Windchill Reliability Project and System File Access for Multiple Users

[Unreliable_User]

We are using Windchill 11.1., teams (not enterprise) edition.

Once we have created a project, how can we allow another user to open, work on and/or edit the project and system files?

We have tried "hacking" around this by going into file explorer and granting permissions to the .rfp (system) files, but Windchill seems to be able to revoke that and/or the permission isn't "sticky".

Chris

[HelesicPetr]

Hi @Unreliable_User 

You need to add user to the project team, as a member, or another role.

An access is granted by ACL rules, OOTB each role in a team has some ACL definition that grant the access.

Also do not forget to assign license group to the user. 

PetrH

[Unreliable_User]

Thank you.

I looked into this subject within some Windchill support pages on the web, this one was of particular interest:

https://support.ptc.com/help/windchill/plus/r12.0.2.0/en/index.html#page/Windchill_Help_Center%2FTeamMembersAdd.html%23

If I understand this correctly, the reason that I don't see any tools to change or add team members is because I don't have any admin capability. (See attached jpeg capture, circled in red.)  

I've forwarded this information to our site admins.

In the meantime, I'm trying to understand the different layers of administrative power within Windchill:

content manager

organization administrator

site administrator

site supervisor

What I'm not clear about is whether I would be considered the "content manager" on a project that I create myself.

Chris

[HelesicPetr]

Hi @Unreliable_User 

Context manager is a Project Manager role, or Product Manager or Library manager role in a team of context. 

Org admin is a org admin defined on organization level in Windchill

Site admin is a admin defined on the site level in Windchill

PetrH

[Unreliable_User]

This is interesting.

The menus above are not in our version.  

I believe that it's the difference between the "Teams" version that we have, vs the "Enterprise" version in your screen shots.

Our issue seems to be a more localized issue, possibly having to do with default data paths and something as simple and mundane as who is listed as a file's "owner" in a file directory.  Right now, it appears that, for example:  take two users, User A and User B.  If user B creates an import template (.rix file) and provides it to user B by copying it into user B's project directory, user B cannot see that file either in file explorer (Windows 10) or with Windchill (11.1) even if all permissions are granted to that file, other than ownership.

I've opened a support ticket with PTC.  It's probably a no-brainer for tech support.  

I'll probably be embarrassed by how simple the resolution of this issue is, in the end.

[HelesicPetr · Accepted solution]

Hi @Unreliable_User 

Normal user can not see that icons. org/site level. Only administrators can.

There is not difference between normal/enterprise version. All Windchill versions from 10 to now has this icons. Just appearing is based on an access. Org admin can see org level, Site admin can see site level. 

Product Manager can manage a teams and so on.

PS> in my case there is also custom icon 😄

PetrH

[Unreliable_User]

PetrH,

Interesting.

Apparently, I don't have these levels.  

I'm going to forward your response to those that may have the required permissions to see if they can access these screens.

Thanks,

Chris

[Unreliable_User]

To close the loop on this one.  It was indeed more simple than it seemed.

It appears to be an issue of file "ownership" when you create project folders in a working directory on your computer.  Even if you allow another person, from another computer to map the drive or directory; it isn't truly a "shared" directory.

PTC technical support had the following advice:

quote:

Case Subject: I cannot access the system file in a project that was created by another user

Hello Chris,

I will be assisting you with this case.

Thank you for all the details provided on this case. I can confirm that the issue you are facing is caused by both users having their own working directories, and not a shared centralized file location.

To set the location of the Data Files Directory, please navigate to Tools -> Options then expand the Directories section and set the desired path in the Data Files Directory option.

If you have any questions or concerns related to this case, please do not hesitate to contact me.

unquote