Your Guide to Buying SOLIDWORKS PDM

A comprehensive guide to some of the most common questions people have before buying SOLIDWORKS Product Data Management software.

How to Choose a Data Management Solution


Which Solution(s) is Right for You?

Choosing the right solution depends on your team’s size and what functionality you need to support your business processes. Luckily, GoEngineer offers a wide array of options that can be customized for any team and the expertise to guide you through your decision. Whether you are looking for simple revision control for your team, process automation, or robust project management functionality, we have a solution for you.

Here is an overview of the capabilities of each solution to help you choose the right package:

SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard
Perfect for small teams, SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard is included with every license of SOLIDWORKS Professional or Premium on subscription. This simple tool helps teams with data security, revision control, and reusing design data easily.

SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional
SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional is a highly customizable tool for managing your product data. A step up from PDM Standard, the Professional version of this add-in is intended for larger teams with large amounts of data. Advanced features include designing workflows, automation, remote access, and much more. 

SOLIDWORKS Manage
Teams looking for robust project management features should look at adding SOLIDWORKS Manage to their PDM environment. This solution builds upon SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional functionality by adding a wide array of capabilities encompassing project management, process management, item management, user tasks, dashboards, and reports.

Which License Type(s) Does Your Company Need?

Both SOLIDWORKS PDM and Manage have three levels of license types to accommodate users with different roles. An example would be people who need access to your data but should not have full permissions or capabilities. This ensures users who just need to view data are not unnecessarily occupying a license that your designers need, without racking up a bigger bill for licenses than you need.

SOLIDWORKS PDM Viewer
PDM Viewer licenses are the most basic license type, allowing users access to read, view, and print files from the PDM vault.

SOLIDWORKS PDM Contributor
The Contributor level of license adds on the ability to check files in and out, use the web client to search remotely, and work with all file types.

SOLIDWORKS PDM CAD Editor
PDM Editor licenses include all of the features of the Viewer and Contributor levels, but also enable users to access PDM functionality from within SOLIDWORKS CAD.

SOLIDWORKS Manage Viewer
Similar to PDM Viewer licenses, these allow users to search, view, and print within the areas of Manage, including documents, data, dashboards, BOMs, and more.

SOLIDWORKS Manage Contributor
Contributor licenses build on the Manage Viewer license functionality to allow for the creation and management of processes, tasks, workflows, and non-CAD data.

SOLIDWORKS Manage CAD Editor
The SOLIDWORKS Manage CAD Editor license grants full access to all areas of SOLIDWORKS Manage, including the creation and editing of CAD data.

 

Does Adding a Virtual or Cloud Solution Make Sense?


Do You Need Additional Collaboration Capabilities? Or Want to Limit On-premise IT Infrastructure?

If your entire team does not work together in a single location, collaboration and management of data and projects can become a challenge with traditional solutions. In these cases, customers often find that adding a Cloud solution can improve efficiency.

Cloud services available to enhance your SOLIDWORKS data management tools include:

ENOVIAWorks PLM Cloud Solution

ENOVIAWorks PLM Solutions on the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform

ENOVIAworks is a portfolio of integrated services that provide data management and PLM capabilities without the investment in hardware infrastructure. Built on the cloud-based 3D EXPERIENCE platform, this solution serves as the backbone for managing data and product lifecycles. You can easily share SOLIDWORKS designs, manage projects, and collaborate from any device.

How to Buy SOLIDWORKS Data Management Solutions


Contact Your SOLIDWORKS Reseller

In order to purchase and use a SOLIDWORKS PDM or Manage add-in package, you must first have a SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD license. Add-in licenses are purchased through your certified reseller.

How to Buy SOLIDWORKS Data Management Solutions

If you need to purchase a SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD license first, we recommend starting with our Guide to Buying SOLIDWORKS with answers to common questions like:

  • Where to buy SOLIDWORKS?
  • How to buy SOLIDWORKS?
  • Types of SOLIDWORKS licenses?
  • Benefits of SOLIDWORKS Subscription?
  • Options to rent vs. buy SOLIDWORKS

 

What is the Price of SOLIDWORKS PDM?


How Much Do SOLIDWORKS Data Management Solutions Cost?

Costs of Data Management solutions vary greatly based on the type of license, size of your team, as well as your company needs. As a starting point, a SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional CAD Editor Network License starts at $2,285. Annual subscription service on that license is $621and covers technical support, upgrades, and much more.

Top DATA MANAGEMENT Resources


Need to Dive Deeper Into PDM to Learn More?

Browse our recommended resources below to learn more about how adding a data management solution to your design process can increase your team’s productivity.

SOLIDWORKS PDM TRAINING

Utilize GoEngineer's expert SOLIDWORKS Data Management instructors to help you utilize PDM and Manage to its max potential. 

SOLIDWORKS PDM PROMOTIONS

For the most current SOLIDWORKS PDM discounts and promotions available. 

DATA MANAGEMENT Library

Access all of our SOLIDWORKS Data Management resources in one place, including blog posts, videos, technical articles, and much more.

DATA MANAGEMENT PRODUCT MATRIX

Compare all SOLIDWORKS Data Management packages side-by-side for a better understanding of what option is best for you. 

 

AsK a GOENGINEER EXPERT


Still Have Questions About Buying Data Management Solutions?

Reach out to GoEngineer and a SOLIDWORKS data management expert will follow up with you.

 

Additional Resources

Take Advantage of GoEngineer’s Extensive Knowledge Base and Resources

GoEngineer Knowledge Base and website search

Find a Solution

Our robust Knowledge Base contains over 12,000 resources to help answer your product design questions. From basic CAD questions to in-depth guides and tutorials, find your solution here. Find a Solution

Get Certified Professional SOLIDWORKS Training at GoEngineer

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING 

Improve your skills with professional training and certifications in SOLIDWORKS, CAM, 3D Printing, and 3D Scanning offered four ways: self-paced, online, on-site, or in-classroom. Certified Training Courses

GoEngineer blog page

BLOG

#1 Technical Resource Worldwide - Right at your fingertips. Search or browse through hundreds of SOLIDWORKS tips & tricks, additive manufacturing product developments, announcements, how-to guides, and tutorials. Blog

GoEngineer YouTube Channel

YouTube Channel

Our YouTube channel hosts hundreds of educational tutorials, product demonstrations, recorded webinars, and best practices for all of our products and services. GoEngineer's YouTube Channel

Order 3D printing materials and consumables from GoEngineer

ONLINE STORE

Order 3D printing materials and consumables, enroll in SOLIDWORKS training classes, and buy official GoEngineer gear directly from our online store. Online Store

Webinars offered by GoEngineer

WEBINARS

Our engineering webinars are hosted by some of the top experts in the industry. They are always recorded, always free, and always offer a live Q&A. WEBINARS

3D design and part printing services available at GoEngineer

3D Printing Services

Need to 3D print a part? Our Additive Manufacturing experts will 3D print your part and deliver it to you using the latest technology on one of our professional FDM, PolyJet, SL, or Metal 3D printers. 3D Printing Services

3D Scanning Services Available at GoEngineer.

3D Scanning Services

Convert your parts into 3D Print ready CAD files with GoEngineer's professional 3D scanning services and reverse engineering solutions. 3D Scanning Services