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PLM Basics - 100% Solution Provider-Neutral PLM Education from CIMdata
Access CIMdata’s 3-Module PLM Basics eLearning Course — 100% Free
Whether you are evaluating a new PLM initiative, managing cross-functional handoffs, or refining your digital thread strategy, master the core principles that link engineering, supply chain, and operations.
Delivered by CIMdata, the recognized global leader in independent PLM education and research, this 3-module program offers objective, tool-agnostic instruction that fits your schedule.
Claim Your Free Access & Conference Discount
Submit your details to get instant access to all three modules, course assessments, and your 15% discount code for PLM Road Map & PDT.
100% Free Access • Solution Provider-Neutral Education • CEUs Offered
Course Overview & Continuing Education
The CIMdata PLM Basics eLearning course consists of three self-paced online modules. Each one-hour session lets you complete your education around your daily workload.
3 Self-Paced Modules
- Flexible 1-hour sessions available on demand.
- Web-Based Assessments: Individual comprehension checks after each module to measure retention.
- Earn CEUs: Earn 0.3 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and a verified Basic Certificate of PLM Leadership upon successful completion of the course and evaluations.
- Exclusive 15% Discount: Receive a 15% promotional code to registration for the annual PLM Road Map & PDT conference.
What the Course Covers
This program addresses the core operational, technical, and strategic elements of product lifecycle management:
- Session 1: An Introduction to PLM — Establish a clear baseline definition of PLM, its business value, and its role across the product lifecycle.
- Session 2: The Elements of a PLM Solution — Examine the functional components, data structures, and cross-departmental integration requirements of enterprise PLM.
- Session 3: Today's PLM-Related Trends & Challenges — Analyze emerging industry shifts, common implementation bottlenecks, and digital thread strategies.
Why Take CIMdata’s PLM Basics Course?
Your PLM education is important. Choosing independent, solution-neutral education ensures you learn real-world methodology.
- Internationally Recognized, Solution-Neutral Expertise: Gain direct access to trusted educational concepts developed by CIMdata's independent PLM experts. Learn best practices that apply regardless of your specific software stack.
- Tangible Comprehension Metrics: Evaluate your understanding through structured end-of-module assessments that validate educational outcomes.
- On-Demand Flexibility: Access course materials anytime, from any location.
Who Should Register?
This course provides actionable, foundational value for professionals across industrial organizations and solution provider team members:
Industrial Companies & Enterprise Teams
- Executive Leadership & Sponsors: Executives, managers, and PLM program champions driving business strategy and digital thread alignment.
- Functional Directors & Managers: Leaders across IT, Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, and New Product Development (NPD).
- Execution & Technical Roles: Project leaders, business process subject matter experts, financial analysts, and technical editors needing standardized frameworks.
- Onboarding Teams & New Hires: Personnel requiring a fast, reliable baseline in PLM principles.
Solution Providers
- Solution Provider Team Members: Account managers, sales engineers, and product specialists looking to align with industry-standard PLM definitions.
- Solution Provider Leadership: Executives seeking to deepen their understanding of enterprise implementation challenges and client requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this course suitable if I already have PLM experience?
Yes. While structured around core foundations, the curriculum serves as an objective refresher for experienced professionals looking to standardize terminology, support change management, or onboard cross-functional team members.
Is this course completely free?
Yes. This PLM Certificate class was previously offered as a paid education program. We've opened access to this class at no cost to support professional development across the broader PLM community.
How do I receive my 15% conference discount code?
Your discount code for the PLM Road Map & PDT event will be included in your welcome email immediately after you submit the registration form.
Build Your PLM Foundation with CIMdata
Choose CIMdata's unbiased PLM Basics eLearning course to support your professional development and drive digital alignment across your organization.
Start your PLM Education NOW for FREE
Need more information?
As digital transformation and AI adoption spread throughout business, the need for effective Data & AI Governance is increasingly critical. This discipline ensures that an organization's data assets are trustworthy and that AI models are ethical, transparent, and compliant. Identifying problems and risks before they impact the business will prevent flawed analyses or automated decisions based on compromised information.
For more information take a look at CIMdata's Dossier on this topic.
This page is a work in progress. We want this to be a collaborative conversation - please let us know what you think we should add to this page HERE.
Sign up HERE for access to our free PLM resources and to receive updates on this topic.
A CIMdata Dossier: Data & AI Governance
CIMdata Definition: Data Governance
The definition, implementation, and management of policies, procedures, structure, roles, and responsibilities that outline and enforce rules of engagement, decision rights, and accountabilities to effectively manage information assets.
Useful Resources
Blog Postings
Building a Unified Approach to Data Governance Across Your Organization
The Power of Scalable Data Governance
A Conversation on AI, Data Volume, and Governance in PLM
How to Best Approach Data Governance
Data Governance is Crucial for Complex Product Development
Digitization Vs Digitalization
Data Governance Vs Data Management
You can't underestimate the importance of data governance
Data Governance – The Top Five Benefits of Business Glossary Management
Learning More About Data Governance
Avoiding Digital Transformation Roadmap Detours
Data Governance in the Era of Digital Transformation
Webinars
AI Governance: Ensuring Responsible AI Development & Use
Complex Product Development Demands Data Governance
The Importance of Data Governance within Digital Transformation
Avoiding Digital Transformation Roadmap Detours
Data Governance in the Era of Digital Transformation
Recent Publications
AI governance—the unavoidable imperative of responsibility
Engineering.com, July 8, 2025
By Janie Gurley, Data & AI Governance Practice Director, CIMdata, Inc.
Data Governance: Establishing and Maintaining Trust in Information
Engineering.com, January 3, 2023
By Peter Bilello, President & CEO, CIMdata, Inc.
Data Governance: Getting Off to a Good Start
CIMdata Position Paper, July 13, 2017
By Janie Gurley, Data & AI Governance Practice Director, CIMdata, Inc.
Learn about PLM from CIMdata, the global leader in PLM research, education, and consulting.
Helpful PLM Leadership Videos on a variety of topics that are applicable to all, irrespective of where you are on your PLM journey.
PLM in 15 Minutes
About CIMdata & CIMdata's Definition of Product Lifecycle Management
Digital Thread and Digital Twin - a few thoughts
Generative Design - a few thoughts
Is Timeliness the Key to the Democratization of Simulation?
CIMdata's PLM Education Services
Additive manufacturing emerged in the 1980s. The original work on stereolithography (STL) was done in Japan in the 1970s, however, the term STL was coined in 1986 by Chuck Hull, who went on to found 3D Systems, a leader in additive manufacturing today. For many years the technology was used for prototyping, creating a physical form for parts that only lived on the drafting board or in the computer. The resins used in these early machines were both expensive and brittle, which helped in part to limit their applications.
The rapid evolution of 3D printing and associated materials has industrial companies and even individual consumers excited about the future of making things.
For more information take a look at CIMdata's Dossier on this topic.
This page is a work in progress. We want this to be a collaborative conversation - please let us know what you think we should add to this page HERE.
Sign up HERE for access to our free PLM resources and to receive updates on this topic.
A CIMdata Dossier: Additive Manufacturing
CIMdata Resources
Recent Publications
3D Printing and PLM
CIMdata blog posting, January 19, 2016
By Stan Przybylinski, Vice President of Research, CIMdata, Inc.
Autodesk University 2015: Future of Making Things (Commentary)
Evolution and Revolution at Autodesk University 2014 (Commentary)
External Resources
Optimizing the Additive Manufacturing Workflow with PLM
(http://www.additivemanufacturing.media/blog/post/optimizing-the-additive-manufacturing-workflow-with-plm, August 16, 2017)
By Christina M. Fuges, Contributing Editor, Additive Manufacturing
3D printing transforms the economics of manufacturing
(July 5, 2017. Retrieved from https://www.economist.com)
3D printers start to build factories of the future
(July 5, 2017. Retrieved from https://www.economist.com)
3D printers will change manufacturing
(July 5, 2017. Retrieved from https://www.economist.com)
An Epiphany Of Disruption: GE Additive Chief Explains How 3D Printing Will Upend Manufacturing
(March 14, 2017. Retrieved from http://www.gereports.com)
GE Announces the Launch of Fuse, a 3D Printing Startup Based on Crowdsourcing
(October 21, 2016. Retrieved from https://3dprint.com)
Dassault Systèmes and Airbus Group Extend Collaboration to Additive Manufacturing
(September 14, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.3ds.com/)
3D printing technologies explained
(September 6, 2016. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/)
TGE Plans to Invest $1.4B to Acquire Additive Manufacturing Companies Arcam and SLM; Accelerates Efforts in Important Digital Industrial Space
(September 6, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.genewsroom.com/)
3D printed tool for building aircraft achieves Guinness World Records title
(September 6, 2016. Retrieved from https://www.ornl.gov/)
Senvol Database
(August 15, 2016. Retrieved from http://senvol.com/)
This Time, 3D Printer Makers Think They Found a Sweet Spot
(August 4, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.bloomberg.com/)
Surface-Texture Cilia 3D-Printed to 50-Micron Resolution
(June 27, 2016. Retrieved from http://machinedesign.com)
The Exponential Revolution: Ray Kurzweil Says The Convergence Of 3D Printing, Nanomaterials And Software Will Change The World
(June 19, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.gereports.com/)
CDI PARTNERS WITH BOSCH TO DEPLOY 3D PRINTERS IN K-12 CLASSROOMS
(June 19, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.cdicomputers.com/)
Autodesk and Airbus show the future of aerospace design and manufacture in pioneering generatively designed 3D printed partition
(June 19, 2016. Retrieved from http://inthefold.autodesk.com/)
CFM delivers first production LEAP-1A engines to Airbus
(June 19, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.cfmaeroengines.com/)
CloudDDM -- Factory With 100 (Eventually 1,000) 3D Printers & Just 3 Employees Opens at UPS's Worldwide Hub
(June 15, 2016. Retrieved from https://3dprint.com/)
America Makes, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute
ASTM AND 3MF SIGN LIAISON AGREEMENT
(June 10, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.3mf.io/)
HP's Multi Jet Fusion 3D Printer Unveiled
(May 17, 2016. Retrieved from http://3dPrint.com/)
The Exponential Revolution: Ray Kurzweil Says The Convergence Of 3D Printing, Nanomaterials And Software Will Change The World
(May 13, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.gereports.com/)
State of 3D Printing
(May 2016. Retrieved from https://www.sculpteo.com) Registration required.
All The 3D Print That’s Fit To Pitt: New Additive Technology Center Opens Near Steel Town
(April 29, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.gereports.com/)
3D Printing comes of age in US industrial manufacturing
(April 2016. Retrieved from http://www.pwc.com)
CDI PARTNERS WITH BOSCH TO DEPLOY 3D PRINTERS IN K-12 CLASSROOMS
(April 29, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.cdicomputers.com/)
What is Additive Manufacturing?
(March 29, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.additivemanufacturing.com/)
Wikipedia on 3D printing
(March 29, 2016. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printing)
Wohler’s Associates, a long time expert on additive manufacturing
(March 29, 2016. Retrieved from https://www.wohlersassociates.com/)
List of manufacturers/developers of AM systems and materials, other resources
(March 29, 2016. Retrieved from https://www.wohlersassociates.com/)
Why 3D Printing Stocks Could Have a Tremendous Runway for Growth
(March 29, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.fool.com/)
2015 Roundup of 3D Printing Market Forecasts And Estimates
(March 29, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.Forbes.com)
3D Systems Completes Acquisition of Cimatron
- Strengthens advanced manufacturing leadership and portfolio
- Extends global sales coverage, multiplexes cross selling opportunities
- Completes 3DS’ software interoperability for 3D digital fabrication
Is The Sprout Helping HP Grow?
By Jeff Rowe (February 4, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.mcadcafe.com/)
3D Printing for Innovative Mould Making Combined with Simulation Driven Design Inspiration Push the Limits for High Performance Castings
(March 29, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.altair.com/)
Design for the Freedom of Additive Manufacturing
(March 29, 2016. Retrieved from http://web.solidthinking.com)
Altair Acquires Click2Cast: Adds Streamlined Casting Simulation Technology to the solidThinking Software Portfolio
(March 29, 2016. Retrieved from http://web.solidthinking.com)
Autodesk Ember Printer and Spark Platform Spark Platform
Ember Platform
Autodesk and Microsoft integrating Spark into Windows 10
(March 29, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com)
Airbus Gets 1st Production Jet Engines With 3D-Printed Parts From CFM
(April 25, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.gereports.com)
Engine With 3D-Printed Parts Powers 3 Next-Gen Jets
(March 29, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.gereports.com)
The FAA Cleared The First 3D Printed Part To Fly In A Commercial Jet Engine From GE
(March 29, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.gereports.com)
Fit To Print: New Plant Will Assemble World’s First Passenger Jet Engine With 3D Printed Fuel Nozzles, Next-Gen Materials
(March 29, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.gereports.com)
China developing world's largest 3D printer, prints 6m metal parts in one piece
(March 29, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.3ders.corg)
3D-Printed Electronics Charge Ahead
(March 29, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.deskeng.com)
L'Oreal to start 3D-printing skin
(March 29, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com)
The printed organs coming to a body near you: From kidneys to hands, 3D printers are churning out made-to-order bones and rudimentary organs
(March 29, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.nature.com)
Siemens launches new Frontier Partner Program for 3D printing startups
(March 29, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.3ders.org)
The program - which is operated by both the Siemens Technology to Business (TTB) and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) organizations - will provide 3D printing startups with free access to the company’s PLM suite of software tools, technology partner program, and other valuable resources.
Siemens invests EUR 21.4M to open first metal 3D printing facility in Sweden
(March 29, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.3ders.org)
JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT MAGNETS WEREN’T MAGIC; MAGNETS ARE MECHANISMS
(March 29, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.hackaday.com)
The World's First Smart Magnets
(March 29, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.polymagnet.com)
Weitere Beiträge...
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PLM-Enabled Digital Transformation Benefits Appraisal Guide
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Aerospace & Defense PLM Action Group
A CIMdata administered PLM advocacy group for the A&D industry
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This report presents CIMdata’s overview of the global simulation and analysis market, one of the fastest-growing segments of the overall product lifecycle management market, including profiles of the leading S&A firms.
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