Windchill data migration: SF MERGE – secure, comprehensive and with no downtime

Windchill data migration: When and why companies migrate

Leading partner for Windchill data migration in the DACH region

With SF MERGE and the SF Migration Factory, you can migrate CAD and PLM data – including the full version history – directly to Windchill, without any disruption to your users. More than 120 successfully completed migration projects demonstrate our expertise.

A Windchill data migration is not a routine IT project, but a business-critical step. Whether it involves mergers, system consolidations, phasing out third-party systems or migrating from Pro/INTRALINK to the latest Windchill versions – in every case, CAD data, metadata and document history must be transferred completely and accurately.

Software Factory has been supporting this very task for more than 120 migration projects. The SF Migration Factory provides tried-and-tested tools that analyse source and target systems, identify conflicts and transfer data to Windchill in a structured and secure manner, without causing any user downtime.

No downtime

The source and target systems remain online throughout the entire migration – only a brief ‘frozen zone’ is required for the final switchover.

Version history

Object versions and iterations remain fully synchronised – including lifecycle states and revision schemes.

120+ projects

Proven migration experience gained from over 120 completed Windchill migration projects and carve-outs.

All data types

EPMDocuments, WTDocuments, WTParts and eBOM/mBOM data are migrated in full and in a structured manner.

Windchill data migration: Migration using SF MERGE

A structured migration process in six phases

SF MERGE follows a tried-and-tested six-step process: first, data is captured from the source system and analysed for conflicts – duplicate names, differing configurations or inconsistent metadata. Once all conflicts have been resolved, metadata and physical files are extracted, transformed and loaded into the Windchill target system.

Finally, SF VALIDATE automatically validates the migration results by comparing metadata and geometric drawings between the source and target systems. Users in the Windchill target system face no restrictions whatsoever throughout the migration process.

What SF MERGE migrates and how

SF MERGE migrates all relevant object types in full and with version fidelity:

EPMDocuments, WTDocuments and WTParts with a complete version history
Object versions and iterations remain synchronised
Lifecycle states, revision schemes and attributes can be mapped
eBOM/mBOM for Windchill-ERP synchronisation
Direct migration from Pro/INTRALINK 3.4 to Windchill 11.x or 12.x

A short ‘frozen zone’ is required in the source system solely for the final switchover, during which no further changes may be made. Operations remain fully operational during all other phases.

Use cases for SF MERGE

SF MERGE covers the full range of migration scenarios: from the consolidation of multiple Windchill systems into a single global system, through mergers, acquisitions and carve-outs, to the bulk loading of CAD data from the file system. The scope of services also includes the synchronisation of Windchill and ERP systems for eBOM/mBOM, as well as de-customisation migrations.

Quality assurance and validation

After each migration phase, SF VALIDATE automatically checks that all data has been transferred correctly. The results report, which includes an Excel summary and a redlined PDF, provides comprehensive evidence of the migration.

Windchill data migration history using SF MERGE

Analysis

We check the source and target systems for conflicts, data availability and the effort involved in migration.

Migration

SF MERGE transfers all data in a structured manner, ensuring version accuracy and without any disruption to operations.

Validation

SF VALIDATE automatically checks that the data has been transferred correctly – with an Excel report and redlining.

Enquiry & advice

Tell us about your migration scenario – our experts will get back to you shortly and show you how SF MERGE can securely migrate your data to Windchill.

General questions about SF MERGE

What is SF MERGE and for which migration projects is it used?

SF MERGE is the SF Migration Factory’s core tool for Windchill data migration – from CAD migrations and system consolidations through to Pro/INTRALINK replacements and mergers, acquisitions and carve-outs.

How does a Windchill data migration using SF MERGE work?

The process consists of six phases: Collect, Check, Extract, Transform, Load and Validate. Following analysis and conflict resolution, metadata and files are transferred to the target system; validation is carried out automatically using SF VALIDATE.

Can users continue to work whilst the Windchill migration is taking place?

Yes – the source and target systems remain online. A brief ‘frozen zone’ in the source system is required only for the final switchover; the Windchill target system runs continuously without any restrictions.

What data and object types can be migrated?

SF MERGE migrates EPMDocuments, WTDocuments and WTParts, including the full version history. Lifecycle states, revision schemes and attributes can be mapped; eBOM/mBOM for Windchill-ERP synchronisation is supported.

Can SF MERGE Pro/INTRALINK 3.x migrate directly to Windchill?

Yes – SF MERGE supports direct migration from Pro/INTRALINK 3.4 to the latest Windchill versions (11.x and 12.x) without any intermediate steps. The MERGE export and import functions ensure an uninterrupted data transfer.

How will data quality be ensured after the migration?

SF VALIDATE automatically checks metadata and geometry after each migration phase. The Excel report with redlining provides comprehensive evidence of correct data transfer.

What migration scenarios does SF MERGE cover?

SF MERGE covers consolidations, third-party system migrations, bulk loading, eBOM/mBOM synchronisation, de-customisation, as well as mergers, acquisitions and carve-outs – all backed by proven project experience from over 120 projects.

How much experience does Software Factory have in Windchill data migration?

Software Factory has successfully completed more than 120 migration projects and carve-outs for PTC products, making it one of the most experienced partners for Windchill data migrations in German-speaking countries.