Graphics Systems SolidNotes

The Best EPDM Documentation

Over the past few months many have asked me where they can learn the upgrade process, how to integrate toolbox, and a number of other things.  Many of these things are actually written down in documents you have access to so I thought I would take some time to share some of my favorite places to reference information.  

1) The administrative guides, especially:

    a) Getting Started guide - Covers basics such as vault views, workflows, check in/out, viewing,         searching, etc.

    b) Installation guide - Covers how to install, upgrade, backup, and restore a PDM system

    c) Administration guide - Covers every item in the admin tool tree in detail

    d) What's New Enterprise guide - New features to your release in Enterprise PDM

    e) Replication guide - Covers best practices for replication

    f) Web Server guide - Covers installation, maintenance, and use of EPDM's Web Server

    g) EPDM Release Notes "EPDM_relnotes.htm" - Release notes for each service pack, features and caveats

These can be found on a computer with EPDM installed in by default C:\Program Files\SolidWorks Enterprise PDM\Lang\ (GB for English).

On your installation media the guides are available in \Support\Guides\<language>.  Off of a download that defaults to C:\SWDist\pdmwenterprise\Support\Guides\<language>\.  GB for English.

Additionally there is help.solidworks.com, this is often very useful, especially if one has only simply questions, for quick checks, and verifications.

Finally there is the knowledgebase.  This is accessible from the customer portal on SolidWorks' website: customerportal.solidworks.com.  Anyone can create an account but you will need to register with your serial number for full access.

Check out all the information that is available and you will be on your way to becoming a PDM wizard!

Coming Soon! MobilePDM App for SolidWorks Enterprise PDM

If you use Enterprise PDM and want to have access to the vault through a mobile device then this app is for you. It’s called MobilePDM and after downloading the free version on my iPhone, it appears to have some real value. The website is mobilepdm.com if you want to see more. Technology is the future so follow the technology.

How to Undo a Checkout in SolidWorks Enterprise PDM

How to Undo a Checkout

Many people have asked the question, what do I do if I need to modify a file and the person who checked it out isn’t available or their computer is down?  This can happen fairly often as people go to customer sites, go on vacation, are out sick, or even leave the company.  There are a number of ways to approach this problem.

 

First, always check and see if the user can be reached – maybe they will consider lending out their password – though it is always a good idea for them to change it to a new one afterwards.  This enables a person to check in the changes they had made and proceed.  You can only check in from the same vault view (which is on the same computer).

If the user is not available or the changes are inconsequential there is the undo checkout option.  This can be performed by two users:

1) The one who checked out the files originally.

2) The built-in "admin" account.

If the original user will be used to undo the check he has to be on the

Otherwise the "admin" user is the *only* user that can undo the checkout for files from other users – even people granted all permissions cannot do this, just the built-in "admin" account.

To do this simply click on the file (or in this case, top level assembly) and click undo checkout.

You can do this from any computer but it is preferred to do so from the same one, otherwise you’ll see:

If you get this, don’t worry just scroll to the right and check the "undo checkout" boxes for the desired files.  When doing this action from a different computer make sure you do a "get latest" first on the desired files as it won’t work without a local copy.  If you do it from the same computer it will just go ahead and allow you to do it, showing you which ones you have selected. 

When undoing the checkout as Admin the dialog will look like this.  After clicking the checkbox and finishing with this dialog it will ask if you sure you want to do so.

 

At this point you’re done!

 

 

Multiple Domains and Server Processes in Enterprise PDM - Part 2

Question: How are users added from other domains the Enterprise PDM Archive Server configuration?

Answer: In order to add users from another domain when using Windows® Logins in Enterprise PDM, create a new local Windows group (on the archive server) and add users or groups from the other domain to this local group. Once done, add the local group to the Windows login settings (or attach/administrative access settings) via the archive server configuration tool.

Between domains the system administrator will create domain trusts. This can be done in one or two ways. The domain A will need to trust the domain where the users are accredited (domain B). Domain administrators on both domains will need to create the trusting relationship (even for a one way trust).

Once the domain trusts are established the following groups will be created:

A global group in the trusted domain for adding users, a universal group to which the global group(s) would be added, a domain local group where the resources are located, the universal group would be added to this group.

This provides the links for users from one domain to another.

After the trusts are created it should be possible to create explicit permissions by individual but this is not a recommended practice.

Alternative resources:
-Self-paced study guide “Designing a Microsoft Windows Sever 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure" ISBN 0-7356-1970-0
-The enquirer should seek the services of a qualified MCSE systems administrator as this is a question of systems administration.

Multiple Domains and Server Processes in Enterprise PDM- Part 1

Question:
Is it possible to setup a replication in Enterprise PDM if a user has three domains from different sites?

Answer:
Yes. Enterprise PDM relies on system names (not IP or fully qualified domain name such as server1.domain.com).

Please visit: (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/172218) for how to edit the hosts file on the remote PDM client so that they have the IP and system name of the SQL server.

Don't forget to visit our Facebook and Linkedin pages for more great SolidWorks news and tips!

How to Create a New Vault View for EPDM

How can users get started viewing an EPDM Vault?   First, they need to have a local vault view set up on their system!   Here is how to do it:

Go to Start - All Programs - SolidWorks EPDM - View Setup.  

 

Next, a wizard will begin to guide you through the process. Click Next to get started.

 

First, you will need to tell it what server contains the vault that you would like to view.  Select the server if it is already in the list by checking the box next to its name and selecting Next.  If it's not in the list, you can use the "Add" button and manually type in the server name to locate the vault server.

 

Next, you will tell it which vault on that server you would like to connect to.  Check the box next to the desired vault and click Next.

A few more questions... and we are almost there.  

You need to tell the wizard where you would like to place the local copy of the vault files, and who should be able to see it.  *Please note that if you create a folder - it will place the vault icon inside the folder.   This is why it is recommended to create the vault at the root of a drive with plenty of space on it.   Then the vault icon (or "blueberry" as some call it) will be placed at the root of the drive for easy viewing.   You can also restrict this view to yourself or let others see it.   (Either way, you have to log in to be able to gain access!)  Click Next after making your selections.

 

Take a quick look to make sure the settings all seem correct on the next screen. Now you should be able to click Finish and the Vault will be created!

 

 Click Close to Confirm that the wizard has done its job.

 

Just to double-check...  Open windows explorer and make sure the new vault view is displayed in your list of folders, just as you selected.   If you double-click it to access the vault, you will need to log on for the first time.  You are then all set with your new vault view!

 

Happy Vaulting! 

Reporting on Time in a Workflow State

When using workflows, I often get asked is there a way to see how long a file has been in a certain state.

Enterprise PDM can have workflows created that represent internal approval or release processes that are used within your company. Using workflow capabilities to automate a manual or paper-based process; notify users of the document status and also control user or group access to files are great features to have implemented.  Now, fast forward after implementation, a customer has these features implemented and is using workflows, but what happens after you submit that document for approval?  Here is where the questions about time a file resides in a certain state and the ability to set a reminder if there is no activity within EPDM start to crop up.

With the new task functionality that became available in EPDM 2010, you can now write a task add-in to schedule a check for the number of days a group of files, or an individual file, has been in a selected workflow state and send a message to a selected individuals or groups for any files that have been in that state beyond a set number of days.  Perfect, this is exactly what the EPDM administrator is looking for right?

Now, creating a task involves the API and those not familiar with API may not be comfortable with writing the add-in.  There is another way to accomplish this using the EPDM report generator and it may be a bit  more palatable.  With the report generator you can create a report that will query the database and return a list of files that have been in a workflow state longer then the specified amount of time.   Excellent, you now have a report of the information, but to get this report, someone has to log into the vault and run it.  This obviously leads up to another question, “So now how do I automate this report?”

Using the SQL Server Reporting Services you can create a report using the same query mentioned above. Once this report has been configured a user can subscribe to this report and have it e-mailed to them on a scheduled basis; for example, every Monday morning. Now each Monday the user will get an e-mail containing a list of files that have been in a workflow state longer than the set amount of days.

There is a query to run on the EPDM database that will poll that information.  You will need to have a basic understanding of T-SQL to create the reports. If you are comfortable with T-SQL, listed below is the SQL query needed to get the info:

-- SQL Query to return files in specified workflow state over set amount of days

SELECT Distinct D.Filename As [File Name],

CONVERT(VarChar, TH.Date, 101) AS [Entered State],

DATEDIFF (dd, TH.Date, GETUTCDATE()) as [Days In State]

FROM Status AS S

INNER JOIN Documents AS D ON S.StatusID = D.CurrentStatusID

Join TransitionHistory AS TH ON D.DocumentID = TH.DocumentID

Where S.Name = 'Work in Progress' --<<>

and DATEDIFF (dd, TH.Date, GETUTCDATE()) > '5' --<<>

Order By DATEDIFF (dd, TH.Date, GETUTCDATE()) DESC

Upgrading the Workgroup PDM Vault Server

You can upgrade the Workgroup PDM Vault Server using one of the following:

• SolidWorks Check for Updates
• SolidWorks installation DVD
• Workgroup PDM upgrade file manually downloaded to a local folder.

NOTE: You can install only one version of Workgroup PDM Vault Server!

Main Steps to Upgrade the Vault Server:

1. Ask all users to log out of the Workgroup PDM vault and then lock it.

2. Backup the vault data.

3. Use Microsoft Windows Control Panel Add/Remove Programs to remove the current version of Workgroup PDM Server.

 

4. Install the new version of Workgroup PDM Server using ONE of these three methods:

 

To use SolidWorks Check for Updates:

1. In Windows, click Start > All Programs > SolidWorks Installation Manager> Check for Updates.

 

    2.   In the Newer Versions Available dialog box, select Download and install a new version, select the version to install, and then click Next. The new version of SolidWorks Installation Manager downloads and runs.

  

 To use a SolidWorks installation DVD:

    1. Insert the DVD into the drive and follow the SolidWorks Installation Manager instructions.

 

To use the manually downloaded Workgroup PDM installation file (pdmwserver.exe):

1. Double-click the file and then follow the instructions to upgrade the Workgroup PDM Server.
2. Use SolidWorks Task Scheduler to update the Workgroup PDM files in the vault.
3. Unlock the vault and then notify users that they can return to using it.

 

Upgrading Workgroup PDM Clients:

Clients are prompted to update the first time they log in after the vault is updated.  No service pack is required for client updates.

To the Cloud: What is n!Fuze?

N!Fuze is a new offering from SolidWorks that will offer online, subscription-based collaboration for smaller organizations who may not have formal Product Data Management or the resources to support a formal PDM system.  It is available as a SolidWorks add-in, or as a web client for non-SolidWorks users.

SolidWorks Add-in:

 

Web client:

 

Key benefits of n!Fuze:

1. It allows for online collaboration by sharing “Workspaces”.  It also allows access to your files from any and all locations as long as you have internet access.
2. Functionality is provided so that your invited guests (up to 5 free per account) can download your files or provide comments.
3. Versioning is supported.
4. Dependencies are also supported in workspaces. 

What other details should I know about n!Fuse?

• There is a free 30-day trial, and subscriptions can be purchased quarterly or annually from the DS store online (release dates to be announced).
• All support is community-based.
• Any data uploaded lives on the web, up to 15GB of storage is included in the subscription, with more space available for an additional charge.
• You can invite up to 5 guests free of charge per subscription, they can download and comment on files in your workspace.
• There is an n!Fuze app for the iPad!

 You can view a video on n!Fuze in action from SolidWorks World below, thanks to Deelip.com!

3DVIA Composer support for EPDM 2011

In my last post, I gave a view of the new interface for 2011.  Today, I would like to preview some more improvements.  In SolidWorks Enterprise PDM 2011, we now have the ability to view 3DVIA Composer files directly inside the preview tab in Windows Explorer and in the search interface.  SolidWorks Enterprise PDM now recognizes the 3DVIA Composer file formats .smg and .smgxml.

Users can preview embedded 3DVIA Composer files if the 3DVIA Composer Player is installed.  As with other previews, you can use the 3DVIA Composer Player tools to manipulate the model.

The 3DVIA Composer Player is available as a free download from http://www.solidworks.com/sw/support/downloads.htm, on the 3DVIA Composer tab.