SOLIDWORKS PDM
Keep all your data in one place for quick access and sharing, making teamwork and collaboration more efficient.
Why You’ll Love SOLIDWORKS PDM
Find what you need quickly with SOLIDWORKS Product Data Management. Keep everyone aligned with built-in version control so all of your files are always up to date. Set precise permissions to control who can access data and documents. Store CAD files and any related content—emails, images, specs—in a centrally indexed vault on your company server that tracks revisions and automates workflows.
File Management
Store and retrieve product data with ease in a single, secure vault. PDM records every change and seamlessly resolves references when files are relocated or renamed.
Design & Reuse
Search directly from Explorer to quickly locate and reuse existing designs. Find files by name, date, or metadata to save time and reduce costs.
Revision control
Prevent editing conflicts using check-out/lock controls, and receive instant notifications as designs are updated.
SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard
- Change tracking: Automatically records revisions with quick access to previous versions in the task pane.
- Notifications: Alert relevant stakeholders to status changes and required actions.
- Automated PDFs: Convert SOLIDWORKS drawings to PDF during workflow transitions.
- Integrated preview: View CAD data instantly with built-in eDrawings previews.
SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional
- Remote access: Secure web access for internal and external users—anywhere, any device.
- Email alerts: Automatically notify users when files or folders are updated.
- BOM support: Create and leverage Bills of Materials for downstream processes.
- Multi-CAD support: Connect to a range of third-party CAD tools with built-in integrations.
SOLIDWORKS Manage
For teams needing an advanced, records-based system adds robust project and process control.
- Project Management: Plan stages end-to-end; use tasks and timesheets to track progress automatically.
- Process Management: Configure ECRs, transmittals, approvals, and other business workflows.
- Item Management: Create, edit, compare complete BOMs using records and files.
- Dashboards & Reports: Build interactive dashboards and email reports with critical metrics.
Take Control of Your Data Today
FAQ
How is PDM different from Dropbox or other file-sharing tools?
CAD files are highly interdependent. Assemblies reference parts and subassemblies, and drawings reference assemblies. Generic file-sharing tools don’t understand these relationships leading to broken references, duplicate files, and conflicted copies.
SOLIDWORKS PDM:
- Manages file relationships automatically, keeping references and BOMs intact.
- Provides structured revision control (not just version history).
- Includes secure workflows and permissions so the right people access the right data.
- Uses check-in/check-out to prevent overwrites.
- Runs as a client/server system, keeping your data secure within your network.
Can others in my company (or outside partners) use SOLIDWORKS PDM?
Yes. PDM isn’t just for CAD users. There are license types for contributors and read-only viewers. It can manage any file type, not just CAD files.
All licenses are floating licenses, so employees or external collaborators simply pull from the available pool when they log in.
Do SOLIDWORKS PDM and SOLIDWORKS CAD have to run on the same version?
To avoid compatibility issues, it’s best to keep SOLIDWORKS CAD and PDM on the same major version. That said, PDM can run on the same or a newer version, giving you flexibility to work with older CAD files when needed for customers or partners.
What should I do with my data before implementing PDM?
Before rolling out PDM, it’s recommended to clean up your files—remove duplicate names and repair any broken references. Beginning with an organized dataset makes adoption faster and more seamless. Tools like GoDataAnalysis can help uncover and address issues ahead of migration.
We don’t want to invest in servers. Do you provide SOLIDWORKS PDM hosting?
Absolutely. We offer hosting and full management of SOLIDWORKS PDM. See our Hosting Services page for details.