ARTICLE DESCRIPTION: Product data management (PDM) has been identified as a solution for enterprises with a wide range of relatively complex products to achieve competitive advantage through effective product and process data management.

MORE INFO: Letter: Product data management Product data management (PDM) has been identified as a solution for enterprises with a wide range of relatively complex products to achieve competitive advantage through effective product and process data management. It is a commercially available computer-based tool that provides the infrastructure for enterprises to facilitate the use, management, and sharing of product data and information, regardless of form, across departments within an enterprise. There is a need to review and improve existing PDM implementation methods within today's UK industry to ensure a better and more results orientated implementation in the future. It is also particularly important to recognise, in respect to product data management, the small and medium enterprises' awareness, skills and weaknesses, and their needs to ensure a successful PDM implementation. A framework for effective PDM implementation strategy within the SMEs can be created following a transfer of technology of successful PDM implementation from the large enterprises: mapping the appropriate strategies in supporting the product development process, identifying the possibilities and limitations in introducing PDM systems. Aligned with this, the Manufacturing Systems Research Group of the University of Huddersfield is conducting several case studies. We are looking for companies that are using PDM systems to manage workflow, engineering changes, and product configuration. We are also interested in companies that have started involving PDM integration with other manufacturing information systems such as MRPII, ERP, or other production planning systems. The objective is to develop a prototype system audit method on implementing PDM systems for the SMEs. If you would like to have more information or to take part on this case study, please contact: Ms Hooi Leng Lee The University of Huddersfield Tel: 01484 - 473339 Fax: 01484 - 472340 Email: h.l.lee@hud.ac.uk

PUBLISHER: Institute of Operations Management

Page number: 4 Words: approx. 200

Vol 25 - No 07 - September 1999

The article can be downloaded in full from the publisher's site i.e. the Institute of Operations Management.

Thank you for searching on Operations Management Articles.co.uk for Product control article entitled: Letter: Product data management in the Operations Management / Product control Articles and Papers Category.

Business Performance Improvement