Designing, manufacturing, and eventually supporting products through end-of-life are processes that not only require a large amount of data and change management but also collaboration to do well. It’s important to get the right system to manage product data. Making sure this data is accessible to other departments and business systems cannot be overstated. The first step in the process is to understand the processes that make up the landscape of product development and how they interact.

For many successful firms, a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system typically sits in the center of those processes. These systems help manage that data and make it easy for different departments to contribute effectively to the process. Trying to do it with any other system – whether that be a collection of spreadsheets or a compilation of software – is a recipe for trouble.

PLM systems provide a centralized system to manage product data and facilitate department collaboration, simplifying, and expediting product development, reducing time-to-market, and improving overall product quality. They also work well at connecting not only other functional areas of the company but adjacent functions into one, easy-to-manage system.

When the data starts piling up many companies start looking at PLM systems to help them manage part and product knowledge. PLM systems can come with a lot of different capabilities and built in functions. This can lead to confusion for businesses looking to move over to a purpose built product management system. To help reduce that confusion, we’ve built a number of resources below to help companies clearly understand what PLM systems can do and where they could fit in with their current processes.

Aligni Knowledge Center links

Smarter product design using product lifecycle management software
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
Differences between PDM and PLM
The workflow between PDM, PLM and MRP
Product Data Management (PDM)
How PDM and PLM work together
Product engineering needs PLM
Design for Manufacturing (DFM)
Design for Assembly (DFA)
Design for Inspection (DFI)
Managing product costing in PLM
The Product Handoff Process
Managing Product Handoffs with PLM
What product data does a PLM system manage?
Managing Product specifications in a PLM system
Two Approaches to Managing Alternate Parts
How to know when you need a PLM system
Efficiently managing BOMs with vendors

How Aligni does this

Our software provides the tools to perform these operations more effectively than home grown spreadsheet systems and without the costs and requirements large-scale ERP system require. We’ve created some detailed information on how Aligni systems can specifically help firms move to the next level of part and product management.

Aligni product links

Managing part and design changes with Aligni PLM
Specifying components with Aligni PLM
Aligni for product engineers

If you’re looking to move to a more effective solution to managing your inventory needs, it is time to step up to a purpose-built system to manage parts, materials, and the processes of planning and purchasing them. It’s time to sign up for Aligni.