Running without a PDM Package

We will have a need for a PDM package, but can't afford to purchase
immediately. In the meantime, I need to run without one. We have a
file server to store data but the server would not be sufficient as an
Engineering server (another problem). What I want to do is Store
files on the server, load assemblies locally, from the server to work
on them, then place them on the server when finished. The problem is
how to do this with more than one user without creating a mess with
parts that may be used in multiple assemblies. I haven't even
considered revision issues, but I'm sure that's going to be a problem.
I have seen posts from people who have handled these issues but I
can't seem to find the pertinent ones through a search.
Any thoughts that would help me limp along for a while would be
appreciated.
Mike

 

Put your "released" files in a read-only directory.
make local copies to make changes the files
when you're ready to release the changed files, move them to the read-only
directory.

It takes a fair bit of discipline to make this work.... I'm limping along
too, and wish for a PDM system on a pretty regular basis...

 

you could consider using subversions to store the files on your
fileserver. Subversion is a versioncontrol system.
http://subversion.tigris.org/
You work on the local checked out files and check them in when ready.
Changed files by other are signalised as conficts. Unfortunatly it is
not possible to resolve the conclict like you can do with text files.

I'm considering using it but have to test what it will bring me when 2
engineers are working together. Not the same files, that would be asking
for trouble. But for instance to check-in the files changed by a
collegue. They are simple assigned by the status of file.

Maybe some others can help me with thinkig this over.

Johnny

 

If you have SolidWorks Office then you have two "Utilities" named
Compare Geometry and Compare Features. Those could be used to resolve
conflicts, perhaps. However, differences like changes in Custom
Properties would not show up with those utilities.

'Sporky'

 

To both of the Michaels,

Are you sure you can't afford a simple PDM solution? There are a number of
inexpensive and pretty easy to implement products available. A couple of
years ago they were around $500 a seat. Considering the amount of
engineering time wasted trying to limp along without one, it seems like the
payoff would be very fast.

When I was the only designer, file management wasn't too much of a problem.
As soon as we had two of us working on a project at once, it became a real
PITA. It only took us a couple of months to decide to get a cheap PDM. We've
never regretted it.

Jerry Steiger
Tripod Data Systems
"take the garbage out, dear"

 

Despite of using SolidWorks Office I haven't use these utilities in
daily work. That is because older version of a file are not that easy to
manage and because the type of work I do. But I can imagine that with
easy to use of managing versions of file (not design versions, that is
for adminstrating the design) these tools have their value.

Johnny

 

<http://www.cpuandsimplepdm.com>

 

I can't afford it == managment won't approve the expense

also, your pricing is somewhat out of date. We're currently running
straight SW-- To add a stand-alone copy of PDMworks would be $1000, to
upgrade to OfficePro would be $1500.

If I could come up with a viable solution in the $500 range, I might be able
to sell that.

 

There are other costs associated with DBWorks (training, SQL server,
installation), even so, I'm attempting to push my company to this solution.
Future uses and integration seem to be best with a SQL database of parts and
assemblies and interfacing this data with our ERP system.


--
Keith Streich
Pflow Industries, Inc
5045 North 35th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53209

(414) 462-8810
(414) 535-2195 x124 Direct
(414) 462-2673 FAX