A definition of PLM
Although the definition of the term “PLM” varies, the essence of PLM seems to be a widening perspective, from managing authoring data to managing all data that are pertinent to the definition of the product during its life cycle. CIMdata (2008), a leading consulting firm, states that:
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PLM is a strategic business approach that applies a consistent set of business solutions that support the collaborative creation, management, dissemination, and use of product definition information.
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PLM supports the extended enterprise (customers, design and supply partners, etc.).
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PLM spans from concept to end of life of a product or plant.
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PLM integrates people, processes, business systems, and information.
CIMdata emphasizes that PLM pertains to the entire business, not just the technology of an IS. PLM is as concerned with “how a business works” as with “what is being created” (ibid). According to CIMdata there are three fundamental capabilities of PLM:
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Provides universal, secure, managed access and use of product definition information.
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Maintains the integrity of product definition and related information throughout the life of the product or plant.
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Manages and maintains business processes used to create, manage, disseminate, share, and use the information.
My interpretation of PLM is summarized in Figure 2:
The central category is “Integration”. PLM is about integration of a number of aspects: business, people, process, information and system. The key question is of course what integration means and how this integration shall be operationalized in practice.