Aras Rolls New Features Into Open Source PLM

One of the perks of an open source software model is fast and easy access to hundreds of user-driven enhancements. That’s what Aras is claiming as it rolls outs the latest version of its Aras open source Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) platform.

The release, which Aras says has already been downloaded over 2,000 times, is stocked with dozens of corporate community contributions driving hundreds of new features and enhancements. In addition, there are updated Web browser screens with a more modern Microsoft “look and feel”, along with Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 (MOSS) standard integration. Among the highlights of the new Aras release:

·        ECO / MCO online change workflows for fast and easy engineering and supply chain changes

·        New Redline revision compare for BOMs, suppliers, documents

·        Embedded Lockheed Martin security protocols

·        Modular process planner for reuse of groups of manufacturing operations or workcells in Process Flow Definition, FMEAs and inspection and test Control Plans

These new features build on what was announced in Version 9, including new search capabilities such as support for Microsoft Live Search and the GlobalSpec online parts database of over 180 million parts.