CAD Forum

For those users who need full featured enterprise PLM and need to manage your SolidWorks data and associated ECO's, what do you use?

I'm not talking about SolidWorks PDM, but other enterprise systems like Enovia, Windchill, Teamcenter, Aras, etc...

How is your experience with the CAD connector integration with SolidWorks?

I've been through an implementation of Teamcenter with its SolidWorks connector. We had to explore a lot of workarounds and make compromises to get it working somewhat like we wanted (never got to the point of actually using it in production however). We were coming from SW+PDM, so wanted a lot of the nice functionality that PDM offers, like updating title blocks and generating PDF & STEP files automatically with the workflow.

I suspect it would be a similar story with other PLM-system connectors, as they are more focused on integrating with their enterprise CAD packages (Catia+Enovia, NX+Teamcenter, Creo+Windchill) rather than with SolidWorks.

I like SolidWorks+PDM for doing engineering-only approvals and revision control, then releasing the neutral format files into the PLM system (e.g. Arena).

Windchill. The connector is called Windchill Workgroup Manager (WGM) which I believe all CAD programs use including Creo. We only have SolidWorks so I can only speak to it.

Its seems way more complicated than it should be at times but there is functionality that PDM doesn't have. Example is the ability to load files locally that meet certain filter criteria like (latest, latest Release, etc.). Once files are local, you have to pay attention to the versions of files and there are icons to indicate something out of date. I haven't found a setting to automatically get latest.

We have constant cache issues which require clear the cache and in some cases logging completely out and deleting the cache folders and let them be recreated.

They have recently added a task pane "tree" inside SolidWorks but its not as useful as the PDM tree. Most tasks inside SolidWorks such as checkouts/check ins are done via button on a "PTC" command manager tab. Or by using the WGM program which is a Windows app. Core Windchill is web based and even WGM just contains an embedded browser.

My company uses a system called ETO. It has a SW interface that works pretty well.

It's been a few years since I used Windchill with SolidWorks. It has been getting better, but I definitely had similar issues to jcapriotti. I think I last used it in 2018 or 2019. I will say it was much more stable then than it was in 2015 or so when I started using it with SolidWorks. It was not user friendly and things had to be done a certain way. I had a spreadsheet "checklist" that I used to keep track of where in the process various files were.

I work for a design services firm and so was working with our customer's setup of Windchill. Another ME here was working with a different customer. They were further along in their setup and PDFs would be generated with markings on them showing the release approval. So, it can be done.

Windchill does need a knowledgeable team to get it set up. Everything is customizable. At the time I was working with it, there were not really out of the box setups.

We use Pulse. https://pulseplm.com/

Relatively cheap, relatively simple, great support, does everything we need it to.

dave.laban wrote: ↑Tue Oct 29, 2024 6:42 am We use Pulse. https://pulseplm.com/

Relatively cheap, relatively simple, great support, does everything we need it to.

Would be nice if they posted some content and videos on the product. Can't find anything on it except for some high level generic marketing content that tells you absolutely nothing.

jcapriotti wrote: ↑Tue Oct 29, 2024 9:26 am Can't find anything on it except for some high level generic marketing content that tells you absolutely nothing.

Isn't that the modern definition of modern marketing?

Yeah it's fair to say marketing isn't their strong point. I don't think their website has changed in any meaningful way since I joined my current employer in 2018.

SPerman wrote: ↑Tue Oct 29, 2024 10:26 am Isn't that the modern definition of modern marketing?

Don't get me started on my views on marketing.

@dave.laban Maybe that's a sign that they are putting all their time, money, and effort into the product which would be good. However, they need to advertise and show us something. Even just a seminar video.

My last two employers have used DDM and DBWorks. As an end user I didn't have any issues with either once I learned the button pushes.

DDM managed Creo, SW & ACAD and initiated/signoffed/approved ECNs.

DBWorks managed SW files. ECN were via email chain and the factory/floor would see the updates after files were approved in DBWorks.