PLM in the Automotive Industry

PLM in the Automotive industry; integrated management of all data within the phases of the product life cycle, from concept to production & service.

What is PLM for the Automotive Industry ?

Product lifecycle management (PLM) for automotive ensures that all your development data — from the first design sketch to production documents and delivered product descriptions — is always current and valid, with full traceability of change cycles and strict adherence to change order processes for series production. For automotive manufacturers and suppliers, this is the norm, and not just because of the high quality requirements that apply to this industry.

How does PLM help with innovation in the Automotive Industry?

PLM in Automotive drives innovation through collaboration and knowledge sharing, laying the foundation for new generations of vehicles and technologies. In the rapidly evolving world of the Automotive industry, it is essential to efficiently manage every aspect of vehicle development and production. Modern vehicles are becoming increasingly complex and PLM helps manage this complexity through more efficient innovation processes and improved collaboration within innovation projects. It ensures that everyone “speaks the same language” when dealing with product data.

Why does the Automotive industry need Product Lifecycle Management?

  • Integrated data management: PLM acts as a central platform for managing product data, ensuring teams are always working with the most up-to-date information.
  • Enhanced collaboration: By providing a shared environment, PLM facilitates communication between design, engineering, and manufacturing.
  • Efficient change management: PLM streamlines the design change process, minimizes errors, and accelerates implementation.
  • Quality and compliance management: PLM enables companies to automate quality processes and comply with regulations through a variety of functions.

PLM in the Automotive Industry: What are the benefits?

  • Managing increasing product and process complexity. New advanced technologies lead to more complex development processes.
  • Reduce time-to-market for new vehicles and technologies. To stay ahead in your industry, it is essential to innovate quickly and remain competitive. Accelerate the Concept to Cash process.
  • Ensuring quality and meeting standards. The automotive industry has exceptionally high quality requirements. Companies active in this sector work according to strict international standards, such as IATF 16949 and ISO 9001& 26262, which set requirements for quality management systems. In addition, methods such as APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning), PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) and FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) are essential to ensure quality from the design phase to production. Process control and material registration are also mandatory to comply with regulations. Traceability, error prevention and a continuous focus on improvement form the core of the quality approach.
  • Efficient and global collaboration between teams, external parties and locations. Coordination and data replication across the boundaries of the different locations.
  • Reduce costs by reusing data and reducing errors. One source, one truth.
  • Improving grip and transparency within the supply chain and strengthening supply chain collaboration and traceability.
  • Integration of mechatronic data within product design.
  • Support for sustainable and circular design strategies. The transition to electric and autonomous vehicles.
  • Optimizing aftermarket service and spare parts management.

Our PLM software:

With PRO.FILE PLM, you tackle the challenges of the modern automotive sector with determination.

The digitalization platform PRO.FILE is the solution for your Product Lifecycle Management

PRO.FILE PLM offers you CAD data management, product data management (PDM) and technical document management (DMStec) suitable as a collaborative solution for product lifecycle management (PLM) that is seamlessly integrated into your ERP system. As soon as engineering and product management data are digitally recorded in the Product Data Backbone of PRO.FILE PLM, they become fully transparent and visible to everyone. The data provides input for the product development process or can serve as a basis for impact analyses for predictive maintenance without having to create new versions. Companies that manage their documents uniformly get the most out of their processes and projects. PRO.FILE Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) is based on this principle.

Whether you are struggling with your engineering-related version control or workflows, dealing with costs of wrong parts due to incorrect drawings, experiencing outdated specifications in your ERP system or having problems integrating the PLM processes of different sites around the world, PRO.FILE is the Product Data Backbone and collaboration platform in one that supports the product development process and the complete product lifecycle. This next generation software not only connects all internal departments and disciplines, but also integrates external partners, suppliers and customers seamlessly and in a controlled manner into your PLM processes via the Collaborative PLM platform PROOM.
We guide you step by step on the way to more efficient Product Lifecycle Management.
From CAD data management to an end-to-end PLM solution.

PRO.FILE Customer Cases - PLM in the Automotive Industry

  • Mubea
    International partner to the automotive industry and innovative lightweight specialist for high-quality suspension components and related products.
  • ESTEPE
    Leading in truck modifications and specialized in optimizing and supplementing the product range of European truck manufacturers.
    Read more
  • Doesburg Components
    A direct supplier of high-quality cast iron components to customers in the truck, engine and agricultural sectors and provides end customers such as DAF, Scania and Deutz with the complete process from development to delivery of ‘ready to use’ end components.
    Read more
  • Van Ginkel Machines
    Specialised in the production of tipper trailers for agriculture, earthmoving and road construction, and has a wide range of products.
    Read more

Request a PRO.FILE demo !

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Our team is ready to help you and looking forward to meet you!
Behind every smart digital solution are people who are happy to think along with you.

FAQ’s - Frequently Asked Questions about PLM in the Automotive Industry

1. Why is PRO.FILE PLM important for the automotive sector?

PRO.FILE PLM for the Automotive sector manages all product data of concept tot service. This is crucial for the automotive sector due to the high complexity, strict regulations and rapid innovation.

2. Does PRO.FILE PLM support compliance?

PRO.FILE PLM supports compliance by securing processes and documents and making them traceable.

3. Does PRO.FILE PLM integrate with existing M-CAD-, E-CAD-and ERP systems?

PRO.FILE PLM is MultiCAD and MultiERP and integrates seamlessly with CAD and ERP for streamlined information flow.

4. How does PRO.FILE PLM help to manage variants and configurations?

PRO.FILE PLM enables you to manage complex product structures, variants and configurations and link them to engineering, production and service.

5. What are the benefits of PRO.FILE PLM for supply chain collaboration?

PRO.FILE PLM ensures transparency and collaboration with suppliers by sharing approved data, drawings and changes in a controlled environment.

6. How does PRO.FILE PLM support change management within R&D and production?

With PRO.FILE PLM you can changes systematically plan, approve and implement, including version management.

7. What is the PRO.FILE ROI of PLM in automotive?

PRO.FILE PLM helps reduce costs through fewer errors, faster turnaround times and data reuse. The ROI becomes visible in both product quality and time-to-market. Request the PLM Xpert ROI calculator.

8. How quickly can we implement PRO.FILE PLM in our organization?

It depends on the scope, but with our Quick Start Package a fast and manageable rollout is possible.

Convinced of the power of PRO.FILE ?

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With our successful approach we ensure the optimal return of PRO.FILE for its customers. With more than 100,000 workstations, PRO.FILE is now one of the leading DMS/PLM systems in SMEs and larger medium-sized businesses.

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