- Enterprise-wide digital thread connecting engineering and manufacturing
- Improved component reuse and cost efficiency
- Faster engineering change processes across global operations
Overview
Seagate Technology Holdings plc is a global leader in mass capacity data storage, powering the world’s largest cloud providers and enterprises with advanced storage technologies. With more than 45 years of experience, 30,000 employees, and over 550 exabytes shipped annually, Seagate supports industries ranging from hyperscale cloud to AI-driven workloads.
With the introduction of next-generation technologies like Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR), Seagate required a product development environment capable of supporting extreme precision, high-volume manufacturing, and rapid innovation cycles.
The challenge: Hidden friction of multiple PDM systems
Before its transformation, Seagate’s product data environment was fragmented across multiple PDM systems from years of growth and acquisitions.
This created significant challenges:
- No unified part master or classification
- Inconsistent BOM and change processes
- Limited component reuse leading to higher cost and complexity
- Increased integration overhead across ERP and supply chain systems
- Slow, manual quality investigations across systems
These issues made it difficult for Seagate to scale engineering and operations for global manufacturing demands.
The solution: A modern PLM foundation for precision at scale
Seagate selected PTC Windchill after a rigorous evaluation due to its strong alignment with their engineering processes, robust BOM and change management capabilities, and deep integration with enterprise systems.
The company launched a multi-year initiative to consolidate all product data and processes into Windchill, establishing it as the backbone of a unified digital thread across HDD, SSD, systems, and manufacturing operations.
Results: One source of truth across the enterprise
Windchill now connects engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and service teams through a single source of truth supporting more than 35 business processes.
Key outcomes include:
- Management of over one million structured part numbers
- Elimination of duplicate parts and improved sourcing efficiency
- Faster engineering changes propagated across systems within hours
- Strong cross-functional collaboration across 30+ teams
- Reduced integration complexity and operational risk
Driving innovation at scale
The unified PLM foundation supports iterative engineering cycles needed for breakthrough innovation, including Seagate’s HAMR technology powering next-generation AI infrastructure.
Looking ahead: A smarter, more agile future
Seagate is expanding its digital thread with initiatives like AI-assisted processes, configurable product platforms, and integration across hardware and software lifecycles.