10 Best Product Lifecycle Management Software of 2023

Last updated on by Editorial Staff
Product Lifecycle Management Software

Any company would aim to improve productivity, quality, and collaboration, boost creativity and speed up the product release time. Here, product life cycle management software plays a major role. They handle the life cycle of the product at every single stage in an efficient manner. 

This blog post helps you decide on the right product lifecycle management software to aid your enterprise by giving you an insight into some of the best available software and product lifecycle software features, likes, and dislikes.

What is product lifecycle management software?

Product lifecycle management software is a platform to manage the complete data and operations detail at every stage of a product’s life, from conception, manufacturing, servicing, and sales or service life across a wide network of companies and individuals.

This typically constitutes information regarding the product’s various components, documentation, new design, modifications, quality-related activities, marketing, and sales. 

The product lifecycle management software combines with many systems like ERP, MES, CAD, etc. It is a multi-user platform that allows people with different responsibilities and access to an organization to use it.

Important features for a platform to qualify to be a product lifecycle management software:

  • Management of the design and process documents of the product
  • Provision for an Information repository, which is centralized
  • Management of workflow and process management for any modifications approval 
  • Secured access for multiple users (electronic signature)
  • Automated tools for improving productiveness

Uses

  • Improve productiveness
  • Faster time to market products
  • Reduction in production costs
  • Centralization of data
  • Integration of business operations
  • Reduction of integrity risk
  • Good analysis of data 

Here is the list of the top PLM software

1. TeamCentre by Siemens

Team center software is a state-of-the-art platform with a versatile PLM solutions that digitally connects people and processes across the operations of the various departments of a business to work creatively.

Irrespective of the approach used to employ this software, like on a cloud, SaaS-delivered via Teamcenter X, or on-premises, the following results will remain the same.

The software helps speed up the product development process and easily overcome any difficulties arising.

Webpage of TeamCentre by Siemens

Features

  • Adaptable PLM infrastructure 
  • Managing changes in workflow and operations
  • Handling BOM, documentation, reports, and publications
Progress view of TeamCentre by Siemens
  • Managing electronic design, mechanical design, software, and manufacturing
  • Managing the Manufacturing data, process, and materials from design to production 
Properties overview of TeamCentre by Siemens
  • Sustainability and satisfying environmental norms
  • Cost, planning, and product execution
  • Quality planning
  • Research and analysis
Dashboard of Research Analysis
  • Managing the manufacturers, i.e., sources, and supplier interactions
  • Provide digital mockups
Overview of TeamCentre by Siemens

Likes

  • Stability in functioning
  • Smooth integration with CAD, SAP, and NX
  • Intuitive and easy accessibility of modules 
  • Easy configuration and application from different processes
  • Easy management of processes and collaborations 
  • Enhances productivity 

Dislikes

  • Difficulty in navigating the UI
  • Options for customization are limited
  • The system can slow down and hang
  • Improvement in graphic card configuration to handle data files
  • It does not integrate with CATIA and Solidworks 
  • Pricing can be revised. 

Other details

DeploymentCloud, SaaS, Web-Based
SupportChat
TrainingIn-Person, Live Online, Webinars, Documentation
Customer ratingsCapterra: 4.3 (78+ reviews

Our opinion 

Teamcenter software is an advanced system for digital collaboration across a business’s departments. It supports product development and provides assistance with any challenges that may arise, no matter if the software is used via the cloud, SaaS-delivered (Teamcenter X), or on-premises.

2. Arena 

The cloud PLM platform from Arena plm is built to face any hurdles during the entire process of product development.

It aids in-house teams and their external partners to work in sync to design, produce and deliver a product with the fastest possible solution while being cost-effective and highly productive.

It also complies with environmental and regulatory norms for FDA, ISO, ITAR, and EAR. Arena supports over 1000 state-of-the-art and multi-faceted customers in the electronics and medical devices industry to find a common solution for electrical, mechanical, and software designs. 

Webpage of Arena

Features

  • Maximized scalability and serviceability
  • Easy collaboration between partners
  • Affordability
BOM of Arena
Basic Information of Arena

Likes

  • Easy documentation
  • Smooth functioning interfaces
  • Simple BOM structure
  • Good analytic capabilities
  • User-friendly interface
  • Accurate tracking of changes 
  • Accommodates adjustments in settings.

Dislikes 

  • Licensing is expensive
  • Problems with integration tools for XPLM and Solidworks
  • The search option is not handy.
  • Processing bulk changes in multiple steps to process is sluggish

Other details

DeploymentCloud, SaaS, Web-Based
Supported deviceMac, Windows
Supported LanguagesEnglish, French, Spanish
SupportEmail/Help Desk, FAQs/Forum, Knowledge Base, Phone Support, Chat
TrainingIn-Person, Live Online, Webinars, Documentation, Videos
Customer ratingsCapterra: 4.2 (45+ reviews, G2: 4.2 (282+ reviews)

Our opinion

Arena’s Cloud PLM platform is designed to overcome any issues during product development and enables teams and partners to collaborate quickly and cost-effectively. It ensures compliance with environmental and regulatory standards such as FDA and ISO while providing features like scalability, serviceability, easy collaboration between partners, and affordability.

3. Autodesk Fusion Lifecycle 

Autodesk Fusion Lifecycle is a cloud-based product lifecycle management platform that aids in determining and automating processes. It keeps checking the product development and workflow going forward without any hurdles.

It can incorporate; a single centralized data source, BOM, Change Management, Quality Management, Supplier Collaboration, and Product Data Management.

Webpage of Autodesk Fusion Lifecycle 

Features

  • Collaborations with your global supply chain and enhance efficiency
  • Shorten target dates and fast-track the process of product development
  • Centralized source of data for the entire process, managed BOM and materials
  • Aids engineering division with changes with organizing, managing, and tracking product data, revisions, and releases
  • Provision for change management and quality management

Likes

  • Easy collaboration
  • Access to data
  • Good user interface
  • Visualization of product available

Dislikes

  • Navigating in the cloud makes it slow
  • Problem with third-party controls

Other details

DeploymentCloud, SaaS, Web-Based
Supported deviceWindows, Android, iPhone, iPad
SupportEmail/Help Desk, FAQs/Forum, Knowledge Base, Phone Support, Chat
TrainingIn-Person, Live Online, Webinars, Documentation, Videos
Customer ratingsCapterra: 4.3 (1952+ reviews)

Our opinion 

Autodesk Fusion Lifecycle is a cloud-based PLM solution that can be implemented quickly and easily in organizations of any size. It is accessible from either a desktop or a mobile device, offering centralized data storage and tools such as BOM, change management, quality management, supplier collaboration, and product data management.

4. Oracle Agile PLM 

Oracle Agile PLM platform is the latest all-inclusive software available for the industry to adopt. It contains all the main elements that handle product value chains efficiently. As a result, this collaborative software helps the choicest projects to reach the market faster. 

Webpage of Oracle Agile

Features

  • Comprehensive and well-connected platform
  • Quality management tackles any issues arising in the process.
  • Streamlined corrective actions
  • Exploring data-driven insights
  • Portfolio management helps manage plans, human resources, materials, and other resources required to be invested in new product development.

Likes 

  • Good features and components
  • Structured BOM
  • Cost-effective solution 

Dislikes  

  • The licensed version is costly
  • Not scalable 
  • BOM management does not support many files

Other details

DeploymentCloud, SaaS, Web-Based
SupportFAQs/Forum, Knowledge Base
TrainingVideos
Customer ratingsCapterra: 4.2 (21+ reviews), G2: 4.0(67+reviews)

Our opinion 

Oracle Fusion Cloud PLM helps teams work together to prioritize and manage data required for innovation and releasing new products and services. It makes sure that processes within the supply chain and development teams are unified and efficient.

Some of the features it offers are Product management and lifecycle analysis, cost and quality management, Product collaboration and portfolio management, documentation, manufacturer and supplier management, quality control of PLM processes, and many more.

5. SAP PLM software

SAP PLM software lends support to product realization processes. It may also be used along with SAP and other products. In addition, it helps provide faster and better decision-making on product blueprints to satisfy various customized requirements of the customers.

Webpage of SAP PLM Software

Features

  • Resource and portfolio management
  • Management of product design, product development, costing, and compliance 
  • BOM and documentation
BOM of SAP PLM software
product lifecycle management software
Comparison Results in BOM of SAP PLM Software

Likes

  • Easy creation of documents and BOM
  • Adaptable integration solutions (ERP) 
  • Monitoring the progress of the product
  • Well-connected with all the departments involved ( Design, hardware, software engineering, and services

Dislikes

  • UX design can be improved
  • Migration troubles ( from ERP)

Other details

DeploymentCloud, SaaS, Web-Based
Supported deviceWindows, Mac, Linux
SupportFAQsEmail/Help Desk, Phone Support, 24/7 (Live Rep), Knowledge Base
Customer ratingsCapterra: G2: 4.4(12+reviews)

Our opinion 

SAP PLM platform can be used with other SAP products to offer support for the product realization processes. It provides faster and more accurate decision-making on product blueprints to meet customer requirements, such as resource/portfolio management, product design and development, costing, compliance management, BOM, documentation capabilities, and others.

6. ENOVIA

Enovia PLM platform aids teams across the value chain to seamlessly carry out innovation and collaboration in any field of business. It helps the product reach the market smoothly and successfully. PLM data can be accessed by all the team members inside and outside securely.

Webpage of Enovia

Features

  • Connecting people, ideas, processes, and data
  • Strategic project planning 
  • Building a good value chain
  • Provides virtual development – Reducing design time and overhead

Likes

  • Easy to work
  • Easy collaboration
  • Involvement of all stakeholders in the process

Dislikes

  • No help section in FAQ
  • User interface improvement
  • Slow loading of pages

Other details

DeploymentCloud, SaaS, Web-Based
Supported languagesGerman, English, French, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified)
SupportEmail/Help Desk, Phone Support
Customer ratingsCapterra: G2: 4.4(12+reviews), G2: 4.1 (73+reviews)

Our opinion 

Enovia PLM connects people, ideas, processes, and data to help teams collaborate and pioneer in any field of business. It provides a smooth and successful product launch that can securely access by members inside and outside the team. Moreover, it features strategic project planning, building a good value chain, and virtual development, reducing design time and overhead.

7. Aras PLM

Aras PLM is an open architecture platform that allows the creation of tailor-made client solutions. This low-code technology provides fast and upgradeable solutions for the entire lifecycle of sophisticated products in all engineering, manufacturing, and maintenance processes. 

Webpage of Aras

Features

  • Takes care of the manufacturing process planning, design, engineering, and quality.
Project page view of Aras
  • Adaptable to any business changes.
  • Documentation and BOM
BOM of Aras
BOM Structure of Aras

Likes 

  • Controls both business and finances
  • Wide range of toolsets

Dislikes

  • Some technical issues
  • Slower functioning 

Other details

DeploymentCloud, SaaS, Web-Based
Supported deviceMac, Windows
SupportEmail/Help Desk, FAQs/Forum, Knowledge Base, Phone Support, 24/7 (Live Rep), Chat
TrainingIn-person, Videos
Customer ratingsCapterra: G2: 3.4 (7+reviews), G2: 3.7 (13+reviews)

Our opinion 

Aras PLM is an open architecture platform that enables the development of custom-made solutions unique to a client’s needs. This low-code technology is efficient and upgradeable, offering comprehensive support for the entire lifecycle of complex products in all levels of engineering, manufacturing, and maintenance operations.

Additionally, Aras PLM makes sure to take care of the design, engineering, and quality materials during the manufacturing process. It can be adapted to any business adjustments seamlessly with its well-documented bill of materials (BOM).

8. Propel

Propel is a cloud-based PLM platform that offers to develop, enhance, and set into motion the product into the market. Easy-to-use software connects all the components of a product to yield good results.

Webpage of Propel

Features

  • Collaboration across the value network
  • Documentation and BOM
BOM of Propel
  • Offers change management, quality management, tasks, and requirements
  • Product information management
Item Page View of Propel

Likes

  • User friendly
  • Easy to customize

Dislikes

  • Cannot maintain complete BOM
  • Management of notifications

Other details

DeploymentCloud, SaaS, Web-Based
Supported languagesDanish, German, English, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Chinese (Simplified)
SupportEmail/Help Desk, Knowledge Base, Phone Support, Chat
TrainingIn-Person, Live Online, Webinars, Documentation, Videos
Customer ratingsCapterra: G2: 5.0 (1+reviews), G2: 4.1 (83+reviews)

Our opinion 

Propel is a cloud-based, user-friendly PLM platform that develops, refines, and launches products into the market. This software coordinates the several components of product development for optimal results. It also provides collaboration across the value chain, along with change management, quality management, tasks & requirements, and product information management underpinned by relevant documentation & BOMs.

9. Windchill

Windchill is a PLM system by PTC with open architecture. It aids in easy integration and provides a strong base for any product-driven digital thread. You can use it on Windows, Linus, and UNIX. 

Webpage of Windchill

Features

  • Offers package deals for both experts and non-experts 
Windchill Quality Solutions
  • Multi-system data handling
  • Data upgradation and systematized automation
  • Provides both cloud and on-premises delivery (secure and fast)
Navigate Page View of Windchill
BOM Data view Windchill

Likes

  • Compatibility
  • Supports multiple users and multiple devices
  • Visually compares and validates product management process 
  • Provides BOM
  • Provision for interface customization for user

Dislikes

  • Search, and navigation can be improved
  • Customer support needs to improve
DeploymentCloud, SaaS, Web-Based
Supported languagesDanish, German, English, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Chinese (Simplified)
SupportEmail/Help Desk, Knowledge Base, Phone Support, Chat
TrainingIn-Person, Live Online, Webinars, Documentation, Videos
Customer ratingsCapterra: G2: 5.0 (1+reviews), G2: 4.1 (83+reviews)

Our opinion 

Windchill is a PLM tool with an open architecture for effortless integration and a powerful backbone for digital products. It is compatible with Windows, Linux, and UNIX systems, providing packages for experts and amateurs. It can manage multi-system data, upgradation of data, and automate systemization. It caters to both secure cloud or on-premises delivery options.

10. Bamboo Rose

Bamboo Rose retail product lifecycle management is a unique platform to transform design concepts from development and testing to branding and sales.

It can support complex and undemanding lifecycle management processes to deliver the goods well in time at the appropriate marketplace.

In addition, it allows retailers and suppliers to work in unison to develop quality products with a few reduced cycle times.

Webpage of Bamboo Rose

Features

  • Automatic adjustments to market variations and design changes
Merchant page view of Bamboo Rose
  • Handling all BOMs and documentation through the process
  • Innovatory designing of all products
product lifecycle management software
Purchase Order Overview of Bamboo Rose
  • Shorter cycle times
  • Reduced sampling costs 
Overview of Bamboo Rose
Request Quote Overview of BambooRose

Likes 

  • Creative digital rooms for collaboration
  • Automation of import and export

Dislikes

  • Less integration with third-party software

Other details

DeploymentCloud, SaaS, Web-Based
SupportAndroid, iPhone, iPad
SupportEmail/Help Desk, Phone Support
Customer ratingsCapterra: G2: 5.0 (1+reviews), G2: 3.8 (8+reviews)

Our opinion 

This PLM platform offers a comprehensive solution for designing, testing, and developing branded and private-label products. Bamboo Rose PLM ensures the production of quality products quickly and efficiently and supports the right products to reach the market at the desired time at a competitive price.

Note: Pricing details are not provided on the official website of the above software. You need to contact the vendor for the details.

Conclusion

Hoping your journey from product conceptualization to product realization gets fruitful after going through the post and helps you choose a well-suited PLM software to connect you seamlessly through the product value chain and manage the quality, resources, documentation, research, development up to sales and marketing.

Reference