PDM (Product Data Management) focuses on storing, organizing, and managing design files and CAD data. PLM (Product Lifecycle Management), on the other hand, manages the entire product lifecycle—from concept and design to manufacturing, service, and disposal. PDM is a subset of PLM.

Is PDM enough for my business, or do I need PLM?

If your primary need is managing CAD files, revisions, and design data, PDM is likely sufficient. If you need to manage cross-functional processes like project timelines, bill of materials (BOMs), compliance, and change management, then PLM is the better choice.

Does SOLIDWORKS Support Both PDM and PLM?

Yes. SOLIDWORKS offers SOLIDWORKS PDM for managing design data and file control. For broader lifecycle management, SOLIDWORKS integrates with PLM solutions like ENOVIA on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, providing advanced tools for project, quality, and process management.

What Are the Benefits of Using PDM with SOLIDWORKS?

• Centralized design file storage
• Secure access control and version tracking
• Better collaboration between engineering teams
• Automated revision and workflow management

SOLIDWORKS helps design teams speed up product development, reduce costly errors, and bring high-quality products to market faster. Key benefits include powerful 3D modeling tools, built-in simulation features, version control, and support for complex assemblies and configurations.

How can SOLIDWORKS help teams work more efficiently?

SOLIDWORKS improves team efficiency by centralizing design data, simplifying approvals, and minimizing rework. Engineers and designers can collaborate smoothly across disciplines—such as mechanical and electrical—while sharing real-time updates to speed up decision-making.

SOLIDWORKS stands out for its intuitive interface, robust modeling capabilities, and strong ecosystem of add-ons like simulation, rendering, and electrical design. It's widely adopted across industries and offers solutions tailored for specific roles and company sizes.

• SOLIDWORKS for Small Businesses – Streamline workflows, reduce manual tasks, and collaborate more effectively.
• SOLIDWORKS for Medium-Sized Businesses – Automate design processes, improve data management, and speed up time-to-market.
• SOLIDWORKS for Large Enterprises – Centralize operations, integrate multi-disciplinary teams, and support global collaboration at scale.

The parametric design capabilities in SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD allow for effortless modification and iteration. This means companies can design, develop, and manage innovative ideas efficiently and accurately, significantly reducing design cycles.

SOLIDWORKS is built for professionals across the entire product development process. It’s used by:

• Mechanical Engineers – for precise 3D part and assembly design

• Product Designers – to develop and visualize innovative concepts

• Design Engineers – to simulate, validate, and optimize performance

• Project Managers – to track design progress and manage collaboration

• Manufacturing Engineers – to ensure designs are ready for production

• Students and Educators – to build real-world CAD skills in academic settings

• Executives and Decision-Makers – to oversee development timelines and resource allocation

From hands-on designers to strategic leads, SOLIDWORKS supports every role involved in bringing a product to life.

Yes. SOLIDWORKS is designed to support companies of all sizes—from startups and small businesses to mid-sized companies and large enterprises.

• Small businesses can quickly get started with easy-to-manage design tools and cost-effective licensing.

• Medium-sized companies benefit from improved data management, automation, and collaboration features.

• Large enterprises gain access to advanced product lifecycle tools, team integration, and global project scalability.

The 3DEXPERIENCE platform is a cloud-based environment by Dassault Systèmes that connects your data, people, and tools in one centralized location. It enhances SOLIDWORKS with:

• Real-time collaboration

• Cloud data storage and version control

• Product lifecycle management

• Access from anywhere via browser (depending on package)

It depends on your team's needs, project complexity, and preferred deployment method.

If you're looking for a solid foundation in 3D CAD, Standard is a great start. Need more automation, cost estimation, and libraries? Go for Professional. For advanced simulation, motion analysis, and routing, Premium is the most comprehensive.
To choose the right fit, also consider whether you want to work locally (Desktop), combine local tools with cloud (Hybrid), or go fully browser-based (Cloud). The Product Matrix and Deployment Model Comparison can guide you in making the best choice.

Yes. Desktop, Hybrid, and Cloud packages include 3DEXPERIENCE  capabilities, enabling cloud-based collaboration, data management, and more - regardless of whether you’re working locally or entirely in the cloud.

You can find a detailed comparison of features in the SOLIDWORKS Product Matrix. It clearly outlines what’s included in each package—Standard, Professional, and Premium—so you can see exactly which tools match your needs.

There are three main deployment models:

• SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD + Collaborative Roles: Installed locally, with optional cloud access.

• 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS: A hybrid solution combining local installation with full cloud platform access.

• SOLIDWORKS Cloud: Fully browser-based, with no installation needed.

Each model supports different workflows and team structures, depending on your IT setup, data management preferences, and collaboration needs.

The price of SOLIDWORKS products depends on the selected products and packages. Certain special groups, such as startups and educational institutions, are eligible for discounted pricing. You can get assistance in choosing the necessary SOLIDWORKS products, pricing models, and current price information by contacting us at TECHNIA. For example, the prices of a 3-month SOLIDWORKS Standard rental license and a purchased SOLIDWORKS Premium license can vary significantly, and we can find a suitable product combination for each company's needs. 

Three main packages:

• SOLIDWORKS Standard – Essential tools for 3D design

• SOLIDWORKS Professional – Adds productivity tools and rendering

• SOLIDWORKS Premium – Includes simulation, routing, and more

The SOLIDWORKS CAM add-on is included in all SOLIDWORKS CAD packages, provided the SOLIDWORKS CAD license is active. 

The SOLIDWORKS For Start-ups campaign offers SOLIDWORKS for free for the first year. Start-ups must meet specific criteria related to funding, revenue, and age. Once these criteria are met, it's advisable to take advantage of the offer! After the first year, there will be a cost associated with the product, but it increases progressively and remains minimal. 

Yes. If you’ve already purchased SOLIDWORKS products, you can still:

• Rent additional add-ons or new SOLIDWORKS products to meet short-term or project-based needs

• Purchase new SOLIDWORKS licenses at any time to expand your existing setup

Both rental and purchase licenses work seamlessly together, giving you flexibility to scale as your needs evolve.

What Is SOLIDWORKS Visualize?

With SOLIDWORKS Visualize, you can transform your 3D CAD data into stunning photorealistic images, animations, interactive content, or even VR experiences—ideal for product marketing, design reviews, and client presentations.

There are two versions of SOLIDWORKS Visualize:

• Visualize Standard – Included with active Professional and Premium CAD licenses

• Visualize Professional – Advanced version available as a separately purchasable product

⚠️ Important: SOLIDWORKS Visualize Standard can only be used if the associated Professional or Premium license is currently active.

What Is Included in the Packages?

• Standard: Not included

• Professional: Includes Visualize Standard

• Premium: Includes Visualize Standard

For advanced rendering features like camera paths, video editing, or render queues, upgrading to Visualize Professional is recommended.

Yes, trial versions are available. Get hands-on experience with SOLIDWORKS and evaluate its suitability before committing. Our experts can guide you through the trial process.

If your educational institution offers SOLIDWORKS access, you can obtain it from your instructor. In cases where SOLIDWORKS Education's student package isn't available, you can access SOLIDWORKS for a nominal annual fee. 

While SOLIDWORKS can be installed independently, working with a certified partner like TECHNIA ensures a faster, smoother setup. With 30+ years of experience, 6,000+ implementations, and specialized training programs, TECHNIA helps you get the most out of your investment—whether you’re migrating, integrating, or scaling.

You have two options for acquiring SOLIDWORKS: purchasing or renting. With the rental model, SOLIDWORKS is leased annually, and all data created using the software belongs to the customer. Rental licenses are available for 3-month or 12-month periods, renewable at your discretion. Opting for 12-month rentals is more cost-effective for longer-term SOLIDWORKS use. Companies can also purchase a few licenses and rent additional SOLIDWORKS products as needed. 

With rental licenses, the investment is spread over a longer period, and there is no initial investment typical of purchase licenses. You can contact TECHNIA to discuss your needs, and together with TECHNIA's experts, calculate the payback period for licenses so you can understand whether purchasing or renting licenses is suitable for your specific needs. 

The SOLIDWORKS rental license model is available for nearly all products in the SOLIDWORKS portfolio. Rental licenses provide flexibility in licensing and can adapt to rapid project needs. 

Renting licenses is an efficient way to scale available tools as needed or to acquire tools for short-term projects. If the tool needs for projects vary significantly from year to year, renting licenses can lead to cost savings. Rental may also be the only feasible option for startups, small businesses, and companies with relatively low cash flow. 

The support and materials for rented SOLIDWORKS are the same as for purchased SOLIDWORKS. It's important to understand that after the rental period ends, the tool is no longer available for use, and support and materials also cease. 

No. A rental license is a separate product, and in cases where a purchased license is preferred over a rental one, it's advisable to consider using the rental period until its completion and then purchasing a SOLIDWORKS license. 

Internet Connection: SOLIDWORKS 3DEXPERIENCE Cloud solution leverages cutting-edge technology to deliver an incredible 3D software experience over the internet. Therefore, we recommend using at least a 3000/300 Kbps (download/upload) broadband connection. For the best user experience, we have found that 5000/500 Kbps is ideal for a 1920x1080 resolution. To achieve an acceptable user experience, users should consider a minimum of 1000/100 Kbps. 

According to SOLIDWORKS official website for optimal performance, the processor should be a 64-bit Intel or AMD, with at least 16 GB of RAM and internal SSD storage.

For a comprehensive list of hardware officially tested by SOLIDWORKS, you can find it here.

Check the official system requirements and hardware certifications.

Installing SOLIDWORKS products is straightforward. Desktop-installed products require administrative rights for installation in corporate environments, but with a simple installation process and comprehensive instructions, setup is quick. Your IT department can centrally install SOLIDWORKS for all users if needed, but if you don't have internal IT experts, don't worry! TECHNIA can assist you in getting started with your new SOLIDWORKS product. 

SOLIDWORKS Desktop products run on users' workstations. 3DEXPERIENCE Cloud, on the other hand, operates on Dassault Systèmes' Public Cloud servers, requiring no separate hardware or resources—just an internet browser is sufficient. SOLIDWORKS installed on a workstation can be connected to 3DEXPERIENCE, but it's optional if advanced data management isn't needed or is handled differently. 

Yes, you can. You just need to deactivate SOLIDWORKS on the old computer, and then you can activate it on the new device. 

You can now manage your SOLIDWORKS products and users via:

• User Management: DsxClient Care

• Product Access: My Products Portal

• Support Requests: 3DSupport Application

1. Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs & Features

2. Locate “SOLIDWORKS” in the list

3. Ensure all SOLIDWORKS windows and processes are closed

4. Select Modify – this will launch the SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager

5. From here, you can repair or adjust your installation settings

Alternatively, search for “Add or Remove Programs” on newer Windows systems.

If you have SOLIDWORKS installed on your device, you can access SOLIDWORKS tutorials by launching SOLIDWORKS and selecting Help – SOLIDWORKS Tutorials. 

The most effective way to learn SOLIDWORKS is through guided hands-on exercises. The tutorials accessible from within SOLIDWORKS provide a quick way to learn the system. TECHNIA consultants can tailor training to your specific needs. There are also paid online training courses for SOLIDWORKS, and TECHNIA can help select the right training materials and learning paths for you. 

Practice models for learning SOLIDWORKS

SOLIDWORKS provides a free library of downloadable practice models to support hands-on learning. These files include parts and assemblies designed for training exercises and are ideal for users who want to build their skills through real example

Access the models here SOLIDWORKS Training Files

Training courses and tutorials often come with example files, making it easy to start practicing—even if you haven’t created your own designs yet.