Any SOLIDWORKS PDM vault administrator that uses the Windows Active Directory integration within PDM to manage users will have noticed the slow process of expanding the users node via the administration tool.

When the users node is expanded SOLIDWORKS PDM software has to validate each user in the vault against the Active Directory groups and users in the Windows login settings.  Multiple validation requests are required for each user and in some environments and this can take a long time. In extreme cases there have been reports of 20-30 minutes to complete.

This can be frustrating if you’re only trying to access the users node for a simple change. Which is why SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional 2015 SP4 and newer by default does NOT automatically check for changes in Active Directory and is a manual process to complete.

Manually Validating Logins

To validate the logins; Administration Tool > [right-click] Users > Validate Logins;

Validate Logins for Active Directory

Learn more about SOLIDWORKS PDM

Attend our SOLIDWORKS PDM Administration training course to learn more about administering SOLIDWORKS PDM.

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A nice new function has been added to the out of the box SOLIDWORKS PDM Convert Task in SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional 2017.  When building the file name for the output file, it is now possible to select Data Card Variables right within the interface.

In previous releases of the SOLIDWORKS PDM Convert Task, it was possible to add Variable values to the output file name, but it required extensive manual editing of the task script.

Now in 2017 this function is built right into the default task script.

To take advantage of this new feature:

1. Update the Task Add In to the latest version.
2. Then double click the Convert Task (or any custom task created from the Convert Task) and go to the  “Output File Details” page.
3. Click the > box next to the output path and select the Data Card Variables desired.

SOLIDWORKS PDM Convert Task Select Variables

SOLIDWORKS 2017 Resources

Access our resources page to get everything you need to learn what’s new in SOLIDWORKS 2017; including tech tips, demonstrations, and upcoming product webinars.

WHAT’S NEW RESOURCES

The post SOLIDWORKS PDM 2017 Using Variables in the Convert Task Output File Name appeared first on SOLIDWORKS Tech Tips, Videos & Tutorials from Javelin.

SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional 2017 has introduced a new Task that can save Microsoft Office documents as PDF. The Task is able to convert Word, Excel and PowerPoint files to PDF.

The system running the Task must have Microsoft Office 2010 or newer installed for the Task to work.  While SOLIDWORKS PDM 2017 is the first major release to include this functionality with its official launch, it is also available in SOLIDWORKS PDM 2016 SP4 and SP5.

SOLIDWORKS PDM Convert Office to PDF

Office to PDF Task Implementation

To get started with the SOLIDWORKS PDM Convert Office to PDF task you will need to follow these steps to import the SWPDFTaskAddIn, and the Task itself.

Step 1. Right-click on the vault name in the SOLIDWORKS PDM Administration program and select “Import…” from the shortcut menu:

Import Task

Step 2.  Browse to the SOLIDWORKS PDM installation folder (probably located at C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS 2017\SOLIDWORKS PDM\) and go into the folder “Default Data”.

Office To PDF file

In that folder, select the Office_To_PDF_gb.cex file and click open.

Task Setup

This will import the SWPDFTaskAddIn and the Office to PDF task.

Step 3.  On the system or systems that will serve as the Task Host for the DraftSight To PDF conversion task, right-click on the SOLIDWORKS PDM icon in the Windows Taskbar and select the “Task Host Configuration”.  Check the box to Permit the Task to run on that computer.

Task Host Configuration

Office to PDF Task Options

The Office to PDF task is fairly similar to the existing SOLIDWORKS Convert Task in PDM.  All the same control options are available for the Office to PDF Task as are in the default Convert Task.

Just like the SOLIDWORKS Convert Task in 2017, the Office to PDF Task also supports using Variables from Data Cards to build the output filename.

One additional configuration screen is the “Office Options” screen, which has 3 tabs, one for each document type as shown below

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SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional 2017 comes with some very useful new Tasks that can be big time savers for users.  One is the new DraftSight to PDF Task. This Task is able to convert DWG and DXF files to PDF format.  This requires that DraftSight Professional or Enterprise Pack be installed on the computer that runs the task.

PLEASE NOTE:  This Task cannot work with the free version of DraftSight.

Also, for the Task to complete, you MUST also disable the SOLIDWORKS PDM Add-in for DraftSight on the computer that runs the task.

To import the DraftSight to PDF Task:

Step 1. Right click on the vault name in the SOLIDWORKS PDM Administration program and select “Import…”

Import Task

Step 2.  Browse to the SOLIDWORKS PDM installation folder (probably located at C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS 2017\SOLIDWORKS PDM\) and go into the folder “Default Data”. In that folder, select the DraftSight_To_PDF_gb.cex file and click open.

DraftSight to PDF location

Step 3.  On the system or systems that will serve as the Task Host for the DraftSight To PDF conversion task, Right Click on the SOLIDWORKS PDM icon in the Windows Taskbar and select the “Task Host Configuration”.  Check the box to Permit the Task to run on that computer.

Task Host Configuration

DraftSight to PDF Task Settings:

The DraftSight to PDF task is fairly similar to the existing SOLIDWORKS Convert Task in PDM, with most of the same controls as are in the default Convert Task.

Properties Output settings

Just like the SOLIDWORKS Convert Task in 2017, the Office to PDF Task also supports using Variables from Data Cards to build the output filename.

On the “Conversion Settings” screen, shown below, you can override the current Draftsight export settings and customize the output for the task.

Properties Conversion Settings

Need DraftSight Professional?

Visit the Dassault Systèmes DraftSight Store for the current price, a purchase includes a DraftSight Professional license plus a 12 month subscription for upgrades and service packs. Note that DraftSight Professional currently runs on Windows only.

Buy DraftSight Professional

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Starting with the 2017 release of SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional, administrators can now take advantage of the “AlwaysOn Availability Groups” or AOAG in Microsoft SQL Enterprise edition.  This will allow for replication of the vault database to multiple locations.

Previously, replication in PDM was available for Archives only.  This functionality allowed the actual files themselves to be replicated to additional Archive servers in different locations that the users could then connect to.

Archive Replication Limitations

As an example, if a company has a headquarters in Toronto, and design teams in Vancouver, Los Angeles, Munich and Guangzhou, a replicated Archive server should be set up in each location so that when users “Get” files or “Check In” files, the files are moving across their local network, instead of all that data needing to be sent from a continent away with each action.

However, until now, all of the locations still had to communicate with the Microsoft SQL Database server at the main office location for ANY action in the vault.  While these database transactions are using only small amounts of data, this would still result in delays compared to users who are at the same physical site as the Database server.

This becomes especially noticeable when the communication has to cross an ocean.  While latency between offices in Toronto and Vancouver, or Vancouver and Los Angeles might not be too bad, and barely cause a noticeable lag. Users in China or Germany would experience a significant performance issue when performing actions such as a Search or while waiting for the list of referenced files to generate when trying to get a large assembly.

Replicating the Vault Database

The SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Replication functionality in the 2017 allows you to replicate not just the Vault Archives, but also the Vault Database.

SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Replicate Vault requires Microsoft SQL Enterprise edition.  This is not the version of Microsoft SQL that is included with a SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional license so the application would have to be purchased separately from Microsoft (Microsoft SQL Standard edition is provided with a PDM Professional license).

If you are experiencing significant latency, (for instance, anything over 50 milliseconds would cause a noticeable lag, over 200 milliseconds would become quite painful for users), then the additional cost of the SQL Enterprise edition licensing may quickly be returned by improved stability and productivity for users.

Another example where this functionality may be very helpful is load balancing for very large and active vaults.  If there are a large number of users performing many searches, transitions and other operations in the vault, all of those actions are being handled by a single SQL server.  Splitting up the workload between multiple replicated SQL servers can have a significant effect on vault performance, especially if the bulk of the workload is coming from Searches.

However, please note, if you are experiencing performance delays from these types of operations, first it’s best to look into optimizing the SQL settings and hardware configuration to ensure that the existing SQL Server is able to run at peak efficiency (speak to your SOLIDWORKS PDM Value Added Reseller about recommendations for SQL settings and hardware configuration if you are running into some slowness in the vault).

What is the setup process?

Now in SOLIDWORKS PDM 2017, the Replication node can be expanded and you will see an entry for Archive and one for Database.

SOLIDWORKS PDM Administration

In the Database dialog you can add “Secondary SQL Servers” (this is different from replicated Archive servers which have no Primary/Secondary relationship, all Archive servers are equal).

Add Server

For replicated Database servers, the initial SQL Server is the “Primary” server.  This server is designated as a Read/Write database.  It handles all Write operations (such as Transitions, Check Ins, Check Outs, Moves, Renames etc).  It will periodically update the “Secondary” server(s).

The “Secondary” servers are designated as Read Only databases.  Only Read operations (such as Searches, Browsing through the vault or gathering file lists for Get actions) will be performed on these servers.

User’s must still be able to connect to both the “Primary” and “Secondary” archive server to take advantage of the functionality.  If they cannot connect to the “Secondary” server, then all actions will be performed on the “Primary” server.  If they cannot connect to the “Primary” server, then they cannot log in to the vault.

Secondary Server Configuration

In the Configuration Dialog for the Secondary Server you can select the server name, or enter it’s IP address.

In the “Max. Lag from Primary” box enter the maximum permissible time since the Primary server updated the Secondary server that you want to allow users to read information from the Secondary server.  This can be set from 1 minute up to 60 minutes.  When the actual time exceeds this setting then all read operation are directed to the primary server.  This is to ensure that the users are viewing up to date information.

Using the Add Member command you can specify which Users or Groups should be using this Secondary server for their read operations.

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SOLIDWORKS PDM Dispatch Action is a very powerful, but often overlooked tool in SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional, and with PDM 2017, it’s now even more powerful.

In previous releases it was only possible to use the Dispatch action to Copy, Delete, or Rename files in the vault.

In SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional 2017, the Dispatch action can also be used to move files to a different location in the vault. This Move action will maintain the files history within the vault and will update any files referencing that file with the new folder location.

Move/Rename File

Using the SOLIDWORKS PDM Dispatch Action

The Dispatch Action can be triggered manually by a Menu command, during a state transition, during checkout or during add.  The file being Moved/Renamed does not necessarily have to be the file that triggered the Action.  For instance, a dispatch action could be set up to move a PDF export of an approved drawing to an “Archive” folder when the SOLIDWORKS .slddrw file is transitioned to an “Under Change” state.

SOLIDWORKS 2017 Resources

Access our resources page to get everything you need to learn what’s new in SOLIDWORKS 2017; including tech tips, demonstrations, and upcoming product webinars.

WHAT’S NEW RESOURCES

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In previous versions of SOLIDWORKS PDM, it was possible to add Input Formulas to Edit boxes in Search Cards … but they didn’t actually do anything.  The input formula box would display for any Edit box in the Card Editor, so the formula could be built, but the search tool was unable to evaluate the formula.

In SOLIDWORKS PDM 2017 (Standard and Professional) however, this functionality is now available for Search Cards the same as for File and Folder cards.

Card Editor

Unlike previous releases, when the Search Card is called up in the Search tool, the formula will immediately evaluate the selections from linked fields on the card.

PDM Search Tool

SOLIDWORKS 2017 Resources

Access our resources page to get everything you need to learn what’s new in SOLIDWORKS 2017; including tech tips, demonstrations, and upcoming product webinars.

WHAT’S NEW RESOURCES

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One or both of the following error messages can occur when a replicated SOLIDWORKS PDM archive is taken offline and registry keys are not updated correctly:

To fix this issue, on the archive server, edit the registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SolidWorks\Applications\PDMWorks Enterprise\ArchiveServer\Vaults\<vaultname>

Then either delete the ‘Replicate’ string, or set the value to zero.

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Whether it is for maintenance, troubleshooting, or preventing unauthorized access, occasionally there is the need to block SOLIDWORKS PDM login.

To block users access the SOLIDWORKS PDM Administration tool and right-click on a Vault and select Properties.

Vault Properties

Next click on Block Log-ins.

SOLIDWORKS PDM Block log-ins

Anyone attempting to log into the vault will receive a the message: “system is locked due to maintenance”

System Maintenance Message

To allow access to the vault, select Permit Log-ins and users will once again be able to access the vault.

Permit log-ins

NOTE: this will not log out users who are already logged in. People who are already logged in, will continue to be able to access the vault.  There is no built-in functionality to force log-outs, but the connection form a client to SQL can be killed. The process to do this, is outlined in another one of my articles, titled “Killing SQL connection to force a Client logout”

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Currently there is no functionality to force a SOLIDWORKS PDM logout, but the connection between the client and SQL can be temporarily killed. You should only kill SOLIDWORKS PDM if a user cannot be logged out normally.

If you need to prevent access to a vault, you can block a login, refer to my article on how to Block a PDM Login for more information.

To kill SOLIDWORKS PDM / SQL connection, you need to access the SQL Management Studio, then right-click on the SQL server, and select Activity Monitor.

SQL Activity Monitor

Click on the Process tab and look for the process EdmServer.exe that is associated with the user you want to disconnect.

PDM Server Processes

Right-click on the process and choose Kill Process from the shortcut menu.

Kill Process Option

If the user now attempts to navigate within the vault they will receive the following message.

SOLIDWORKS PDM Message

Further attempts to access the vault will result in a blank Vault View.

Blank PDM View

Before the user can access the vault again, they will need to first log out. If login is currently blocked, they will then receive the message below, when they try to log in.

Blocked login message

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If you want to rename SOLIDWORKS PDM Archive Server, follow these steps to ensure proper functioning of SOLIDWORKS PDM after renaming the server machine.

Step 1: Backup and lock access

The first step is to ensure you have a recent backup of the archive and the SQL database. Once the backups are complete, you need to ensure  that during the rename operation no one can access the PDM vault; refer to my recent article on how to block PDM login.

Step 2: Rename the Server

The next step is rename the server. There are a number of ways of doing this. In the below image I illustrate how this is done through Windows System Settings.

Rename PC through Windows System Settings

Step 3: Edit SQL Tables

Now that the server is renamed, we need to make make changes through SQL Server Management Studio. Expand the Tables folder, for your vault and edit the tables ArchiveServers and SystemInfo.

Edit Table

Update the ArchiveServerName ONLY, for each of these tables. If this a replicated environment, ONLY update the server that was renamed.

Updated name

Once the Tables have been updated, restart the Archive Server service.

Step 4: Edit Client Registry

Each client must now be updated to reflect the new Archive Server name.  Edit the registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SolidWorks\Application\PDMWorks Enterprise\Databases\VAULTNAME

And update ServerLoc with the new server name.

Registry Editor

If the above key is empty, the file vault view is most likely “private”, in this case, edit the key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SolidWorks\Applications\PDMWorks Enterprise\Vaults\VAULTNAME

Next delete the registry:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SolidWorks\Application\PDMWorks Enterprise\ConisioAdmin

Deleting this key is only required  if the vault view is “private”. Once the changes have been made, on the client, reboot the system and log into the vault.

If the server is part of a replicated environment, ensure that server name is correct in your replication settings.

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With the release of SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional 2017, Dassault Systèmes has introduced two new license models.

SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Licenses

SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Add-on Licenses

The first of these, is SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Add-on Licenses. This license type is ideal for companies who already have Microsoft SQL Server, including installations of those that were bundled with SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional (formerly known as SOLIDWORKS Enterprise PDM).  If a company purchased a SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Processor License (PSL), then the process is straightforward. As the PSL is SQL licensed per core, any of the three new Add-On licenses can easily be added on without issue. Otherwise a company needs to ensure they own sufficient Microsoft Client Access Licenses (CALs), to support the number of SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Add-on Licenses they purchased.

If a company decides to use Add-On PDM licenses with a currently owned Microsoft SQL Server that is being used for other applications, it should be noted that this can lead to performance issues; as system resources would by necessity be shared. Performance issues could be compounded if these applications are installed on the same server as the PDM components. SOLIDWORKS recommends having the PDM database and Archive installed on its own individual dedicated servers.

SQL Server 2014 Runtime Restricted Server License

This type of license can be used for licensing a failover server, or for setting up a separate SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional environment. An example of this would be an environment for testing a new release of PDM. This type of license, will use a company’s existing CALs.

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I’m often asked what the SOLIDWORKS PDM Default Overwrites option in the Data Card Editor actually does.

SOLIDWORKS PDM Default Overwrites Option

The related Help topic snippet is a bit vague.

Help snippet

There is not a lot of additional information online and every single person, myself included, seems to have their own take, on what Default Overwrites actually does. In order to demystify the use of this option, I decided to ask the professionals at SOLIDWORKS PDM Support for their input. One of SOLIDWORKS top technical guns, provided me with an explanation that cuts through the uncertainty. I’d like to thank Kevin Fancera, of SOLIDWORKS PDM Support, for his explanation that I have included below:

“In a card field tied to a variable, the option for default value will enter the specified default value in the card if there is no custom property in the file, that is mapped to the variable for that field. If one already exists, it will use the value from the custom property in the file.

If default overwrites is enabled, it writes in the default value even if there is an existing custom property where a value is already present.

If setting is enabled, copying a file will also regenerate the default value.”

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Are you receiving a SOLIDWORKS PDM login prompt when you create a new email in Microsoft Outlook 2016? Read on to learn how to disable the Outlook SOLIDWORKS PDM Login.

Login Prompt when creating a new email in Outlook 2016

The Outlook SOLIDWORKS PDM Login is caused by the new Attach File feature in Outlook 2016, which provides a list of recent items;

Outlook Recent Items

You can cancel the login prompt and proceed to create your email.  However, if you do not want this prompt to appear anymore you will need to disable the recent items feature within Outlook via the registry;

Please note that caution should be taken when editing the registry, as changing or deleting the wrong key, can affect other programs, or the operating system. If you not are familiar with Windows Registry, please have someone who is, do this for you.

1. Activate the Registry Editor (search for Regedit in the Windows Start menu)
2. Browse to the key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Options\Mail
   • Note: If the sub key ‘Mail’ doesn’t exist, you can create it.

3. Within the Mail key, create a new DWORD (32-bit) value

4. Name it MaxAttachmentMenuItems and set the value to 0

5. After you restart Outlook the list of recent items should be disabled and you’ll no longer be prompted to login to the vault when forwarding that chain letter

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If the SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Vault missing on a new client it’s possibly caused by the incorrect client type being installed.

SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Vault Missing

For a SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional vault to be visible in the Administration Tool or View Setup tool a Professional client is required.

To verify which client is installed:

• Select Programs > SOLIDWORKS PDM > Administration > Help > About SOLIDWORKS PDM Administration

Verify Client Type

If the client type is Standard and you’re looking for a Professional vault then the client type requires changing;

• Start > Control Panel > Programs and Features > SOLIDWORKS 20xx SPx > Change

Change Installation

• Installation Manager > Summary > SW PDM Client Options > Change
  • Change the Client Type from Standard to Professional

Installation Manager > Summary > SW PDM Client Options > Change

• Finish the modification.

Just to be sure we can verify our client again:

Verify Client Type

Now the SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional vault[s] should be visible via the Administration Tool and View Setup Tool;

Vaults Found!

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In SOLIDWORKS PDM switching to Work Offline  mode will not automatically free a PDM license;

SOLIDWORKS PDM License in use

To release the license you must exit or Log off PDM via the System Tray;

Exit SOLIDWORKS PDM

Then you’re free to Work Offline without consuming a license;

Work offline without a license

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The dividing factor between SOLIDWORKS PDM As-Built vs Latest in a Bill of Materials is a Check-in of the selected assembly.

As-Built vs Latest

The As Built option will show the BOM for a referenced file at the time that the assembly is checked in whereas the Latest option shows the BOM for a referenced assembly, which reflects the latest versions of all referenced files.

If you check out an assembly, make a change, and then check the assembly back into the vault — PDM will update the referenced BOM to reflect the latest changes.

Confused?  Me too, let’s look at an example.

As-built vs latest

I’ve got an assembly I created ParentAssem.SLDASM then added a sub-assembly SubAssem.SLDASM (which contains SubAssemPart.SLDPRT)  to it and checked it in (version 1).

SOLIDWORKS Assembly Checked In

Then I modified SubAssem to add a new part within it SubAssemNewPart.SLDPRT.  Notice SubAssem.SLDASM goes to version 2.

Assembly revised as version 2

Now let’s look at the difference between the As-Built and Latest ParentAssem.SLDASM. First As-built;

As-Built Assembly

Next Latest;

Latest Assembly

Notice that SubAssemNewPart.SLDPRT appears in Latest because it was added after ParentAssem was checked in.

The post What is the difference between As-Built and Latest in a SOLIDWORKS PDM BOM? appeared first on SOLIDWORKS Tech Tips, Videos & Tutorials from Javelin.

It’s no secret I’m a big fan of the SOLIDWORKS PDM Copy Tree Feature.  It have many benefits, especially when compared to Pack and Go.   WinZip is the default archive utility for Copy Tree but we have the ability to configure that to 7-zip via the following steps.

This is a client based setting and won’t change it for all vault users.

Step 1: Administration Tool > Local Settings > Settings

Set 7-zip as the File Archiver For Copy Tree

Step 2: Select the Zip Program tab and input the Full path to the 7z.exe.

Enter path for 7-Zip

Step 3: For Arguments to the Zip program, enter a -tzip “%1″ @”%2” and check the Store source file names in a temporary text file box

Enter Arguments

Step 4: Hit OK.  Now 7Zip should be used whenever selecting Compressed Archive as the  Copy Type within Copy Tree

Copy Tree Compressed Archive

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When upgrading SOLIDWORKS PDM file vault to a new version, the add-ins in the vault will not automatically update.  You can view a step by step guide to upgrading the Task Add-in.  In this article we are going to look at upgrading the Dispatch Add-in.

It is recommended to run the same major and service pack version of the Dispatch add-in as the current major and service pack version of SOLIDWORKS PDM.

First step is to remove the existing SOLIDWORKS PDM Dispatch Add-in (don’t worry you won’t lose any existing scripts):

• Administration Tool > Add-ins > Dispatch > Right-Click > Remove

Remove the SOLIDWORKS PDM Dispatch Add-in

• Admininstration Tool > File > Open
  • Change the filter to show “.caf” files
  • Browse to the installation location for PDM and the “Default Data” folder (by default the path is “C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS PDM\Default Data”)
• Click to Open Dispatch.caf

Open Dispatch File

• Drag-and-drop the Dispatch add-in into the Administration Tool Add-ins

Drag-and-drop the Dispatch add-in into the Administration Tool Add-ins

• Close the Admin Tool and Reboot the client workstation

Upgraded Dispatch Add-in

The post How to upgrade the SOLIDWORKS PDM Dispatch Add-In appeared first on SOLIDWORKS Tech Tips, Videos & Tutorials from Javelin.

When performing maintenance on a SOLIDWORKS PDM Vault, for instance updating the software or moving the Database or Archive files to a different location; it is best to lock down access to the vault so that no changes can be made while the maintenance is being carried out. To lock SOLIDWORKS PDM Vault vault for maintenance, right-click on the Vault in the SOLIDWORKS PDM Administration console and select “Properties” from the short-cut menu.

SOLIDWORKS PDM Vault Properties

Click the button to “Block Log-ins” to prevent users from logging into the vault.

Block Log-ins

When users next try to login, they will receive a warning that the vault is undergoing maintenance and they cannot login until it is completed.

Login Warning Message

During this time users will be able to “Work Offline” which will give them write access to any files that they have previously checked out and read access to any files that they have available in their local cache (these files can be cached before hand by performing a “Get Latest” on the files).

Work Offline Option

Once the maintenance is completed, right-click on the Vault again and select “Properties” then click “Permit Log-ins“.

Permit Logins

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