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Better Solutions than PDM Works? 1

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BodyBagger

BodyBagger

Mechanical
Feb 23, 2007
459
I was wondering if anyone has found or heard of a better solution than PDM Works? We have the Enterprise version and it is overall a waste of time with all the issues and bugs. I have tried DBWorks in the past and it was just as bad with its own set of issues. There must be a better alternative out there.

Thanks,
BB
 
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BB,
You're the first one I heard of commented that Enterprise PDM is a waste. We're on Workgroup PDM and would love to jump to Enterprise. What is your main complaint sir?

Colin Fitzpatrick (aka Macduff)
Mechanical Designer
Solidworks 2009 SP 4.1
Dell 490 XP Pro SP 2
Xeon CPU 3.00 GHz 3.00 GB of RAM
nVida Quadro FX 3450 512 MB
3D Connexion-SpaceExplorer
 
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I'm okay with SolidWorks Workgroup PDM. As far as I'm concerned, the alternative is nothing - which is not satisfactory at all. But you said DBWorks is comparable, so maybe I don't understand your question.
 
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I too am curious to know your issues with Enterprise.

Several years ago my company decided to utilize PTC Windchill as their Enterprise pdm. They were told it worked with SolidWorks. Flashforward... I am still cursing that decision. Though we are in the process of upgrading to the latest version (2 versions newer than our current) of Windchill and the testing I have done is very promising.

So for what its worth... yes, PTC Windchill works. Is it better, I assumed not. Though your post makes me question that assertion.

As far as Windchill as a whole. It has its quirks, but is pretty powerful for rev control, configuration control, change notices, workflows, and general data managing needs.

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Certified SolidWorks Professional
Certified COSMOSWorks Designer Specialist
Certified SolidWorks Advanced Sheet Metal Specialist
 
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We have many issues with different people in the department that have the "latest version" of a drawing/part but the part is different from one desk to another. The data cards are a mess and we have had an "expert" here from our VAR and still can not seem to get them to work properly. Also the PDM search function will say you have part/assy/dwg checked out in your name when you have nothing checked out at all. PDM crashes for everyone here at least a few times a day. Revision control is not controled, bugs regarding quantities on drawings, etc.....It would be easier to mention what does work that what does not. In fact, even our VAR feels that PDMWorks is not worth the effort for all of the outstanding issues but they continue to sell it regardless.
 
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Wow, you're VAR said that? Please do not disclose the VAR you have, he'll probably get fired. BB, you keep on saying PDMWorks. When you say that, I thinking you have Workgroup, but you said Enterprise, correct? I'm sorry you’re having problems, but did you have an implementation plan before installing it? Was everyone trained properly?

Colin Fitzpatrick (aka Macduff)
Mechanical Designer
Solidworks 2009 SP 4.1
Dell 490 XP Pro SP 2
Xeon CPU 3.00 GHz 3.00 GB of RAM
nVida Quadro FX 3450 512 MB
3D Connexion-SpaceExplorer
 
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There's a lot of options, but all are more costly than E!PDM and certainly more costly than Workgroup.

SmarTeam (possibly dying now)
Keytech (independent)
Enovia (V6 is new path for DS and SolidWorks, but costs are issue)

Also, look up gold partners in the PDM section. There's actually quite a few choices.

Matt Lorono
Lorono's SolidWorks Resources & SolidWorks Legion

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/solidworks & http://twitter.com/fcsuper
 
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fcsuper,

What makes you say that SmarTeam is possibly dying? We're in the midst of evaluating EPDM / PLM solutions and SmarTeam is one of the options. I'd obviously rather not select a package that's on its last legs.
 
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Ok, it looks like we're all comparing apples to oranges. It sounds like BB is looking for a comparable PDM system to Enterprise. Now we're starting to thrown in PLM a systems, which is a huge cost difference as well as operating capability.

One thing to keep in mind is software versions. SW releases both CAD software and PDM software at the same time which is really nice. Smarteam for example……..If you’re on SW 2009 and want to upgrade to 2010….you might have to wait because Smarteam might not be compatible with the new SW version. Smarteam will need to upgrade there software first before you can upgrade SW software. PITA from what I heard………


Colin Fitzpatrick (aka Macduff)
Mechanical Designer
Solidworks 2009 SP 4.1
Dell 490 XP Pro SP 2
Xeon CPU 3.00 GHz 3.00 GB of RAM
nVida Quadro FX 3450 512 MB
3D Connexion-SpaceExplorer
 
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We are about to implement a program called "Adept". Anyone here with any experiemce with this program?
 
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I haven't actually used PDMWorks (workgroup or enterprise), but my company is running DBWorks at the moment. It's quirky, and there are definitely some things I wish it did better - mostly tied to multi-site database replication, but it's much better than what we had before (nothing).

Most of the problems I see are caused by users (and admins) not knowing how to use the software properly. Or worse yet, knowingly working around the system. We would have greatly benefited from a better implementation plan, too. "Learn as you go" does not work well with these systems.
 
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"Learn as you go does not work well with these systems"
Agreed.

We generated and followed an extensive implementation plan. The one general statement that I believe is an issue with our situation is that we seem to be frequently fighting the software.

Not that the software is correct, but the company should have a willingness to be flexible to make best use of the pdm system. Typically the software is somewhat flexible to facilitate the use by multiple organizations, but we often find that we are doing a lot of extra work that the system doesn't want to do easily... simply to conform to our possibly outdated processes.

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Certified SolidWorks Professional
Certified COSMOSWorks Designer Specialist
Certified SolidWorks Advanced Sheet Metal Specialist
 
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There are so many factors involved in setting up a PDM system.
But if I were to pick one I would go with Aras It's free except for training and support in implimentation.
easy to get to work with other systems and customize to your needs.

-Joe
SolidWorks 2009 x64 SP 5.1 on Windows XP x64
8 GB RAM - Nvidia Quadro FX1700
 
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There are a few systems posted here that might be worth a look: thread781-235122

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of these Forums?
 
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BB,

Have any of your issues been submitted to SolidWorks and if so do you have a Service Request number that you can post? I will then look into this for you.

 
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BodyBagger,

Have you received a SolidWorks Service Request number for any of your issues from your VAR? If so please reply with the number and I will look into it for you.
 
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fcsuper,

Thanks for the follow-up. I'd heard the bit about the spinoff in the time between your posts. Where can I learn more about this? Not doubting you, just performing due diligence in my evaluation process...
 
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fcsuper,

Never mind. I'd searched for information on what was transpiring with SmarTeam but never had any luck. Tried again today (different search terms) and somehow ended up at reading an article about the artizone spinoff. Many more links to follow, but I'm good for now.

Thanks again for the information.
 
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