What is SOLIDWORKS PDM?
If you're using SOLIDWORKS for design, you're already creating valuable product data—parts, assemblies, drawings, and more. But as teams grow and projects get more complex, managing all that data becomes a challenge. That’s where SOLIDWORKS PDM (Product Data Management) comes in.
SOLIDWORKS PDM is a secure, organized system for storing and controlling your design files. It works within the SOLIDWORKS interface. It helps you track versions, prevent overwriting, manage file references, and improve teamwork.
Instead of relying on shared drives, email threads, or naming conventions like final_final_v3.SLDPRT, SOLIDWORKS PDM gives you a structured vault where all design data is stored, searchable, and governed by user permissions and automated workflows.
Whether you’re working solo or as part of a distributed engineering team, SOLIDWORKS PDM ensures that everyone is working with the right file, at the right time, with a complete history of changes and approvals.
What Features Does SOLIDWORKS PDM Offer?
Choosing the right data management solution depends on a few factors. Consider your team size, how complex your workflow is, and how much control you need over product information.
SOLIDWORKS has three levels of product data and lifecycle management tools. These are PDM Standard, PDM Professional, and SOLIDWORKS Manage. Below, we outline the top feature differences to help you determine which solution is the best fit for your engineering and product development environment.
SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard
PDM Standard is ideal for small engineering teams that need basic version control and file management directly within SOLIDWORKS. It helps organize design data without the complexity of a full system.
Vault-based File Management
SOLIDWORKS Integration
Version and Revision Control
Automated Workflow Approvals
SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional
PDM Professional builds on Standard for teams that need greater scalability, automation, and collaboration across departments or locations. It’s ideal for organizations managing larger projects, multiple file types, and custom workflows with tighter control over data and approvals.
Multi-site Replication
Advanced Search Capabilities
Non-CAD Document Management
Bill of Materials Management
Task Automation (e.g., PDF creation)
SOLIDWORKS Manage
SOLIDWORKS Manage builds on Professional for companies that need advanced project management, configurable dashboards, and full process control across the product lifecycle. It’s best suited for organizations looking to connect engineering with operations, quality, and leadership teams.
Project-based Version and Revision Control
Advanced workflows
Project Management Tools
How SOLIDWORKS PDM Benefits Your Team
SOLIDWORKS PDM creates a centralized, secure vault where all your design files. Users can check files in and out from the SOLIDWORKS interface. They can track revisions, follow workflows, and work with team members. This all happens without the risk of overwriting or losing data.
The system maintains a complete history of every change, ensures that only one person edits a file at a time, and lets you roll back to previous versions when needed. With built-in search tools, you can save time and reduce rework by finding files easily.
Why It Benefits Your Team
Secure Data Control: Prevent accidental changes or deletions with permission-based access.
Fewer Errors: Always work with the correct version of a file, avoiding costly mistakes.
Better Collaboration: Teams can work together efficiently, even across departments or locations.
Faster Workflows: Automate approvals, engineering change orders (ECOs), and document releases.
Instant File Search: Find what you need quickly with powerful built-in search functions.
Whether you're a small design team or a growing engineering organization, SOLIDWORKS PDM helps streamline your processes, improve accuracy, and speed up product development.
How To Access SOLIDWORKS PDM
If you are ready to learn more or get started with SOLIDWORKS PDM, reach out to our support team.