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PLM vs. ERP - The main business management decisions

Lotta Järvi Lotta Järvi
27 December 2017
PLM vs. ERP - The main business management decisions

Sometimes we are asked the important question of PLM's and ERP's roles in a company's business. Below you can find some of the differences and role of these systems in high level.

ERP system is a business management tool used to fulfill the needs of many facets of a company including; finance and accounting, distribution, human resources, customer service and manufacturing operation.

PLM solution is a powerful information management system; creating visibility, facilitating communication, data distribution and managing complete product definition, changes in design and from design to manufacturing and service operations during the entire product lifecycle.

 

Which are the main business management decisions to think about?

PLM manages

ERP manages
  • Items (mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, software)
  • All revisions and revision history
  • Drawings
  • Specifications
  • Requirements
  • Software binaries
  • Engineering BOM
  • Manufacturing BOM (optional)
  • Manuals
  • Service instructions
  • Work instructions
  • Sales and Production orders
  • Materials
  • Make or Buy
  • Price parts
  • Suppliers
  • Forecasts
  • Quantity in stock
  • Net Needs
  • Purchasing

 

Importance during the product lifecycle

Importance of the PLM and ERP business systems will vary during the product lifecycle. Where ERP has a main focus on managing current production phase, PLM will have an important role from product definition, information management to the delivered products and service business development, during the lifecycle.

Free eBook: 3 reasons to consider PLM

When you wish to explore more about PLM our free eBook: Three reasons to consider PLM might be of help.

Download eBook here
Lotta Järvi
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Lotta Järvi
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