New Online Secured Vault

I recently upgraded our server, so I added 1TB of disc space to share with my clients. This collaborative work space is password protected and available 24/7 to the customers of 3-D Design Solutions and PDM Solution.com. Not only a file server, it is a terminal server and a streaming media server too. It has been assigned a permanent IP number.

On separate discs, are my Enterprise PDM Database Server and Archive Server.

Devon Sowell
http://www.3-ddesignsolutions.com
http://www.pdmsolution.com

SmarTeam & SolidWorks, A Mismatch?

Here's a question...

Enterprise PDM and Workgroup PDM will both be released when 2010 SolidWorks is released. A friend of mine wants to upgrade to 2010 SolidWorks and the version of SmarTeam that will work with 2010 SolidWorks but was informed that SmarTeam won't work with 2010 SolidWorks until "The
current target is for SmarTeam to release R19 SP7 in week 7 of 2010, which
will be compatible with SolidWorks 2010."

Why?

Devon Sowell
http://www.pdmsolution.com

SolidWorks Workgroup PDM Multiple Vaults, Possible?

I get asked this question quite often. The answer is yes, you can have multiple Vaults when using Workgroup PDM. Here's the method I use.

In this example, each vault is installed on a different drive. The Workgroup PDM software must be installed on each drive in order to create the Vault. Each drive (computer) can have only one Workgroup Vault.

Be sure to create separate working folders for each vault and add those working folders to the Referenced Documents Option using the tools, system Options in SolidWorks.

Once you've logged in twice to Workgroup PDM, you'll have the option, via the pull down arrow, to chose which Vault to use.

Cheers,
Devon T. Sowell
http://www.pdmsolution.com

Enterprise/Workgroup PDM On A Terminal Server

Hi-

Is anyone running Enterprise/Workgroup PDM on a Terminal Server?

If so, what is the performance?

Thanks,
Devon Sowell
http://www.pdmsolution.com/

Vault Files With In Context External References, How Do You Manage Them?

Has an Auditor ever said to you "What is this 'external reference'? Why is it missing?"

RE: In Context External References; How do you handle these SolidWorks issues in Vaults? Not only "missing" references, but all in context external references, like;

1. Externally referenced sketch planes on surfaces from other geometry
2. Sketches converted from other geometry
3. Part files inserted in part files

Any thoughts?
Devon T. Sowell
http://www.pdmsolution.com/

2009 SolidWorks PDM Book Update

While our book waits to be run at the print house, we decided to add more content.

• Three Videos will be included and shipped with the book. One each about SolidWorks Explorer, Workgroup PDM, and Enterprise PDM. These videos will cover intermediate and advanced subjects. They'll be on a CD.
  
• 1 Hour of 2009 SolidWorks PDM Tech Support will be included, at no additional charge, with each book. Call or e-mail us for PDM Tech Support.

The new print date is April 27, 2009 and the cost will be $70.00 plus tax and shipping.

Cheers,
Devon T. Sowell
http://www.pdmsolution.com
http://www.3-ddesignsolutions.com

Devon Sowell Newsletter April 2009

I am pleased to announce my new web site, PDM Solution.com. This site offers SolidWorks PDM and Agile PLM support. Also, my new 2009 SolidWorks PDM book will be available directly from this web site on April 20, 2009.

Cheers,
Devon T. Sowell
PDM Solutions
760 809-9046

SolidWorks PDM Introduction

Last night, I taught this presentation at MiraCosta College. In 75 minutes, I showed and demo'd SolidWorks Explorer, WorkGroup PDM, and Enterprise PDM. I even showed the students how to set up a starter, basic manual revision system using folders and SolidWorks Explorer. Here's the power point presentation.

SolidWorks PDM Introduction

Interview Oleg Shilovitsky, CTO, ENOVIA SmarTeam

Oleg Shilovitsky is Chief Technology Officer at ENOVIA SmarTeam / Dassault Systems Recently Mr. Shilovitsky called me and introduced himself. He has extensive experience with SmarTeam, he's been there for more than 10 years. He agreed to an interview and that presented a challenge to me. Why? Because I've never seen nor used ENOVIA SmarTeam! So, I called on my friend and colleague Steve Calvert, Lead CAD Designer, Dresser Wayne. Steve was gracious enough to submit the following questions, thanks Steve.



As a user of V5R16 and SolidWorks 2006 and soon to be upgraded to the latest version of ENOVIA SmarTeam and SW2009, I was wondering if there are any enhancements that might make my job easier to perform? For instance: Can I customize my toolbars or create my own? Can I write macros to help me in the everyday duties? Can I customize the look of the Profile Card?

[Oleg] We are working together with SolidWorks R&D people to align features support and SW versions certification. We know that this is important for the customers. Features depend on the ENOVIA SmarTeam version – therefore I’d recommend that you check to which specific version of SmarTeam you are going to migrate.

Are there any ENOVIA SmarTeam User Groups or Discussion Groups that I can attend?

[Oleg] There is an online forum for ENOVIA SmarTeam users hosted by ENOVIA SmarTeam. http://www.theforum.smartuserforum.com/

Is there an easy way to have ENOVIA SmarTeam talk with my Oracle based MRP system?

[Oleg] XML data exchange can be configured using various APIs and the ENOVIA SmarTeam Gateway product.

Is ENOVIA SmarTeam supported in x64?

[Oleg] SmarTeam is already supported in x64. You need to check the specific release notes.

Will ENOVIA SmarTeam be supported with Windows 7?

[Oleg] ENOVIA SmarTeam, from the beginning, was very oriented towards Windows/Microsoft. We are continuing to support upcoming MS/Windows versions and technologies.

Here are my questions.

How or where can I see a live demonstration of ENOVIA SmarTeam?

[Oleg] If you are a potential customer, VARs (our resellers) can demo ENOVIA SmarTeam for you. Also, you can Google and see some online demos on YouTube. In addition, you can check other SmarTeam blogs – http://blogs.smarteam.com.

How does ENOVIA SmarTeam fit into Dassault's strategy in regards to Enterprise & WorkGroup PDM?

[Oleg] ENOVIA SmarTeam is part of ENOVIA’s product line, for collaborative product lifecycle management (PLM). The following slide presents the positioning of all 3 products around SolidWorks – SolidWorks WorkGroup PDM, SolidWorks Enterprise PDM, ENOVIA PLM.



Can you explain a few of the differences between Enterprise PDM and ENOVIA SmarTeam?

[Oleg] The most important differences between Enterprise PDM and ENOVIA SmarTeam are around managing Items and Items’ Lifecycle (versions, revisions, maturity); the ability to manage multiple Bill of Materials (for different purposes of configuration, manufacturing and engineering). This is opposite to the“Design Oriented” concepts of EPDM. This basically reflects ENOVIA SmarTeam’s platform flexibility in data modeling, and its ability to manage multiple domains of data in organization (i.e. requirements, design, engineering, build). In addition ENOVIA SmarTeam has the ability to manage business processes compared to the document workflow of EPDM. For most of ENOVIA SmarTeam customers, SmarTeam will become the place to manage the Item Master within an organization.


Is there an 'in-place' upgrade tool/strategy from Enterprise PDM to ENOVIA SmarTeam?

[Oleg] There is no tool provided by ENOVIA. But our partners do provide these tools. We are learning this topic now together with our SolidWorks colleagues.

Do SolidWorks Resellers sell ENOVIA SmarTeam and offer SmarTeam support?

[Oleg] Yes. There are companies that sell and provide services for ENOVIA SmarTeam. There are also companies that provide services for both products – ENOVIA SmarTeam and DS SolidWorks Enterprise PDM.

Well, for me, this is a new PDM/PLM application that I'd like to learn more about, what's the best way to do that?

[Oleg] I think the best way is to talk with our partners. They will provide demo versions, training and presentations.

Oleg, thank you for your time, and I look forward to speaking to you again soon.

A New PDM/PLM Interview Coming Soon

Look for an interview with Oleg Shilovitsky , Chief Technology Officer, ENOVIA SmarTeam, in a few days.

Cheers,
Devon T. Sowell

My New Book; SolidWorks® Product Data Management (PDM)

This is the working cover of my new book. Look for it in a few weeks.

Cheers,
Devon T. Sowell
http://www.3-ddesignsolutions.com

SolidWorks World 2009 Interview With Rich Allen

Rich Allen is one of my favorite SolidWorks’ employees (it’s a long list, by the way). He is the Global Product Manager, PDM Products, SolidWorks Corporation. I’m a PDM advocate, and I like to discuss PDM with Rich, especially Enterprise PDM.

Hi Rich, thanks for taking the time to meet with me today, I really appreciate it.

Always a pleasure to speak with you Devon.

How can PDM help all SolidWorks Users?

PDM can help all SolidWorks users be more productive and efficient. It all starts with the Vault. By centralizing Engineering information such as parts, assemblies and drawings files, users can more quickly find the data they need and even more importantly know it is the right version. When it comes to sharing information, PDM again is an invaluable tool is assigning work, getting electronic signatures and accessing information from multiple sites. We believe that every SolidWorks user, should create a PDM Vault and as a minimum get their SolidWorks data under control. Then they can add supplementary information such as specifications, quotes, pictures, compliance records and more.


What are some of the guidelines to help a company decide when they need a PDM system?

There are a few rules of thumb you can follow in terms of number of users, projects and files, such as typically 3 or more users or 2 or more sites or any engineering collaboration. Another metric is to listen to the engineering staff and see if they are having a hard time finding the right version of documents and if they ever overwrite each others files. As the average engineer spends 30% of their time searching for information and PDM can reduce that by at least half, the vast majority of SolidWorks users would benefit and achieve a fast return on investment by implementing a simple PDM system such as SolidWorks Enterprise PDM. If a company using SolidWorks is not currently using PDM, are there any steps they can take to start preparing for the day when they will implement PDM? Often the hardest part of getting started with PDM is to clean up your data. This means, that many companies have multiple versions of the same document in multiple locations. So a part file may exist on 5 user hard drives and the network server. Sometimes they are all different and it can be hard to know which the latest version is. So, implementing manual systems, while not as efficient as PDM, would be a good start to cleaning up the data so it could be imported into the future PDM system.

Why start with a basic PDM implementation and build on that success?

PDM can solve many problems and help multiple users and departments communicate, collaborate and control information. The most successful companies start with the basics, getting documents in the Vault, learning check out/in procedures, working with versions and revisions and making sure everyone has the latest copy of files. By starting simple, you get many benefits. It is easier for the users to absorb and use a new streamlined system. As they provide input, you can make improvements gradually over time based on actual user feedback, not initial guesses. From a management perspective, smaller projects are less risky and when you can demonstrate a return on investment of less than one year, sometimes as little as 5 months, you build confidence in the management team which will help justify funding and approvals of future projects.


When a company wants to start managing files using PDM, can they go right to Enterprise PDM?

Yes, SolidWorks Enterprise PDM is designed to be simple enough for first-time users, yet scalable to accommodate hundreds of users across dozens of sites.

Do you see a time when PDM is just considered another tool, like Save or Save As?

We are close to this today as SolidWorks users (as well as Word, Excel or any Windows application) can do a File/Save As and simple save files directly into the Vault. One of the biggest benefits of SolidWorks Enterprise PDM is that it is built as an extension of the Microsoft Windows Explorer and therefore automatically links and works with every application on your system. So in effect, PDM is truly transparent, just hit Save, like you were going to anyway. But now that the documents are in the vault, they can be more easily found, controlled and shared.

Thanks for meeting with me, I look forward to seeing you next year at 2010 SolidWorks World, Anaheim, CA.

Thank you Devon.

SolidWorks World 2009, The SolidWorks Clinic: Is The Doctor In?

SolidWorks World 2009, SolidWorks Clinic: Is the Doctor In?
Wednesday, February 11, 1:30 - 2:30 (Hands-On)
Mark Biasotti, Product Manager, DS SolidWorks Corp.
Tbd Ltbd, SolidWorks Community, DS SolidWorks Corp.
Room: Swan 1

Have questions about a SolidWorks function or a difficult modeling challenge? In this hands-on session, SolidWorks employees and power users help attendees tackle their issues. Bring your tough problem on a USB drive or CD; workstations will be available.

Ben Eadie – Part and Assembly Modeling, Import-Scanning
Steve Calvert – Part and Assembly Modeling
Mark Biasotti – Part Modeling, PW, PV
Mark Schneider – Part and Assembly Modeling, Routing
Hari Padmanabhan – Cosmos
Ian Hogg – Cosmos, Motion
Stephen Endersby – Simulation
Jeff Mirisola – Sheetmetal, Part and Assembly Modeling
Devon Sowell – PDM, Weldments, PW, Sheetmetal
Marc Leizza – Drawings
Jim Wilkinson – UI, Part and Assembly Modeling
Ron Bates – PW, PV360, RV, UI
Rob Rodriquez – Part and Assembly Modeling, PW, PV360
Utpal Kumar – Design Checker, Translation, FeatureWorks, Configurations

I look forward to seeing you there,
Devon T. Sowell
http//www.3-ddesignsolutions.com

Temecula,CA Valley SolidWorks User Group, Jan. 20, 2009

On January 20, 2009, I'll give a presentation about 2009 Enterprise PDM. I'll demonstrate the full functionality while in the 2009 SolidWorks User Interface and also what's new in the 2009 version. I hope to see you there. Please follow this link for meeting information: http://www.swugn.org/pages/calendar/UGdetails.html?id=377

Cheers,
Devon T. Sowell
http://www.3-ddesignsolutions.com

To The Future & Beyond, Upgrade to 2009 Enterprise PDM

My Time Machine is cooling off in the garage. I've just returned from 2009. 2009 Enterprise PDM is working very well. I've captured and returned from the future a slide show of the upgrade process from 2008 to 2009.

The economy in 2009? Well if I told you about that, there'd be some weird space/time worm hole event horizon catastrophe.

I hope you find this information useful, enjoy!

Devon T. Sowell
http://www.3-ddesignsolutions.com/

Enterprise PDM: Assign Project Deadlines And Notifications

Recently, Gene Mercer asked if Deadlines could be assigned to Projects in Enterprise PDM and if Notifications could be sent if the Project exceeded the Deadline. Here's a 2:10sec video on how to do this.

Thanks for the question, Gene.

Devon T. Sowell
http://www.3-ddesignsolutions.com/

2009 WorkGroup PDM In 11 Steps

2009 WorkGroup PDM is alive and well!

Do you have SolidWorks Professional or Premium? Then you have no excuse, you must have PDM! Repeat after me...PDM, PDM, PDM. OK, that's enough. Follow these easy 11 Steps to have a WorkGroup PDM Vault in less than an hour (depending on download speed, of course). Whoa!

Use the manual controls to view each slide, unless you graduated at the Top Of The Class from Evelyn Wood Speed Reading. If you need reading glasses like me, click on the album title (right next to the tiny picture of me) to open the slide show in it's own window.

What's New 2009 PDM Enterprise

Here's a slide show of the What's New 2009 SolidWorks PDM Enterprise. If you have any questions or comments about Enterprise, please let me know.

Use the slide show controls to pause each slide for reading, then use the arrow keys to advance to the next slide. Also, you can click on the title to open the slide show in it's own window.

Cheers,
Devon T. Sowell
http://www.3-ddesignsolutions.com/

How To Edit Read Only ToolBox Files In PDMW WorkGroup Vault

Here is a very handy Tip From my friend Satakal Khalsa.

**Please, use this information at your own risk. If you don't feel comfortable doing this, I recommend you don't, thanks.**

Cheers,
Devon T. Sowell
http://www.3-ddesignsolutions.com/

Another PDMWorks Enterprise Implementation

Yesterday, I completed teaching another PDMW Enterprise Super User Training Course. This 3 day on-site course can get users up to speed using Enterprise quickly. In fact, the customer installed PDMW Enterprise and had a Test Vault running at the end of day 3!

The customer was very pleased. The customer said things like "This software is great.", "Our previous PDM software was very difficult to learn and use, we had users still making mistakes on the old system even after training and using it for 6 months." "Enterprise is a good value, it costs less to purchase and implement than our previous system's subscription maintenance cost!"

If you have any questions or comments about PDMWorks Enterprise, please let me know.

Cheers,
Devon T. Sowell
http://www.3-ddesignsolutions.com/

Advanced Enterprise Service Provider Certification

Yesterday, I passed the PDMWorks Enterprise Advanced Hands-On Test. This comprehensive test took me three hours to complete. It's graded as either Pass or Don't Pass, so there's no room for error.

I want to thank all those that supported me in this effort, I really appreciate it.

If you have any questions or comments about PDMWorks Enterprise, please let me know.

Cheers,
Devon T. Sowell
http://www.3-ddesignsolutions.com/

SolidWorks Technical Summit, Baltimore, MD June 17, 2008

Will I demo 2009 SolidWorks Enterprise PDM? Nope, sorry, no can do. But, I will demo the 2008 version at the Summit. If you've never seen PDMWorks Enterprise in action, come on out. I'll show how easy it is to make design iterations and save them as versions using Enterprise. Listen to the cool sound effects when Notifications are sent using Enterprise. Follow along as I dive into the weird environment of the mysterious SQL Server.

Here is a top secret photo of the SQL Server himself, very strange!

Here's a link to register: http://www.swugn.org/pages/summit/SWUGN_Technical_Summit_Baltimore.html

See you soon!

Devon T. Sowell
http://www.3-ddesignsolutions.com/

PDMW Enterprise Tip, Use A Tool To Migrate Access DataBase To SQL

This tip will demonstrate how to Migrate an Access DataBase into a SQL DataBase, then use that newly created Table to build a List In PDMWork Enterprise. That's way more exciting than the playoffs between the Celtics and the Lakers, right? [Lakers in 7!]

I'll use a Microsoft Tool called the Migration Assistant. Since I'm a SQL rookie, I like to create my DataBases using Access, then use this Tool to get it into the SQL DataBase. Here's is the link to download this free Tool;

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=D842F8B4-C914-4AC7-B2F3-D25FFF4E24FB&displaylang=en

Here is a 5 minute 14 sec video showing the process;

Devon T. Sowell
http://www.3-ddesignsolutions.com

Does PDMWorks Enterprise Allow Duplicate File Names?

I found a few spare minutes, so I decided to post this quick tip;

If you want to go on Who Wants to Be A Millionaire and answer this question correctly, take a look at this quick, 1:11sec, video tip.

Help, I'm Buried In Work!

I'm so sorry I haven't posted as promised, please forgive me. I'm just buried in work right now. It's going to be the first week in June before I can post here again.

Cheers,

Devon

http://www.3-ddesignsolutions.com/

Coming Next Week...

Coming next week is ahhh... nothing. I'll be out of town. So, the following week, May 12 - 16, I'll post 2008 PDMWorks WorkGroup Tips & Tricks. The week of May 19 - 23 lets look at a really fun topic, SolidWorks ToolBox When Using PDMWorks WorkGroup and Enterprise. You may want to down a few shots of expresso before that one :-).

Cheers,
Devon T. Sowell
Certified SolidWorks Professional
Certified PDMWorks Enterprise Support Tech.
http://www.3-ddesignsolutions.com/

Certified PDMWorks Enterprise Support Technician 2008

Today I passed this certification test. Thanks to all that trained and supported me in this effort.

Cheers,
Devon T. Sowell
Certified SolidWorks Professional
Certified PDMWorks Enterprise Support Tech
http://www.3-ddesignsolutions.com/

2008 SolidWorks Explorer, Tips & Tricks

Here is Part 1. The first 3 seconds has some 'noise', I don't know why this happened. Be careful, the default volume setting in this player is set to the loudest position.




Here is Part 2. This one has a very short display 'glitch' at the end.

Windows Desktop Search is an enigma. When it is configured correctly, it is a great tool. I still don't understand why it can be configured and run correctly on one computer but not another. The 'out of the box' settings for WDS are a nightmare and cause one's computer to run poorly.

Comments and feedback are always appreciated.

Cheers,
Devon T. Sowell
http://www.3-ddesignsolutions.com/

Coming Next Week...

Next week, I'll post some Trick and Tips for using 2008 SolidWorks Explorer. The presentation will be based upon my 2008 SolidWorks World Hands-On BreakOut Session.

The following week, I'll post Tips and Tricks for 2008 PDMWorks WorkGroup.

Your comments and feedback are always appreciated.

Cheers,
Devon T. Sowell
http://www.3-ddesignsolutions.com/

My New PDM Solutions Blog

Lately, I've received many e-mails and requests for more information and tutorials about PDM and PDMWorks Enterprise. So, to have a home base for this specific information, I've created this new blog.

I plan to offer information, press releases, suggestions, comments, opinions, and tutorials about Product Data Management, one of my favorite subjects. Please feel free to offer any suggestions or comments and I'll do my best to respond.

Cheers,
Devon T. Sowell
http://www.3-ddesignsolutions.com/