Currently I am considering using the SolidWork PDM module for managing multiple CAD files, primarily PRO/ENGINEER files but SolidWorks as well.
Was hoping some of you more experienced/seasoned users could share some knowledge and/or past experiences with doing this.
Everything I read, and videos I have seen, it all seems possible and made out to be effortless, however, I have been around long enough to know that nothing provides better information than actual user experience.
Anything that you feel is worth sharing, good or bad, would be greatly appreciated.
Joel,
We recently migrated all our Pro/E data from Intralink 3.4 to Enterprise PDM 2012, SP1. The migration was quite difficult and took 3 months to successfully move 15,000 files. We used our Var and an outside contractor, Zero-Wait State, and allowed them remote access (WebEx) to our Intralink server and a new, unrestricted EPDM Vault. The biggest problem was getting all the references to work. Our Var, Go Engineer, provided a detailed set of instructions and tools which Zero-Wait used.
A few things to remember: 1. Pro/E does not save full path information of referenced files. If the folder path is not included in the config.pro or search.pro file Pro/E will not find the reference during load. 2. You must use the Add/Renamer (supplied by your var) tool to add Pro/E files to a EPDM vault, otherwise the files will come in with the version number and no references will be identified. 3. You must install the Pro/E Connector on all end users computers. The connector allows Enterprise PDM to communicate with Pro/E to identify references.
Lastly, it is critical that everyone using Pro/E files in Enterprise PDM read and fully understand the SolidWorks Enterprise PDM 2012 Pro/E Connector Best Practice Guide, written by SolidWorks. I suggest highlighting important sections, you will reference them often during the setup and migration.