Application of PLM processes to respond to mechanical SMEs needs

TL;DR

This paper investigates how Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) processes are applied to meet the specific needs of mechanical small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), analyzing implementation challenges and proposing tailored solutions.

Contribution

It introduces a typology of mechanical SMEs and demonstrates how PLM processes can be adapted to address their unique needs using a generic data model and framework.

Findings

Successful PLM implementation depends on company typology

A demonstrator shows effective application of tailored PLM processes

PLM functionalities can be aligned with SME needs for better integration

Abstract

PLM is today a reality for mechanical SMEs. Some companies implement PLM systems very well but others have more difficulties. This paper aims to explain why some SMEs do not success to integrated PLM systems analyzing the needs of mechanical SMEs, the processes to implement to respond to those needs and the actual PLM software functionalities. The proposition of a typology of those companies and the responses of those needs by PLM processes will be explain through the applications of a demonstrator applying appropriate generic data model and modelling framework.