Manage product information with ease: everything you need to know about a PDM system

As you know, designing and developing a product requires a lot of product information. Technical specifications, pricing information, materials, ingredients, etc.

With a PDM system, you can manage all of this product data in one place and make it accessible to anyone who needs it, throughout the product lifecycle.

The goal of product data management is that the right information reaches the right person, and, of course, as quickly as possible.

What is a product data management system?

A PDM system is software that allows you to manage all product data in one place and make it accessible to everyone who needs it. And that throughout the entire product life cycle.

Or in other words, a PDM system is a central database where people can not only view product data, but also edit and approve or reject it, depending on the rights they have.

Product data management is mainly about organizing the (technical) data that is necessary for product development. Examples include technical specifications for a product, the materials and ingredients needed to make a product, CAD drawings, test results, bills of materials, documentation, etc.

Difference between PDM and PIM

A PDM system is sometimes confused with a PIM (Product Information Management) system. And that's not surprising, because there are also many similarities between a PIM and PDM system. But it's not quite the same thing. PDM mainly focuses on managing technical information for product development. PIM focuses more on organizing product information for the sales process after the product has been developed.

Benefits of a PDM system for your company

With a PDM system, all your data is stored in one place that is accessible to multiple people. And such a centrally accessible database has its advantages:

👍 All product data can be found quickly

Whether it's design specifications, the ingredients or the material of a product, all product data can be found quickly in one place. So no more delays due to searching different sources or a jumble of Excel documents.

👍 No more endless emails

With a PDM system, you can easily share information between different departments and teams. From the R&D department to Sales, from Marketing to Production. People get access to the system and can view, edit, or comment on data. PDM software saves a lot of endlessly emailing files back and forth.

👍 Less chance of errors

Errors in product information can have quite a few consequences. When someone in your organization works with incorrect pricing information, it can mess up your entire purchasing or budgeting process. Or, your product may have to be removed from the shelves due to misinformation. A PDM system ensures that the right information reaches the right person and reduces the risk of these types of errors during product development.

👍 Better and easier version control

With a PDM system, everyone always works with the latest version. This is how you prevent miscommunication.

👍 Better quality control and traceability

A PDM system ensures better quality control and traceability of data. This allows you to easily detect and resolve any issues in the product or packaging before production and launch.

👍 Shorter time to market

With a PDM system, you reduce the risk of errors and delays. And this in turn helps to reduce lead times. This way, a product can be brought to market even faster.

The most important functions of a PDM system

We have listed the most important functions of a PDM system for you:

1. Central data management

A PDM system gives you a central location to manage all product data. You can also manage document versions, revisions, statuses, and access controls.

2. Authorized access

In order to share data properly, multiple people must have access to the data. But of course, not everyone has to be able to view or edit all data. With PDM software, you can easily authorize or not authorize people to view and change the centrally stored data.

3. Workflow Management

With a product data management system, you can manage workflows. Consider, for example, reviewing and approving designs and changes. This streamlines the workflow, but also helps ensure and comply with procedures and standards.

4. Quality Management

A PDM system helps you manage quality with features such as traceability.

5. Integration with other systems

You can link a PDM system to various systems. For example, CAD software, ERP systems, CRM systems, etc. And that is important. Otherwise, you run the risk that people in the same project work on the basis of different sources of information. Or you have to constantly change information manually.

To cloud or not to cloud?

With a PDM system, you can choose between a on premise system, a system in the cloud or for a hybrid cloudsolution. The best solution for your company depends on your internal processes, budget, current infrastructure and needs.

PDM on premise

With an on-premise system, the software is on your company's physical computer server.

• Your company is in control of the installation, maintenance, and security of all product data. You are also not dependent on the internet and you can share (large) files without any problems.
• The costs for an on-premise system are often higher than for a solution in the cloud. This is due to software licenses and server maintenance costs. Another disadvantage of on-premise is that employees can only work on location or remotely via a VPN connection.

PDM in the cloud

In the cloud, your PDM software and data is on an external provider's server. Users get online access with a login and password.

• You can manage data from anywhere with the internet. In practice, the costs for a PDM in the cloud are usually lower, because you have no maintenance costs for your own server. Another advantage is that you always have a backup, because data is securely stored in the cloud. A PDM system in the cloud is also flexible; it can be easily adapted to your needs.
• You depend on the speed of the internet. Another disadvantage is that you may not want or be able to store all your data in the cloud.

Hybrid cloud for PDM

With a hybrid cloud solution, you have the best of both worlds. That means that part of the data is on your company's server and the rest is in the cloud. This can be useful if you don't want or can't migrate all your product data to the cloud.

Control over your product data and packaging data

Does a good PDM system help with your packaging process? Yes, definitely. After all, organizing your product data properly also helps you collect information for your packaging faster and better. We love it ❤️ ²

But do you really want to optimize the packaging process, save on packaging costs, further reduce your time to market and more consistency in your marketing?

Then let the PDM system work with our Artwork Connect system. When you connect the PDM system and our AWC system, you're not just in control of your product data. You also have control over your packaging data and the entire workflow, from idea to packaging.

Want to know more? Feel free to contact us.