I've been told that PDM works is no longer going to be developed by Solidworks and that we need to consider moving to Enterprise. PDM works will be supported for a time but didn't know how long. We have three solidworks uses and 2 contributer licenses for Autocad users. Comments on the two
Robbie, stick with PDM Workgroup for your smaller group. EPDM really is a bigger and more corporate animal. Of course if you business is new, and has no company wide method to control business, then that might be an attraction to EPDM.
SolidWorks gives at least 3 versions notice before it will phase out a product, and there has been no official announcement about PDMW. It's pretty much speculation because of all the cloud, Nfuse, V6, etc.talk. I've been a long time user of PDMW, as many else are. It's a great "Data Management" tool, so if that's what you need to do, it comes with Pro and Premium, so if you have Pro seats, you already have it!! And it takes alot less to setup and maintain for small groups.
Workgroup PDM isn't going anywhere. It is good enough for smaller organizations in which Enterprise would be overkill. This is likely the reason why it won't be discontinued any time soon. I will add that there is minor development of WPDM to keep it updated with the curernt version of SolidWorks. You should consider upgrading to EPDM if you are have pressing issues that cannot be addressed by WPDM. Otherwise, leverage your current investment.
Robbie,
I was told at SWW 2011 by a very reliable source that workgroup will be
given at least a 2 year window warning before it is discontinued. They said
to this point nothing further has been said. They feel it is safe through 2014.
If you want just revision control then go with workgroup. Anything beyond that
say invervening with an MRP system go with Enterprise.