Why Engineers Hate PDMs (And How AI Fixes It)
Why Engineers Hate PDMs (And How AI Fixes It)
Why Engineers Hate PDMs (And How AI Fixes It)
Dr. Maor Farid
If you're a mechanical engineer, you've probably cursed your PDM system at least once.
You’re not alone. Engineers everywhere are frustrated with Product Data Management (PDM) systems—and for good reason.
They’re supposed to make life easier. Instead, they slow you down, bury critical files, and block collaboration. And when you finally find the part or drawing you need? It’s often outdated or disconnected from context.
So why do so many engineering teams still rely on outdated PDMs? And how can AI finally fix the pain?
The Problem with PDMs Today
Too many clicks, too little context
Searching for a part or drawing often feels like navigating a maze. You need the exact name, the right folder, and the patience to try multiple filters. Engineers spend valuable time searching instead of designing.Disconnected from real workflows
PDMs live outside your CAD environment. You jump between systems, slowing down your thinking and breaking focus.Information overload, not insight
Even when you find the data, it rarely tells you what you actually need to know—what part your team used in a similar design, or which supplier delivered the best results.
“PDM is supposed to help me reuse parts. But it’s faster to model it again from scratch.” — Leo user, consumer electronics company
How AI Solves the PDM Problem
AI doesn’t replace your PDM—it makes it usable.
Leo AI integrates directly into your CAD tool and file system. It lets you:
Search parts in plain language
Ask for “aluminum hinge used in the 2022 design” instead of guessing the file name.Find the best option, fast
Leo ranks results based on usage, context, and confidence—not just file names.Understand geometry and intent
Leo isn’t just indexing text. It understands the geometry of the parts and their functional role in your design.Connect your data with your brain
Leo brings tribal knowledge—previous projects, internal documents, notes—into your design process automatically.
“I stopped thinking about folders. Leo just finds what I need.” — Mechanical engineer, automation startup
The Future of PDM Isn’t a Database. It’s an AI Copilot.
Traditional PDMs lock your data away. Leo unlocks it—so you can actually use the knowledge your company has already built.
If you're tired of clicking through folders and second-guessing part reuse, maybe it’s time to stop fighting your tools and start using one that works like you think.
Stop wasting hours digging through folders.
Try Leo and experience part search that actually works.
→ Start Your Free Trial
If you're a mechanical engineer, you've probably cursed your PDM system at least once.
You’re not alone. Engineers everywhere are frustrated with Product Data Management (PDM) systems—and for good reason.
They’re supposed to make life easier. Instead, they slow you down, bury critical files, and block collaboration. And when you finally find the part or drawing you need? It’s often outdated or disconnected from context.
So why do so many engineering teams still rely on outdated PDMs? And how can AI finally fix the pain?
The Problem with PDMs Today
Too many clicks, too little context
Searching for a part or drawing often feels like navigating a maze. You need the exact name, the right folder, and the patience to try multiple filters. Engineers spend valuable time searching instead of designing.Disconnected from real workflows
PDMs live outside your CAD environment. You jump between systems, slowing down your thinking and breaking focus.Information overload, not insight
Even when you find the data, it rarely tells you what you actually need to know—what part your team used in a similar design, or which supplier delivered the best results.
“PDM is supposed to help me reuse parts. But it’s faster to model it again from scratch.” — Leo user, consumer electronics company
How AI Solves the PDM Problem
AI doesn’t replace your PDM—it makes it usable.
Leo AI integrates directly into your CAD tool and file system. It lets you:
Search parts in plain language
Ask for “aluminum hinge used in the 2022 design” instead of guessing the file name.Find the best option, fast
Leo ranks results based on usage, context, and confidence—not just file names.Understand geometry and intent
Leo isn’t just indexing text. It understands the geometry of the parts and their functional role in your design.Connect your data with your brain
Leo brings tribal knowledge—previous projects, internal documents, notes—into your design process automatically.
“I stopped thinking about folders. Leo just finds what I need.” — Mechanical engineer, automation startup
The Future of PDM Isn’t a Database. It’s an AI Copilot.
Traditional PDMs lock your data away. Leo unlocks it—so you can actually use the knowledge your company has already built.
If you're tired of clicking through folders and second-guessing part reuse, maybe it’s time to stop fighting your tools and start using one that works like you think.
Stop wasting hours digging through folders.
Try Leo and experience part search that actually works.
→ Start Your Free Trial