In a world of the well known PLM players like Siemens, Dassault, and PTC, Concurrent Systems Inc Ltd. - the makers of Design Data Manager (DDM) - don't often get a mention. But, whenever I come across a user of DDM I find that they are happy with their PLM implementation.
Monthly Releases
Beginning with its initial 2014 release,
"CSI will now be releasing a new version of DDM every month. Rather than one major release per year. We are taking the approach of mobile apps having a new release each month that can be easily upgraded so users only have a few enhancements that are easier to introduce, get up to speed with and benefit from."
I really like this concept. Most major software installations have a version update annually and a service or maintenance patch monthly. In this case, not only is CSI fixing bugs on a monthly basis, but rolling out desired enhancements as well. Speaking from experience, reading the "What's New" for an annual release, developing in-house training material, and convincing users to give up old habits to take advantage of new workflows is a difficult task. (I won't even mention dealing with UI changes.) But, rolling out changes on a monthly basis keeps users constantly looking for better ways to perform their duties, in small manageable bites.
Supporting Major MCAD Programs
Many PLM implementations are based on using a single vendor with integrated solutions. While that works for some companies, others require "best in class" tools. Another way to phrase it, they require tools that work best for them. DDM fits in with most mainstream MCAD software programs. Take a look at their matrix.
DDM Support Matrix
| DDM 2014.x | DDM 2013.1 | DDM 2012.1 | |
| Autodesk Inventor 2013 ® (32/64 bit) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Autodesk Inventor 2014 ® (32/64 bit) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Autodesk Inventor 2015 ® (32/64 bit) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Creo Elements/Pro 4.0 (32/64 bit) | No | No | Yes |
| Creo Elements/Pro 5.0 (32/64 bit) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Creo Parametric 1.0 (32/64 bit) ® | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Creo Parametric 2.0 (32/64 bit) ® | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Solidworks 2012 ® (32/64 bit) | No | No | Yes |
| Solidworks 2013 ® (32/64 bit) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Solidworks 2014 ® (32/64 bit) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Solid Edge ST104® (32/64 bit) | No | No | Yes |
| Solid Edge ST105® (32/64 bit) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Solid Edge ST106® (32/64 bit) | Yes | Yes | No |
| IronCAD® 2011 (32/64 bit) | No | No | Yes |
| IronCAD® 2012 (32/64 bit) | No | No | Yes |
| IronCAD® 2013 (32/64 bit) | Yes | Yes | No |
| IronCAD® 2014 (32/64 bit) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Autodesk AutoCAD 2013® (32/64 bit) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Autodesk AutoCAD 2014® (32/64 bit) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Autodesk AutoCAD 2015® (32/64 bit) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Creo Elements/Direct Drafting 18.00 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Creo Elements/Direct Drafting 18.10 | Yes | Yes | Yes |