Our group is considering the use of file sharing in PDM for PDFs, Solidworks drawings, Solidworks parts, and Solidworks assemblies. I have seen some other forums where people do not recommend using file sharing for files that use references, and was looking for some more feedback from those that have tried it.
Our goal is to prevent duplicate file names in PDM (using permissions to prevent this) and then having a file shared from a project folder (or multiple project folders) to a master folder, so that there is only one copy in the entire database that is the same across the board.
Thoughts?
File sharing to different folders is ok. You just have to remember that the file permissions are tied to the folder the user accesses the file from and not the location of the original file. For example if the user has read-only access in the original folder but write access in the second folder they will have write access to the file.
Otherwise it would be helpful for the time when someone wants to see all the files in there project in there project folder instead of the library or someone else's project. Or if you want to give someone access to that file but not other that are in the original folder.
For instance you have one project that is being worked on in house, but a partner is working on another project that uses the same PC box. You could share the PC box to the partners project folder then they could see it without seeing your internal project.
For the most part I think it is a good option, it just could become a permissions nightmare if not kept under control.