PDM Workflow Condition Operators

Andrew,

The conditional operators in the properties of a worflow only apply to the first ever check in of a file. Once the file is in the workflow it has passed that 'gate' and won't be compared to those operators again.

If you were using PDM Professional you would be able to do your file name check with Dispatch or the API and then prevent login.

However with PDM Standard we don't have those options so I don't think we can prevent the check in. That doesn't stop us preventing all state changes however. If we add a transition condition as per the image below this will prevent files that have a non numeric character in their name transitioning:

To break down the string I used:

%\ = any folder in the vault

%[a-z]% = A filename of unknown length that contains a character in the range a-z (in either upper or lower case)

.sld% = any SOLIDWORKS file extension

I would add this transition condition when the files leave an editable state (so users would no longer have permission to rename files) and although they can check any file in they wouldn't be able to send a file with an incorrect name for approval.

I suppose you could also add this condition to your workflow properties to prevent the first check in unless the files are named correctly. This wouldn't stop someone checking the file in, then renaming, and sending for approval though.

David