Evolution of PDM WorkGroup to PDM STD or PDM PRO ... What choice?

3D Design Volume Model
1

Hello

We use the PDM Works and we now know that the SW 2018 versions will not support it. So we contacted Axemble our reseller who sent us an explanatory slide (in attachment).

Our current situation:

6 SW 2016 licenses

4 PDM Works Contributors (3 local)  (1 in VPN for foreign subsidiaries in read and print only), the contributor is placed on the server or is the vault and they point to it via the VPN)

Size of the volume of files archived in the vault: 17Gb, and not everything is in it, we should still put some.

DEll Poweredge R630 Server, Intel xeon 1.66 GH, 8 GB ram

According to our interlocutors, the future PDM Standard cannot be used because:

(At this level, it's not clear), on the slide they say that the PDM STD can handle a 300 Gb < chest, and further on we can read SQL Express server: 10 Gb of data maximum.

The 300 GB is the data in the Vault, today we are at 17 GB, so we have some margin.

What exactly does the 10 Gb of SQL Express correspond to, what exactly does SQL handle? Will it limit us or not? Is there an impossibility at this level?

We are 6 users daily on SW.

The RAM on SQL Express is 1Gb and that would be too small for the 6 users that we are. But we never archive all at the same time.

The conclusion is therefore to switch to PDM PRO, but from what we deduce from the different info, we could also use PDM STD, I would like to be sure! Switching to PDM PRO is not at all the same budget and I would like an enlightened opinion on the subject?

For me, it is not clear, and I would like to remove all doubts.

My idea would be to first switch to the STD, observe and depending on our use, then decide whether or not to switch to the PRO

Thank you in advance.


solidworks_pdm_standard_comparatif_vs_pdm_pro.pdf
2

Hello

To summarize the migration:

Workgroup => PDM Standard = complicated

Workgroup => PDM Pro = complicated

PDM Standard => PDM Pro = not very complicated

So it's worth the cost of testing the stadard version first, right?

At the level of the 10 GB of the SQL database, it's huge, there is no real need to worry.

In terms of users, it's an approximate number, and as you said, it never happens that 5 people archive at the same time.

We have a 12-person design unit, with a 100 GB trunk and we're looking to switch to PDM Standard (even if we're not too advanced in the search).

Arpès, I think you need to change your server in any case?

So take one compatible with the Pro version, and install the standard one on it. That way, no need to change the server afterwards!

After that, it's for the remote license, that I don't know if it's compatible as standard !

Otherwise, see this very well done guide in English:

http://www.javelin-tech.com/blog/2015/11/solidworks-pdm-standard-getting-started-guide/

See also this page:

http://www.cadtek.com/what-is-solidworks-pdm-standard/

 

 

3

Hello

I agree with @.PL, the transition from WorkGroup to PDM, whether it is the standard or the pro, will require the same time and the same services.

With 6 users, it is strongly advised not to use SQL express because of the limit to 1GB of RAM, it is true that the 10G of BD is more than enough.

What you have to ask yourself is whether you want to do with your PDM, limit yourself to your current use or take advantage of the many advantages of PDM PRO:

  • The web mode that can be useful for your remote colleague
  • Processes to automate repetitive tasks such as printing, exporting, etc.
  • the possible link with other ERP, CMMS, PROJECT MANAGEMENT ,....
  • The ability to manage all types of files 
  • ...

@+

 

1 Like
4

And what will be the problem with 1GB of ram d^à SQL express?

Slowdowns when the trunk is too big?

5

Hello Coyote,

It's at the level of the capacity of SQL Express or it's really unclear. There are still specialists who must be able to answer precisely, right?

What exactly does it handle, if the cartoonists don't record at the same time, will 1Gb be enough? On the US listings we see that it can manage up to 10 users! (in attachments)

We don't need to connect to the ERP, we only work on our process tools.

We do not work multi-site, the subsidiaries just have the right to view and print the plans, which must be up to date.

We want a cost-effective solution because PDM Pro is a significant cost added to SW maintenance.

It follows the logic of all current computing, we will be made dependent on things that are not fundamental but that have a cost. We have to put things in perspective, butwe really have trouble getting precise information to do so.

It doesn't communicate at all about the STD, the resellers are in a purely commercial perspective! That's what bothers me.

Thank you for your enlightened avios.

 


tableau_us_comparatif_pdm_std-pro.pdf
6

Hello

 

I take the liberty of bringing up this post because I am looking for explanations on the cost of the differences between PDM Pro and standard, because as said above, "It does not communicate at all about the STD, the resellers are in a purely commercial perspective! That's what bothers me" We received a migration quote of several tens of thousands of euros, which seems so absurd to me to replace a totally free PDM workgroup version ...

What did you do in the end? Have you migrated to the standard PDM version? Is the latter enough for you compared to your old Workgroup pdm system?

 

Thank you for your answers

1 Like
7

 

mlevain1: Well done, I'm interested in that too. I also have to switch to the new version, but I still don't know what to do.

From the little info I have, I should be able to switch to the Std version.

But if someone already has a feedback or has already installed this version, I'm interested in all possible information.

 

thank you in advance

JT

8

If any news ever appears, we are also interested.

We had not been able to migrate to pdm pro the volume share of our files except they stop the workgroup... At the moment, we are no longer working on Solidworks...

9

You have to understand that standard PDM is just a limited version of PDM pro.

So in terms of migration itself, it's probably kif-kif.

The standard to pro switch, on the other hand, should not be a problem since you just skip the limitations of the standard version.

My advice: already do all the work of customizing the workflow, .... on standard and if it ever doesn't suit you, row .... You can always easily switch to Pro.

On the other hand, the standard version is very limited in memory (only one workflow in particular and only 10 states in this workflow. It's really very fair: you have to have a super basic workflow for it to fit, I don't think PDMworks was that limited). You don't have automatic teaches (so a priori no automatic pdf or stp/igs generation)

An article in English comparing the 2 here: http://www.javelin-tech.com/blog/2015/10/solidworks-pdm-standard-and-professional-comparison/

Comparison of the 2 sql here: *https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-2016-editions

If you really needed a PDM chances you'd be forced to switch to the pro ...

 

Good luck with the implementation of PDM: it's a real gas factory. You are at least obliged to have a good week of Axemble on site ...