CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive

8 May 2013

Product News

CIM DATABASE 10: Development-driven Variant Management

With Release 10 of its CIM DATABASE PDM/PLM platform, CONTACT Software is launching a new variant management solution on the market. The application is characterized by its ease-of-use and comprehensive functionality, including automatic variant characterization based on the product and model structure (DMU). For enterprises with a large number of product variants, it provides efficient support during product development activities by permitting the reliable handling of complex variability models and simplifying the definition of very large solution spaces. The fact that it is integrated in the PLM context also ensures that downstream activities such as purchasing and logistics can be automatically supplied with the necessary information via an ERP system such as SAP®, for example. 

Globalization and the regular emergence of new customer requirements are increasing the demand for products tailored to a variety of markets. As a result, the number of product variants and level of product complexity are constantly growing. This is increasing the pressure on manufacturers to define variants within the development process, validate them and communicate them to downstream departments and processes efficiently using one and the same medium. As a result, sustainable product management and cost control must be introduced at the very point where this wealth of variants emerges and the majority of the product properties and costs are defined. That is to say during development and design engineering. This is precisely where the new CIM DATABASE PLM application with its engineering requirements-oriented variant modeling capabilities is able to offer enterprises significant process enhancements combined with valuable cost benefits. 

The solution is built around an easy-to-use, high-speed variant generator for even large and very large solution spaces. This permits the feature-based modeling of product variability that systematically supports the precise definition of the required solution space as well as the detailed configuration, validation and management of individual product variants. In addition, variant modeling can be performed during early design phases without reference to any specific article. As a result, it is extremely easy to create even complex variability models.

CONTACT Software has bundled together its advanced developments for variant and configuration management under the term "virtual product". Together with its new requirements management solution, the PLM supplier is able to support enterprises that develop complex technical products in a systems engineering environment. The new modules for virtual product development are now available with Version 10 of the CIM DATABASE product data and collaboration platform.

Become a member of the CIMdata PLM Community to receive your daily PLM news and much more.

Tell us what you think of the CIMdata Newsletter. Send your feedback.

CIMdata is committed to your privacy. Your personal information will never be sold or shared outside of CIMdata without your express permission.

Subscribe