Upgrading from Creo 5.0

[PaulMoss]

Hi all,

We're a little behind times here and still running Creo 5.0 with 4 users.

I'm planning on upgrading very soon and wondered what peoples recommendations were on an upgrade path.

For example would you recommend I upgrade to Creo 7.0 so that there's not too many differences all at once, or just bite the bullet and go straight to Creo 8.0/9.0 directly from Creo 5.0.

Historically, we haven't bothered with any instructor-led training when upgrading and just tend to use the available resources and/or figure it out as we go. So I'm looking for the least painful path for users.

Many thanks,

Paul

[tbraxton]

We went from 4 to 7. We will likely go from 7 to 10. 

The UI differences were greatest in drawing mode for us.

[Dale_Rosema]

The logic behind the 4.0 -> 7.0 -> 10.0 jumps is that these are the major releases that are fully supported from one to the other.

The in between releases are only supported (or limited support) until the next release.

Correction as noted:

[RandyJones]

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@Dale_Rosema wrote:

The logic behind the 4.0 -> 7.0 -> 10.0 jumps is that these are the major releases that are fully supported from one to the other.

The in between releases are only supported (or limited support) until the next release.

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That logic has changed with Creo Parametric 8.0. All releases are treated the same with Creo Parametric 8.0+

"New release support schedule starting with Creo 8.0"

https://www.ptc.com/en/support/article/CS339031

[BenLoosli]

I gather you do not have a PLM system to worry about, as that drives your versioning upgrades.

Always go to the latest release of any version, which ever you choose.

We also went from 4 to 7, and will possibly go to 8 when I get Windchill 12 installed. Might hold off a few months before trying 9.

[PaulMoss]

Hi Ben,

We're actually running PDM Essentials 11.1 M020-CPS08 which I believe is the latest PDM Essentials available. Now being phased out unfortunately..

[BenLoosli]

Paul,

You will need to coordinate your Creo release to what is allowed with PDM Essentials. 

Creo 7 & 8 are supported, but there are warnings about the latest builds.

[PaulMoss]

Thanks Ben, yes I heard similar. Our provider is still looking into compatibility with Creo 9.

[BenLoosli]

I doubt you will get compatibility between Creo 9 and PDM Essentials.

What are your plans to upgrade to PDMLink?

Creo 7.0 support with Windchill 11.1 requires as a minimum Windchill 11.1 M020 CPS11

Creo 8.0 support with Windchill 11.1 requires as a minimum Windchill 11.1 M020 CPS17

[PaulMoss]

No, I doubt it too.

Regarding moving to full Windchill PDM, we're undecided. We may even look outside of PTC for a solution. The consultancy costs alone, to install and migrate all our data, is exorbitant at circa £15k GBP with the same costs every few years for an upgrade. For a relatively small company with only 3-4 users it's not viable. Unfortunately we don't have the in-house expertise to carry out these tasks ourselves so we've been painted into a corner..

Any options that you're aware of would be greatly received.

[StephenW]

We are still on Creo 4 so you are way ahead of us. Internal issues... There are plans for us to move to Creo 6 

If you are not using windchill or customization, then I wouldn't hesitate to go to the lastest but I would never recommend going to the latest release until after the 3rd or 4th build code release. Aka Creo 9.0.2 or 9.0.3. Let PTC work out the major bugs.

[BenLoosli]

ALWAYS! Been burned too many times by loading an initial build of a release.

Even 4 or 5 builds may not get all of the major issues resolved.

With Creo 7, we went to 7.0.5.0 and immediately found a bug with ModelCheck which was fixed in 7.0.7.0.

[tbraxton]

Based on experience I never choose to adopt a new release until it has been around for at least a year. Most enterprise customers will skip releases as the cost of changeover far exceeds any ROI from upgrade. I have always been at least 1 year behind and often 2-3 years behind the current build at any organization I have worked with.

You will feel like a lab guinea pig if you are constantly adopting the latest release in a production environment and use the more advanced capabilities of Creo.