Problem

This article walks you through the steps necessary to change the license type for your PDM client. PDM uses a floating network license, which checks licenses out and in as you log in and out of PDM. There are three different types of licenses that can be used, depending on the functionality required by the end-user. 

Most SOLIDWORKS users will need the Editor; there are two other types as well. See the list below for detailed descriptions of the different license types:

1. SOLIDWORKS PDM Editor & Web
   
   Editor: SOLIDWORKS users in the office connected via LAN to the PDM server will typically access the vault through SOLIDWORKS using this type to view, add, and modify files.
   
   Web: Remote users take advantage of a Web-based (Internet Explorer Active-X) thin client that supports working with all file types, including Microsoft Office applications. Please note that the web client does not have all the features found in the full client. No CAD Add-in or API support, as well as limited workflow capabilities.
    
2. SOLIDWORKS PDM Contributor & Web
   
   Contributor: Contributor is typically used by non-SOLIDWORKS users who will need to make frequent changes to non-SOLIDWORKS files. Typical files are Word/Excel or other related engineering documents.
   
   Web: Remote users take advantage of a Web-based thin client that supports working with all file types, including Microsoft Office applications. Please note that the web client does not have all the features found in the full client. No CAD Add-in or API support, as well as limited workflow capabilities.
    
3. SOLIDWORKS PDM Viewer
   
   Commonly used by non-SOLIDWORKS users who require only read-only access to the vault. Users cannot add or modify(check out, check in, update values) files or use CAD add-ins.

Solution: Change the PDM License Type

1. Open SOLIDWORKS PDM Administration Tool.

2. Click on the "Help" dropdown menu as shown in the screenshot below.

3. Click on "About SOLIDWORKS PDM Administration".

4. Select your desired Client type as illustrated below and click OK.

Note: For PDM Standard in the "Client type" dropdown box, you will see SOLIDWORK PDM Standard... instead of SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional...

5. After you have selected a different Client type, you will be prompted to restart your computer 
    as shown below. Please save all your work and close all applications before restarting.

For further technical support, please contact Hawk Ridge Systems at 877.266.4469 for the U.S. or 866.587.6803 for Canada and support@hawkridgesys.com.