The “E” in EPDM Stands for Enterprise

Written By Daniel Rohats

It’s frustrating when customers who purchase a Product Data Management (PDM) system finally realize the implications of having their company files and data in an access controlled software application. Sometime during the kickoff meeting someone asks the question “You mean if someone doesn’t have the software installed and a license to use it they can’t get to the files or data?” YES, that is absolutely right!

Then the typical weeping and gnashing of teeth starts up. “How are we going to get Tom, Dick, and Harry over in purchasing (accounting, manufacturing, shipping/receiving) to see this information and get the correct parts and drawings to order?” Buy another license for them is the answer. This leads down the path, “well can’t I put a copy out on the network drive or email them the file.” Of course you can, but that is what you have been doing BEFORE the PDM system was put in place, and what problems did this cause? Oh right, they would buy the wrong parts because you emailed them an old file, or the one on the network never was updated to the latest revision. If you want to guarantee them the latest information, let them use the PDM system like it was designed, and for that, they will need a license.

Razorleaf does not make money when you buy a license for the software…that revenue goes to the VAR/Vendor from which you purchase the software. I am not peddling the software here. What I am trying to do is get everyone to realize is that there is a cost of doing business, and doing it well. PDM is no exception. Seats of PDM software are relatively cheap when you compare them to the mistakes they prevent. A single order of the wrong part could cost thousands, 10’s of thousands, or even more. If this happens once a year, you have paid for the seats of the software. If you have prevented this from happening, you have saved even more money over the course of a single year. This IS the reason you purchased this software. Don’t cut it off at the knees because you want to save a few bucks on seat licenses.

Four questions to determine whether you need another seat of PDM Software:

1. Am I hearing complaints from users who cannot access the system due to license shortage?
2. Are new employees, or existing employees asking for access to the system?
3. Has production or engineering been delayed while waiting for a license?
4. Have we cut ourselves off at the knees by emailing or putting files on a share drive and then had problems with the wrong information being used?

If you have answered YES to any of the above questions, then it is time to consider purchasing another seat of the software. Next time this happens, just buy the additional seat. It will save you in the long run.

Tags: enterprise, EPDM, PDM, Product Data Management, seat licenses