The Modern Approach to PLM Engineering
Instead of relying on complex, expensive, and rigid PLM software, engineering companies can benefit from investing in a PLM for engineering that focuses on agility, real-time collaboration, and transparent data.
Why traditional engineering PLM is failing modern teams
When opting for a traditional PLM in engineering, there are several issues that can slow down your workflow and result in a disconnect between your product team and your PLM system.
The hidden cost of legacy complexity
Relying on legacy PLM engineering systems is something that is becoming less and less feasible within the engineering industry. This is because legacy systems are constantly in need of updates and maintenance. This can quickly move from paying to keep up with competitors, to paying to fall behind them. Legacy systems are simply not agile enough.
Rigid workflows vs. engineering reality
While rigid workflows are great for guaranteed quality and repeatability in theory, they do not allow for the reality of unpredictable supply chains. When sticking to a rigid workflow with no flexibility, engineers are not able to make rapid iterations on a product effectively. This can lead to them working on a product outside of the PLM system which results in disconnected information and version control issues.
Why "scaled-down" enterprise tools don't work for mid-market brands
While a lot of enterprise software providers will offer a ‘lite’ version of their PLM suite to try and capture mid-market brands. These systems are simply not built with small to medium businesses in mind. The scaled-down versions of enterprise tools are not streamlined. They still include all of the complexity of the heavy duty PLM which makes it hard to use, and will often provide little or no support or customisation options that would allow the software to be used effectively.
Core pillars of effective PLM in engineering
There are 4 core pillars that a PLM for engineering should include. Some of the most common challenges include:
Centralised bill of materials (BOM) management
Bill of materials management for engineering teams is extremely important as a BOM contains the DNA of a product. It is no longer just a list of parts. Ensuring that BOM management is centralised helps to remove potential pain points such as poor version control and scattered data silos by providing a single source of truth that can be seen by all departments. This eliminates the risk of a production run being made with mismatched information that can waste a lot of time and money.
Connecting hardware, software, and sourcing data
An effective PLM in engineering should be capable of receiving hardware, software, and sourcing data from different parties and bringing them together into a single centralised product profile. If a PLM is not capable of seamlessly integrating with all of these data points, it cannot be an effective solution that supports engineering change management.
Engineering change management without the chaos
When working on a product throughout the 3 stages of engineering change management (ECR, ECO, and ECN) there is a lot of potential for friction. This can be amplified by legacy systems due to the use of disconnected information across emails, PDFs, physical signatures, and more. An effective PLM for engineering removes this friction by automating the flow of information and keeping all aspects of ECM in a single connected platform.
Real-time collaboration across global teams
Legacy PLM systems in engineering are not built for communication. If global teams want to discuss a product, they have to use an external communication tool to do so. This can lead to information getting lost in email chains or chat threads, and never making it into the PLM. For a PLM for engineering to be truly effective, it should have its own internal communication system that all stakeholders can use, with comments and agreements being saved directly to the relevant product.
The Bombiix difference: Built by product people
At Bombiix we are fully aware of the pain points that can make a PLM less of a game changer and more of a headache for your product team. We’ve lived through the frustration of trying to force a workflow into a rigid legacy system. That’s why our software is built for product people by product people.
No legacy systems, no hidden tiers
We are great believers in the mantra of ‘what you see is what you get’ especially when it comes to pricing models. That’s why our software pricing approach is one of providing transparent subscription options that list everything that is included. There are no hidden fees or unmentioned tier costs, this allows you to choose the most profitable option for your business upfront without having to worry about extra charges down the line.
Adapting to your process, not the other way around
At Bombiix we don’t see any value in providing you with a solution that acts as a square peg to your workflow’s round hole. Trying to force your workflow into a rigid software architecture is not conducive to your team wanting to work with the software. That’s why our PLM adapts to your approach, not the other way around. Our system allows for full customisation of terminology and naming conventions that fit with what your team is already using.
Sustainability built into the engineering core
Instead of treating sustainability as an afterthought when designing a new product or updating an existing one, Bombiix allows you to take a greener approach to design from the first draft of your Bill of Materials. Environmental data is not treated as secondary, it is considered a primary technical specification that is as important as weight, cost or any other tech spec. Our PLM also allows you to map the entire supply chain of a product. Providing traceability from Tier 1 to Tier 4.
Digital Product Passports (DPP) and ESG compliance
Rather than creating Digital Product Passports after a product has been created, we remove the need for downloading and transferring of information with our integrated DPP software. This allows for a DPP to be created alongside your product throughout its entire development process. There is no risk of information being missed or added to the DPP incorrectly, as each DPP draws information directly from the PLM.
Key benefits of moving engineering PLM to the cloud
Our solution is a cloud PLM for hardware and engineering that provides several benefits over the use of siloed legacy systems.
Accelerated time-to-market and reduced cycle times
When a PLM is cloud-based it opens your product team up to the opportunity of real-time collaboration on a product. There is no need for one team to wait for another before working on a product. All departments can work on the development of a new product simultaneously, accelerating the time-to-market, and reducing cycle times significantly.
Seamless integration with your existing CAD and ERP ecosystem
A cloud-based PLM reduces the amount of manual data entry dramatically. There is no need for manual data entry or data transfer from a CAD tool to Bill of Materials. Instead, the PLM connects directly to the CAD tools you use, and allows for all information to be pushed from the tool directly to the PLM. Designers can stay in their design environment and update the PLM directly. The PLM can also transfer data from an ERP and vice versa without the need for manual data transfer. This allows for the setup of automatic notifications and alerts and removes the risk of human error.
Enterprise-grade security with full data ownership
Cloud-based PLMs do not just rely on passwords and firewalls for security, they are hosted on infrastructure providers that have the same physical and digital security protocols as global banks and government agencies. All data is encrypted, and there are failsafes that ensure 99.9% server uptime.
A cloud-based system allows for role based access control too. This enables you to provide logins to suppliers that give restricted access. They only get to see what you want them to. This reduces the risk of someone accidentally deleting something important.
You also retain 100% legal ownership of your Intellectual Property. The PLM is just a processor of that data.
How to choose the right PLM for engineering
There are 3 main things to take into consideration when looking for a PLM for engineering.
Evaluating setup fees and implementation timelines
Cost implications will always be at the top of everyone’s list when they are planning on making a significant investment. This is no different with PLMs.Traditional PLM providers will often charge you a rate for the purchase and upkeep of your software, with a separate fee for setup. At Bombiix we don’t charge any setup fees, everything is included under the subscription.
Implementation timelines can be a sticking point too. No one wants to commit to something and then wait for a year or more before it starts to provide value. Unfortunately the implementation timeline for legacy PLMs can often take 12 months or longer. Fortunately, due to our fully supported implementation approach, with Bombiix your PLM solution can be up and running in a matter of weeks.
Ensuring user adoption through intuitive UI
One of the biggest risks when implementing a new PLM system is that your team will simply bounce off it and return to their previous approach. This can result in a big expense that provides absolutely no value to you.
The harder a system is to use and understand, the more likely it is that your team won’t embrace it. There are very few people that will relish having to learn a completely new system that is overly obtuse.
That’s why, at Bombiix, we have focused on making our PLM solution as easy to use as possible. By supporting simple and intuitive UI with face to face calls and live chat support, we’ve made our solution as easy to pick up as possible.
Why "affordable intelligence" beats "expensive complexity"
The value of a PLM system is no longer based on how many menus, functions or features it has. Tying the cost of a PLM system to how complex it is, is simply not an effective approach. While legacy systems may have a lot of complexity to them, it does not make them the best option. It is better to choose a smarter tool than a bigger one that’s just bloated.
Our agile PLM is developed with a user-centric approach. It is designed to work for you, not just to have as many features as possible.
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FAQs
What is the difference between PDM and PLM in engineering?
PDM (Product Data Management) focuses primarily on managing CAD files and technical documents, whereas PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) covers the entire process throughout a product’s lifecycle, including sourcing, production, and sustainability.
How long does it take to implement a new PLM system?
- Traditional systems can take several months or longer than a year to implement. The Bombiix PLM is designed for fast onboarding, allowing teams to see value in weeks through direct chat support and live sessions.
Can Bombiix integrate with my existing CAD software?
Yes, the Bombiix PLM can integrate directly with your existing CAD software. It uses APIs and modular designs to connect seamlessly with CAD and ERP tools without needing complex middleware.
Is cloud PLM secure for sensitive engineering data?
Yes, cloud PLM is secure for sensitive engineering data. Bombiix uses enterprise-grade encryption and ISO-aligned protocols, ensuring you maintain full ownership and control of your data.