Comments on: PDMWorks for the solo user? http://www.jeffmirisola.com/2009/12/pdmworks-for-the-solo-user/ SolidWorks Tips, Tricks and Partner Reviews Thu, 15 Dec 2011 02:20:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Christine Longwell http://www.jeffmirisola.com/2009/12/pdmworks-for-the-solo-user/comment-page-1/#comment-1190 Christine Longwell Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:43:00 +0000 http://www.jeffmirisola.com/?p=490#comment-1190 I'm a big fan of PDMWorkgroup for small companies. I really preach that it's the way to go, and I do use it myself... on occasion. My business has evolved more towards process consulting, but I would really use it if I was going to be producing documents. Personally, I make a lot of junk files that I delete on a regular basis. I think the big question is, Do you release drawings? If the answer is yes, I would suggest working locally the way you have always done, but replace your habit of saving a pdf to the server with checking into the vault when your done. With only one user administration will be simple, and even the crappiest server won't cramp your style. Heck, you could even throw it all into one project folder. It can also be nice to have a shortcut to your data on the task pane. I’m a big fan of PDMWorkgroup for small companies. I really preach that it’s the way to go, and I do use it myself… on occasion. My business has evolved more towards process consulting, but I would really use it if I was going to be producing documents.

Personally, I make a lot of junk files that I delete on a regular basis. I think the big question is, Do you release drawings? If the answer is yes, I would suggest working locally the way you have always done, but replace your habit of saving a pdf to the server with checking into the vault when your done. With only one user administration will be simple, and even the crappiest server won’t cramp your style. Heck, you could even throw it all into one project folder.

It can also be nice to have a shortcut to your data on the task pane.

]]> By: Christine Longwell http://www.jeffmirisola.com/2009/12/pdmworks-for-the-solo-user/comment-page-1/#comment-626 Christine Longwell Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:43:25 +0000 http://www.jeffmirisola.com/?p=490#comment-626 I'm a big fan of PDMWorkgroup for small companies. I really preach that it's the way to go, and I do use it myself... on occasion. My business has evolved more towards process consulting, but I would really use it if I was going to be producing documents.<br><br>Personally, I make a lot of junk files that I delete on a regular basis. I think the big question is, Do you release drawings? If the answer is yes, I would suggest working locally the way you have always done, but replace your habit of saving a pdf to the server with checking into the vault when your done. With only one user administration will be simple, and even the crappiest server won't cramp your style. Heck, you could even throw it all into one project folder.<br><br>It can also be nice to have a shortcut to your data on the task pane. I'm a big fan of PDMWorkgroup for small companies. I really preach that it's the way to go, and I do use it myself… on occasion. My business has evolved more towards process consulting, but I would really use it if I was going to be producing documents.

Personally, I make a lot of junk files that I delete on a regular basis. I think the big question is, Do you release drawings? If the answer is yes, I would suggest working locally the way you have always done, but replace your habit of saving a pdf to the server with checking into the vault when your done. With only one user administration will be simple, and even the crappiest server won't cramp your style. Heck, you could even throw it all into one project folder.

It can also be nice to have a shortcut to your data on the task pane.

]]> By: Brian http://www.jeffmirisola.com/2009/12/pdmworks-for-the-solo-user/comment-page-1/#comment-625 Brian Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:29:18 +0000 http://www.jeffmirisola.com/?p=490#comment-625 Dude, you should be using PDM!<br><br>I always tell folks that even if I was working on my own, I would be running at least Workgroup PDM. It makes it so easy to keep everything organized, have your design history, and be able to try out "what if" scenarios without having to worry about copying folders or overwriting work.<br><br>I would install it local and just back up the VaultData folder. If the company grows or whatever, it is easily moved to a server. Dude, you should be using PDM!

I always tell folks that even if I was working on my own, I would be running at least Workgroup PDM. It makes it so easy to keep everything organized, have your design history, and be able to try out “what if” scenarios without having to worry about copying folders or overwriting work.

I would install it local and just back up the VaultData folder. If the company grows or whatever, it is easily moved to a server.

]]> By: John Matrishon http://www.jeffmirisola.com/2009/12/pdmworks-for-the-solo-user/comment-page-1/#comment-561 John Matrishon Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:26:09 +0000 http://www.jeffmirisola.com/?p=490#comment-561 My take on PDM WorkGroup is that whether you are a single user or multiple user, you should be using it if you have access to it (SolidWorks Professional or above). Simply stated, there is no way to revision control manualy to the degree that PDM offers. If I was self employeed I'd be working with PDM. Maintaining a vault format is much cleaner than maintaining a directory stucture. Plus, all the notes and history that you can add during the checkin process is so valuable if you have to look back.<br>What happens if you do a change to a file, and you want to go back? In PDM you can just go back to that revision, simple. I've been using PDM Works/Workgroup since about 1998 and have never looked back. It's so simple and easy to use that you're almost crazy not to use it. Your data is your foundation, and without a good foundation the rest is unstable. Okay, I digress......<br><br>I think Jeff you could put the vault on your server (even if it's not the greatest), but as you're working on stuff, you will have it on your hard drive. Of course, file management will be a key component to your sucess. Good luck! My take on PDM WorkGroup is that whether you are a single user or multiple user, you should be using it if you have access to it (SolidWorks Professional or above). Simply stated, there is no way to revision control manualy to the degree that PDM offers. If I was self employeed I'd be working with PDM. Maintaining a vault format is much cleaner than maintaining a directory stucture. Plus, all the notes and history that you can add during the checkin process is so valuable if you have to look back.
What happens if you do a change to a file, and you want to go back? In PDM you can just go back to that revision, simple. I've been using PDM Works/Workgroup since about 1998 and have never looked back. It's so simple and easy to use that you're almost crazy not to use it. Your data is your foundation, and without a good foundation the rest is unstable. Okay, I digress……

I think Jeff you could put the vault on your server (even if it's not the greatest), but as you're working on stuff, you will have it on your hard drive. Of course, file management will be a key component to your sucess. Good luck!

]]> By: John Matrishon http://www.jeffmirisola.com/2009/12/pdmworks-for-the-solo-user/comment-page-1/#comment-562 John Matrishon Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:16:26 +0000 http://www.jeffmirisola.com/?p=490#comment-562 Chris, using PDM Workgroup (Works for us older guys) should have no impact on your laptop.....unless you plan on putting the Vault on the laptop. I'm reading it as you have a stable network and the vault would be located there. Chris, using PDM Workgroup (Works for us older guys) should have no impact on your laptop…..unless you plan on putting the Vault on the laptop. I'm reading it as you have a stable network and the vault would be located there.

]]> By: John Matrishon http://www.jeffmirisola.com/2009/12/pdmworks-for-the-solo-user/comment-page-1/#comment-557 John Matrishon Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:26:09 +0000 http://www.jeffmirisola.com/?p=490#comment-557 My take on PDM WorkGroup is that whether you are a single user or multiple user, you should be using it if you have access to it (SolidWorks Professional or above). Simply stated, there is no way to revision control manualy to the degree that PDM offers. If I was self employeed I'd be working with PDM. Maintaining a vault format is much cleaner than maintaining a directory stucture. Plus, all the notes and history that you can add during the checkin process is so valuable if you have to look back.<br>What happens if you do a change to a file, and you want to go back? In PDM you can just go back to that revision, simple. I've been using PDM Works/Workgroup since about 1998 and have never looked back. It's so simple and easy to use that you're almost crazy not to use it. Your data is your foundation, and without a good foundation the rest is unstable. Okay, I digress......<br><br>I think Jeff you could put the vault on your server (even if it's not the greatest), but as you're working on stuff, you will have it on your hard drive. Of course, file management will be a key component to your sucess. Good luck! My take on PDM WorkGroup is that whether you are a single user or multiple user, you should be using it if you have access to it (SolidWorks Professional or above). Simply stated, there is no way to revision control manualy to the degree that PDM offers. If I was self employeed I'd be working with PDM. Maintaining a vault format is much cleaner than maintaining a directory stucture. Plus, all the notes and history that you can add during the checkin process is so valuable if you have to look back.
What happens if you do a change to a file, and you want to go back? In PDM you can just go back to that revision, simple. I've been using PDM Works/Workgroup since about 1998 and have never looked back. It's so simple and easy to use that you're almost crazy not to use it. Your data is your foundation, and without a good foundation the rest is unstable. Okay, I digress……

I think Jeff you could put the vault on your server (even if it's not the greatest), but as you're working on stuff, you will have it on your hard drive. Of course, file management will be a key component to your sucess. Good luck!

]]> By: John Matrishon http://www.jeffmirisola.com/2009/12/pdmworks-for-the-solo-user/comment-page-1/#comment-558 John Matrishon Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:16:26 +0000 http://www.jeffmirisola.com/?p=490#comment-558 Chris, using PDM Workgroup (Works for us older guys) should have no impact on your laptop.....unless you plan on putting the Vault on the laptop. I'm reading it as you have a stable network and the vault would be located there. Chris, using PDM Workgroup (Works for us older guys) should have no impact on your laptop…..unless you plan on putting the Vault on the laptop. I'm reading it as you have a stable network and the vault would be located there.

]]> By: Chris Serran http://www.jeffmirisola.com/2009/12/pdmworks-for-the-solo-user/comment-page-1/#comment-553 Chris Serran Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:49:59 +0000 http://www.jeffmirisola.com/?p=490#comment-553 Hard drive space. It's only got 80gb. While I'm ok with space for now, it could fill up and I'll have to do shuffling to my external drive...once I get it repaired. Hard drive space. It's only got 80gb. While I'm ok with space for now, it could fill up and I'll have to do shuffling to my external drive…once I get it repaired.

]]> By: JeffMirisola http://www.jeffmirisola.com/2009/12/pdmworks-for-the-solo-user/comment-page-1/#comment-551 JeffMirisola Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:14:31 +0000 http://www.jeffmirisola.com/?p=490#comment-551 Great points, Chris. What is it about a laptop that makes you not use PDMWorks? Great points, Chris. What is it about a laptop that makes you not use PDMWorks?

]]> By: Chris Serran http://www.jeffmirisola.com/2009/12/pdmworks-for-the-solo-user/comment-page-1/#comment-550 Chris Serran Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:57:54 +0000 http://www.jeffmirisola.com/?p=490#comment-550 I was, at one point, in a solo environment at work. Our servers are reliable and backed up every night, so I had no issues with implementing PDMWorks.<br>It's nice to have an easily accessible place to go to, not to mention the basic revision control, reporting and where used functionality.<br>We currently now have a SolidWorks user (myself) and 2 Acad Electrical users accessing the vault.<br><br>For the my side design business, I don't use PDMWorks. This is mainly because I'm working off a laptop. If I upgrade to a workstation I may implement it. Still undecided on that, I won't worry too much about it until the time comes.<br><br>The important part, in my opinion, is to get a file and folder naming scheme in place and adhere to it. This will make converting to a PDM system so much easier. I was, at one point, in a solo environment at work. Our servers are reliable and backed up every night, so I had no issues with implementing PDMWorks.
It's nice to have an easily accessible place to go to, not to mention the basic revision control, reporting and where used functionality.
We currently now have a SolidWorks user (myself) and 2 Acad Electrical users accessing the vault.

For the my side design business, I don't use PDMWorks. This is mainly because I'm working off a laptop. If I upgrade to a workstation I may implement it. Still undecided on that, I won't worry too much about it until the time comes.

The important part, in my opinion, is to get a file and folder naming scheme in place and adhere to it. This will make converting to a PDM system so much easier.

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