ProPLM

Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) describes the management of all data and processes that cover the entire lifecycle of a product - from the initial idea through design, development and production to market launch, maintenance and disposal. PLM solutions offer companies the opportunity to store and manage data in a central platform, making all business processes more efficient and transparent.

PLM helps companies to shorten development times, reduce errors and guarantee quality. This leads to a faster time to market, increased sales and reduced costs.

An effective PLM system covers the entire product life cycle, which can be divided into different phases:

Requirements

• This first phase enables teams to collect and evaluate ideas and requirements in order to find the best solutions.

Concept

• This is where the product concept is created and evaluated. Once the concept is approved, the development phase begins. Detailed designs are created here. A PLM system ensures that all design data is stored centrally, facilitating exchange and collaboration between teams.

Prototype

• Initial production data is generated on the basis of the design data and prototypes are produced.
• Findings from prototype production are incorporated into product development.

Pre-launch

• Production data is prepared for series production. Review of the production processes with a pre-series.

Production

• In the production phase, PLM ensures that all technical specifications, bills of materials (BOM) and production data are available in the right place at the right time. Errors and delays can be avoided through real-time access to data.
• After the market launch, service and maintenance processes are managed efficiently with the help of PLM data. Product improvements and updates can also be implemented more easily via the engineering change management process.

Phase Out

• At the end of a product's life cycle, PLM helps with planning

A well-implemented PLM system offers a wide range of benefits for companies:

Efficient data management

• PLM enables the centralization of all product data, which ensures a better overview and collaboration across departmental boundaries. All data, designs and processes are stored in a single, easily accessible platform.

Improved product quality

• By centrally managing and tracking all data and changes, PLM helps to reduce product errors and improve quality.

Faster time to market

• Companies that use PLM shorten their development cycles and bring products to market faster. By automating processes, delays can be avoided.

Cost reduction

• PLM reduces development costs by eliminating redundant tasks and reducing errors. Access to up-to-date data and seamless integration into other systems such as ERP or CAD also saves time and resources

Promoting innovation

• PLM offers teams the opportunity to increase their innovative strength by using the latest technologies and data analyses to create competitive advantages.

PLM is more than just a tool - it is a strategy that supports companies in making their product development and the integration of product data into logistics processes more efficient, thereby reducing costs and promoting innovation at the same time. Companies that implement PLM gain a decisive competitive advantage by digitizing processes and seamlessly managing the entire product lifecycle from start to finish.