SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional has not one but two web solutions available. One is called Web and the other Web2. As a client wanting to access information and files in a PDM vault you can run Web and Web2 on the same PC and use either.

So what is the difference between them? Which one should you use? Below is a break down on key features of both.

Web

• Access the vault via PC only
• Internet Explorer support only

This is what the client interface looks like when using Web.

Web2

• Access the vault via any device (PC, Mac, phone, tablet etc…). It is ideal for external and internal users who are not connected to their office network or have an unsupported operating system.
• You can view lots of different file types (PDF, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) in the vault
• There is no client install, you simply use the browser to access the vault.
• Browser independence (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome etc…)
• Add files to the vault, check-in, check-out and change file state

This is what the client interface looks like when using Web2.

Once a file is selected you have access to the same tabs  that are available from the client Windows explorer vault view.

Web2 has some disadvantages over Web. These include:

• Limited check out and check in capabilities for files with references in multiple folders
• No data card replication. Only variables and their values are displayed
• Limited Change State capabilities for files with references
• No support for dynamic notifications

Installation instructions can be found for both web solutions in the PDM Installation Guide as well as the Web Server Guide, available via the Help menu in PDM Administration.

If you are interested in implementing web access to your PDM vault or have any questions please do not hesitate to get in contact with us. Between Technical support and our Solutions Team (dedicated PDM implementation & configuration) we have the bases covered.