PLM/ERP

Ready to Take the Next-Step into Digitalization?

How ERP-based PLM helps you enter industry 4.0 by leveraging product data to satisfy customer demands.

listen to this story

Bluestar PLM has submitted this post.

(Image courtesy of Bluestar PLM.)

(Image courtesy of Bluestar PLM.)

In today’s manufacturing companies, CAD, PLM and ERP solutions are traditionally implemented as stand-alone solutions, in which each has its own data structure, interface and capabilities to fulfill engineering, operations and manufacturing requirements respectively.

However, with the rise of Industry 4.0, manufacturers must be able to implement solutions that interconnect information and processes to stay competitive. This applies not only to the internal enterprise and departments, but also to external partners and suppliers.

Today’s Challenges

These increased industry demands mean manufacturing companies are facing several critical challenges that are tightly connected to the deep integration of engineering and manufacturing. These challenges include:

  • Non-value-added work takes up too much time.
  • Order fulfillments are delayed by bottlenecks.
  • No visibility in end-to-end business processes.
  • Bill of Material (BOM) updates are not shared.
  • Operational performance suffers due to decentralized product data.
  • Already existing product knowledge is not leveraged.
  • Engineering change orders are executed without understanding their impact.

Most manufacturing companies will have some type of interface between their PLM and ERP systems. This is often a one-way interface where items and BOMs are released from PLM and are created automatically in the ERP system. This is necessary, but not sufficient for a smooth collaboration between engineering and operations.

PLM Embedded in ERP

The highest level of system integration is achieved when PLM is embedded in ERP, as it provides a two-way exchange of data between CAD, PLM and ERP. Data is instantly accessible and not locked up in out-of-reach files or drawings.

If the data is not centralized and affected by real-time changes, it will cause some people to have visibility while others do not—these people are left guessing, or believing they hold the right information when they in fact do not.

This is one of the many reasons why companies need ERP-based PLM. Other reasons include:

  1. A single source of truth.
  2. Seamless data flow across CAD, PLM and ERP.
  3. Transparent and fast change cycles.
  4. End-to-end business process automation.
  5. Optimal data reuse.
  6. 2D and 3D configuration.
  7. A single workspace (which improves mechatronic engineering and collaboration).
  8. Product regulation compliance.
  9. Worldwide collaboration.
  10. Simplified IT infrastructures.
With one single business system you can manage your entire manufacturing enterprise from end-to-end throughout the entire product lifecycle. (Image courtesy of Bluestar PLM.)

With one single business system you can manage your entire manufacturing enterprise from end-to-end throughout the entire product lifecycle. (Image courtesy of Bluestar PLM.)

Satisfied Users Globally

Bluestar PLM offers the only PLM solution fully embedded into Microsoft Dynamics 365/AX in order to optimize the data flow between sales, engineering, purchasing, manufacturing and service.

You get the opportunity to explore a new world with significant benefits that have been experienced by hundreds of users. This includes companies like Bel Power Solutions and Hannibal Industries who have achieved up to:

  • 80 percent reduction in time spent on ECM processes.
  • 15 percent increase in production line efficiency.
  • 50 percent reduction in BOM-related errors.
  • 80 percent reduction in time spent on document control.

To expand your knowledge, discover ERP-based PLM and get better prepared to enter industry 4.0, visit Bluestar PLM.