A blog by Oleg Shilovitsky
Information & Comments about Engineering and Manufacturing Software

Why SOLIDWORKS needs one more PDM?

Why SOLIDWORKS needs one more PDM?
Oleg
Oleg
30 September, 2017 | 2 min for reading

Almost 2 years ago I asked a question – How many PDM systems SOLIDWORKS users need? I counted five PDM systems. With coming new version of SOLIDWORKS 2018, I’ve learned about new PDM – SOLIDWORKS Manage.

Earlier this week, I’ve been watching SWW18 launch. My goal was to understand SOLIDWORKS PDM strategy and learn more about new SOLIDWORKS Manage. Unfortunately, I didn’t learn much. Check SOLIDWORKS 2018 launch recap for more information. You can clearly see Manage on the roadmap:

I didn’t find much information there. It says that SWW18 launch was too big and some products will be announced in November. Here is a passage:

That’s not all; this year’s release was too large to be covered in one day. In November, SOLIDWORKS will roll out its Distributed Data Management and Design to Analyst process solutions. In February, 2018 you’ll learn more about the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform updates and ECAD/IoT updates will arrive in May, 2018.

At the same time, Engineering.com article few weeks ago – Bring It On. SOLIDWORKS 2018 Packs in More Power shows a screenshot and table comparing different versions of SOLIDWORKS PDM.

With the new release comes a new PDM tool called Manage, which seems to be made for people who would rather not have to deal with PDM software, but still need to do what PDM software does. CAD users typically have a difficult time with managing parts, determining latest versions, large assemblies and communication such as emails. However, they’re averse to the alphabet soup of solutions: PDM, PMI, PLM, MBE, BOMs. Manage is for them. It introduces a whole level of document and part management, sparing them new methods and nomenclature, and relying on familiar tools and concepts. SOLIDWORKS Manage is said to use a Windows Explorer-like interface that, with a click, connects to the CAD model, and, with another click, the PDM system.

So, why one more PDM for SOLIDWORKS? It is hard to say. SOLIDWORKS is retiring Workgroup PDM. You can find many messages about it on SOLIDWORKS forum online here and announcements from SOLIDWORKS VARs here and here. This is not an exhaustive list of course. At the same time, SOLIDWORKS Manage role seems to be the answer on a growing list of more sophisticated requirements coming from SOLIDWORKS users.

What is my conclusion? Workgroup PDM was a working horse for many Solidworks users for more than 15 years. SOLIDWORKS is trying to unify PDM platforms by retiring Workgroup PDM, but adding SOLIDWORKS Manage with advanced features – another PDM platform for SOLIDWORKS users. In addition to that, it left many questions about new SOLIDWORKS cloud development such as xDrive and 3DEXPERIENCE integration. Just my thoughts…

Best, Oleg

Want to learn more about PLM? Check out my new PLM Book website.

Disclaimer: I’m co-founder and CEO of OpenBOM developing cloud based bill of materials and inventory management tool for manufacturing companies, hardware startups and supply chain. My opinion can be unintentionally biased.

Recent Posts

Also on BeyondPLM

4 6
9 March, 2019

In the world of product lifecycle management, there is a new buzzword “Bi-modal PLM”. If you missed my earlier articles,...

12 May, 2015

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is a software licensing and delivery model in which you are buying software subscription and software is typically...

19 September, 2012

I was long time I didn’t write anything about SharePoint. I’ve been tracking SharePoint for the last 5-7 years very...

14 May, 2010

I think cloud / SaaS option for PLM can become a reality earlier than expected. Listening to customers, vendors as...

15 September, 2016

Single BOM is such of these topics that usually drives lot of debates. You can catch up on my very...

9 July, 2020

SaaS PLM is trending and we’re going to see more SaaS PLMs marketing and sales coming from vendors very soon....

30 March, 2011

Engineering Change is probably one of the most important and complicated disciplines. I had a chance to meet people that...

15 November, 2012

Integration is a tough job. Especially when it comes to the enterprise software. The typical manufacturing company landscape is siloed...

26 November, 2011

It is a long weekend in US. Even if my day-to-day business activities are not completely US oriented, I can...

Blogroll

To the top