Intralink 8 or 9 vs. PDM Link

[gb123]

We need to upgrade from our current Intralink 3.4 to either Intralink 8 (or 9) or PDMLink by mid-2008. Our VAR is pushing us to choose PDMLink, although I've been hearing many problems with PDMLink. We are a medium sized company and Intralink has been working fine for us thus far and I don't want to add complexity if we don't need the additional functionality. Suggestions?

 

[rjessen]

Intralink8 is essentially the same software as PDMLink, but with specific functionality disabled. So it should not inherently be any more/less stabile than PDMLink. It may however be simpler to deploy because it has fewer options available, as long as you don't need them...

 

[n.thomas]

Not only is Intralink 8 a cutdown PDMLink 8, it also has less functionality than3.4 (can't remember which bits get cut, possibly Release Procedures and...) so be sure to checkout what functions you'll loose before deciding. PDMLink has a full suite of translateable functions, though it does change the name of some of them just to try to confuse you!!

 

[vandewinckel]

GB123


We have to same situation. We are looking at Intralink 9.0. I read somewhere that 9.0 added back the functionality of 3.4 that 8.0 cut out. PDMLink seamed to be an over kill for our needs.

 

[Hacks]

gb123,


Are you aware of this? The reason I ask is that you reference mid-2008 in your post which was alsothe original timeframe PTC set two or three years ago regarding the discontinuing of Intralink 3.4 support.


2007-11-26_120827_Ilink_3.4_Update_Letter.zip


If you have to upgrade, go to Intralink 9.0 as it will have more 3.4 functionality than Intralink 8.0.
Edited by: Hacks

 

[jbordewyk]

We are planning on sticking with Pro Intralink instead of the upgrade to PDMLink. Pro Intralink 9.0does more than enough data management for us and according to PTC should be supported until September 2011.


[url]http://www.ptc.com/cs/product_calendar/PTC_Product_Calendar. htm[/url]

 

[bcooper]

We moved from Intralink 3.3 to Intralink 8.0 about a year ago. Do your homework before you take the plunge. We went through all the training and migrating from 3.3 to 8.0 was a nightmare. There are a lot of issues that are not covered in the training or the documentation, we spent a lot of time with tech support sorting out surprises, one of which therewas no direct call in to migration support, you would have to call in and wait 1 to2 hours for a call back. Likewise there is no training available for setting up and configuring your system, you will have to do a lot of research and digging on your own or spend a lot of time with tech support.


The product Intralink8.0 is a better product than the 3.x series and I think it will get a lot better when PTC commits some resources to it.

 

[kdmgooner]

Intralink 3.x is to be supported for another year but at a 10% premium on your maintenace (see other threads on this site).


Intralink/PDM Link 9 is out now but with all the bugs I would recommend waiting till at least datecode M010 (due out Dec 2007). In fact in your case where you are planning for June 2008 I would wait for 9.1 (due out June 2008) which will be adding back the remaining functionality taken out from Intralink 3.x such as undo (formally known as frames) and the ability to stretch/shrink the column widths in the workspace plus it will support Wildfire 4.


We made the move to PDM Link 8 over 6 months ago and its hard to resist the temptation to go to PDM Link 9 now just to get back our lost functionality. Having seen 9 at the recent PTC World event I am itching to upgrade. Why PTC thought that users would not want things like import/export from workspace and the ability to see user defined parameters inthe commonspace in version 8 is beyond my comprehension but at least they are at last putting it right.