Essential elements of PLM

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PLM can be thought of as both (a) a repository for all information that affects a product, and (b) a communication process between product stakeholders: principally marketing, engineering, manufacturing and field service. The PLM system is the first place where all product information from marketing and design comes together, and where it leaves in a form suitable for production and support.

A few analysts use "PLM" as an umbrella term that includes engineering CAD (for "information authoring"). But product-related authoring tools can include word processors; spreadsheet and graphics programs; and even requirements analysis and market assessment tools. PLM systems, on the other hand, are necessarily broad to encompass the entire reach of a product lifecycle, and therefore are primarily focused on data management, rather than data authoring.

The essential elements of PLM are:

• Management of design and process documents

• Product structure (bill of material) management

• Central data vault (electronic file repository)

• Part and document classification and metadata ("attribute") management

• Materials content identification for environmental compliance

• Product-focused project task assignment

• Workflow and process management for approving changes

• Multi-user secured access, including "electronic signature"

• Data export for loading downstream ERP systems

PLM0022 Rev 2007-08-24 16:46:33 -0700

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