Integration with Other Applications > Windchill Workgroup Manager Documentation > Introduction to Windchill Workgroup Manager > Windchill Workgroup Manager Overview > What is Windchill Workgroup Manager?
  
What is Windchill Workgroup Manager?
The Windchill Workgroup Manager is a common framework that provides an integration between Windchill and a variety of CAD applications. For more information on applications supported by the Windchill Workgroup Manager, see the Platform Support document on PTC.com, and browse for the Windchill CAD Integration Matrix in the “By Product” section.
The core capability of the Windchill Workgroup Manager allows you to manage your CAD data within the Windchill database. The Windchill Workgroup Manager also provides a managed area, called a Workspace, in which you develop your designs prior to checking them in to Windchill.
The Windchill Workgroup Manager has a web browser embedded in the client to provide an experience consistent with accessing Windchill through a standalone web browser. However, accessing Windchill through the embedded browser provides additional Windchill Workgroup Manager–specific capabilities and actions. In addition, when the CAD tool is connected to the Windchill Workgroup Manager, a number of PDM commands, such as Check In and Check Out, are embedded within the CAD tool to enable you to interact with Windchill without having to leave the CAD environment.
* 
You must be in the connected mode to be able to use all the PDM action commands. For more information, see the PDM Actions section for your application.
* 
A common practice when using Windchill Workgroup Manager, while connected to your CAD application, is to minimize the Windchill Workgroup Manager client and work predominantly in the CAD application.
Information on transactions performed by Windchill Workgroup Manager is available from the Windchill Workgroup Manager client message area. The following graphic illustrates information messages in the message area.
A pop-up message displays when Windchill Workgroup Manager is minimized, or when an action is initiated from the CAD application. The following graphic displays an example of the pop-up message containing information that notifies a user of actions that have succeeded.
More detailed transaction information is also available from the Event Management utility, accessed directly from the PTC Windchill toolbar in your CAD application. The following graphic displays information messages from the Event Management utility.