PDM Software Comparison

[JasonRMadison]

In my company right now, we are trying to make a decision about what sort of PDM system would be best. Can anyone point me to some sort of comparison of systems? A few that I would be interested in are:

PDMworks
ProductStream/Vault
Cyco Meridian (or Teamwork)
SMARTEAM
DBWorks

If you have any other useful information, I'd be glad to see it. We have lots of AutoCAD data, and also some SolidWorks data.

Thanks!

 

[Heckler]

We use activault 99 release. It's okay. We are beta testing the latest release but it's not as good as PDWorks. I think the best bang for the buck is PDMworks. I used it back in 2003 and it allowed us to attach many different file types to our design files.

http://www.solidworks.com/pages/products/solutions/pdmworks.html

Best Regards,

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SW2005 SP 5.0 & Pro/E 2001
Dell Precision 370
P4 3.6 GHz, 1GB RAM
XP Pro SP2.0
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1400
o
_`\(,_
(_)/ (_)

Never argue with an idiot. They'll bring you down to their level and beat you with experience every time.

 

[xgrigorix]

SmarTeam is run on an Oracle dB, which makes it more complicated, and most recomend a full time administrator. It is however a very powerful tool. It is also one of the most expensive.

You say you have lots of AutoCAD data & some Solidworks, but what are you using to create new data?

 

[JMirisola]

We use PDMWorks here and I like it. As Heckler said, you can attached various file types to the designs, including dwg's, so that everything stays together. With SW2007 Office Pro & Premium, it's right in SW Explorer. I've found it easy to use as a user and administrator.
I've heard that it has some limitations with larger companies (read: many, many seats of SW), but I haven't acutally seen and evidence.


Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
CAD Administrator
SW '07 SP1.0, Dell M90, Intel 2 Duo Core, 2MB RAM, nVidia 2500M

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Here's a comparison of PDMWorks Workgroup & PDMWorks Enterprise to get you started.

http://www.javelin-tech.com/plm/products/comparison.htm

​

Helpful SW websites faq559-520​

How to find answers ... faq559-1091​

SW2006-SP5 Basic ... No PDM​

 

[JasonRMadison]

xgrigorix,

New data is being created with both SolidWorks and AutoCAD. We have 4 seats of SW, and about 20 of AutoCAD. Right now, however, there is an internal push to drop SW and use AutoDesk Inventor with ProductStream Vault. It's too complicated to go into right here, but the push is coming from those who don't actually use the software. So, I'm looking for any good information that would help persuade the decision makers to choose the best thing for our company.

Thanks...

 

[JMirisola]

SMARTEAM is a PLM solution from Dassault Systemes (SW's parent company). You can read about it here:

http://www.3ds.com/products-solutions/plm-solutions/enovia-smarteam/overview/

Productstream is from Autodesk and, while I can't find anything to verify this, I doubt it will handle SW files.

I've never heard of Cyco, but they work across multiple CAD platforms as well as with Microsoft and Adobe. Actually, I think I'm going to have to look at it some more. We use PDMWorks for SW and SharePoint for our documents...looks like we could combine everything into one vault.

http://www.cyco.com/products/ammeridian/

I saw a demo of DBWorks a couple of months ago and wasn't overly impressed with it. Too many modules to buy, IMO.


Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
CAD Administrator
SW '07 SP1.0, Dell M90, Intel 2 Duo Core, 2MB RAM, nVidia 2500M

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

I'm looking for any good information that would help persuade the decision makers to choose the best thing for our company.

Obviously you're wasting your time. If they are pushing to switch to IV they have already proved they are incapable of making rational decisions.

Seriously though, this is a SolidWorks forum, so perhaps you should be asking in the Inventor forum where people are more likely to have experience with the compatiblity of ACAD, IV & PDM.

​

Helpful SW websites faq559-520​

How to find answers ... faq559-1091​

SW2006-SP5 Basic ... No PDM​

 

[JasonRMadison]

CorBlimeyLimey,

You're right. I'm in an uphill battle right now. But, I'm more interested in SolidWorks + AutoCAD + PDM... and what sort of PDM could tie in to an enterprise-wide data management system.

The engineers that have evaluated Inventor have found that it dosen't fit our products & business model as well as SW. So, I don't want to make a CAD decision based on the PDM, but I'm looking for PDM information to decide what will work with our existing CAD.

Thanks...

 

[J-C]

Do you have a PDM already in place? I can't see why anyone would let PDM drive which cad system to use.....especially when the cad program is already established.

There are tons of PDMs out there...more than there are 3d cad programs. Should be able to find something that fits.

What PDM functionality do you require? That will really determine your needs.

Go here....and select the PDM/PLM category......it has to be one of the longest list of partners for a category that Solidworks has (29 with 11 of them being Gold Parteners).

http://www.solidworks.com/pages/partners/partnerproducts.html

Jason

UG NX2.02.2 on Win2000 SP3
SolidWorks 2006 SP5.0 on WinXP SP2

 

[JasonRMadison]

Gildashard,

No, we do not have a PDM in place. However, we have spent considerable time and money on ProductStream. (Which isn't likely our last mistake) But, we're not yet using it.

I have been looking through the SolidWorks Gold Partners. Looking at each one's marketing info, it's hard to really tell which would be good for us to pursue. I was hoping to find some sort of comparison for a few of them. Or, even some people's personal opinions if they've used more than one PDM.

 

[engAlright]

The list of alternatives you gave is really apples and oranges in terms of functionality (SmartTeam is worlds away from PDMWorks).

There are tons of alternatives just in Solidworks partners, you really have to do a careful evaluation of all the alternatives against your own criteria.

We have used both PDMWorks and PDMWorks Enterprise and have been in general happy with both, for different reasons.

 

[JasonRMadison]

engAlright,

Could you tell me which are the apples, and which the oranges? Like I said before, from the marketing info, they all look the same.

Also, have you used PDMWorks (or Enterprise) in conjunction with an MRP, or ERP system? We hope to find a PDM that will allow expansion or simple data sharing to future enterprise-wide software. I want to stay away from a "engineering department only" solution.

 

[J-C]

Most PDMs, even engineering level ones have some way to tie into an ERP system. PDM/Works workgroup has triggers for this. You'll also find that the engineering level PDMs tend to have better support for the cad program and support more of the cad programs features. Things to consider:

1. Configuration support and how much?
2. Derived part support and other part to part references.
3. Viewing for non cad users.
4. Updating the vault and its files.
5. API access and automation....triggers, etc.
6. Web access
7. Integration in cad and user interface.


If I had my way, I'd go with an Engineering level PDM that can tie in well with any other database. It helps if the PDM interface is as transparent as possible so people will work "in the system". We currently use Matrix and its cad interface is really bad, so no one checks in files until the project is ready to be released. Until then, we work off the network. The wrong way to work in my opinion but working with the system is just too cumbersome.

And certainly don't hinge too much on the ERP system to get going.....you can be waiting a long time for something that may never come. Instead you could be reaping the benefits right away with something smaller and easier to use. Go simple and take it from there.


All in all though, this really depends on what features you and your group need. What type of features are you looking for?



Jason

UG NX2.02.2 on Win2000 SP3
SolidWorks 2006 SP5.0 on WinXP SP2

 

[ctopher]

Also ...
thread559-157449
thread559-153191

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

 

[JasonRMadison]

Thanks to all who have given me pointers. I've been able to compile some good info, and have begun some good dialog with the higher-ups in my company.

I'm still open to more info, especially if anyone has experience with more than one type of system, I'd like to hear comparisons.

 

[ctopher]

Please let us know what you decide.
Thanks

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)