Hot Topic:
Design Data Operability – A Product Lifecycle Management pre-requisite?

It’s no secret that the objectives of current efforts in the design world are to create an environment that optimises the information and knowledge generated by software applications, processes and consumers. In the 1980’s, software vendor focus was applied to increasing task automation, and subsequently into somewhat more process integration, sometimes via data translators based on common formats such as IGES, Parasolid, ACIS and STEP. Realising that modern manufacturing requires more than just better task automation, and arms-length integration between these applications, what vendors now strive to achieve is more effective use of previously isolated data representations throughout the (often extended) operation within our businesses. Realisation of this goal will unlock immense productivity benefits that will enable the emergence of the next generation of manufacturing organisation.

To achieve this goal, a more global and open approach to data integration must be engendered. The vision of a single repository of information which can be accessed by a disperse set of applications and consumers is the foundation of the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) vision. Whilst this may yet be some way off, customers’ business and process evolution and distributed enterprise environments are forcing vendors to develop standards and software infrastructures that will move the concepts to reality.

Recent agreements amongst EDS PLM, SeeBeyond (e*Gate products), PTC and Autodesk endorse the move towards a more open application approach. And customers are the ones pushing the vendors to deliver. Ralph Szygenda, Group Vice-President and CIO of General Motors, cites; “The selection of an eAI (enterprise Application Integration) solution provides General Motors with one of the key enablers to support the continued eBusiness journey we began several years ago. We have process-reengineering initiatives in motion within virtually all facets of the company to substantively transform GM into a digital corporation and capitalize on Internet technologies. That transformation cannot happen without application integration.”

In recent history, enterprise application integration (eAI) vendors have focused on integrating Web, CRM (Customer Relationship Management), ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and SCM (Supply Chain Management) systems. The intent to encompass elements of PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) within the enterprise application framework is certainly a significant step to delivering on the fundamentals of PLM. To make this useable, software vendors will also need to enable intimate access to the native application data structures and attributes. This may well be a bitter pill to swallow for some vendors, as this means that their data may be more easily migrated to other applications. In truth, only time will tell of the true success and commitment behind current integration initiatives. Furthermore, we know that our customers’ products consist of interoperating technologies, including mechanical, electronic and software. Let’s not forget that customers expect us to deliver the integrated vision, irrespective of their products’ component technology. In essence they need to develop and operate within a truly digitally integrated environment.

As for the future, whilst closer application integration between PLM and enterprise applications is ‘on the cards’, a single data repository concept for the extended enterprise is still some significant way off. This would undoubtedly deliver immense benefits to customers, guaranteeing a consistency of information and transparent, location neutral, data use. Amongst the leading enablers to this objective are J2EE and XML, which have already garnered significant support.

In part, the objectives are somewhat limited by current database technology and system performance. More important are limited open access to vendor applications, lack of interoperability standardisation, and continuing isolation of multi-discipline digital development environments, such as those used within electronic design automation, software engineering and mechanical design.

Vendors that aim to deliver truly integrated solutions within multi-vendor multi-disciplinary environments, based on the principles of the single virtual product data model, will provide the next manufacturing leap in productivity. They will move the objectives of CRM, PLM, ERP and MRO into a new world of customer-focused, digitally integrated product manufacturing.

Allan Behrens
email: allan.behrens@cambashi.com

Also in this issue:

Feature Article: The next big thing?
Bob Brown looks at the next big thing and decides that it may not be a ‘killer application’ but instead may be surprisingly mundane.

Book Review: The death of e and the birth of the real new economy
Nick Ballard recommends a book which could appeal to both casual readers and business review managers.

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