How Can CAD and PDM Administration Services Help You Overcome Five Challenges of PDM Adoption?

CAD,CAD Data Management,PDM / September 13, 2023

In today’s fast-paced business landscape, adopting Product Data Management (PDM) solutions has become essential for engineering firms and manufacturers that want to stay competitive. However, many encounter significant challenges when integrating PDM systems into their engineering and product design workflows. One of the most significant barriers is the ongoing administration and management of the SOLIDWORKS Computer Aided Design (CAD) and PDM system, which demands time, resources, and specialized knowledge from someone often sitting in the set of an engineer. The challenge is that engineers typically want to do engineering and design rather than continuously administer software and PDM vaults.

We define the ongoing administration and management of the system as follows:

  • Software updates
  • System maintenance
  • Process configuration
  • User administration and access
  • User training and troubleshooting

These five items are the primary functions of an in-house or outsourced admin.

Overcoming the Challenges

At Converge, we understand these obstacles and have developed comprehensive CAD admin services to simplify the PDM adoption process for businesses. Here are five challenges we help clients overcome:

  1. Complex Integration Process
  2. Integrating a PDM system into an organization’s workflow can be daunting. Outsourced CAD admin services ensure a seamless integration by expertly handling ongoing process configuration, software updates, system maintenance, and user access.

  3. Lack of Expertise
  4. Properly utilizing PDM software requires specialized knowledge and training. Without expert guidance, engineers and designers may not fully grasp the potential of PDM, leading to underutilization of the system and reduced ROI. Outsourcing this function can help you obtain ongoing expert training and support to ensure your staff can effectively utilize the PDM system.

  5. Resource Constraints
  6. In-house CAD administration demands considerable time and resources you could otherwise utilize for core engineering tasks. This burden can significantly hamper productivity for small to medium-sized engineering and manufacturing firms because time is money, and you don’t want the wrong person dedicating time to a function they don’t enjoy.

  7. Increased Productivity
  8. By outsourcing CAD administration tasks, your engineers and designers can concentrate on their creative work. This heightened focus on core competencies translates into increased productivity and faster time-to-market for your products.

  9. Cost Savings
  10. Investing in a dedicated in-house CAD administration team can be expensive, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. When you outsource this function, you can save on hiring and training costs while gaining access to top-tier expertise at a fraction of the expense.

Conclusion

Embracing PDM is no longer a luxury but a necessity for engineering firms and manufacturers looking to improve business efficiency. Converge’s CAD admin services offer a comprehensive and hassle-free solution to overcome the barriers to PDM adoption. By choosing our services, you empower your engineers and designers to focus on their creative work. We handle the technical complexities, resulting in increased productivity, cost savings, and improved data security.

Converge's CAD Admin Services

Benefits of Converge’s CAD Admin Services

  • Hassle-Free Management: With Converge’s CAD admin services, businesses can say goodbye to the complexities of CAD administration. Our experts handle all technical aspects, allowing your engineers to focus solely on their core design and engineering responsibilities.
  • Ongoing Expert Training and Support: Our services include comprehensive training for your staff, ensuring they are well-versed in using the PDM system effectively. Additionally, our support team is always available to address any questions or issues, maximizing the return on your PDM investment.
  • Focus on What You Love: Converge’s CAD admin services free up your engineers to concentrate on innovating and refining product designs.

Learn more about our CAD admin services at https://converge.design/solidworks-pdm-administration-services/. For insights into the challenges that manufacturers and engineers face when deploying SOLIDWORKS PDM, visit https://converge.design/what-are-the-three-challenges-that-prevent-manufacturers-and-engineers-from-deploying-solidworks-pdm/.