• plm

PLM (Product Lifecycle Management)

Provide the context, security, traceability, and processes needed across enterprise teams and systems to ensure product data is accessible and trustworthy

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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.

Engineering

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IT

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Manufacturing

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Quality

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Service

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The PLM-Enabled Digital Thread at Work

Watch this short video to see an example of a plm-enabled digital thread at work from the manufacturer’s point of view. You’ll see how the digital thread creates a “closed-loop” lifecycle of product data by combining PLM with ERP, CRM, and IOT solutions.
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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.
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.
Product Variability Management

Product variability management

Manage complex variants and configurations at scale.
Project and Design Collaboration, Governance, and Workflow

Project and design collaboration, governance, and workflow

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

Digital innovators

See how your peers are effectively using product lifecycle management to drive their digital transformation journey.

Groupe Beneteau

Learn how Groupe Beneteau leverages PLM for mass customization to disrupt the luxury yacht market.

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Polaris

Explore how Polaris fuels collaboration across the organization to deliver high-quality, personalized vehicles and services to its customers.

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Whirlpool Corporation

Hear how Whirlpool has achieved its vision of improving the customer’s home experience by reducing overall system and product complexity across its entire ecosystem.

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Explore Windchill, PTC’s PLM Software

Explore Windchill, PTC’s industry-leading, enterprise PLM software with over 1.5 million seats deployed. Windchill is a trusted, web-based and scalable platform for global collaboration and innovation with comprehensive out-of-the-box functionality, role-based apps, and industry configurations. With Windchill you'll enable your entire organization with a digital thread of information to speed time to market, improve product quality, decrease costs, and so much more.

EXPLORE WINDCHILL

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Additional resources

PLM and ERP whitepaper

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.
Illustration of people in a classroom setting raising their hands

PLM deployment handbook

Learn how to align, plan, deploy, evangelize, expand, and support your digital transformation initiative.
PLM Buyer's Guide on Choosing a Solution to Support the Digital Thread

Expert guide: Choosing the right enterprise PLM solution

Gain insight into what companies should look for when assessing PLM vendors and solutions.