We are using Solidworks 2017 - PDM Standard (Always stay a year behind right?) and are just now making use of the custom column sets in PDM. I have added a variable and associated column for a variable, PBS (Product Breakdown Structure), as a way to sort which subsystem a part is located in. We opted for this over a complex part-numbering or multiple folders on the off-chance a part can be found in multiple subsystems. The problem is, that while we can sort by PBS in the column in Windows Explorer, the <Name> property is overriding that sort. Here is an example of it supposedly sorted by PBS:
As can be seen, the 220 - Driveline are not grouped together but the part/assembly names are listed in order. Is there a way to override this?
Might want to check this setting for that column. I'm not 100% sure if it's affecting your sort, but that's the first thing I would check.
Also, do other columns sort correctly? That's a weird thing to not work.