ePDM file viewing

We upgraded from the "free" version of PDM to Enterprise PDM a few years ago.  Our previous admin did not want to address the issue of our shop floor no longer being able to view files while they are in change status.

Our process is as follows:

After initial release and production build often our customer will request a change, or our shop floor will suggest a different way to producing the part.

If it is a customer change, then we want the file to be locked out so we cannot produce product.  However if it is a change to a process, then we want the shop floor to still be able to view the last released drawing in ePDM while engineering is working on updating the drawing with the change in process.

Does anyone else have this type of scenario?

How do you handle this?

Is there a simple check box that we should have turned on that allows the last released revision of the drawing to be seen?

Thanks

SolidworksAdministration