Let’s start the PLM Software Comparison with a quick review.
PLM is an acronym meaning Product Lifecycle Management. It is actually the process of managing the whole lifecycle of a production from conception to disposal through design,manufacture, use and service. Organizations find it necessary to implement PLM so as to achieve their business goals which include faster time to market, lower scrap production and rework costs among others.
In fact most business organizations are already doing some form of PLM without a specialized system. However, top organizations will want the better systems to manage their products. For such businesses, there exist PLM softwares, which are quite a lot in number. The organization will then choose the best from the variety, that is suitable for its specific products and one that will maximize its chances of attaining the set goals.
The right PLM solution puts an organization in a position to create and manage product design ideas, oversee the entire production process, maximize collaboration efforts across the physical and non-physical borders of the enterprise. To say the least, it significantly reduces the costs associated with regulations compliance.
It utilizes the technology model of on-premise solution. The key features associated to it are: Firstly, it enables planning and decision making to link high-level product plans and objectives. Secondly, this PLM enhances product development and collaboration. Thirdly, one can be proud of its ability to manage product regulation compliance,workgroup interaction management,project and resource management and document management. Another key thing in addition to all the above is its ability to allow for CAD integration.
Just like SAP PLM, it is an on-premise solution. Many who like it talk of it having the such features as bill of rights management,community collaboration,content and document management,regulation compliance management,engineering process management,simulation process management,organization knowledge foundation,lifecycle visualization and formula,package and brand management just to mention but a few.
Unlike the other two above, Arena Cloud PLM is a cloud based solution. Consequently, it has got its own unique features like central repository for item master,bill of materials (BOM), AML,AVL, ECOs,documents and design files. Also, patented cloud connected content can be able to access component contextual design information from sources e.g. Arrow. This PLM can even track prototype and production costs in addition to monitoring user defined compliance requirements. And it has indented,flat,sourcing, customizable BOMsand attributes. That’s just a mention of a few as it accommodates MCAD,ECAD and ERP integrations.
Sopheon is another on-premise technology. The peculiar characteristics of it are that it enhances idea development and draws a strategic roadmap for wider adoption of planning and product road mapping processes. It would please anybody that its portfolio management feature comes with graphically rich product portfolio dashboards. To add to that, it’s integration with Microsoft promotes easy user adoption and improved investment on Microsoft technologies.
This is another on-premise technology solution. It is particularly suitable for food and beverage enterprises. In it are excel-based templates which simplify the identification of data requirements. Specification templates are also encompassed in it. How good that it offers online training modules. Another key feature is that it brings collaboration across functional and company boundaries. It also helps to improve product quality through end-to-end process linkages. Needless to say that with it, brand protection is guaranteed.
Others
SofTech productCenter PLM, Aras Corp Innovator AdvancedPLM, Integware Enovia Collaboration PLM and PTC Windchill, PTC Creo, and PTC Arbortext are the others which can be said to be among the major models of PLM available would well fit in the above PLM Software Comparison. Of course, depending on the organization nature and products, the most effective PLM is chosen.
