Applied PLM: Design Automation

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Applied PLM: Design Automation

An Interview with Scott Heide, CEO of Engineering Intent - PPLM:  Welcome, Scott.  Thank you for spending some time with us.  We are happy to have you bring additional perspective to our topic of CPQ.  Before we start, give us a quick backgrounder as well as what you are doing today.  Scott:  I started out with an interesting educational combination, both engineering and computer science degrees.  After I graduated with a master’s in science from MIT in the mid-80s, I immediately joined a company that was a pioneer in engineering automation called ICAD.  They developed the concept of what was then called “knowledge-based engineering,” now more often called “engineering automation,” and were able to deliver some eye-opening applications to a wide variety of high-end customers.

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Matching CPQ with the “To-Order” Spectrum

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Matching CPQ with the “To-Order” Spectrum

CPQ can be implemented in a range of product configuration options.  As a starter for your strategic planning, here’s a generally accepted definition of “To-Order” options that will be your strategic choices. Assemble-to-Order (ATO) – products with standard sets of predefined features and options.  The customer selects specific features and options to develop the unique product configurations.  Orders are typically processed by an ERP system, for example, computers ordered over the Internet.

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Building a Case for CPQ Operating on PLM

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Building a Case for CPQ Operating on PLM

No Other Platform Provides the Needed Single-Source-of-Truth like PLM.  CPQ draws on a wide variety of data and is critically process dependent.  If ever there were applications that could use “single source of truth,” it is CPQ.  But, for many companies, spreadsheets, file folders, email exchanges and various home grown and internally maintained applications are their “CPQ-lite.”  On top of all of this, the “change train” keeps barreling along.  Data is never static.  Change does not stop.  Time-outs don’t exist.  And, undoubtedly, the “intervention cycles” will be high and unsustainable.  Let’s recall the presentation from an earlier issue as a step toward making the case...

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Application Integration Technologies Primer

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Application Integration Technologies Primer

The drop zone concept is to export a data file from a source environment into a neutral area (file folder) that the target application retrieves and reads.  The direct connect model leverages application program interface (API) modules.  There is an API specific to the source and target applications.  These APIs talk to each other. Then there is the enterprise service bus (EBS), referred to as the “hub and spoke” model.  BizTalk from Microsoft and WebSphere from IBM were some of the solutions developed years ago that popularized the hub and spoke idea...

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How do PDM Solutions Fit into a PLM Strategy?

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How do PDM Solutions Fit into a PLM Strategy?

We regularly hear from organizations that are using or thinking about using a product data management (PDM) solution such as Autodesk Vault or SolidWorks Enterprise PDM (EPDM) to manage their CAD drawings and parts (items).  Users want to know how these PDM applications fit into a PLM strategy.  “Does PLM replace PDM?”  “Should we stop the PDM evaluation process and just go to a PLM solution?”  “We implemented PDM, but the company wants to implement PLM.  Our CAD users don’t want to change.  Can they work together?” For starters, there is a role for each solution.  It is not a question of one-or-the-other.  Coexistence can be a preferred strategy for certain situations.

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Model-Based Definition

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Model-Based Definition

The stakeholders of PLM systems expect accurate product documentation.  Such is not always reality.  The dire results of inaccurate product documentation can affect all levels of stakeholders’ activity: strategic, tactical and operational, and maybe all levels at once.  Excessive scrap and rework may trigger excessive costs and delayed shipments. Perhaps, even loss of customers.  Fortunately, in the realm of 3D CAD models and 2D drawings, Model-Based Definition (MBD) is an evolving solution for generating information that is clear, unambiguous and repeatable for all stakeholders in a single source over the lifecycle of a product.

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Aras’ Change Management and Impact Matrix

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Aras’ Change Management and Impact Matrix

The change management application breaks into three parts.  There is our CMII compliant change package that is the most comprehensive.   It includes the PR, ECR and ECN processes which are typical industry standards.  We also have a midline called the Express package that includes the ECO, DCO and something new called the EDR.  And finally, we have a simplified version that moves the change process along much more rapidly.  An important enhancement we just released is the Impact Matrix.  The current tool gives users the ability to see the impact of their proposed change.  So, if they were releasing say a part, they would be able to see the possible impact on other parts or assemblies.   With our upgrade they could also see what models, drawings, and/or documents might be affected.  Instead of a user having to dig through the various relationships, the Impact Matrix does that work to help the user make a decision.

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Building on a House of Cards

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Building on a House of Cards

“Our processes just evolved, and now we’re cornered.”  We’ve heard this and similar sentiment numerous times.  It’s completely understandable.  We all get so busy.  There are orders to process and get products out the door.  Who has time to be intentional?  Any way, it seems to do the job for now.
Earlier this year, Peter Schroer, President of Aras, called this the PLM Underground.  Effectively, companies have established their “plm” (in little letters) environment using email, elaborate spreadsheets, undocumented file folder structures and culturally developed processes.  All this is in response to “how do I deal with all this data” rather than “how can we drive business value.”

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Tech Tips: Visual Collaboration with Aras Innovator

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Tech Tips: Visual Collaboration with Aras Innovator

Last year Aras was the first PLM vendor to provide embedded CAD to 3D PDF conversion capabilities.  It is now an inherent part of the Aras Innovator PLM for subscribers and enables users across the enterprise to view all formats of product data in a single, common user interface without buying additional software.  As a result, there is no need for a separate visualization tool.  One of the powerful 3D tools available in the Adobe Reader is the 3D measurement tool. Anyone with Adobe Reader XI can easily measure and markup rich engineering data saved in the 3D PDF file format.

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Component Engineering Insights

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Component Engineering Insights

I’m a mechanical engineer by education, and I have pretty much been in PLM and the enterprise software space for my whole career.  I started in services with SDRC Metaphase and then moved to Aspect Development/i2 in their supplier relationship management area. I gained great experience in both services and presales working with utility companies, high-tech, apparel, retail, industrial and the auto industry.  Before joining Aras, I spent a number of years at Siemens PLM working with Teamcenter. 

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