Managing Customizations

This chapter describes the best practices that should be used when you are customizing files that are supplied by PTC or changing configuration settings that interact with the way PTC delivers software maintenance releases. The chapter contains information that can help you understand how to structure and maintain the files you modify or add to your Windchill environment. It also describes the tools and Windchill Service Pack options that can be used to set up and update customized files for Windchill maintenance releases.

These recommendations apply to managing the <Windchill> installation directory (where <Windchill> is the Windchill Services installation directory). Best practices for products installed into other directories are not described here.

If the implementation of Windchill at your site involves modifying files supplied by PTC, it is important to understand that the maintenance installation process could overwrite any file that is delivered by PTC (except for the site.xconf file). This includes files that you may have modified during customization activities.