Implementing a service-oriented PLM architecture focusing on support for engineering change management

Journal article, 2008

The aim of the study is to implement a service-oriented architecture (SOA) and evaluate its applicability to an industrial case, using PLM services 2.0. This paper focuses on IT support for engineering change management (ECM). ECM is a cross-functional process including several technology fields and life cycle stages. The product information is accessible from a service layer where it is either used directly by the user or provided as input to knowledge-based engineering (KBE) applications which simulate and analyse the impact of an engineering change. It is concluded that SOA is an efficient architecture that enables integration of KBE applications. PLM services 2.0 is a competent new standard that needs improvements regarding documentation and more detail. In general, it can be concluded that it is necessary to invest more in data management and support capabilities, and that SOA contributes to taking better control of the business logic in comparison with other PLM architectures.