Articles by: Justin Williams

Justin Williams is a Data Management Applications Expert based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Setting the SQL Server Agent to start automatically for SOLIDWORKS PDM

SQL Server Agent

As part of our best practices, it’s imperative to routinely check that good backups are being captured, and database maintenance is being complete.  If you find these scheduled actions aren’t completing, the first step of troubleshooting will be to manually complete an action for the…

Read More...

Upgrading SOLIDWORKS Toolbox within SOLIDWORKS PDM

If your SOLIDWORKS Toolbox is stored within the vault, you have the option to manually upgrade it, or my preferred method is to use the Installation Manager as I’ve outlined here: How to upgrade SOLIDWORKS Toolbox using the Installation Manager In this scenario, the upgrade…

Read More...

Adjusting SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Replication Performance

By default within a replicated SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional environment, 10 files are replicated per transfer to the target server(s) during scheduled replication.  If you’re experiencing bottlenecks or low bandwidth; it’s a good idea to reduce this number, or, if you have available bandwidth; the number…

Read More...

How to switch SOLIDWORKS PDM to Offline Mode using the Windows Registry

SOLIDWORKS PDM Offline Mode

Working offline within SOLIDWORKS PDM is a great option if you want to bring work home on your laptop, or if there is maintenance being performed on the vault and there’s no access to the server.  In a perfect world, you’ve remembered to switch into…

Read More...

How to Remove a Replicated SOLIDWORKS PDM Archive Server

When retiring a replicated archive server within SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional it’s important to use the recommended steps to ensure all replication information in the database for the server will be removed, along with any archives. CRITICAL: This operation is destructive.  It is imperative that good vault…

Read More...

SOLIDWORKS Manage 2021 Database Update Prompt

New in SOLIDWORKS Manage 2021, after updating the client, when logging in; the user is prompted before updating the database to the new version. Previously, on login, the database was updated without warning. But what does this mean? STOP: Upgrading the database will force all…

Read More...

How to Configure the SOLIDWORKS PDM Local HOSTS file to resolve the Server Name

By default, the SOLIDWORKS PDM client is set to use server name, which via DNS lookup will resolve the IP number and communicate with the server.  In a perfect world, the DNS server configuration will resolve quickly and not cause any issues, but this isn’t…

Read More...

How to troubleshoot SOLIDWORKS PDM with an Extended Ping Test

When troubleshooting problems within SOLIDWORKS PDM, especially performance issues, it’s important to ensure the client has a strong connection to the server components.  Often, tech support will request an extended ping test, to look for issues. How to complete an extended ping test with log…

Read More...

SOLIDWORKS Manage 2021 Enhanced Settings for File Promotion from PDM

PDM File Promotion Settings

New in SOLIDWORKS Manage 2021, we have enhanced controls for referenced files when promoting from SOLIDWORKS PDM to ensure all the required references are captured, and there are no orphaned records causing discrepancies between the vault and Manage BOM. PDM File Promotion Settings Start the…

Read More...