So much to offer

PDM Studio is designed for maximum interoperability with other applications. It supports, among others, established CAD solutions such as Solid Edge, NX, SOLIDWORKS, AUTOCAD or Inventor. Product data from the ECAD solutions PC|Automation and Smap3D Electrical as well as from the pipe planning tool Smap3D Plant Design can also be managed. The functionality of PDM Studio can be used directly from the other application. The CAD integrations are characterised in that the inner structure of fairly complex file relationships is analysed, recorded and made available to the user by PDM Studio. All features are thus immediately available.

Find out whether and where a component is used. This allows you to estimate what effect a change will have and to decide whether you can continue to develop the component in a compatible fashion or whether the modified component should be further kept on file under a new number. This feature has a great optimisation potential. Easily integrate the existing libraries or create the new ones with little effort. Use the classification tools of PDM Studio and quickly access standard parts via a list of characteristics.

The PDM Studio search feature is a powerful tool that ensures that components are used repeatedly and the new components are not produced and administered unnecessarily. User-friendly filter functions, including preview for visualisation, permit a quick search and finding of parts using metadata, categories and classification. This allows  the user to distinguish between purchased and manufactured parts, for example. Documents can also be added using the Drag & Drop feature.

Documents used in several projects often produce redundant data. PDM Studio prevents this by providing a project and folder structure that can be used for repeated storage of documents, even though this is the same document. This combines the filing structure learned by many users with the clarity of a document.

All types of documents (CAD, Office, images, etc.) can – even depending on the type – be divided into freely definable lifecycle phases such as ‘in processing’, ‘in review’ or ‘release’. Each document has its precisely defined status and is monitored throughout all lifecycle phases. PDM Studio also supports the user with a system-supported and secure release process. Access for specific users is controlled based on their document status. Plausibility checks ensure the quality of documents to be released.

PDM Studio documents all past document states. Earlier versions can be accessed at any time, including their life cycle phase and any existing comments. For example, it is possible to quickly and conveniently determine the condition in which a component was installed at a particular point in time. The mapping of comprehensible and consistent revision history is particularly important for professional quality management. PDM Studio provides wizards for this purpose and enables selective revision even within complex structures.

With this function, all information belonging to an article/item can be grouped - whether CAD data, PDFs with specifications, Excel spreadsheets, images or documentation. The master data of the article/item (e.g. article/item number, description, in-house/external production) is also recorded, so that users have all relevant information quickly at hand. Of course, a synchronisation with the ERP system is also possible.

You can assign a document in PDM Studio to any number of articles/items: This is advantageous if, for example, you use one and the same manual for several articles/items. It avoids redundancies and significantly reduces the time required for updates. You can also assign an article/item status (available, blocked, invalid, ...) to categorize your articles/items and handle processes transparently.

Web access is the fastest and easiest way to share the PDM Studio data with others via an Internet browser, regardless of location. All search options via various parameters such as part number, file name, description, status, etc., are available. A structure and preview of the search results are included.

Each document may include additional information such as supplier specifications, manuals, images or emails. PDM Studio allows you to link all related documents together. All relevant information can be viewed at a glance.

The so-called PartKeeper can be used to export filter results for certain documents to Excel. Their metadata can be conveniently edited and supplemented there. By re-importing the information, even bulk data is quickly and easily updated in PDM Studio via batch processing. PartKeeper is also available as a separate tool if mass data is to be optimised before it is imported into PDM Studio for the first time.

Drawing numbers or names can be assigned in PDM Studio according to definable rules. This ensures consistent and unambiguous nomenclatures. The requisite data and rules may consist of:

• Mandatory fields that require data input
• Data that is automatically generated by the system, e.g., the user who creates the document
• Permitted selection lists of predefined terms
• External programmes such as data transfer to an ERP

PDM Studio is available in German, English, and Chinese. Additional languages can be easily added using translation tables. This means that PDM Studio can be quickly and easily adapted to local conditions and user acceptance increases considerably.