Product data management (PDM): Cut manufacturing costs without compromising quality
Success in the global marketplace requires an array of specialized products, tailored precisely to customer needs and capable of rapidly evolving as those needs change. But maintaining a specialized product line can create huge overhead costs.
To contain costs, manufacturers must tightly manage their engineering, design, and production processes. That means keeping tabs on key product data such as component parts and bills of materials, manufacturing procedures, and published product information. Without the right tools, the volume and complexity of that data can be overwhelming.
Product data management (PDM) is a key component of an overall Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) strategy. With solutions built by Microsoft and its PDM partners, manufacturers can drive business performance and effectively collect, store, and manage even the largest quantities of product data, and then use that data for tactical success and strategic advantage.
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Benefits
Based on industry standard technology platforms from Microsoft, today's PDM solutions enable manufacturers to transform product data into a valuable enterprise resource. With PDM software tools from Microsoft and its partners, manufacturers can:
| • | Streamline processes and cut time to market by reusing design information across differentiated products for greater return on design and manufacturing investments. Manufacturers can also catalog and store design elements so they can be redeployed, not reinvented. |
| • | Simplify inventory management and post-sales service by using common components in multiple products and tracking all instances and versions in a comprehensive way. By determining exactly which version of which component is in a manufactured product, service staff can more quickly identify sources of problems and replace troublesome parts. |
| • | Reduce errors by ensuring that only current versions of design, materials, and production documents are used throughout the manufacturing process, and that all parts and components are accurately sourced. With product data version control, participants across all areas of the manufacturing process are more likely to use only the most current documentation. |
| • | Cut the time and cost of changes and upgrades by tightly linking engineering documents to each step of the manufacturing process, including materials and workflows. Changes in design specifications can be automatically incorporated into each step of the manufacturing process for greater efficiency and fewer deviations from specifications. |
| • | Maintain more effective relationships with partners and stakeholders, including suppliers, subcomponent manufacturers, regulators, distributors, and customers by ensuring the accuracy of the information they receive. Product data management tools ensure that only current and appropriate specifications, instructions, and product reports are distributed. |
| • | Integrate product and process data with enterprise systems by deploying solutions based on Microsoft's industry standard databases, architecture systems, and protocols. By using Microsoft's integrated approach to data and applications, manufacturers can avoid the cost and risk of trying to manually link processes and information from separate, proprietary systems. |
Case studies
To learn how manufacturers have reduced parts inventories, improved make-to-order time, cut manufacturing costs, and increased revenues, review these case studies:
Technologies
The following Microsoft technologies form the foundation for secure, scalable product data management solutions in manufacturing:
| • | Windows Vista, Microsoft's new operating system, provides the platform for tomorrow's state-of-the-art applications and services. |
| • | Microsoft .NET establishes an integrated infrastructure to quickly build, deploy, and manage connected, security-enhanced solutions with Web services. |
| • | Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007 extends the power of the world's most popular desktop productivity suite to help people collaborate and work with information efficiently, regardless of location or network status. |
| • | Microsoft SQL Server provides the database engine for highly scalable, cost-effective solutions. |
| • | Windows Rights Management Services helps safeguard digital information from unauthorized use; Information Rights Management in Microsoft Office 2003 extends this powerful information security tool to the desktop. |
| • | Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 comprise an integrated portfolio of collaboration and communication services to connect people, information, processes, and systems. |
| • | Windows Workflow Foundation, integrated into both Windows SharePoint Services and the 2007 Microsoft Office system, helps to support and automate business processes through custom forms and workflows. |
| • | Microsoft Excel Services 2007, a shared service included in Office SharePoint Server 2007, enables users to load, calculate, and display Microsoft Office Excel workbooks in a secure environment. |
| • | Microsoft Office PerformancePoint Server 2007 provides out-of-the-box business scorecarding, analytics, and planning to help companies more effectively manage their operations using the familiar Microsoft Office environment. |
| • | Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006 is a business process management server that enables companies to automate and optimize business processes. |
Partners
Microsoft partners have developed a wide range of product data management solutions for all sectors of the manufacturing industry. Among them:
Aras Corp.
Aras solutions drive a process-oriented approach to manage, measure, and improve new product introduction and quality compliance from concept through development, launch, and production.
Autodesk
The Autodesk Data Management Solution allows manufacturers to take advantage of design data across the manufacturing process, helping them accelerate product development cycles through revision control, lifecycle states, engineering change management, and the ability to create, edit and manage bills of materials.
CoCreate
CoCreate's OneSpace 2006 uses industry-standard Web services to successfully integrate manufacturers' product planning and manufacturing tools to create a modular but comprehensive product development environment that supports speed, flexibility, and innovation.
Dassault Systèmes
Dassault Systèmes is a world leader in PLM software solutions powered by three-dimensional representation. Their applications and services enable manufacturers of all sizes to digitally design and simulate products as well as the processes and resources required to manufacture and maintain them.
PDM Technology
The BlueStar PDM/PLM solution manages engineering information and product lifecycle processes for manufacturing operations using Microsoft Dynamics AX and other Microsoft technologies, bridging the digital divide between product development and manufacturing operations executed in ERP and MES.
UGS
UGS specializes in PLM software and services. Their offerings include product development, enterprise collaboration, product data management, and planning applications—with their Teamcenter solution providing a secure environment for collaboration.
In addition, the world's top systems integrators partner with Microsoft and their clients to help ensure the successful installation and integration of solutions for manufacturers. Let Microsoft help you put together the right team for your implementation.
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