Coray is the Director of GSI Partner Marketing at PTC, based in London, UK. She has led Analyst Relations and Corporate Communications within PTC’s marketing organization. Prior to PTC, Coray ran Industry Relations at CRM startup Creatio, overseeing investor, analyst, and PR engagement. She began her career in financial services as an equity sales trader at Needham & Co. in New York, covering Industrials, including PTC, from an investment perspective.
ERP modernization has a product data problem
For manufacturers, the success of an ERP transformation program success also depends on whether the product definition created in engineering can move reliably into manufacturing and enterprise execution.
A new ERP environment does not automatically reconcile parts, bills of material, configurations, documents, and engineering changes spread across PLM systems, PDM tools, spreadsheets, and local repositories. Without a deliberate product data strategy, the program can reproduce the same fragmentation on a newer platform.
Understand the Risks of Legacy ERP
See why modernization needs connected product data and PLM integration.
Read the BlogPLM and ERP have distinct roles and shared responsibility
PLM is where product truth is authored and governed, including concepts, designs, engineering changes, resource planning, manufacturing definitions, and service context. ERP runs procurement, production, inventory, logistics, and finance. The manufacturing layer connects engineering intent with buildable product and process information.
When these systems exchange governed information bi-directionally, teams can work from a consistent product definition while each system performs the role it was designed to play. PTC guidance on legacy ERP identifies consistent product data, faster engineering change, reduced manual reconciliation, and improved collaboration as benefits of connecting PLM and ERP.
Build a Connected Systems Roadmap
Learn how to align PLM, ERP, MES, and more for reliable information flow and global execution.
Download the GuideIntroducing ERP Ready Backbone
ERP Ready Backbone is a joint solution from PTC and Capgemini for manufacturers modernizing ERP and the product data foundation beneath it. Built on PTC Windchill and delivered with Capgemini transformation expertise, it establishes a governed, part-centric product backbone and connects it with ERP, MES, CAD, and priority enterprise systems. The solution was previously developed under the working name Connected Digital Enterprise. ERP Ready Backbone makes the value clearer: PLM interoperability is the backbone, and the manufacturing layer must remain visible from engineering through enterprise execution.
The solution brings together
- Windchill for parts, BOMs, configurations, documents, manufacturing definitions, and engineering change
- Bi-directional integration with ERP and connected manufacturing systems
- Capgemini strategy, migration, integration, program governance, organizational change, deployment, and managed services
- Governance and traceability that support digital continuity and trustworthy AI use cases
PTC provides the backbone. Capgemini industrializes the transformation.
PTC provides the product data and digital thread foundation through Windchill. Windchill Enterprise Systems Integration can publish parts, BOMs, documents, changes, process plans, operations, and resource instructions to ERP and MES environments. Capgemini brings the enterprise transformation layer: advisory, process design, legacy rationalization, data migration, ERP/MES/CAD integration, global rollout, change management, and ongoing services. Together, the solution connects product intent with manufacturing and business execution instead of treating integration as a one-time interface project.
Digital continuity from engineering to execution
Digital continuity from engineering to execution
Digital continuity from engineering to execution
Digital continuity from engineering to execution
Digital continuity from engineering to execution
“Manufacturers need more than a technical connection between PLM and ERP. They need digital continuity across engineering, manufacturing, and enterprise operations, supported by the governance, integration, and change required to scale.”
A governed backbone for enterprise change
A governed backbone for enterprise change
A governed backbone for enterprise change
A governed backbone for enterprise change
“ERP and PLM integration must begin with clear system ownership and governed product data. When product truth and enterprise execution stay connected, manufacturers can accelerate change with greater confidence and build a stronger foundation for AI.”
Four priorities for an ERP-ready product backbone
Define ownership before interfaces
Clarify which system governs parts, BOMs, configurations, manufacturing structures, and transactions. Clear ownership is the foundation of reliable integration.
Treat manufacturing as a first-class layer
Design the flow from engineering definition through manufacturing planning and execution, rather than treating ERP as the only downstream destination. You need to ensure that the feedback loop from the shopfloor is in the picture.
Govern change end to end
Connect engineering change with the people, systems, and decisions required downstream so that impact is visible earlier and execution stays aligned.
Build trusted context before scaling AI
AI and automation are more useful when they work with connected, governed product data and traceable source context.
Start with a focused path to value
Begin by identifying the product data and change flows most critical to the ERP program. Assess the current system landscape, define ownership, connect a priority flow, and prove the operating model before scaling across plants, product lines, and geographies. ERP modernization creates a window to fix the product data foundation while executive attention and transformation funding are active. ERP Ready Backbone helps manufacturers use that window to establish digital continuity across engineering, manufacturing, and enterprise execution
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