Putting the pieces together

Product lifecycle management tools and processes help speed automotive product development.

All the pieces of data, information, and knowledge that go into an automotive development program can sometimes seem like a jigsaw puzzle. Putting the puzzle together faster can money in automotive product development. Automakers and suppliers alike are turning to product lifecyle management (PLM) to solve this puzzle.

PLM is a set of set of tools and capabilities that enables an enterprise to manage its products throughout the entire business lifecycle, from conception through recycling or disposal. To achieve this, PLM tools and capabilities must allow for collaboration between functions, such as accounting and engineering, as well as between globally distributed development centers.