SOLIDWORKS PDM enables your teams to securely store and index design data for fast retrieval, eliminate concerns over version control and data loss, and collaborate on designs in multiple locations.
Customer Reviews
David M.
Advanced user of SolidWorks PDMIf I'm picking one thing that stands out for this software, it's the heavy ability to customize your workflows. Not only can you custom create states and transitions unique to your workflow, but you can also capture a significant range of activities in those workflows. Your customized workflow can incorporate parallel signoff processes, such as for change notices on revision-controlled documentation. Or your workflow may automate document workflow-triggered actions, such as saving PDF copies of drawings or triggering data exports to third-party systems.
Additionally, you can apply unique workflows to a wide variety of different categories. You can segregate workflows by file type (SW PDM will manage ANY file in its database), by "relative" location in your database, or a combination of those factors. This level of customization permits your organization's integration of the software to be as broad or specific as is required.
The primary thing that I dislike is that the error reporting on the administrative side of the software. The number of events logged in the system is ultimately beneficial, as it does provide a bevy of information when administrators need support from their reseller. However, there can be a very high ratio of "warnings" that ultimately require no action, creating a sense of "false-positive" error reporting. The PDM Administrator may feel overwhelmed at how this information is presented making troubleshooting a challenge.
I consider the primary benefit of SOLIDWORKS PDM to be its ability to document and automate processes. As such, one has to consider it as more than just software. I would encourage potential users to view it as a chance to AUDIT your existing procedures.
There are many things one could say about this subject, so I find it best to leave others with this one statement:
SOLIDWORKS PDM cannot automate a process if its users and administrators cannot define its procedures.
The primary issue one is solving with SOLIDWORKS PDM is having your processes made documented and repeatable. Any PDM system of any value whatsoever will provide revision control, and SOLIDWORKS PDM is no exception.
SOLIDWORKS PDM's ability to create heavily customized (or general) workflows that allow an organization to use it for a greater purpose: as a tool to DOCUMENT processes and turn them into REPEATABLE procedures.
While my current organization lacks a PDM system, I will be encouraging my superiors to consider this platform as a method to reduce our reliance on traveling documents with distribution methods prone to bottlenecks.
