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 its 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 ten best product lifecycle management software.
1. TeamCentre by Siemens
Team center software is a state-of-the-art platform with a versatile PLM system 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 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.
Features
- Adaptable PLM infrastructure
- Managing changes in workflow and operations
- Handling BOM, documentation, reports, and publications
- Managing electronic design, mechanical design, software, and manufacturing
- Managing the Manufacturing data, process, and materials from design to production
- Sustainability and satisfying environmental norms
- Cost, planning, and product execution
- Quality planning
- Research and analysis
- Managing the manufacturers, i.e., sources, and supplier interactions
- Provide digital mockups
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
| Deployment | Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based |
| Support | Chat |
| Training | In Person, Live Online, Webinars, Documentation |
| Customer ratings | Capterra: 4.3 (78+ reviews |
2. Arena
The cloud PLM platform from Arena 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.
Features
- Maximized scalability and serviceability
- Easy collaboration between partners
- Affordability
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
| Deployment | Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based |
| Supported device | Mac, Windows |
| Supported Languages | English, French, Spanish |
| Support | Email/Help Desk, FAQs/Forum, Knowledge Base, Phone Support, Chat |
| Training | In Person, Live Online, Webinars, Documentation, Videos |
| Customer ratings | Capterra: 4.2 (45+ reviews, G2: 4.2 (282+ reviews) |
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.
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
| Deployment | Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based |
| Supported device | Windows, Android, iPhone, iPad |
| Support | Email/Help Desk, FAQs/Forum, Knowledge Base, Phone Support, Chat |
| Training | In Person, Live Online, Webinars, Documentation, Videos |
| Customer ratings | Capterra: 4.3 (1952+ reviews) |
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.
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
| Deployment | Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based |
| Support | FAQs/Forum, Knowledge Base |
| Training | Videos |
| Customer ratings | Capterra: 4.2 (21+ reviews), G2: 4.0(67+reviews) |
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.
Features
- Resource and portfolio management
- Management of product design, product development, costing, and compliance
- BOM and documentation
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
| Deployment | Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based |
| Supported device | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Support | FAQsEmail/Help Desk, Phone Support, 24/7 (Live Rep), Knowledge Base |
| Customer ratings | Capterra: G2: 4.4(12+reviews) |
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.
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
| Deployment | Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based |
| Supported languages | German, English, French, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified) |
| Support | Email/Help Desk, Phone Support |
| Customer ratings | Capterra: G2: 4.4(12+reviews), G2: 4.1 (73+reviews) |
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.
Features
- Takes care of the manufacturing process planning, design, engineering, and quality.
- Adaptable to any business changes.
- Documentation and BOM
Likes
- Controls both business and finances
- Wide range of toolsets
Dislikes
- Some technical issues
- Slower functioning
Other details
| Deployment | Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based |
| Supported device | Mac, Windows |
| Support | Email/Help Desk, FAQs/Forum, Knowledge Base, Phone Support, 24/7 (Live Rep), Chat |
| Training | In-person, Videos |
| Customer ratings | Capterra: G2: 3.4 (7+reviews), G2: 3.7 (13+reviews) |
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.
Features
- Collaboration across the value network
- Documentation and BOM
- Offers change management, quality management, tasks, and requirements
- Product information management
Likes
- User friendly
- Easy to customize
Dislikes
- Cannot maintain complete BOM
- Management of notifications
Other details
| Deployment | Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based |
| Supported languages | Danish, German, English, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Chinese (Simplified) |
| Support | Email/Help Desk, Knowledge Base, Phone Support, Chat |
| Training | In Person, Live Online, Webinars, Documentation, Videos |
| Customer ratings | Capterra: G2: 5.0 (1+reviews), G2: 4.1 (83+reviews) |
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.
Features
- Offers package deals for both experts and non-experts
- Multi-system data handling
- Data upgradation and systematized automation
- Provides both cloud and on-premises delivery (secure and fast)
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
| Deployment | Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based |
| Supported languages | Danish, German, English, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Chinese (Simplified) |
| Support | Email/Help Desk, Knowledge Base, Phone Support, Chat |
| Training | In Person, Live Online, Webinars, Documentation, Videos |
| Customer ratings | Capterra: G2: 5.0 (1+reviews), G2: 4.1 (83+reviews) |
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.
Features
- Automatic adjustments to market variations and design changes
- Handling all BOMs and documentation through the process
- Innovatory designing of all products
- Shorter cycle times
- Reduced sampling costs
Likes
- Creative digital rooms for collaboration
- Automation of import and export
Dislikes
- Less integration with third-party software
Other details
| Deployment | Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based |
| Support | Android, iPhone, iPad |
| Support | Email/Help Desk, Phone Support |
| Customer ratings | Capterra: G2: 5.0 (1+reviews), G2: 3.8 (8+reviews) |
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.
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