We've been talking lately about designing in the cloud. It can be a nice productivity enhancer, especially for a geographically dispersed design team. Taking this concept one step beyond simply designing in the cloud, I'm now looking at cloud-based product lifecycle management (PLM) software.
The advantages of a cloud-based product are obvious. Information is available at any time. Depending on the software that you choose -- and there are a few variants -- it could be available on any type of device. And depending on how you choose to manage that software, it could be available to anyone in the organization (or whomever management chooses).
PLM software has been with us for a long time. If you include the old manual methods, PLM has been around as long as manufacturing has been around. But the PLM that we are familiar with today dates back about 25 years. That's the software that's used to guide products through their lives and to build value around those products. The roots of PLM go back to the aerospace and automotive OEM industries -- the large Boeing-type companies of that generation.
Though many improvements have come to PLM software over the years, the overall framework hasn't changed much. Cloud-based PLM offers a significant change. Autodesk entered the market with its PLM 360 product because it felt the traditional model was too limiting and unattainable to many companies that should be benefitting from PLM.
"Before we introduced the product, we spoke to more than 300 manufacturing companies of various sizes, but all with some sort of PLM system in place," Richard Blatcher, senior industry marketing manager for PLM/PDM at Autodesk, told us. "We asked them what capabilities were being used within their system, and we found that most companies with a traditional PLM system were using it for the management of CAD documents and data, engineering bill of materials, and change management. We felt we could enhance that experience."
The alternatives to traditional PLM aren't very pretty. In most cases where the specialized software is not deployed, a manual approach is in place. Some places use conventional Microsoft Office tools, like Outlook, Excel, or Project. This is certainly one way to manage data and processes and to try and get people to collaborate. But as you might expect, it's quite difficult to implement across multiple departments, disciplines, and/or geographies. Unless it's a single person who doesn't need any collaboration, this method is generally not recommended.
In general, a manufacturer of any size that needs to conceive, engineer, manufacture, sell, maintain, renew, etc. would benefit from PLM software, whether it's cloud-based or not. The parties that really need access to information include engineering, research and development, operational management, quality compliance, supply management, sales, field service, manufacturing, and maintenance. In some cases, that information needs to flow externally to suppliers and customers.
The bottom line is -- and I'm not really going out on a limb here -- cloud-based PLM is here to stay and will have a significant impact in the market.
Rich, I agree with you about the cloud impact on PLM. It is a good fit for several reasons. The first is that it is an infrastructure that is not locked into any one department. This has always been an issue with traditional approaches. With more and more projects being done across organizations and with external companies, this is generally a problem. The cloud based systems solve that problem.
The issue with the cloud is security. This is being addressed in several areas. Even with Electronic Medical Records there are cloud based solutions being proposed. There are good, standards based, solutions to the issue of security and privacy available in the cloud. They just require an adherence to the protocols.
Since design is on the cloud, it only makes sense to connect the rest of the product chain that way. A all-in-one package, to use an old term, will save plenty of time. Collaboration will be easier. However, I wonder in removing the ties from the office will make much of an impact. The cloud lets people travel and access the data, besides high ranking people, will it truly benefit the design cycles?
I like the idea, just to sever the engineer from esoteric (and often old) management software packages, and let them access it on the platform of choice. Besides that, what do you all see as the benefit of PLM on the go?
I've been working with cloud based PLM systems for years. One great thing is that deadlines are met in a timely manner. Another is that there is more accountability.
Designers assumed that the faster process would give us more R&D time. It hasn't.
The cloud offers great support but luckily some things still need to be done by hand or in person.
The notion of security comes up frequently in discussions about cloud computing. One marketing person at a cloud vendor was asked by a prospective customer about security. The person's answer was, "First, tell me about the security you have here at your site."
Cloud vendors live and breath on the quality of their security.
Richard, cloud has lots of advantages, especially when team is distributed geographically at different locations. Since all the changes or data updation are reflecting in real time environment, it can be a best way to make the modifications and to prepare a final draft. But the drawback is, it require a seamless high speed data connectivity, which is the back bone of cloud accessibility.
Rob, interesting Story. Eventhough security is a major concern with adoption of cloud technology; there are certain measures to make it somewhat secure. As of now only high end hackers are able to spy the data flow and it applicable only for high end designs or new products. Most of the Small and Medium level companies can use cloud technology, where their PLM or designs are not so crucial. About 90% of companies are coming under this category.
It really is nothing new – Just the gimmicky marketing Buzz word "The Cloud". For decades, managers have been asking the Engineers for the updated, latest spread sheets and BOMs. You either get a "real-time" report (resides on the server) or a "Snap-shot in time" (resides on my home drive). Pros & Cons are obvious; it's about unrestricted control of the data therein. But the concept is as old as the ancient "Apple-Share" from the 1980's.
Mydesign, security is always a concern when working with cloud computing. Yet cloud vendors are generally far ahead of the security of the customer's site.
I agree with the author that most companies would benefit from a PLM system (cloud-based or not). The challenge has been that a PLM is truly an all-encompassing system covering activities from product design all the way to manufactured product out the door. Most Fortune 500 companies and medium-sized manufacturers have ERP systems already in place for the manufacturing end, often from the company SAP. Replacing the entire ERP system of a functioning company is pretty much a non-starter, much less getting an entire PLM system from another company installed to replace it. Meeting that challenge is the obstacle - basing it in the cloud is just frosting on the cake. Just my two cents (and painful experience) talking.
By refining topologies and using new fluid technology, Moog's new peak sine drive controller increases available power without increasing controller volume.
Two new introductions in the world of motion drives for automation are moving toward use of standard Ethernet communications, eliminating the use of custom hardware.
From Dell / Intel® New Paradigms in Design Work Scott Hamilton, vertical market strategist for Dell Precision workstations, 5/2/2013 3
Early in my career, I worked as a draftsman and remember the days of drawing on vellum with numbered pencils and Mylar with plastic lead. This was a fun experience in the sense that I ...
I've been using workstations for more than 10 years and love finding ways to get more performance from my system. With demanding professional applications that require more power each ...
A lasting memory from my first job as an engineer in an auto assembly plant is standing on hard concrete at six in the morning, vending-machine coffee clutched in hand, listening to ...
A quick look into the merger of two powerhouse 3D printing OEMs and the new leader in rapid prototyping solutions, Stratasys. The industrial revolution is now led by 3D printing and engineers are given the opportunity to fully maximize their design capabilities, reduce their time-to-market and functionally test prototypes cheaper, faster and easier. Bruce Bradshaw, Director of Marketing in North America, will explore the large product offering and variety of materials that will help CAD designers articulate their product design with actual, physical prototypes. This broadcast will dive deep into technical information including application specific stories from real world customers and their experiences with 3D printing. 3D Printing is
To save this item to your list of favorite Design News content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
If you found this interesting or useful, please use the links to the services below to share it with other readers. You will need a free account with each service to share an item via that service.
Tweet This
1 
