SolidWorks Enterprise PDM allows distributed design teams to manage product data, share design information, automate workflows, and improve collaboration between engineering and manufacturing.
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Typically many companies utilize a centralised data management system by storing design and manufacturing data on a network drive with an administrator to control access while the information technology (IT) department usually conducts backup on a tape or optical disk drive.
A simple standard workflow is where users can pull out a file and work on it while the file is assigned to a temporary directory such as F:\In-Progress. The administrator assigns different network operating system rights to each directory, such as read-only; signs off the reworked files for transfer; and makes sure it gets back in the file folder labelled F:\Released.
This type of manual check-in/check-out system is prone to errors in its daily operation; the wrong version is opened, someone works on a copy without tracking revisions, or a co-worker renames it – all errors that can cost you time and accuracy. To minimize these errors, you need a structured product data management (PDM) system. To truly improve the efficiency of your managed design process, you need the benefits of the SolidWorks Intelligent PDM Vault included with SolidWorks Enterprise PDM.
The Intelligent PDM Vault features seven significant improvements beyond a simple hierarchy of stored files. That way, engineers and designers can focus on design rather than administrative tasks.
Effective data management allows engineering, manufacturing, purchasing and marketing staff to avoid errors such as working with the wrong versions of documents or accidentally overwriting the right versions. SolidWorks Enterprise PDM enables intelligent data reuse, conserving time and effort. SolidWorks Enterprise PDM’s powerful and easy-to-use search tools allows products designers to locate CAD and simulation files more quickly, avoiding redundant data.
Secure Access
Protect your product design data with secure managed access to authorized individuals, over a network or via the web. In addition to internal users, you may also permit access to partners, customers, and your supply chain.
Revision Control
Help your design team avoid overwriting files, and assist purchasing and manufacturing in ordering and producing the correct parts, every time.
Full Document Preview
View and print more than 250 file types – including SolidWorks, AutoCAD®, Inventor®, Solid Edge®, PDF, and Microsoft® Office – plus images, animations, movie files and more.
Find and Reuse Design Data
Quickly locate documents based on their names, contained data, attached metadata, workflow state and other parameters. For even greater productivity, you can predefine save, and share your searches.
Custom Configuration
SolidWorks Enterprise PDM can fully configure to work effectively within your unique team structure, design process and industry.
Scalability
As your design organization grows, you’ll work with the same high level of speed, functionality and security.
Distributed Design Teams
For multisite, multinational companies, SolidWorks Enterprise PDM supports document/drawing vault replication over WAN, making current design information immediately available worldwide.
Remote Access
Increase the productivity of designers, managers and sales/marketing personnel by permitting remote access to design data.
Automated Approval Process
Improve productivity, quality, and accountability when you engage key users in workflow and approval processes. SolidWorks Enterprise PDM supports automation of workflows, such as engineering change notice (ECN)/engineering change order (ECO) processes, and integration and connectivity to MRP/ERP systems. Plus, automatic email notifications and electronic signatures bring greater efficiency and security to approvals and other data automation initiatives.
Audit Trail
Quickly access a full audit trail of product development activities. Meet internal and external compliance reporting requirements. Identify process issues and drive continual improvement to maintain your competitive advantage. What’s more, SolidWorks Enterprise PDM supports the electronic signature and records management requirements of FDA 21 CFR Part 11. Medical device manufacturers can reduce the overhead associated with meeting regulatory compliance obligations.
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