING: Customer query – My colleague added some legacy files to the vault and went on holiday for 3 weeks. We need to do some work on these files now, where are they?

Intercad – Searching is driven from Windows…

Running a Quick Search shows me a few fields to search on…

If what you are searching on/for is not listed you can always open a Complete Search… so if another colleague has also disappeared on holiday and not made sure all their latest changes are available to everyone we can find those files too.

Customer – Quick Search would fit the bill if only it had a couple more fields to it. Complete search is probably overkill for what we need.

Intercad – You can open the design of a Search, add whatever criteria are needed and simply save it.

 The image below is what the out-of-the-box Quick Search looks like when you edit it.

All of which makes searching significantly easier to use and more powerful than Workgroup.

 

#5: REPORTING: Customer query- We are reviewing the latest couple of revisions of one of the assemblies in our most popular range. I need to get a handle on which parts have changed. I’d also like to output the BOM to excel so we can develop our Manufacturing BOM from the CAD BOM.

The image below shows a difference between a couple of versions of the same assembly, colour coded for clarity. Save and Open as csv options (as previously mentioned) are available.

So whether you are using Workgroup PDM already, and looking at migrating to PDM Standard or PDM Professional, or you are looking to get started, work smarter and get your CAD data working for you, instead of against you  (duplicate parts anybody?), SolidWorks PDM solutions are here to help. It’s never too late to put something in place that will benefit your business and users for years to come.

If you found this slightly interesting, remotely familiar, quite confusing; all or none of the above and are interested in PDM then time to get in touch and let us fill in any blanks.