Setting up Project on EPDM Server?

[thebearjed]

Has anyone had any sucess setting up a project on an EPDM server? I have tried once and it let me go through the whole setup process but when i finished there was no project in the EPDM directory.

what we are trying to do is set up a project that can be accessed anywhere so that 2 users in different states can work on the same project at the same time. the EPDM server we have checks a drawing out and replicates it to your local hard drive for you to work on. when finished it checks it back in and updates the server.

[Anonymous]

I don't have the answer for you sorry, but interested to hear how the test goes. Is the people in each state going to be working on it at the same time? How have you overcome the issue of the database being checked out to a local hard drive and someone else working onthe project at the smae time?

[thebearjed]

i'll let you know if we get it working.

[jason.drew · Accepted solution]

I would be a bit cautious about using your EPDM sever based on this:

"The EPDM server we have checks a drawing out and replicates it to your local hard drive for you to work on. when

finished it checks it back in and updates the server."

AutoCAD Plant 3D and P&ID stores data in the project database and in the drawings themselves. If you copy a drawing externally, outside of Project Manager (for example through a third-party app, Windows Explorer, or in this case the EPDM server) you can run into issues with the drawings and database being out of sync or corrupted.

If you need access to a project from multiple offices I would suggest hosting the project on a file server and the database on Microsoft SQL Server Express at the main office. Then allow the remote offices access to the main office through a VPN or WAN connection (high speed/bandwidth connection.) Or, you can use something like Citrix or Terminal Services at the remote offices to eliminate the latecy of running across a slower connection. 

[thebearjed]

thanks so much Jason. i will have to look into those options.

[dgorsman]

Out of curiosity, has AutoDesk (or any user here) done any testing for remote database server operations?  I've heard of attempts of doing this using AutoPLANT failing miserably, resulting in restrictions to only in-office SQL Server set ups.

[andrew_canfield]

Is EPDM a solidworks data manager? (PDM?)

Did you get it working with Plant 3D?

Thanks

Andrew