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Which data management software

R

robertr

New member
We are trying to decide on a data management software and need some help. We are a relatively small company, only one Pro/E license. We essentially just need a vault to hold our file and make sure I am using the latest. I know about the rev on the saved files this is a management thing. Everything my vendors have shown me looks so expensive for something not that complicated.

Thanks,
Robert
 
Intralink is working very good. I have only expiriences with 3.X and not with 8.


I don't thin Intralink is expencive. You only have to pay for clients and not for any server licenses. Remember that intralink 3.x is floationg licenses, so you do not have to have a license for all users, only for the number of users that is using it at the same time. Offen it is less that all users.


The only I have against Intralink is that there is no usefull viewer that can make a nice print included. But it is possible to make a work-around and link it to other viewer software like ProductView client (Not productview express).
 
I would not recommend any PDM software install on a local installation. I think it is best to install Pdm software on a server. This can bee a real server or a PC working as server. Normal you will also only have backup of files on a server not on a pc. The backup is very inportant.


You can install a virtual server like vmware free server(http://www.vmware.com/products/server/), and use this vittual server asd intralink server. This way the Intralink installation will not conflict with other server installations and you will have a decicated PDM server without to have to purchase additional hardware.


But ofcourse I can see any reasons why it shoulden't work with all install on a local pc. I would just not recommend it.


The installation is not very complicated, but you will need some knowledge to make the configuration.
 
What version of Pro/E are you using?


Support forn Intralink 3.4 will not go on forever.


Intralink 8 is complicated to install, setup and configure. You will need someone in your company who knows Oracle and JAVA.


Why do you feel that you need a PDM system for a single user? Search paths can be an effective retrieval tool, if you are organized and use folders to separate in-work from released files.
 
We were quote about $150 for each user, the long term costs seem to be high. Right now I am playing with Design Data Manger, anyone have any thoughts on this software.

Thanks,
Robert
 
I have seen lots of posts on DDM elsewhere on the forum. Do a search on design data manager and you'll find a few threads.


Let us know how you get on and what you choose. I'm in a similar situation. Irunthe only pro/e seat inthe company and will need something soon to handle pro/e data and other production documents.
 
I've just been through a DDM installation whilst setting up a five user Pro/E mechanical design department. Compared to the experiences I've had previously with Intralink set-ups, this was really quite easy. Three days were sufficient to install the software and train the users.


We had a few minor problems initially, but the support service at DDM was rapid and sorted us out in a stisfactory manner. Most of the problems were actually more of getting used to the system rather than problems with the code. Now we have had a few weeks to use the system, the three continual users are pretty happy. It is simple to use, and suits our requirements nicely.


We are actually using one of the Pro/E machines as the client server for DDM without any problems. Back-ups are taken care of by an automated script to a server, and then tape from that server. In a simulated server crash, all the data survived and the system was up and running in an hour. Admittedly, we only had approx. 500 modelled parts and assemblies at that point.


DDM isn't amazingly cheap, but neither is it restrictively expensive. Compared to the monster which Intralink seems to be growing into due to the Windchill influence, I think we've made a good choice for our requirements.
 
Hi,


Just spotted your point about backing up. Did you need to stop the SQL server? Could you share your script??


I know you need to backup the vault and both metadata files: DesignDataManager.mdf
DesignDataManager_log.LDF


Appreciated, Thanks...


walkerone said:
I've just been through a DDM installation whilst setting up a five user Pro/E mechanical design department. Compared to the experiences I've had previously with Intralink set-ups, this was really quite easy. Three days were sufficient to install the software and train the users.


We had a few minor problems initially, but the support service at DDM was rapid and sorted us out in a stisfactory manner. Most of the problems were actually more of getting used to the system rather than problems with the code. Now we have had a few weeks to use the system, the three continual users are pretty happy. It is simple to use, and suits our requirements nicely.


We are actually using one of the Pro/E machines as the client server for DDM without any problems. Back-ups are taken care of by an automated script to a server, and then tape from that server. In a simulated server crash, all the data survived and the system was up and running in an hour. Admittedly, we only had approx. 500 modelled parts and assemblies at that point.


DDM isn't amazingly cheap, but neither is it restrictively expensive. Compared to the monster which Intralink seems to be growing into due to the Windchill influence, I think we've made a good choice for our requirements.
Click to expand...
 
I've been away from the forums for a number of days now, so only just picked this one up....


I can't seem to upload to the server at the moment - but I'll try again later with some instructions. Yes, you have to stop SQL and we have a couple of batch files to do this and set the time for back-up, etc. DDM helpedout with setting this up for us as part of our install.


Regrads for now,


Greg Walker
 
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