PDM

Product Data Management (PDM) is a system and set of processes designed to capture, manage, and disseminate design data and related information throughout the lifecycle of a product. It centers on organizing engineering data so that teams can work with current, accurate information and maintain traceability of changes.

PDM repositories store CAD models, drawings, documents, specifications, and metadata; they enforce versioning and revision control; manage bill of materials; support change and release processes; provide access control and audit trails; and offer search and metadata indexing to locate files quickly. This helps to ensure data integrity and reduce errors arising from duplicate or outdated files.

PDM typically integrates with computer-aided design (CAD) tools, manufacturing systems, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, enabling engineers to access current data and track changes with traceability. It supports workflow management, approvals, and lifecycle states for parts and documents, facilitating collaboration across disciplines.

It can be deployed on-premises, in the cloud, or as a hybrid solution; some vendors offer PDM as a component of broader PLM solutions. Users include design engineers, engineering managers, manufacturing teams, procurement, and quality assurance professionals.

Benefits include improved data integrity, reduced time spent searching for files, controlled change processes, improved collaboration, and faster product introductions. Limitations include the need for governance, data migration, user adoption challenges, potential integration complexity, and cost. In the broader product-management landscape, PDM is often viewed as a subset of PLM, concentrating on engineering data and processes while PLM covers a wider range of product lifecycle activities.