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RING SOFTWAR E


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PLMvs ERP– do you really nee d both ? The hum n body contains over 600m scl s andmor


muscular and skeletal systems fulfil separate functions, they also work together to facilitate movement. In many ways, the analogy is relevant for companies deciding between implementing Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). Here, Bob Hillier, managing director of PLM software expert, Design Rule, shares theth best practice for companies caught up in the PLM vs ERP debate


mo me


The human body contains over 600 muscles and more than 200 bones. Al scular and skeletal systems ful ma


separate fu wa


plement ng Product Li ecycle Management (ERP). Here, Bob Hi


er, best practice for com anies caug te


tions, they also w rk together to facilitate mp


naging director of PLMsoftware expert, Des gn Rul in th


designed to communicate engineering changes to the entire business and supply chain in real-time. Put simply, PLMis all about product development – the very first stage of the manufacturing process. This makes PLM a building block for any company that designs and manufactures its own products, or


manufactures to print. PLM software also D


espite what some industry voicesmay say, PLMand


inmost leadingm


PLMmanages the innovation and design process, while ERP ensures quality products aremanufactured in a timely, cost-controlledmanner, once a product has been engineered and approved.


Both systems have distinct purposes, but they also have a n capabilities, which


is where some of th e umber of overlapping


confusion can originate. However, there are practical reasons why ERP and PLM can work harmoniously together, improving the end-to-end business performance. In fact, combining the two have already proven to be necessary, with some ERP providers acquiring or developing their own PLMplatforms. According to an IBMstudy, 97 percent of mid-sized companies are already running an ERP application. This is because ERP was the first to es tablish itself as a n essential business tool, however without PLMthe ERP systemis likely to consume andmanage inaccurate data fromdesign and engineering, which deliversminimal or no improvements to the business .


PL PLM AS AS A PR ORITY PRIORII TY


PLMsoftware is developed specifically with the total product definition inmind. PLMdelivers complete configuration control of product data fromall stages of development, frominitial concept, through to design and production; to include complex product andmaterials data, associated files, issues and engineering changes. PLMis also


S8 S8 JUNE 201 JUNE 2017 | SOFTWARE SCADA SOFTWARE, SCADA & DATDATA ACQ IS


anufacturing companies. ERP go hand-in-hand


Design Rule is a leading supplier of


Design Rule is a leading supplier of Product Lifecycle M


Lifecycle Management (PLM) services to


anagement Product


(P M) services to


engineering, technology, consumer products and


engineering, technology, consumer products and other high spec industries across the glob e


resources and financials. For example, by using EBOM data from the PLM system, ERP can accurately generate purchasin g and inventory management records, enabling seamless management of both resources and production.


other high spec industries mismanaging product changes and across the globe


Ultimately, an organisation that implements an ERP system without a complementary PLM system risks


therefore conducting inaccurate financial planning. Without accurate PLM data, the ERP system becomes Sisyphean .


I IN EGRATING PL NTEGRATING PLM AND ERP AND ERP


Despite the perceived rivalry between the two systems, we are seeing new


partnerships and collaborations between PLMand ERP providers to ensure seamless communication. Design Rule


SY T SYSTEM REMA SYSTEMS REM MAIN UNNECESSARILY for robust security strategy


LM and Enterpr se Resource Planning , sh


Columbus G bal Microsoft Dynamics AX ERP. This helps clients align their product design to wider operations management supporting a single source of truth .


has integrated the Dassault Systemes 3DEXPERIENCE PLMplatformwith lo


W NNING COMB NATION WINNINGI COMBINAI ATION In today’s competitive environment,


provides the single point of product truth manufacturers face increasing demands used by ERP to manage product


to deliver the right product, with zero defects, on time and in budget. Meeting these requirements often means short design and product engineering cycles. Providing a single source of truth, a successful combination of PLM and ERP can aid the seamless delivery of products from design conception, right through to manufacturing and distribution.


Admittedly, there are many cultural and technical challenges to overcome before the integration of PLM and ERP becomes seamless. However, as this age-old rivalry turns into collaboration, industry will start to reap the benefits o f


integrated PLM and ERP. And just like the world’s best athletes, companies will start moving faster and become stronger.


Design Rule www.


UNNECESSARILY VULNERA T: 01604 491661T: 01604 491661 www.designrule.co.uk LY VULNERABLE TO CYBER-ATTACK RABLE TO CYBER-ATTACK CY


he recent cyber-attack that hit UK hospitals and continued to creep across industries in almost 100 countries is a reminder to all who are operating critical systems of the need gy. According to cyb -er security experts at Cougar Automation, too


many of the UK’s systems remain unnecessarily vulnerable to such attacks.


“The biggest threat to UK systems isn’t the hackers,” says Derek Burton, company leader at Cougar Automation. “It’s the lack of ongoing oversight and review by organisations providing critical services. In the same way thatmany NHS systems were affected as a result of operating out-of-date systems, it is likely that most industrial control systems are highly vulnerable to this particular attack.”


Cougar Automation is an established supplier of SystemIntegration Services. Its teamofmore than 100 engineers has been offering such services as industrial control and automation, cyber-security and safety for more than 25 years fromoffices across the UK.


Burton warns that the recent attack gives us a glimpse of what could happen if other critical systems went down across the country. “We take these kinds of warning signs of what could happen if areas such as our energy or water supply were hit,” he explains. “Cyber-security is a relatively new concept in the world of industrial automation and control systems u sed tomanage such life-essential areas. Andmost systems were installed without considering cyber-security. The good news is there are ways to protect systems easily and reduce the vulnerability of UK networks. We work with customers to ensure they are taking the steps needed, and that they understand the need to never let their guard down.”


Cougar Automation 2wco T: 0239 ATA ACQUISIITION SUPPLEMEN SUPPLEMENT 392 269960 www.cougar-automatio co /AUTOMAT ion.com /AUTOMATIONATION ATTA an 200 bones. Although t ough the


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