PLM Systems for Network-Centric Manufacturing Guiping Hu 1 , Yan Wang 2 , and Bopaya Bidanda 1 1 Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261 2 Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816 Abstract The concept (and implementation) of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) has drawn much attention in both industry and academia. This paper investigates the scope of PLM systems, presents different types of PLM architecture and identifies an appropriate definition of PLM for a Network-Centric Manufacturing paradigm with a specific focus on small manufacturing enterprises. Research issues of PLM such as interoperability of product data model and standards of data exchange, system architecture, and the intellectual property protection are discussed. The paper concludes with guidelines for development of the next generation PLM software systems so that they can be cost effectively applied in a manufacturing systems environment. Keywords: Product Lifecycle Management; PLM architecture; Network-Centric Manufacturing; interoperability; Intellectual property. 1 Introduction Even though the product lifecycle concept has represented a central element of manufacturing and marketing theory since its development in the 1950s, it is only recently that it has begun to attract attention due in large part to its broad scope and possibilities of collaborative design within national boundaries and in trans-national environments. The concept of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) was derived from Product Data Management (PDM). This can broadly be defined as a way for engineers and suppliers to talk amongst themselves via networks as products evolve through their lifecycle. An ideal PDM/PLM system manages all forms of product data, which could include CAD files, text files, or any other information related to the product development. The broad scope of PLM has allowed it to emerge into a primary means by which to improve product development processes across the value chain in order to deliver the most business value. 2 Scope of PLM Generally, PLM enables collaboration within and between enterprises [1]. The scope of PLM is not well defined and concepts are not yet been firmly established either in academia or industry. Based on a detailed literature review of both archival and industrial journals, we have developed a proposed definition of PLM as follows: Product Lifecycle Management is the product information management process by which a product is evolved from conceptualization, detail design, manufacture, distribution, maintenance, and recycling. Product Lifecycle Management includes the subsystems of Enterprise Resource Planning, Product Data Management, Document and Knowledge Management, Collaboration and Process Management, Total Quality Management, Customer Relationship Management, Supplier Relationship Management, and Environment, Health and Safety Management. Figure 1 details the different elements of the lifecycle of a typical engineered product and places it within the context of a PLM system. Note the two perspectives or views (role based versus functional) that can be taken in developing software modules. Proceedings of Industrial Engineering Research Conference (IERC'06), May 20-24, 2006 Orlando, Florida, Paper No. 1227