Next generation digital collaboration software makes for pragmatic PLM

Next generation digital collaboration software built to allow remote suppliers, partners and customers to participate in an integrated way with OEMs in new product design, development and ongoing management throughout the lifecycle, has been launched by CAD/CAM/PDM giant EDS. Developed with the assistance of General Motors and Ford in terms of requirements specing, and designed to run on Microsoft’s .Net Web Services platform with XML, the firm’s E-vis 4.0 includes conferencing and visualisation software. It means that a community of users, technical and non, can effectively collaborate virtually in real time throughout product lifecycle management (PLM). Although aimed at the automotive, aerospace, high-tech and consumer products manufacturing sectors, it’s bound to attract wider attention. Tony Affuso, president of EDS PLM Solutions, says it’s “applicable in all manufacturing industries and sets the standard for a heightened focus on PLM – going beyond procurement to total collaborative product development in a secure environment. Users will realise benefits in improved responsiveness to customer needs, innovation and time-to-market.” Ford and GM’s contributions were instrumental in ensuring workable supply chain collaboration in design processes. Collaborative access is available to all standard engineering tools – from CAD and PDM (product data management) to Microsoft business productivity software. It could also be used by industry web exchanges to provide collaboration and visualisation via global industry/OEM hubs. And the software builds on the JT format de-facto standard for sharing and visualising lightweight product data – as used by Ford, GM, Daimler/Chrysler, Renault, Hyundai, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, General Electric, Siemens and more than 1,000 others. It enables visualisation of JT data on everything from PC desktops to immersive virtual reality environments, all from a common data and technology base. Kirk Gutmann, global product development information officer for GM Information Systems and Services, is convinced. “The introduction signals a major advancement in PLM that will allow us to effectively migrate from a batch computing model to a real time, asynchronous communication environment that extends across the enterprise and into our supply base. “This technology will drive significant product development process improvements that will deliver major benefits to GM through increased productivity, improved resource management and better collaboration with our suppliers and alliance partners.” EDS has also announced an expansion of its Insight design data management technology embedded within Solid Edge CAD software. There’s a series of new web components that allow non-engineering people, such as shop floor personnel, sales reps and suppliers, to access and view current product information via Internet Explorer. They can now view latest revisions of drawings or 3D models from a web link distributed via e-mail. Equally, they could display information and view bills of materials (BOMs), and order appropriate parts to stock. The company is not the first here – but this is a useful, pragmatic addition. “Our guiding principle has been to deliver innovative functionality that enhances the productivity of mechanical design professionals,” says Dan Staples, planning director for EDS. “With these new enhancements, more people than ever can take advantage.”