Release Management Redefined with CAD and PDM Integration

Onshape’s release management system presents a shift away from the legacy file vault model. It’s not just another feature but a direct result of its cloud-native, database-centric architecture. By eliminating the file-based workflows that cause bottlenecks, Onshape delivers a truly agile, non-blocking, and integrated approach that can transform your product development lifecycle

The Core Advantage: No Files, No Locks, No Problems

The difference in Onshape is its departure from discrete files. Traditional PDM systems are built to manage a vault of individual part, assembly, and drawing files. To prevent users from overwriting each other's work, these systems rely on a rigid "check-in/check-out" process that locks files, creating a serial workflow where only one person can make edits at a time.

Onshape completely eliminates this concept. All design data is stored in a unified cloud database, not a collection of files. This architecture is the key that unlocks its signature "non-blocking" workflow.

When a user submits a "Release candidate" for approval, the design data is not locked. The rest of the team can continue working on the same document, making edits, exploring new ideas, or even preparing the next release without interruption. This ability to work in parallel is a massive enabler for agile development, allowing teams to move faster without artificial constraints.

Integrated & Effortless: Slashing IT Overhead

In traditional systems, PDM is a separate application layered on top of CAD. This means more software to buy, install, and maintain, plus dedicated servers and specialized IT staff to manage it all.

Onshape's release management is an intrinsic function of the platform, not a bolt-on module. This deep integration provides powerful advantages:

• Zero IT Overhead: As a full-cloud SaaS platform, there are no servers to buy, databases to manage, or software to install. All administration is handled via a web browser, and updates are applied automatically for everyone. This significantly reduces the total cost of ownership and frees up valuable IT resources.
• A Seamless User Experience: The entire process is embedded directly within the design environment. A user can initiate a release with a simple right-click. The system intelligently gathers all dependencies—for instance, automatically including the necessary parts and assemblies when you release a drawing. Notifications are sent automatically to approvers, who can review, comment on, and approve or reject the release from any device, including their phone or tablet. This removes location-based delays and dramatically accelerates approval cycles from days to minutes.

Enterprise-Grade Control Without the Complexity

For larger organizations with complex business requirements, Onshape Enterprise allows administrators to design and deploy multiple custom release workflows. This is managed through a structured JSON file—a "Process as Code" approach that is both powerful and transparent.

Instead of relying on clunky graphical interfaces or proprietary scripts, administrators can define every aspect of the workflow—from multi-stage approvals to mandatory data fields and automated notifications—in a clear, versionable text file. A company can create a lightweight, rapid workflow for prototypes while enforcing a rigorous, multi-stage review for production designs involving engineering, quality, and manufacturing. You can even store and version-control these workflow files within Onshape itself, applying the same agile principles used for product design to your business processes.

Onshape Release Management: A Better Way to Work

Onshape's release management is more than just a tool; it's a powerful and efficient system for modern engineering teams. By moving beyond the limitations of files, it eliminates critical bottlenecks, reduces administrative overhead, and provides a platform truly built for agile, collaborative product development. It allows your team to stop waiting and continue designing.