TriMech has developed a 12-phased approach to migrating data from one system to another. Typically, with PLM to PDM, we start off with a detailed analysis of the database. Then, we move on to the definition of what you are looking to do with your data. The complexity comes with all the features of a PLM system that a PDM system inherently does not have. Items, for instance, are records in the systems that may have a file, many files or no file associated with it. These have to be converted to a file-based system. There are several other types of PLM features that will need to be addressed.
Every now and then, a PDM user or vault administrator envisions a usage case that's just a bit outside the current PDM functionality, or possibly in a different wheelhouse altogether. This happens with the newly initiated, as well as software veterans. You'll use a feature and think, "If only there was a button to [insert idea here]."
Are you still using a paper-based product development process? If you're a small to mid-sized manufacturer using SOLIDWORKS, it's time to upgrade to a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solution. Learn how PLM can benefit your business from guest blogger, Alaine Portnoy of Omnify.