Product Data Management

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Product Data Management (PDM) is a category of computer software used to create and manage relations between sets of data that define a product, and store those relationships in a database. The information being stored and managed (on one or more file servers) will include engineering data such as CAD models, drawings and their associated documents. "Associated documents" is a collector term for: requirements, specifications, manufacturing plans, assembly plans, test plans and test procedures. The package may also include product visualization data. The central database will also manage metadata such as owner of a file and release status of the components. The package will: control check-in and check-out of the product data to multi-user; carryout engineering change management and release control on all versions/issues of components in a product; build and manipulate the product structure BOM (Bill of Materials) for assemblies; and assist in configurations management of product variants. This enables automatic reports on product costs, etc. Furthermore, PDM enables companies producing complex products to spread product data in to the entire PLM launch-process. This significantly enhances the effectiveness of the launch process.

Most larger CAD vendors have some kind of PDM offering. Standard off-the-shelf CAD (Autodesk, etc) has PDM functionality built-in. CAD vendors in an industrial niche usually have a separate closed offering (example, textile CAD - STYLEtexpro,Lectra, Gerber, etc). Other are not industry specific and can handle multiple CAD systems (example UGS ‘s Teamcenter).

Major PDM offerings include: Enovia (Dassault Systems), Teamcenter (UGS) and Windchill (PTC).

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Heiler PIM A company providing PDM, PIM and MDM software solutions.
Innovit Australia A firm specializing in PDM software
PTC A company providing PLM software solutions.
UGS A company providing PLM software solutions.
Wax Digital Wax Digital PDM facilitates the collection, storage and management of large volumes of product data..
Zoomix MDM A company providing PDM, PIM and MDM software solutions.