This topic has been discussed multiple times (and in different ways) on the forum, but I'm still trying to get a clear explanation.
I'm planning my first EPDM implementation, and while the vault/workflow setup, new file handling etc. seems ok, I'm unsure how to deal with existing SW files. These can have different custom properties defined, reference different toolboxes and material databases, different sheet formats for drawings etc. We want to use some of the custom properties to populate the data cards, but this is going to be difficult if the available properties vary file-to-file.
Is there a guide for how to properly update/migrate existing files from a Windows folder to EPDM system? I'm thinking of the following:
- Decide on the set of custom properties, standards etc. that all files should adhere to, make templates for new files with these.
- Edit (manually?) the existing files so they conform to the new templates.
- Migrate the cleaned-up files to EPDM.
The manual editting of files on this scale might not be feasible, is there a SW custom property editor that could do some of this in batch?
All suggestions appreciated.
Hey Brian, well you are off to a great start with the word "planning" !! Kudos to you because it will be all about the planning.
Standardization is a big part of a successful migration and it will go a long ways for your success. You are on the right track with your steps, and there may not be an easy way to do what you are looking for. Most companies do things a little differently, so there is no real guide, but that being said use your VAR heavily to help guide you with the steps you're already thinking about! That is what they are there for!
You could use the Design checker and build in a few checks that could help you. I would also maybe look at Treehouse if you have lots of assemblies to get a handle on fixing custom properties in an assembly to assembly kind of way.
Are some really good API folks out there or at your VAR that may be able to help write some automation, but if you files are as varied as you say, that could be difficult.
Bulk uploads are tricky, and you may not like the result so I would suggest taking them as you require work on them, fix then, then load into your vault.
Best of luck!! Ask questions, get opinions, and PLAN!!!