A PLM Christmas List

In keeping with the spirit of the season, why not set out a wish list for PLM? If we sent it off to the North Pole, perhaps some of them would come to fruition.

Before we define the list, let’s set out a few objectives of PLM so that we clearly understand what we are trying to achieve before we wish for our imagined gifts. The following is an incomplete list but sometimes these objectives are lost in the daily struggle for survival lost in the technology:

1. Store data in a secure and controlled manner
2. Enable collaboration
3. Pass unambiguous and correct information to a manufacturing process

Based on the above, here is a list of PLM moves that many organizations could make with small investment and good returns:

• Free 3D viewers – In the spirit of collaborative design, it is strange how many organizations have a PLM system that only allows CAD designers to view 3D geometry. This leads to scenarios were other participants in the design process have to find a cooperative CAD designer to interrupt his current task and “pull up the geometry.” Long discussions can then ensue around design issues exposed by the geometry. Is this productive? – No. Many of the PLM vendors provide free 3D viewers that can be deployed to all participants in the design process. Some infrastructure may be required to create the correct file formats; but a for a small investment, CAD designers can focus uninterrupted on their business. Imagine the productivity gains! 

•  Ban Excel BOMS – Central to any organization that manufactures tangible goods is a Bill of Material. Without this information, nothing would leave the factory. In addition, BOM information usually feeds multiple downstream processes from procurement to service to ERP systems. So, why keep this vital information in a general software tool like Excel that is not designed to perform this function? In addition, the security and access controls that can be achieved are definitely deficient. For a modest investment, one can install a PLM system that has a robust and targeted BOM system designed to deliver correct and complete information to an organization.

• Close down FTP sites – There is no denying FTP is a very useful piece of software that has multiple applications, but it requires multiple manual interventions to be successful and can potentially be a security risk. If you drilled into any organization, there would probably be a few FTE equivalents of time spent using FTP. Modern PLM systems can offer many alternatives to this method of data transfer: collaboration servers, web portals, cache systems, or automated mailboxes are some examples. Looking for a good ROI opportunity? – close your FTP site.

• Automate PLM to ERP transfer – Typically, a BOM and related information is created in the PLM environment and then transferred to an ERP system for manufacture. Odds are that this transfer is entirely manual or, if partially automated, requires significant manual intervention. All manual interventions are prone to error and manufacturing errors are always costly. So why not put some effort into automating this crucial organizational interface?

Are there additional items that could be added to the wish list? Have a look in your organization and the list will grow.