PLM platforms evolve for a role in IoT

Integration with IoT systems can extend the possibilities for PLM platforms, but according to experts, they must first evolve technically to handle the IoT data and processes. While IoT promises a stage for PLM's second act, existing PLM platforms need to evolve in order to address the challenges of supporting smart, connected products throughout their entire lifecycle. This evolution will need to address critical areas, such as big data management, visualization and analytics, and integration capabilities, according to experts. Originally positioned more than 20 years ago as a central repository for all product-related data and tasks, product lifecycle management (PLM) platforms have struggled to gain traction beyond engineering, serving primarily as systems for managing 3D files and related documents and facilitating domain-specific workflows, like engineering change orders, design collaboration and bill of materials management. The combination of IoT and sensored products promises to deliver real-time data streams that PLM platforms can mine for insights into the performance of a product, such as a car or consumer appliance, long after it's been manufactured.