Newswise — In the effort to gain a competitive advantage in global markets, many small and medium-sized companies in the United States are using computer-based product lifecycle management systems, reports the February 2006 issue of Mechanical Engineering magazine.
Product lifecycle management systems (PLMs), once the province of large manufacturers and their suppliers, enable engineers to track products from the conceptual and design phases to manufacturing and distribution.
PLM systems also allow users to integrate data pertaining to costs, pricing, regulatory requirements, and other product specifications, essentially providing a complete record on the product through every phase of development.
According to one expert queried in Mechanical Engineering, small and medium-sized companies seeking to establish manufacturing operations in overseas markets require the powerful capabilities brought by PLM to "help the far-flung pieces of the production chain mesh together." He believes that the non-integrated, paper-based methods used to track product data oftentimes are too slow and cumbersome for global business operations.
Even start-up companies that do not have products in the distribution pipeline are turning to PLM systems. According to Mechanical Engineering, PLM software developers are customizing systems for their smaller customers.
Says one PLM developer: "Most of the PLM software bundled for the middle market includes a set of specific capabilities that those customers have asked for, and allowing users to buy additional capabilities."
Mechanical Engineering is a publication of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). To access the February 2006 issue of the magazine, including the article "Punching Above Their Weight," visit the ASME Web site at http://www.asme.org.
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is a not-for-profit professional organization promoting the art, science and practice of mechanical and multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences. ASME develops codes and standards that enhance public safety, and provides lifelong learning and technical exchange opportunities benefiting the engineering and technology community. http://www.asme.org
RSS