SOLIDWORKS Data Management Packages
Explore data management packages below and learn about the features that enable design teams focus on innovation instead of time-consuming administration tasks. The data management packages below all feature tight integration with SOLIDWORKS Design software and they can be scaled from one level to the next as your team's requirements change.
For Smaller Teams in a single location
SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard
Included in SOLIDWORKS Professional and Premium packages, SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard eliminates the overhead of managing SOLIDWORKS CAD and DraftSight data on local and shared network drives.
A data vault powered by Microsoft® SQL Server® Express guarantees all information is securely stored and indexed for fast retrieval by authorized users within your company.
Familiar Windows Interface
Adoption is made easier for new users as they can access PDM to manage files and utilise tools all within a native Windows Explorer interface.
Powerful Search & Design Reuse
Increase productivity by spending less time looking for data and more time using. Avoid engineers recreating parts because they can't find them.
Revision and Version Control
Built in revision and version control means you never need to worry about losing track of design changes, working on outdated files, or even accidentally overwriting files.
File Reference Management
PDM understands relationships between SOLIDWORKS files. This helps to avoid errors when managing data, allows you to see how and where files are used, and helps to automate the creation of accurate BOMs.
Single Workflow
Workflows sit at the heart of PDM control; they determine the status of documents, control and set document revisions, and influence access rights. PDM Standard is limited to a single workflow.
User Rights & Access Control
Control who has access to view and edit specific files through use of workflow states and user permissions. Ensure the right departments have access to the right data and keep everyone focused.
Flexible & Scalable Product Data Management
SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional
SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional is a highly configurable system that builds upon PDM Standard with a range of additional tools and expanded capabilities.
The flexibility and reliability of PDM Professional means that it scales well, and is suited both for small teams and large departments containing hundreds of designers, located in offices anywhere in the world.
Explore some of the additional features SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional adds below.
Multiple Workflows
Unlike PDM Standard’s single workflow limit, PDM Professional allows for multiple workflows, enabling tailored processes for different document types, process requirements, and different teams.
Workflow Automation
As a file progresses through a workflow PDM can automate actions to help save your team time and ensure consistency. Typical automations include: generating files such as PDFs and DXFs, saving files to set locations, and notifying users.
Automated Part Numbering
Generate part numbers automatically to eliminate manual entry errors and ensure company‑wide consistency. Configurable rules make it easy to match your company's established numbering format.
Advanced Search
Full content searches find information contained within files, such as notes on a drawing, or the content of a Word file. Especially useful when looking for legacy data that hasn't got complete meta data attached. Search parameters can be saved and shared for easy reuse.
Remote Access (Web2)
Users can access the PDM vault securely via a browser using the Web2 Client. This enables designers to securely access files remotely, managers to approve documents while out of the office, fabricators to view files while on the shop floor, and more!
Server Replication
PDM Professional can replicate archive servers to different physical locations, an essential feature for multi-site teams. This allows users to share the same overall PDM database but access files from local servers which ensures that they open quickly and efficiently.
Project, File and Folder Templates
Customisable templates can be used when starting new projects to ensure project data, files and folders are laid out consistently.
These help to maintain best practice, and reduce the amount of time spent inputting project information, which can be inherited automatically by any files added within those Project Folders.
Additional Integrations
Streamline data management across your organisation with integrated tools to additional SOLIDWORKS applications (such as SOLIDWORKS Electrical) and supported third-party products.
Ensure all design data and associated documents are stored securely to maximise the productivity of your design operations, and enable effective collaboration across teams and projects. Find our more about PDM Integrations.
Customisation (API & Add-ins)
Access to the API in SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional makes it possible to create custom automations and add-ins to solve company specific needs.
Our team regularly develops tools for our customers and in some cases these have reduced the time taken to complete a particular process by up to 80%. Find our more about our PDM Customisation add-ins or contact us if you would like to discuss a bespoke solution.
Managed Engineering Change, Task and Project Management
SOLIDWORKS Manage
SOLIDWORKS Manage takes the CAD and file management functionality of SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional and builds upon it by providing an advanced set of tools.
Manage eliminates the need to use disconnected software and to manage multiple data sources by providing integrated project, process and item management.
Item Management
To represent physical products SOLIDWORKS Manage uses an item based approach. Records in Manage can be derived from and linked to your CAD data, but they can also be created separately.
This flexibility enables you to manage products in your assemblies that you don’t necessarily want to model in CAD - such as packaging, paint, cables, or certain purchased components.
Flexible BOM Management
The item based approach crucially brings the flexibility to alter your BOMs without having to manipulate your CAD assembly structures.
This can be very useful when creating BOMs to suit different purposes such as for engineering, manufacturing, costing, alternate builds and regional variants.
Process Management (Engineering Change)
SOLIDWORKS Manage takes things further by letting you define key business processes like engineering change and issue management.
These processes can be configured with specific stages, tasks, required inputs, and responsibilities. The result is improved traceability, better compliance, and reduced risk when managing changes.
Project Management
Manage offers a complete suite of tools for the creation and management of projects including templates, gantt charts, Kanban-style tasks and more.
Project planning tools provides comprehensive views of multiple projects and resource commitments in one place, with linked capacity planning to provide visibility of the whole team, and cost tracking functionality helps to keep your projects within budget.
Task Management
SOLIDWORKS Manage gives each user a central place to see exactly what they need to work on and when. Instead of juggling emails and messages, tasks are clearly listed with direct links to the relevant CAD files, documents, projects, or processes.With calendars, priorities, reminders, and comments all in one place, teams stay organised and focused on the work that matters most.
Dashboard and Reporting Tools
Powerful dashboard and reporting tools enable you to draw upon data from across the entire system, including project progress, resource allocation, and quality performance and present it in intuitive displays.
Customer Success Story - Dromone Engineering
We've been able to eliminate multiple Excel spreadsheets and manual databases. So Solid Solutions support has been, a valuable resource to us. Right throughout the PDM implementation even with our progression of that system, since, it's always very prompt.
Padraig Brosnan
Design Engineering Manager at Dromone
Need help implementing PDM?
Our SOLIDWORKS PDM implementation programs are based on proven methodologies that use industry-standard best practices to enable your company to smoothly launch your PDM system.
Compare Data Management Packages
Secure File Storage
Standard
Pro.
Manage
Lifecycle Management
Standard
Pro.
Manage
Controlled Access
Standard
Pro.
Manage
Task Automations
Standard
Pro.
Manage
Reporting Tools
Standard
Pro.
Manage
Add-Ins & Customisation
Standard
Pro.
Manage
Need to integrate PDM?
Integrate PDM with your other applications to extend your data management capabilities. Ensure all your design data and associated documents are stored securely, maximising the productivity of your team and enabling efficient collaboration.
