Implementation of PDM/PLM in a technology company

This thesis is a study on the current ways of working at RemaSawco, a company in the sawmill industry. The company had no PLM system in place, but as a growing company they realised the need for one. The company’s product portfolio was unclear and they had expressed a need for a clearer product structure. The company wished to have a way of defining a product and its lifecycle. This thesis presents a solution that utilizes a PLM to form and conceptualize the product structure, as well as a method for keeping track of the product lifecycle in a PLM. PDM (Product Data Management) and PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems offer companies a way to handle their data and product lifecycle. PDM and PLM are software that store product data and define it in a systematic manner using items. Items are entries in the software that are given a unique identification code, and they hold product data and the file metadata. The item data is stored in one or more centralized data servers. The implementation of a PLM takes time and resources and has many challenging aspects to it. However, a PLM system can bring great business benefits, the biggest of which is time saving. The transition to using a PLM is an essential step to take for any tech company aspiring to succeed in the 21st century’s market. PLM systems and implementation processes were studied for this thesis. The author also worked closely with RemaSawco, gathering information. A solution for the product structure was developed and implemented into Aton PLM software. The implementation of a PLM system and the preparations required from a company are examined. How the product lifecycle is managed after the deployment into the field is explained and a solution of a track-keeping system is provided. The PLM implementation at RemaSawco is a case study illustrating the challenges of implementing such a system, whilst also presenting its potential and business benefits