PLM and ERP play different but equally important roles in modern engineering organisations. This article explains how bringing these systems together creates a single flow of trusted data, helping teams make better decisions, streamline processes and deliver products more effectively.
To transform an engineering company by creating a “Digital Thread” (see article “Weaving success using a digital thread” ) it is necessary to find a mechanism for centralising the management and movement of your data.
A Digital Thread is the system or other processes which acts as a channel through which your product/design/engineering data can flow. It ensures that the data available to all your teams is current, relevant, and readily available.
The simple act of creating a single channel through which your data is shared will transfer you from siloed teams operating independently, who sparingly share their data, and operate in the confines of their own processes into a united company, with common goals, connected people, and aligned processes.
For an engineering company a PLM system is the most obvious candidate for acting as the conduit for data flow. PLM systems have been designed from inception to:
We’ll now briefly look at what PLM is, and how it can be connected with one of the other systems (specifically ERP) to unify two separate teams. This type of unification (between ERP and PLM with PLM sitting at the centre) is replicable with CRM, PDM, MES, and other digital systems to create a single operating system that pools data, unifies teams, and aligns processes.
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tools like Fusion Manage are a family of systems that are responsible for:
• The Centralised Governance of Product Definitions
• Facilitating Change Management
• Revision and Version Control
• Enabling cross-departmental collaboration
• Recording audit histories
• Project planning and execution
• Management of documents, specifications, requirements, and process approvals.
PLM provides a smooth transition from design to delivery, reducing mistakes and bottlenecks.
It unifies: your People > your Data > your Processes.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tools like SAP or Oracle ERP are a family of tools that are responsible for:
• Managing, planning, and scheduling manufacturing actions
• Controlling procurement activities
• Recording and maintain inventory and stock
• Coordinating supplier relationships
• Overseeing logistics, order fulfilment, deliveries
• Forecast costs and product pricing
• Ensures manufacturing uses current product definition data
ERP ensures approved products have the materials, resources and processes needed for consistent production.
It unifies your supply chain, your materials, and your production operations.
To be clear: PLM and ERP are standalone systems, neither has been specifically designed to replace the other and they fulfil completely separate functions.
However, facilitating the unifying of these tools is vital as they sit at the junction between two central functions: Engineering and Production.
Examples of the Data which is regularly shared between PLM and ERP include:
This is not a “one way street” as data from ERP is also being fed back into the PLM system’s workflows and processes. Once data is pulled from ERP the PLM system can share this information into any other connected systems, which in turn facilitates close collaboration across the company and ensures preservation of PLM as the origin for central source of truth for all engineering data.
In summary PLM creates the “released” product definition and ERP consumes that definition for manufacturing teams. These two systems are locked in a digital handshake between the Engineering and Production departments.
PLM Systems such as Autodesk’s Fusion Manage are easily connected to ERP systems, through metadata alignment, process harmonisation, and applicable connectors. Weaving a thread between these systems is a relatively straightforward step to begin joining your entire data pool and uniting your whole workforce.
Whether you’re exploring PLM for the first time or preparing for implementation, Symetri can help make the journey smooth and successful.
Contact us to speak with one of our PLM experts or explore our PLM services.
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