Preparing Engineering Data Before Moving to PLM Software

What data should manufacturers clean before a PLM migration?

PLM Software can organize engineering records, but moving files into a new system does not resolve inconsistencies within them. Before migration, manufacturers need to establish which records are trustworthy and how conflicting information will be handled.

An engineering team in Atlanta, GA, might discover that the same bearing appears under three internal part numbers, each with a different description. Importing all three records without investigation would carry that confusion into purchasing and future design work.

Distinguish duplicates from meaningful differences

Matching filenames or descriptions alone is not enough to establish that two records represent the same item. Apparently identical components may have different inspection requirements or approved sources, while records with different names may refer to one purchased part.

Preparing data for PLM Software therefore requires input from people who understand the product, alongside those responsible for transferring the files.

Before combining or retiring records, check:

• Manufacturer part numbers and purchasing specifications.
• Material and dimensional requirements.
• References from active assemblies.
• Records needed to support existing products.

Keep a documented reason for each decision so that questions arising after migration can be resolved without repeating the investigation.

How can manufacturers verify a migration before committing?

Test a representative sample that includes difficult cases, rather than selecting only clean, recent files. Confirm that assemblies retain their component references and that users can locate the information needed for normal work.

Axiothread provides data migration and Siemens Teamcenter expertise for organizations adopting PLM Software. Headquartered in Atlanta, GA and serving businesses across the United States, Axiothread has teams of certified Teamcenter architects, NX CAD specialists, and PLM consultants with more than 100 collective successful implementations across aerospace, automotive, medical device and industrial machine sectors. To start with your migration questions, visit axiothread.com or call (248) 275-4138.