PDM software or PLM software: what's the difference?
The
terms product data management (PDM) and product
lifecycle management (PLM) are often used interchangeably and the best
PLM software has evolved directly from earlier PDM software designs. (In fact,
we introduced our first PDM software in 1994.)
So, what's the difference between PDM software and PLM software?
PDM software features
Although a few so-called PDM software solutions remain little more than CAD
file managers, most PDM software includes these essential product data management
functions:
- design documentation identification and revision control
- electronic data library for CAD files
- physical part attribute records
- supplier source records
- bill of materials management
- engineering change control with workflow
So, maybe PDM software is the same as PLM software...
PDM software: It's similar to PLM software
Both PDM software and PLM software are designed to maintain a complete product
evolution. PDM software and PLM software centralize and control the "who, what, when,
why, how, at what cost" history of product data, while ERP or CAD systems narrowly
focus on the "right here and right now" view.
PDM software and PLM software are designed to maintain a complete product history.
Both PDM software and PLM software centralize and manage the "who, what, when,
why, how, at what cost" evolution of product data, while ERP or CAD systems narrowly
focus on the "right here and right now" view.
But, most PDM software also misses a few things...
PDM software: It's different from PLM software
PDM software focuses primarily on engineering tasks, specifically the design release
and change cycle, and doesn't offer a complete data view over the entire product
life cycle.
Since PDM software is often acquired to manage technical design data, PDM software
frequently makes assumptions that limits its wider application. PDM software is
generally weak in accommodating non-technical documents (such as marketing requirements)
and physical item records (such as sales brochures) or post-sales documentation
and spares inventory affecting product support, service, and disposal. At least
one PDM software application, for instance, defines a limited number of unique change
forms, so all departments are forced to share a fixed set of design-
and production-related change processes.
Because PDM software often assumes users are engineers, even simple
capabilities can
be too "techy". For example, item search in PDM software often requires an understanding
of how item attributes are stored and indexed in the
PDM
database as well as Boolean logic syntax — certainly not a benefit to the average marketing manager or purchasing
agent.
PDM software doesn't provide PLM's comprehensive view of the information that
should be managed as part of your product's life cycle. And, PDM data is typically
locked in a user interface that non-technical users may find too complex for their
own product data management needs.
The best PDM software isn't just PDM software — it's PDXpert PLM
While PDXpert PLM software provides product data management system capabilities,
its capabilities exceed even the best PDM software. Unlike PDM software, PDXpert
PLM software supports the complete product life cycle with:
- Flexible document & part types that permit unique naming
and identification outside the engineering department
- Superior Google-like free-form text search that allows
non-technical users easy access to their own documents and parts
- Virtually unlimited change forms and change workflows that
can be uniquely tailored to a specific department's needs, so that upstream
(marketing) and downstream (customer support, field service) organizations can
manage their part of the product life cycle using their own change processes.
- Materials identification and reporting for simple and cost-effective
RoHS/WEEE/ELV regulatory compliance in product maintenance and repair, hazardous
material handling and product disposal.
- Document and part dispositioning to clearly communicate
how items throughout the supply and distribution chains will be affected by
pending changes.
PDXpert PLM software eclipses older PDM software by ensuring that your
entire product data history, from product definition to product retirement, is captured
and maintained by all groups within your organization.
Discover the better PDM software alternative: PDXpert PLM
We invite you to:
Get a free PDM download, and a lot more: PDXpert PLM fully-functional trial
software.