Will Sibe work with our current SOLIDWORKS version?

Sibe supports SOLIDWORKS 2018 through 2026. The connector installs as a standard SOLIDWORKS add-in with no custom configuration or IT involvement required.

What happens to our existing SOLIDWORKS files?

Your existing files import directly into Sibe PDM. File relationships—assemblies referencing parts and drawings—are preserved during the import.

Do we need to uninstall SOLIDWORKS PDM first?

No. Sibe runs independently of SOLIDWORKS PDM. Most teams run both in parallel during an evaluation period to compare environments with no disruption to workflow.

Set Up Your PDM for SolidWorks under 30 Minutes

Ken Maren

Published:

March 3, 2026

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6 min read

Last updated:

Most teams spend 4–6 weeks installing PDM servers for SolidWorks, configuring VPNs, and training admins. Sibe Cloud PDM is ready in 30 minutes, and your team runs it themselves.

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Here's why 30 minutes is actually enough for your PDM set up: no server, no VPN, no admin overhead. It's fast to set up because Sibe PDM removed everything that makes PDM slow to set up. It is one of the fastest ways to get version control for your SolidWorks team.

If you've looked into PDM for SOLIDWORKS before, you already know how this story goes. A promising product, a confusing quote, a server requirement you didn't expect, and a setup timeline that keeps getting pushed back.

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You might be told that:

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🖥️ You need a dedicated server, and someone to manage it (cost of PDM Admin)

🔐 VPN for remote access — and it lags every time

👨‍💻 An IT admin for maintenance — or you become one

📅 4–6 weeks to go live — before your team sees a single version number

💸 Costs nobody mentioned upfront — server licensing, setup fees, consultant hours

Sibe PDM was built to remove every one of those barriers, so your team can actually get PDM running for SolidWorks.

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PDM for SOLIDWORKS That's Ready Before Your Next Sprint

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Sibe PDM is the cloud PDM built exclusively for SOLIDWORKS mechanical engineering teams. No server. No VPN. No IT department.

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Setup looks like this:

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1. Book your demo here. (less than 2 minutes)

2. We will create your workspace in no time. (4 minutes)

3. Install the SOLIDWORKS connector. One-click install, just like a SOLIDWORKS add-in (5 min)

3. Invite your team via email (3 min)

4. Upload your first files: Drag CAD files in, versions start tracking automatically (10 min)

5. Your PDM for SolidWorks is ready for your team’s collaboration. Full version control, easy SolidWorks File sharing and workflows.

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Total: Under 30 minutes

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📅 Slots available this week | 🕐 20 minutes | 💬 Talk directly with a SolidWorks Expert

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Book My 20-Minute Demo

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The Capabilities Your Team Gets on Day One

Everything Your Engineering Team Needs. Nothing They Don't.

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Version Control

Automatic Version Control for Every SOLIDWORKS File

Most SOLIDWORKS teams version their files manually — renaming them as v1, v2, final, final_approved. It works until it doesn't. Sibe Cloud PDM automatically saves a new version every time a file is checked in, with a timestamp, the author, and an optional change note. No renaming. No guessing which file is current. All of this is running on your team's SOLIDWORKS files in under 30 minutes.

Collaborate on SOLIDWORKS Files Without Overwriting Each Other

In most teams without PDM, two engineers working on the same assembly at the same time means one of them loses their work. Sibe PDM uses a check-out/check-in system — when one engineer has a file checked out, it's locked for editing by others. No conflicts, no silent overwrites, no reconstructing lost changes at the end of the day.

Share With Clients

🔗 Share Designs With Clients Like a Google Doc

Instead of exporting and emailing a ZIP, Sibe Cloud PDM generates a secure browser link for any file or assembly (if you want you can even generate QR code). Your client opens it without a SOLIDWORKS license, sees the geometry, and can leave feedback against a specific version. You always know exactly which revision they reviewed.

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SOLIDWORKS File Management

📁 Built for SOLIDWORKS Files, Not Folders

SOLIDWORKS assemblies reference parts and drawings by file path. Move or rename one file in a shared folder and references break. Sibe Cloud PDM tracks all file relationships inside the vault, so when you move a component or rename a part, the assembly knows where to find it. No broken references, no manual relinking.

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Traditional On Prem-PDM vs Sibe PDM

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PDM Comparison | Sibe

	On-Premise PDM	Sibe Cloud PDM
Setup time	⏱ 4–6 weeks Requires server provisioning & IT setup	⚡ 30 minutes Cloud connector — no server needed
Server required	❌ Yes	✅ No
VPN for remote access	🔒 Required	✅ Not needed
IT admin needed	⚙️ Recommended	✅ Your team manages it
SOLIDWORKS-native	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Client sharing	❌ Limited Requires client to have SOLIDWORKS or VPN	🔗 Shareable link Browser-based — no licence required
Pricing transparency	📋 Quote only	✅ Public pricing
Time to first version	📅 Weeks	✅ Today

Traditional PDM can be effective at the enterprise level, where dedicated IT resources, server budgets, and long deployment timelines are standard. For engineering teams of 2 to 50 people, the setup cost and maintenance overhead often outweigh the benefit. Sibe Cloud PDM removes that architecture entirely, while keeping the version control, file relationships, and access management your team actually needs.

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Verified Reviews by the Engineering Teams Using Sibe PDM

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"We previously used PDM Standard and decided to test Sibe PDM as a cloud alternative. What stands out for us is the simpler user experience and not having to maintain a server. Our designers adapted quickly and our non-CAD stakeholders like being able to view models directly in the browser."

"I was not sure we needed PDM for a small team, but Sibe changed my mind. It removed a lot of friction around revisions and saved us from a few painful mistakes."

"Sibe has the same functionality as Vault PDM, but without the excessive cost of servers and data migration."

"Sibe allows us to provide full visibility for our designs to the shopfloor."

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If you've read this far, a 20-minute demo is probably the fastest way to answer whatever's still open. We'll show you the product running live — version control, collaboration, client sharing, and the full setup from scratch.

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No preparation needed on your end. In a 20-minute demo, we'll show you:

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✅ How version control works the moment you upload your first file

✅ How your team collaborates without conflicts

✅ How to share a design link with a client live on the call

✅ What the setup looks like start to finish — in real time

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📅 Slots available this week | 🕐 20 minutes | 💬 Talk directly with a SolidWorks Expert

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Book My 20-Minute Demo

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Sibe supports SOLIDWORKS 2018 through 2026. The connector installs as a standard SOLIDWORKS add-in — the same way any other SOLIDWORKS tool installs. No custom configuration, no IT involvement. If you're unsure whether your specific version and setup are compatible, we can confirm that in a few minutes during a demo.

Your existing SOLIDWORKS files import directly into Sibe PDM. Once they're in the vault, version tracking starts automatically from that point forward. File relationships — assemblies referencing parts and drawings — are preserved during the import. If you have a large or complex file structure and want to see how the migration works before committing, we can walk through it with your actual folder structure on a demo call.

No. Sibe runs independently of SOLIDWORKS PDM. Most teams run both in parallel during their evaluation period — working in Sibe with a subset of files while keeping PDM running as usual. This lets you compare both environments on real work before making a decision, with no disruption to your current workflow.

Sibe encrypts all data at rest and in transit using AES-256 and TLS 1.2+. Access is controlled at the workspace, project, and individual file level — you decide exactly who can view, download, or edit each file. External sharing links are permission-scoped and can be revoked at any time. If you have specific compliance or security requirements, we're happy to go through the architecture in detail during a demo.

Sibe has fully transparent, public pricing — no quote requests, no per-module add-ons, no consultant fees to get started. What you see on the pricing page is what you pay. If you want to understand which plan fits your team size and workflow before booking a demo, the pricing page is a good starting point. See pricing →

For most teams, the setup is complete within 30 minutes — installing the connector, creating the workspace, and importing the first set of files. There is no onboarding project, no dedicated IT resource required, and no professional services engagement needed to go live. If you want to see the full onboarding sequence before you start, we cover it end-to-end in every demo.

Adoption is usually faster with Sibe than with traditional PDM because the interface works inside SOLIDWORKS the same way engineers already work. Non-CAD team members — managers, clients, procurement — access files through a browser without needing any software installed. If adoption has been a concern with PDM tools you've evaluated before, it's worth seeing how the interface works firsthand on a demo.