Customizing in SaaS PLM

Ensuring flexibility in Product Lifecycle Management

Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) has evolved rapidly in recent years. The availability of cloud solutions based on Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) now allows companies of all sizes to implement PLM and scale as needed quickly. This enables even small and medium-sized businesses to realize the benefits of PLM, such as improved collaboration, more efficient processes, and faster innovation. 

However, the move to the Cloud also presents a challenge: customizing. The question is: How do companies ensure that their PLM system meets their specific business requirements? 

This blog post shows you how to make your PLM platform more flexible using the customization options of the SaaS Functions Framework.

What is the SaaS Functions Framework?

The SaaS Functions Framework is a collection of architectures, best practices, and guidelines that simplifies and optimizes the creation and operation of SaaS applications. It offers the ability to customize the standard functions of cloud-based PLM systems, such as CIM Database Cloud, using special tools and interfaces, without changing the core code of the application. 

How is the SaaS Functions Framework used in CIM Database Cloud?

The SaaS Functions Framework allows our customers to execute custom code within CIM Database Cloud without having to worry about deploying or maintaining their servers. This is ensured by a serverless infrastructure, which allows customer-specific logic to be implemented directly in the Cloud. 

The responsibility for creating, maintaining, and the code of these functions lies with the customer company. The features they develop run independently of updates that CONTACT Software makes to the cloud PLM system. To simplify development, a Software Development Kit is available, allowing for quick and efficient implementation of individual business logic. 

Why is customizing important in Cloud PLM?

In the past, companies were bound to rigid, monolithic architectures in on-premises PLM systems. Consequently, customizations were often costly, time-consuming, and risky, especially when they required deep changes to the core code. Customizing tools like the SaaS Functions Framework offer a more flexible and agile alternative in Cloud PLM: 

  • Customization without compromise: Your company can tailor the PLM solution to its specific needs  while retaining the advantages of a cloud-based platform (scalability, automatic updates, lower IT costs, etc.).
  • Faster time-to-value: By reusing predefined functions and with easy integration, you can develop and deploy new features faster.
  • Promote innovation: Empower your teams to experiment with new technologies and processes without compromising system stability.
  • Future-proofing: The SaaS Functions Framework allows for the continuous enhancement of your PLM solution and its adaptation to evolving business requirements. 

Application examples of the SaaS Functions Framework in CIM Database Cloud

The SaaS Functions Framework… 

  • …ensures easy ERP integration. This is achieved using webhooks, an industry standard for automatic, event-driven, real-time communication between web applications.  
  • …promotes the implementation of custom business logic, such as input validations and dependency checks. For example, you can ensure that an item can only be released once the associated specification document is available and the item numbers consistently correspond to the number ranges of the item category.
  • …supports the development of custom automations. For example, document titles can be automatically generated from the associated item names. You can also obtain item numbers from the ERP system or define mandatory fields depending on the item category.
  • …enables individually designed reporting.
  • …allows the editing of files, such as stamping metadata into documents after release (approver, release date) and the creation of neutral formats. 

Conclusion

Unlocking the full potential of Cloud PLM systems requires seamless integration into individual business processes. The CONTACT CIM Database Cloud Functions Framework serves as the ideal bridge here. Companies can tailor and expand their Cloud PLM platform as needed to meet changing requirements, without sacrificing the benefits of the Cloud. 

CONTACT SaaS Functions Frameworks offer you the possibility to execute custom code directly in the Cloud. 

Visual programming with no-code solutions for the digital twin

In today’s data-driven world, digital twins are essential for optimizing processes and boosting efficiency. However, many businesses struggle to get started, especially when specialized resources are unavailable. This is where Power Apps comes into play: a purely visual development tool for creating digital twin applications that requires no in-depth programming knowledge.

Power Apps: A simple and effective programming foundation

Power Apps is built on the JavaScript library Blockly, which provides a visual programming interface. Users can implement programming concepts like variables, loops, and logical expressions using graphical blocks – no coding required. This intuitive approach enables them to create digital twins with just a few clicks.

CONTACT Elements: The platform for digital twins

Power Apps is part of the CONTACT Elements platform, which seamlessly connects all data and processes from the initial idea to the recycling of a product along the digital thread and accelerates digital transformation. Users can create, manage, and optimize digital twins of products, systems, or processes – customized and without complex backend programming.

Easy integration of simulations, data analytics, and AI

With Power Apps, automated interfaces to existing systems and data sources can be implemented more quickly, streamlining data flow to the digital twin. Python scripts enhance the platform with advanced algorithms for simulations or machine learning (ML). Libraries like TensorFlow or Pandas allow for precise predictions of machine and system states. Based on this, simulations offer a targeted analysis of various scenarios and their effects on systems.

Results such as KPIs or time series data can be integrated into business processes in the Elements platform – perfect for industries like manufacturing, healthcare, or energy that rely on accurate forecasts.

Flexibly adapt applications

The intuitive user interface of Power Apps makes it possible to develop customized applications and adapt them to specific requirements with just a few clicks. Data from documents, sensors, or simulations can be processed, calculated, and visualized directly on the digital twin’s dashboard.

No more IT barriers or complex approval processes

Power Apps requires no complex IT tools or approval processes. Users can create, customize, and share applications directly in the CONTACT Elements platform, allowing them to react quickly to new requirements.

Conclusion

Visual programming with innovative solutions like Power Apps in CONTACT Elements makes it easier to create and automate applications for digital twins. Without the need for extensive IT infrastructure, digital twins become accessible to businesses of all sizes.

Key benefits at a glance:

  • Rapid development: Iterative adjustments and real-time user feedback.
  • Optimization through simulation: Incorporate insights from analyses directly into models.
  • Integration into business processes: Seamlessly embed results into workflows or service cases.

The simple and flexible creation of digital twins opens up new opportunities for companies to increase efficiency and drive innovation.

CAD visualization in Cloud PLM

The benefits of an integrated 3D viewing solution 

As a CAD designer, you surely remember the impractical blueprints, the endless meetings, and the guesswork about how part A should actually fit together with part B. With CAD visualization, those days are finally over. 

In digital product development, fast and straightforward access to CAD models is crucial. Often, companies face the challenge that CAD models can only be opened and analyzed with special viewers or expensive CAD licenses. This is where the 3D viewer integrated into Cloud PLM comes in – an innovative solution that allows you to visualize, analyze and annotate CAD models. 

We will explain here the advantages a 3D viewer offers and why it makes sense to be directly integrated in Cloud PLM: 

What is a 3D Viewer?

The 3D viewer is a web-based application that allows CAD models to be displayed, measured, and annotated in three dimensions. The solution opens up new possibilities for collaboration between engineers, designers, suppliers and other stakeholders. 

Applications for CAD visualization

  • Product development: Designers and engineers can analyze and improve models faster.
  • Supplier and customer communication: Models can be shared and discussed without partners needing special CAD software.
  • Quality assurance: Testing and approval processes are accelerated by direct measurement in the cloud and the commenting function.
  • Technical support and maintenance: Technicians can access 3D models to identify spare parts or perform repairs.

Advantages of 3D viewers Integrated directly into Cloud PLM

1. Cross-CAD system support:

The 3D viewer can display models from different CAD systems, for example, SolidWorks, CATIA, Siemens NX, or Autodesk Inventor. No native software is needed for this. 

2. No CAD viewer licenses required:

Access to CAD models is often associated with high licensing costs. 3D viewers integrated in Cloud PLM eliminate this hurdle, as no additional licenses are required. This saves costs and makes it easier to provide the software to a large group of users. 

3. Measurement and analysis:

With the 3D viewer, users can measure models directly in the cloud, create cross-sections, and perform analyses. This enables a quick verification of dimensions and tolerances even without access to a CAD system. 

4. Collaborative annotation and feedback:

The tool allows users to leave comments and annotations on specific areas of a 3D model. Teams collaborate more efficiently and discuss changes directly on the object. 

5. Easier tracking of version status:

The 3D viewer is fully integrated into a cloud-based PLM system. CAD models are called up and edited from within the PLM software. This facilitates management and ensures access to the correct version status. 

What is CONTACT Elements 3D Connect?

CONTACT Elements 3D Connect offers a comprehensive 3D visualization solution that is integrated into the CIM Database Cloud PLM system. Employees from other specialist departments do not need to install any additional software, but use the viewer directly via the cloud platform. The tool automatically generates a 3D representation based on the checked-in CAD models and offers direct access to CAD model data, parts, variants, product structures and bills of materials. You can use measuring functions, exploded views and redlining and save snapshots of selected views. Color codes reflect component properties such as the release status directly in the model. 

Conclusion

The integrated 3D visualization in Cloud PLM removes barriers, reduces costs, and accelerates processes. Cross-CAD system support, the elimination of licenses, as well as the analysis and commenting functions simplify collaboration between all parties involved and increase efficiency. Integration into a cloud-based PLM system ensures that the latest version statuses are always available and product development is optimally supported. 

Learn more about the possibilities of 3D Collaboration in CIM Database Cloud.