ProductCenter

ProductCenter a commercial software product, that is an integrated suite of PLM software for managing product data. The software was engineered for the Microsoft Windows and UNIX operating systems. Along with core applications, it includes localized and web-based services. ProductCenter is suited for managing various types of CAx data, but it can be used for many forms of data management and product management. ProductCenter is owned, supported and maintained by SofTech, Inc. [ [http://www.softech.com SofTech, Inc.] ] . In the early 1990’s ProductCenter was one of the earliest PDM/PLM engineering software programs known as CMS. CMS was developed by Workgroup Technology Corporation (WTC) and was the first independent PDM/PLM solution to integrate with Pro/ENGINEER and Myriad [ [http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Workgroup+Technology+Announces+CMS+Integrator+for+Myriad-a020767937 Workgroup Technology Announces CMS Integrator for Myriad] ] . In 1996 WTC’s CMS software program was renamed to what is currently known as ProductCenter. In 2002 after a definitive agreement WTC was acquired [ [http://www.softech.com/company/news_article.php?id=57 SofTech, Inc.and WTC have signed a definitive agreement] ] by SofTech, Inc. who continues to maintain ProductCenter and its family of components.

Version Timeline

* 1998 – CMS 6.5 [ [http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Workgroup+Technology+Announces+Version+6.5+Of+CMS+Product+Data...-a020408646 Workgroup Technology Announces Version 6.5 Of CMS Product Data Management Solution] ]
* 1999 – CMS 6.6 [ [http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Workgroup+Technology+Announces+NT-Based+Application+Server+Platform...-a021019467 Workgroup Technology Announces NT-Based Application Server Platform Support For CMS Solution] ]
* 2000 – ProductCenter 7.0
* 2001 – ProductCenter 7.5
* 2002 – ProductCenter 8.0
* 2003 – ProductCenter 8.1
* 2004 – ProductCenter 8.2
* 2005 – ProductCenter 8.3
* 2006 – ProductCenter 8.4
* 2007 – ProductCenter 8.5
* 2008 – ProductCenter 8.6

ProductCenter Components

* Document Management is a component of ProductCenter that centralizes and connects many forms of product information. This component offers secure, distributed vaulting, access via the Web, version and revision control, and user customized Web Portals for the engineer. The component also offers engineers viewable file generation, and automated legacy data capture.

* Design Integration is a component of ProductCenter that integrates directly with design and support applications. The component offers many installable application modules for most of the current major commercial CAD and support products. Those applications include AutoCAD, CADRA, Adobe FrameMaker, AutoDesk Inventor, AutoDesk Mechanical, Microsoft Office, SolidWorks, CATIAV5, and UGSNX. This component helped users to solve many repetitive tasks associated with integrations to ProductCenter’s PLM solution by allowing the user fast access to the data being managed.

* Configuration Control is a component of ProductCenter that provides standard organization for parts with various part types and attributes. All information is managed and accessible through the ProductCenter Hierarchy Explorer and ProductCenter BOM Editor. This component consolidates and links every information item used to design, produce, and support product data for the end user or engineer.

* Process Management is a component of ProductCenter that standardizes and automates product development and release processes across a company or enterprise. The component allows for process automation including document approvals and release, email notification, engineering change management and regulatory compliance. The module known as ProductCenter Workflow automates business processes such as design and change approvals keeping in check with regulatory requirements such as FDA and ISO.

* Product Collaboration is a component of ProductCenter that facilitates design reviews and collaborative product team meetings over the Web. This component stores document markups and links to original files in ProductCenter. It also allows for 3D visualization and View/Markup of numerous file formats.

* Enterprise Integration is a component of ProductCenter that enables the exchange of application-independent BOM's with other enterprise applications such as MRP, ERP, and CRM systems.

External links

* [http://www.softech.com/products/plm Official ProductCenter PLM Website]

References