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Would WPDM help us?

Question asked by Leandro Magalhaes on Mar 1, 2014
Latest reply on Mar 9, 2014 by Deepak Gupta

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Hello guys

We're a small company, with 3 solidworks workstations. We're having some issues with the way we have been working and hopefully you could advise us.

All of the solidworks projects are in one PC folder of one of the workstations. The other 2 users work over the network. All the 3 of us are making collaborative work, its common to have the 3 working on the same project.

The major problems we are facing are:

First - Toolbox components changing configurations, depending on the user who insert it on the assembly (toolbox directory are equal in the 3 pc's, pointing to the same folder)

Second - Long saving and opening times for the 2 users working over the network

Would WPDM help us in this question?

We cant afford to spend money on a server.

We have a Nas, could we do something with this?

We dont work with revisions.

Whats the best way to do this kind of collaborative work?

Thanks

Deepak Gupta Mar 4, 2014 9:56 PM

Correct Answer

Check this out: Advantages of SolidWorks PDM

Installation is simple. Also in addition to client installation, you need to install server on one of the machine. Check the details here: SolidWorks Workgroup PDM

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Deepak Gupta Mar 1, 2014 12:23 PM

Yes WPDM can be really helpful.You can set up one of the machine as the server where all files would be there including toolbox, templates, etc. So basically the same thing you're doing right now. With WPDM, they would be checking out the files and working locally on there machine. And once ready they can check in back. With WPDM into picture there would be lot more advantages rather than simply doing check-in/out or collaboration.

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Leandro Magalhaes @ Deepak Gupta on Mar 1, 2014 12:40 PM

Thanks Deepak

About the Nas, would it be helpfull besides backup? Can't we place the vault and the libraries and templates there?

The machine that will be use as a server will be afected in performance?

Can you please mention some other advantages of WPDM, besides revisions and collaborative work.

Sorry for so many questions

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Jeff Mirisola @ Leandro Magalhaes on Mar 1, 2014 1:03 PM

The operating system on your NAS won't be compatible with PDM and, more than likely, you won't be able to install it.

The bonus of utilizing PDM is that when you check something out, it will be loaded locally to your machine which will speed up save times. By taking ownership of the portions you need to work on, your coworkers will be able to open them, but not change them. This will help prevent dual changes. Where PDM is free, and the learning curve isn't too steep, you'd be doing yourselves a disservice by not using it.

Should you decide to not use PDM, make sure you have collaboration turned on (Options->System Options->Collaboration and select 'Enable multi-user environment'). This will inform you when one of your coworkers makes changes so that you can be sure that you're using the latest version of whatever he was working on.

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Leandro Magalhaes @ Jeff Mirisola on Mar 1, 2014 1:09 PM

What about the performance of the machine that has the vault.

Will the performance decrease when others are acessing the checking in/out?

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Jeff Mirisola @ Leandro Magalhaes on Mar 1, 2014 2:30 PM

I would think any performance hit would be minimal, but it would also depend on your machines' specifications.

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Tom Smith @ Leandro Magalhaes on Mar 2, 2014 9:37 AM

Although I don't think it's "supported" by SolidWorks, you are able to install the vault software on one of your workstations and have the storage on the NAS to save space. Just use the \\NAS\vaultdata\ address. Make sure the vault server software starts on the workstation with credentials to read/write on that NAS folder and make it read-only for regular users.

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Leandro Magalhaes Mar 4, 2014 4:27 PM

Thank you all for your help.

Deepak has mentioned there would be other advantages working with WPDM (besides check in/out documents and collaborative work),

can someone explain me that other advantages?

Do you think its simple for me to install and admin WPDM on 3 machines? Any guides?

Im sorry for so many questions on this but I have to make a decision on install it or not.

Thank you all!

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Deepak Gupta @ Leandro Magalhaes on Mar 4, 2014 9:56 PM

Check this out: Advantages of SolidWorks PDM

Installation is simple. Also in addition to client installation, you need to install server on one of the machine. Check the details here: SolidWorks Workgroup PDM

Actions

Leandro Magalhaes Mar 5, 2014 2:28 PM

I gave the correct answer to Deepak for his patience but I thank you all for your answers.

I will try to install wpdm and then give my feedback.

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Dan Essink @ Leandro Magalhaes on Mar 6, 2014 2:39 PM

Another option that I have used and may help you. I used a regular desk top as a wpdm server. That way you don't slow down any of the users. As cheap as a basic computer is now($500), this can be done easily. Your company may have and computer someone does not use much or is no longer used. Add a large hard drive and go. You can add backup software to go to an external hard drive even.

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Deepak Gupta @ Leandro Magalhaes on Mar 9, 2014 5:05 AM

Hopefully your decision to go with PDM will be fruitful. Please do share your views/outcome after some time of using it.

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11 Replies

Deepak Gupta Mar 1, 2014 12:23 PM
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Correct Answer
Yes WPDM can be really helpful.You can set up one of the machine as the server where all files would be there including toolbox, templates, etc. So basically the same thing you're doing right now. With WPDM, they would be checking out the files and working locally on there machine. And once ready they can check in back. With WPDM into picture there would be lot more advantages rather than simply doing check-in/out or collaboration.
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- Leandro Magalhaes @ Deepak Gupta on Mar 1, 2014 12:40 PM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  Thanks Deepak
  
  About the Nas, would it be helpfull besides backup? Can't we place the vault and the libraries and templates there?
  The machine that will be use as a server will be afected in performance?
  
  Can you please mention some other advantages of WPDM, besides revisions and collaborative work.
  
  Sorry for so many questions
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
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  - Jeff Mirisola @ Leandro Magalhaes on Mar 1, 2014 1:03 PM
    Mark Correct
    Correct Answer
    The operating system on your NAS won't be compatible with PDM and, more than likely, you won't be able to install it.
    The bonus of utilizing PDM is that when you check something out, it will be loaded locally to your machine which will speed up save times. By taking ownership of the portions you need to work on, your coworkers will be able to open them, but not change them. This will help prevent dual changes. Where PDM is free, and the learning curve isn't too steep, you'd be doing yourselves a disservice by not using it.
    
    Should you decide to not use PDM, make sure you have collaboration turned on (Options->System Options->Collaboration and select 'Enable multi-user environment'). This will inform you when one of your coworkers makes changes so that you can be sure that you're using the latest version of whatever he was working on.
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    - Leandro Magalhaes @ Jeff Mirisola on Mar 1, 2014 1:09 PM
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      Correct Answer
      What about the performance of the machine that has the vault.
      Will the performance decrease when others are acessing the checking in/out?
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      - Jeff Mirisola @ Leandro Magalhaes on Mar 1, 2014 2:30 PM
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        I would think any performance hit would be minimal, but it would also depend on your machines' specifications.
        Like • Show 0 Likes0
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  - Tom Smith @ Leandro Magalhaes on Mar 2, 2014 9:37 AM
    Mark Correct
    Correct Answer
    Although I don't think it's "supported" by SolidWorks, you are able to install the vault software on one of your workstations and have the storage on the NAS to save space. Just use the \\NAS\vaultdata\ address. Make sure the vault server software starts on the workstation with credentials to read/write on that NAS folder and make it read-only for regular users.
    Like • Show 0 Likes0
    Actions
Leandro Magalhaes Mar 4, 2014 4:27 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Thank you all for your help.
Deepak has mentioned there would be other advantages working with WPDM (besides check in/out documents and collaborative work),
can someone explain me that other advantages?

Do you think its simple for me to install and admin WPDM on 3 machines? Any guides?

Im sorry for so many questions on this but I have to make a decision on install it or not.

Thank you all!
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- Deepak Gupta @ Leandro Magalhaes on Mar 4, 2014 9:56 PM
  Unmark Correct
  Correct Answer
  Check this out: Advantages of SolidWorks PDM
  
  Installation is simple. Also in addition to client installation, you need to install server on one of the machine. Check the details here: SolidWorks Workgroup PDM
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
  Actions
Leandro Magalhaes Mar 5, 2014 2:28 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
I gave the correct answer to Deepak for his patience but I thank you all for your answers.
I will try to install wpdm and then give my feedback.
Like • Show 0 Likes0
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- Dan Essink @ Leandro Magalhaes on Mar 6, 2014 2:39 PM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  Another option that I have used and may help you. I used a regular desk top as a wpdm server. That way you don't slow down any of the users. As cheap as a basic computer is now($500), this can be done easily. Your company may have and computer someone does not use much or is no longer used. Add a large hard drive and go. You can add backup software to go to an external hard drive even.
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
  Actions
- Deepak Gupta @ Leandro Magalhaes on Mar 9, 2014 5:05 AM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  Hopefully your decision to go with PDM will be fruitful. Please do share your views/outcome after some time of using it.
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
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