Title: Flexible PLM architecture as an enabler for multidisciplinary engineering

Authors: Dag Bergsjö

Addresses: Department of Product and Production Development, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96, Göteborg, Sweden

Abstract: This paper presents three case studies conducted at three independent automotive OEMs in Sweden: their purpose was to investigate the need for multidisciplinary integration in the product development process as well as the resulting engineering requirements on the PLM architecture. It is concluded on the basis of the three cases analysed that a flexible PLM architecture has the potential to fulfil the engineering need for flexibility and specialised tool support while maintaining well-documented data integration across companies. It also has the best potential to offer support over time, as local systems can be upgraded and replaced independently.

Keywords: PLM; product lifecycle management; service-oriented architecture; SOA; flexible architecture; multidisciplinary engineering; automotive OEMs; automobile industry; Sweden; product development; engineering requirements; data integration.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPLM.2014.066802

International Journal of Product Lifecycle Management, 2014 Vol.7 No.4, pp.249 - 265

Received: 19 Oct 2013
Accepted: 12 May 2014
Published online: 24 Jan 2015 *

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