A company that operates on the principle of a full production cycle needs to use modern tools for automated product life cycle management. For this purpose, a PLM system is used, which prevents excessive consumption of resources for collecting information and its constant updating.
What is PLM?
A PLM system is a way to manage a product throughout its entire life. From the moment an idea is conceived to the time when it is no longer in use. The essence of the program is that all information about the product is stored in one place. Drawings, requirements, changes, versions of documents, and the work of different teams are all linked together. You can also use this module to:
- optimize production at every stage;
- reduce the number of manual operations;
- integrate various business solutions into a single information environment
PLM is able to combine CRM and ERP systems. As a result, you can create a holistic database, ensuring the consistency of all business processes.
What is PLM for?
PLM systems help solve practical problems, regardless of whether the company is developing software, manufacturing equipment, or creating other business solutions. The technology covers the key aspects of working with the product and affects the daily processes of the team:
- Customer focus. The program promotes a clear understanding of the main goal - to provide a solution that meets the specific needs of the customer.
- Accurate time planning. Thanks to the joint work of the process participants, the system helps the product manager not to miss important tasks.
- Change control. If the entire team is informed in a timely manner about new requirements caused by supply chain issues or industry updates, it helps to avoid unnecessary actions.
- Continuous improvement. The technology collects a variety of data, including key performance indicators, which can help identify weaknesses in processes or communication.
PLM is a useful tool that helps a company work more efficiently and remain competitive. This system provides businesses with transparency, control, and the ability to continuously improve, which leads to resource savings and improved product quality.
Why is a PLM system important for business?
Global competition has forced companies to constantly improve and accelerate their product development processes. Businesses must respond quickly to market changes, customer needs, and investor expectations. The decisive factor is the efficiency of managing all stages of its development and implementation of innovations.
The product life cycle-from design to after-sales service-covers the work of many departments. The growing role of outsourcing makes management even more complex, as it requires coordinated cooperation between large networks of external partners, suppliers, and developers.
The PLM system integrated into the Odoo ERP creates the technological basis for solving these challenges. It provides flexible exchange of product and process data both within the company and with external parties.
What industries is PLM suitable for?
Aerospace and defense industry
The system helps manage large-scale projects and programs, ensures compliance with strict security standards, and provides control over configurations and changes.
Automotive and transportation industry
The software helps to coordinate complex product development processes, and helps to control changes in design and manufacturing operations. PLM ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, maintains quality, and reduces the time to market for new models.
Electronics and high technology
The system allows you to manage rapid innovation and technological change, control product quality and testing, and effectively manage project portfolios. In manufacturing companies, it is used to optimize processes, improve product quality, and reduce material and production costs.
Mechanical engineering and equipment manufacturing
The program helps manage complex engineering projects and coordinate work with suppliers and partners. It is also used to control product configurations and variants, reduce development and production costs, and improve service.
Food industry
PLM allows you to control product quality, manage recipes and ingredients, comply with safety standards, optimize production processes, and effectively manage supplies.
Chemical and pharmaceutical industry
Odoo software organizes research and development, guarantees product safety, ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, and controls quality.
PLM implementation process
The question "plm systems - what is it?" may arise if a company is faced with the need to streamline the product life cycle for the first time. This is not just software, but a comprehensive approach, the implementation of which consists of the following stages:
- Defining the scope and priorities. At the initial stage, all the necessary information about the project is collected, the data is systematized and evaluated, and the relationships between the various components are established.
- Analysis of the current state and goal setting. We conduct a detailed study of existing processes, identify key areas of influence and the scope of work to be done to achieve the desired results.
- Planning the main stages. A roadmap for the PLM project is created, a detailed plan for the implementation of each phase is developed, and the resources required for implementation are determined.
- Final presentation of the results. The results of the work and recommendations are presented in the final document, which contains all the necessary information.
A well-organized implementation process avoids chaotic actions and makes PLM a useful tool for business. When a company goes through all the stages sequentially, it gets a clear model of working with data. As a result, it is possible to understand the question "plm - what is it?" and manage the product at a new level.
