Pro/INTRALINK 8.0

Versions 4, 5, 6 and 7 will never get a crack at the whip, instead Pro/I will jump straight from 3.4 to 8.0 (bringing Pro/I version numbers in line with PDMLink - which PTC seemingly intend to replace Pro/I, much the same as Pro/I replaced Pro/PDM).

I saw a PTC demo of Pro/INTRALINK 8.0, and it looks pretty good. Very similar to what I've seen of Windchill, ProjectLink and PDMLink, since they're obviously all built on the same foundations...

For Pro/I-using companies with multiple databases and complex data, it may be a while yet (although seemingly there's a few companies already done the migration - interesting to hear how they got on?). Ver 8 will get released in the next month or 2 (compatible with WF2+), and will be a major shift from anything we've seen yet in Intralink. You'll need to use the "Data Migrator" - to resolve all those multi-server issues like duplicate parts, etc...

Gone is the current javaw.exe applicaton, replaced by a shiny new web interface, making it a lot easier to get your people onto Intralink - you'll only need a browser, no client installs (yeehaa!). Plus, it's said to be much better on WAN, allowing uploading/downloading to take place in the background, and moving multiple Pro/E files at once...

And the web-ability brings with it better security, linking into your LDAP server, also with encryption available. And let's be honest, current Pro/I isn't exactly Fort Knox, I bet many companies even leave the Admin password default...

There's more connection with Wildfire, making use of the internal browser (so that's what it's for !!?) - and improved preview, cos thumbnails are stored with the objects, so no need for a separate graphics server (if you ever used one).

As I say, though, it'll probably be a while yet for companies in the real world, with tens of thousands of objects across multiple servers across the globe. But at least we know a bit more about what's coming...

For screenshots, etc, see your local PTC bod - I'm sure they'll be letting you know about it soon... it's also worth noting that they're encouraging users to just skip Pro/I 8 and go straight to PDMLink 8, since it's more part of the PDS plan.