GoEngineer Blog

SOLIDWORKS PDM manages the lifecycle and history of files through versioning. Each time a file is checked in, a new version is created. Each new version adds new data to the archive storage, using more space for a given document. As time goes on, the vault grows exponentially. Since space comes at a cost, it’s important to understand the ways you can mitigate the expansion of your vault.

For product developers in the defense sector, the transition to structured cybersecurity requirements marks a significant shift in how projects are managed and secured. At the core of this shift is the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). Achieving compliance is not a simple self-attestation, but a tiered CMMC verification process that serves as a prerequisite for contract awards.

For many mid-market manufacturers, the aftermarket—including parts and services—is often managed on a case-by-case basis. When a part is needed, the goal is simply to find it. When a price is set, it’s done based on standard cost-plus logic. Inventory decisions sit in one place, pricing decisions in another, and the wider commercial impact is hard to see clearly.

Do you have a large vault that is getting a little unwieldy? Or maybe you’ve just reached a limit on how much space your server can have. SOLIDWORKS PDM Cold Storage can help. It is a useful tool that moves or removes file versions from the archive, freeing space on your server, according to a schedule. It lends itself best to scenarios where moving the vault entirely to a new drive is not ideal.

The SOLIDWORKS PDM Vault grows exponentially over time. Eventually, you will need to add storage space. Of course, adding space means moving the archive data. With PDM Relocation, you can easily move part or all of your archive to a new drive. Relocation is the best and recommended way to increase storage. It allows you to add space without needing to move to a new server, extending the life and viability of your current hardware.

RAPID isn't just the biggest additive manufacturing event in North America; it's where manufacturers unveil their latest innovations to the world. As exhibitors at the heart of the event, the GoEngineer team spent the week digging into the latest hardware and software advancements poised to deliver immense value to our customers.  

For decades, the standard engineering response to complexity was "break it down." If a component was too intricate to machine or cast, we split it into sub-assemblies. We added fasteners, gaskets, and weldments. We created sprawling Bills of Materials (BOMs) and accepted the "assembly tax", the inevitable accumulation of labor costs, inventory overhead, and potential failure points. In 2026, that math has changed. As metal additive manufacturing (AM) moves from the prototyping lab to mainline production, the most significant ROI isn't found in making parts faster, it’s found in making fewer of them.

In recent years, due to global supply chain disruptions, the way our customers talk about electronic design has shifted. It’s no longer just about making the circuit work; it’s about making sure the circuit can be built.

SOLIDWORKS PDM is a client/server product. This means that there is a portion installed on the server and a second portion (the Client) installed on each user’s computer. Once the PDM Client has been installed, a Vault View must be created. The vault view is how users interact with PDM. This is where they add files to the vault, check files in and out, etc.