PLM Process Automation
PLM Process Automation is automation of complex PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) business processes, enabled by technology.
It can reduce Time-To-Market, enable the Digital Thread/Digital Twin and improve data quality by means of simple rules or machine learning.
This can be achieved by a combination of Robot Process Automation (RPA) and customisations inside PLM or ERP systems.
Benefits of Automated PLM Processes
Automating administrative processes using Robotics Process Automation (RPA) in especially finance is a leading trend.
The potential for automating Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) is just as high and the benefits are many.
The Road to PLM Process Automation
Identify Potential
Identify trivial repetitive tasks or processes where the business could gain from automating.
Streamline Process
Map the as-is process, simplify and design the to-be process.
Categorise Artefacts
Classify and define rules for each category.
Automate
Use a combination of workflows, customisations and Robot Process Automation (RPA) tools to automate the process.
Validate & Monitor
Validate the automation and monitor.
Workflows
Detailed workflows improve the process flow, enable transparency and reduce unstructured information flow in emails.
Create multiple small workflows instead of one big that covers everything.
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) usually have workflow tools.
Categories
Classification of Artefacts like parts and documents enables you to setup rules like “all pumps must be traceable and sourced by John Doe”.
Integration and Interfaces
Some of the most obvious tasks to automate are the transfer of information from one system to another, e.g. the transfer of Material Information from the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system to the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP).
However, interfaces comes with a cost and requires specialised IT competencies.
Robot Process Automation
Robot Process Automation (RPA) tools like UiPath are great for working across multiple desktop applications without huge investments. However, they are slower and less robust than interfaces between the system, so it is a balance when to use and when not to.
Machine Learning
Machine learning will be an important technology also in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), but we are still to see the actual implementations.
Challenges and Barriers
The technologies for automating processes are available, but when it comes to implementing RPA a number of challenges can occur:
- Missing overview of the actual as-is processes.
- Defragmented processes and way of processing PLM data
- No or inconsistent categorisation (classification) of PLM objects like parts, models, documents.
- Misused of existing PLM software features.
- Intensive use of Excel, mail and tacit knowledge.
- Difficulties identifying reachable opportunities
Erik Løber
Managing Director
Senior Business Consultant
Erik.Lober@BoostPLM.com
Tel: +45 2223 5655
How can BoostPLM help You?
Understanding the PLM processes and systems in detail and seeing the opportunities and prerequisites are essential for automating PLM processes.
BoostPLM has a long experience for automating PLM processes. We have automated many processes in SAP and Windchill including the creation and maintenance of material master, BOM and routings on plants, automated translation of material names.
We use a combination of customisations and RPA tools.
Please reach out to us if you would like to understand opportunities for automating your PLM processes.
Read our Articles related to PLM Process Automation
Why engineers should stop revisioning
Old practice Revisioning of drawings and 3d models in CAD and PDM systems is an old and common practice. The practice origins from the days
Introducing new part numbers for design changes – FFF Rule
Engineers performing a change of an original design must make the right decision on whether to revise the original design or to create a new
PLM vs PDM – What is the difference?
When dealing with technical systems or parts of an industry, designations and abbreviations can be many, and they can be difficult to tell apart and even to quite understand. In this article, we will help you understand the terms Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Product Data Management (PDM) and we will highlight the differences between the two.
Document Management in Windchill
Windchill is a great system for control of not only CAD and drawings, but also technical documents. However, the out-of-the-box solution for document reviews are limited and often requires additional manual procedures in e.g. Excel to manage and drive the document reviews.
Learn in this article, how to use Windchill more efficiently for Document Management.
What is the foundation for Document Management? (Video)
Good Document Management Systems require the right people behaviour, governance & ownership, classification & attributes and last but not least workflows. In this video Peter á Porta will take you through this foundation.
Is Windchill Document Management only for Engineering?
Windchill is a powerful PLM tool for administrating CAD-models and Bill of Materials.
Using Windchill for Document Management provides additional benefits.
Related Solutions & Services
Configure Supply Chain Master Data
You know about the advantages of product configuration, but how about configuring your supply chain master data too?
Product Configuration
Do you want to know how product configuration in Windchill or SAP best supports your business?
Document Management
A document management system can enable you to store, retrieve and version control documents and improve collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Engineering Change Management
Do you want to control and drive product changes across the entire value chain from initial request to completed implementation?
Integrate Windchill & SAP
Do you want a robust Windchill/SAP Interface? Then you've come to the right place as this is one of our specialities!
Digital Strategy for PLM & IoT
We can provide you with a roadmap that tells you where you need to get to and where to begin.