PLM vs. ERP - The main business management decisions

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.

For a more detailed breakdown of PLM, see our in-depth guide on what is Product Lifecycle Management.

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.


Bluebeam Max: The Superpower Taking Revu Into the AI Era

17 March 2026

The construction industry is entering a new era, and Bluebeam is once again leading the way. In 2026, Bluebeam Max will launch as a new premium subscription that combines the power of Revu with advanced AI technology. This blog highlights just some of features you will expect to see within Bluebeam Max.

How Bluebeam + GoCanvas Are Revolutionising Field Data Capture

27 February 2026

In construction, the gap between the construction site and the office has always been a challenge. But by combining Bluebeam’s powerful PDF markup tools with GoCanvas’s mobile forms, companies can finally achieve seamless documentation that flows effortlessly from site to office.

Which Bluebeam Studio Is Right for You? Cloud vs On-premise

25 February 2026

Collaboration is the backbone of modern construction projects. Whether you’re reviewing drawings, marking up RFIs, or coordinating across multiple stakeholders, having the right platform makes all the difference. This blog reviews Bluebeam Studio (cloud-based) and Bluebeam Studio On-premise. While both enable teams to work together on PDFs in real time, the choice between them depends on your project requirements, IT policies, and security needs.