Excel PDM Spreadsheet Template for Product Data Management CAD file version control

[Charliep]

I use AutoCAD and CATIA, but I work with a number of consultants and suppliers who use NX, SolidWorks, FreeCAD, etc., so working on a project we share many different file types and file versions.

 

Does anybody have a spreadsheet / template for keeping track of changes to a CAD model during product development. It seems to me this would be an easy thing to keep in Excel, including data on the differences between versions of the CAD releases. I really don't want to develop the spreadsheet from scratch.

Or maybe somebody can suggest a good software solution to keep track that doesn't require renting a server and hosting some database. I've looked at DDM and it looks ideal, but not looking to invest in a professional PDM right now. I like the idea of an Excel database because everybody already has Excel on their workstation, so there is no need to buy a bunch of licenses.