Product Lifecycle Management
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) suites are web-based applications that work in conjunction with powerful databases to manage
product data created at all phases of a product's lifecycle.
The word "manage" here refers to store, query, search, navigate, retrieve, view, modify and control changes to the relevant product information.
PLM incorporates all elements of product data, from original CAD designs to manufacturing BOMs and manages all the relationships and document states created
during the business processes conducted from ideation through to on-market support.
A key advantage provided from a PLM product suite is the "out of the box" integration of the five core components listed below:
1) Electronic Document Management
- Vaulting: check-in/check-out various document types & formats
- Search and Navigation
- Document Organization: structured, ad hoc
- Revision and version control
- Security
- Support for peripherals: scanning, printing and viewing
2) Product Structure / Configuration Management
- Product structure representation throughout the entire lifecycle
- Linking to relevant documents
- Interfacing or integration with CAD and ERP systems
3) Workflow
- Routing of documents and "parts"
- Review, approval notification
- Electronic signatures
- Audit trails
- Foundation for drawing change and approval process
- Foundation for quality system and regulatory compliance
4) Component & Supplier Management
- Component classification: e.g. fasteners, electronic components
- Single part number for every part: no duplicates
- Navigation and search capabilities
5) Special Functions - Program Management
- Project Dashboards - no Gantt and PERT charts
- Task representation
- Action item tracking
- Documents linked to tasks
- Phased deliverables traced and managed
- Phase completion tracked
Business Applications and Accelerators
In order to reduce complexity and speed up implementation times, most PLM vendors offer out of the box applications and/or accelerators
that deliver preconfigured best practices. A common example of this would be Engineering Change Management.
