What Is PLM?

Product lifecycle management software enables geographically-dispersed, multi-disciplinary, teams to strategically collaborate with partners and customers using trusted, up-to-date product information.

Product lifecycle management is the foundation for the digital thread, delivering supply chain agility and business continuity. Data governance and traceability provided by product lifecycle management enables organizations to drive down costs, accelerate time to market, and deliver the highest levels of quality and compliance.

Build a foundation for a wide range of new revenue and cost saving opportunities with PTC’s out-of-the-box applications. Seamlessly integrate our PLM system with ERP, MES, CAD, AR, IoT technologies, and more.

A PLM-enabled Framework for Discrete Manufacturers

For discrete manufacturers, the digital thread begins in the engineering department. This is where mechanical/electronic components and embedded software data is linked with traceability to requirements, simulations, certifications, BOMs, process plans, and MBSE. This information, along with its derivatives, needs to be leveraged bi-directionally, across teams and systems; including service, manufacturing, IT, and quality, among others.

With a PLM system in place you create the foundation for the digital thread and provide all required stakeholders with access to the real-time data they need, when they need it.

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Engineering

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IT

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Manufacturing

Digital Thread Quality

Quality

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Service

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Supply Chain

PLM for Green Engineering

Utilize the digital thread to make design decisions that support your sustainability initiatives. By combining design and engineering data from PLM with real data coming from the physical world via IoT, engineers can take into consideration the environmental impact of the processes and materials used to create the product. With PLM for green engineering, you can maximize the value you deliver while minimizing the waste.

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Product Lifecycle Management Capabilities

Bill of Materials (BOM) Management

BOM management

Get full digital associativity across engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, sales, and service.
Change and Configuration Management

Change and Configuration Management

Provide built-in governance for automated, accurate, and coordinated enterprise change and configuration management.
Project and Design Collaboration, Governance, and Workflow

Collaborative Product Development

Manage and execute complex product development projects with collaboration and workflow tools.
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eDRM and IP Security

Enable secure collaboration across the value chain by managing IP protection through enterprise digital rights management.
Manufacturing Process Management

Manufacturing Process Management

Build and manufacture anywhere with a seamless flow of information between engineering and manufacturing.
Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)

Model-based Systems Engineering

Enable collaborative, innovative design and maintenance of complex systems.
Product Data Management

Product Data Management

Enable global collaboration across concurrent design environments with a secure, tightly integrated, multi-CAD and product data management system.
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Parts Classification

Reduce product complexity and drive down costs with a classification strategy that ensures duplicate parts avoidance and greater reuse.
Product Variability Management

Product Variability Management

Manage complex variants and configurations at scale.
Quality Management

Quality management

Build quality, reliability, safety, and process control into every part of the product lifecycle.
Requirements Management and Validation

Requirements and Test Management

Create, structure, and validate complex product requirements across the engineering lifecycle.
Service Process Management

Service Process Management

Establish a foundation for accurate and accessible service information.
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Supply Chain Collaboration

Enable supplier collaboration with IP security so you can share design data and track deliverables to multiple projects around the globe.

Leaders Using PLM to Drive Digital Transformation

See how these global manufacturers are effectively using PLM to drive their digital transformation journey.

Seagate

See how Seagate established an enterprise digital thread with a PLM foundation.

Watch the Webcast

U.S. Navy

Learn how the Navy is using PTC’s PLM cloud model to support the digitization of NAVSEA.

Explore How

Volvo CE

Learn how Volvo is using PLM as the backbone for an industrialized digital thread, which improves cross team efficiency and accelerates time to market.

Read Their Story

Vaillant Group

Learn how Vaillant Group is getting their digital house in order one step at a time, starting with engineering change management.

Learn How

L&T Technology Services

Listen as representatives from Vestas, LTTS, Roland Berger, and PTC discuss how companies are achieving growth and competitive advantage in wind energy.

Watch the Discussion
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PLM On-Demand Hub: Collaboration Across the Digital Thread

Hear from global leaders like Bosch, Cellcentric, Vestas , and ZF about how they are utilizing the digital thread to connect their network of engineers and non-engineers across the organization.

Watch Now
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PLM Products

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Learn More About Windchill

Windchill—Industry-leading, enterprise PLM software

Realize value quickly with standardized, out-of-the-box functionality across a comprehensive portfolio of core PDM and advanced PLM applications.
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Windchill+— Collaborate Without Boundaries

Enjoy all the features and value that Windchill offers on-premises only faster with pre-configured best practices, built-in security, and frictionless collaboration enabled by SaaS.

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Arena—One platform, infinite SaaS PLM and QMS advantages

Streamline product development and deliver innovative products fast in the cloud.

Additional Resources

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Whitepaper: PLM and ERP's Respective Roles in Modern Manufacturing

Learn best practices for integrating the two systems to improve data consistency and quality.
Analyst Report: Weaving Quality into PLM

Aberdeen Report: Weaving Quality Into the Digital Thread

Learn how to ensure quality in complex, innovative engineering environments.
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Analyst Ranking of Leading PLM Vendors

Read the latest SPARK Matrix™ report and learn how the PLM market is transforming. See why PTC has been recognized as a leader among PLM solution providers.
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The Seven Building Blocks of the Digital Thread

In this ebook from industry analyst Tech-Clarity you’ll gain insights into what the main building blocks are to a successful digital thread and how PLM is a key component.