yo-mamaGood Morning gentleman first post here I usually just check out the info but felt I needed to weigh in on this.
First off on the training question it is usually because most PDMS houses have their own application layer that Aveva is unable to train you on. The firm I work for provides PDMS training all over the world and find most firms don’t mind paying for it as long as the trainer is flexible. Unfortunately Aveva doesn’t offer the same flexibility and not all firms know of my firms abilities yet.
As far as PDMS it has the largest market-share of any 3D design software in the world including the US. It is used in all different facets of the engineering world from PetroChem to Pharm to Oil & Gas to Power. It was and is based out of the UK but functions the same as any US based design solution. The mention you make on undo is correct somewhat. The only real issue is the comparison you make between it and CW and AP isn’t an apples to apples comparison. PDMS is a data centric model and not a graphic based model with data attached to it like CW and AP is. You will find any true data-centric program makes it either difficult or impossible to do a true undo because of the ramifications on a database. The 12 release of PDMS has taken most of the risk out of it and the undo command works very well in design and draft now. It does take some time to learn it as it is a complicated piece of software and the ramp up and training durations are competitive with the Intergraph solutions. That is truly the only comparable software out there with the other smaller tools of course being easier to train on and get comfortable with.
The other difference being the scalability of PDMS. The opportunities for automation and customization is completely limitless and most of the larger firms in the world use PDMS and have a very specialized and robust application layer. Most of the secondary tools don’t allow for that extensive a customization. Also PDMS along with Intergraph solutions are able to handle a project regardless of size, scope, or deliverables.
I know this maybe more information than you guys were looking for but I felt the need to dis-spell some of the myths out there. If you all have any other questions on it feel free to post them and I’ll help out any way I can.