In today’s highly competitive market, specialty manufacturers must find cost savings and efficiency gains in every part of their operation. Focusing on better part master management can significantly reduce costs — but the high volume of information involved makes this an incredibly labor-intensive process. How do you manage part data efficiently when spreadsheets and paper processes have so many limits?
That’s where Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software comes in. PLM replaces basic spreadsheets with an advanced, cloud-based database system specifically designed for managing detailed and complex product data. Let’s explore how PLM can
improve parts master management.
Even with proper project management, keeping all part data organized and in a central location can be challenging. Material lists may be hidden in your Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software. Computer-Aided Design (CAD) drawings could be saved randomly on an engineer’s computer desktop. Valuable customer information might be locked up in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, only accessible to sales. These data silos prevent the team from understanding what parts are on hand and what’s needed. This lack of visibility can grind collaboration to a halt and result in costly mistakes.
PLM software replaces spreadsheets and outdated paper processes with a central database that manages all manufacturing data, including parts. Cloud-based platforms update in real-time and serve as reliable resources for every stakeholder in the company. PLM even integrates with ERP, CAD, and other manufacturing software to prevent data silos from forming.
PRO.FILE a Revalize brand is a PLM platform that creates a product data backbone for every project, product, and part, simplifying part master management for users. PRO.FILE can automatically generate part numbers for every item in the inventory and link every part-related document, enabling ultra-fast search access to critical data. The real-time updates and visibility dramatically reduce duplicate part orders. In fact, many users eliminate 10% of their new part orders each year.
Want to experience the impact PLM can have on part master management? Schedule a demo with one of our specialists to see PRO.FILE yourself.