How to Work Offline with SOLIDWORK PDM

SOLIDWORKS PDM is a server-based product and requires a connection to the application and database servers for smooth operation. However, there are times that you may need to disconnect from the server for a length of time, but still want to interact with the vault.

SOLIDWORKS PDM Offline mode lets you temporarily disconnect from the vault and continue to use your local cache. Work offline to track changes made to files and safely sync them back to the vault once server connectivity is restored.

Key Steps to Work Offline with SOLIDWORKS PDM

1. Check in all files that are currently checked out on your machine/user
   This ensures that the most recent updates are saved on the archive server.
2. Check out the files you’ll need to work offline
   Once you work offline, you will lose access to the vault server and won’t be able to check out additional files.
3. Work offline

What Can You Do When Offline?

In offline mode, users will have access to all files they have in their local cache. This means that if you don’t have files cached, you will not see those files in this mode. For example, if the file templates are not cached, then they will be inaccessible in SOLIDWORKS.

Additionally, any files that were checked out before switching to offline mode will also be writeable (i.e., users will have write access to them). Files can then be opened and modified just as normal.

Step-by-Step to Use SOLIDWORKS PDM Offline Mode

1. Check in All Files

The first step is to ensure you have checked in all your currently checked-out files. You can do this with SOLIDWORKS PDM Search Cards. Most SOLIDWORKS PDM environments have a search dedicated to finding checked-out files.

However, if your vault does not have one, you can use the Complete Search. Navigating to the Checked in/out tab of the search allows you to search for all files checked out by a user by selecting them from the dropdown.

After running the search, you can select all the files in the results, right-click on them and Check in. Doing so ensures all the latest changes are updated in the database and allows other users to see the most up-to-date version of the files. As a best practice, it is best to frequently check files into your vault to safeguard against disaster.

2. Check Out the Files You Need Offline

Before you go offline, you want to make sure you have checked out all the files you will need. Make sure to grab any referenced files you would need to make changes as this ensures they land in your local cache.

SOLIDWORKS PDM Check Out dialog box

3. Work Offline

When you have all files checked out and read to go, the next step is to switch to working offline by navigating into PDM and then from the toolbar select Tools > Work Off-line. Next, you will be brought back to the loading screen, after which you will be logged back into the vault.

Turning on SOLIDWORKS PDM Offline mode

How to Stop Working Offline

Once the user regains their access to the server hosting the vault, you can switch back to online by navigating into PDM and then from the toolbar select  Tools > Work On-line. Similar to working offline, this will present a loading screen before opening the vault.

SOLIDWORKS PDM Work On-line

The blue folders that indicate being offline will be replaced by the traditional green folders. Any files that were checked out to work on can be checked in, with their changes being reflected on the server.

Working Off Network without Going Offline

There are times when you need to leave the office but still want direct access to the SOLIDWORKS PDM data. It may be to grab the latest version of a work order in the field or to easily show a client the latest design changes, but you need to get the most up-to-date information.

Putting your entire server infrastructure in the cloud can help you achieve this. Having the file vault globally accessible and not tied to the local intranet gives the greatest data visibility from your distributed workforce.

To learn more about PDM Cloud Services, click here.