Product Lifecycle Management

Advanced import validation and mapping

The PLM Import functionality is used to import item structures, document structures, and folder structures along with other related objects. The import is based on an XML file format.

Mapping functions have been added to modify the data before import. In the Import configuration, these mapping functions are now supported:

  • Active Revision - set active revision according to Date/LatestCreated
  • Allow update released - rule about updating released objects
  • AutoNumber - set auto number to field
  • Concat - concat value to field
  • Constant - set constant to field
  • Conversion Table - perform conversion from external to internal values
  • Copy - copy value from one field to another
  • Copy Attribute - copy value from one attribute to another
  • Current Date - set current date to field (current time optional)
  • Current Project - set current project to field
  • Current User - set current user in field
  • Default - default value for empty field
  • Delete - remove a field from xml node
  • ERP Item Defaults -perform select for reference values
  • Field Reload - get latest value and reload for field
  • File Rename - set the name of the file
  • Parameter - set current parameter to field
  • Previous Revision - set active revision according to DATE/LAST
  • Rename - rename attribute

These validation functions have been added:

  • Document File - Validate the document file
  • Mandatory - Check mandatory fields
  • Manufacturers - Check manufacturers
  • Reference Designators - Check reference designators
  • Subcontractors - Check subcontractors
  • Suppliers - Check suppliers

CAD utility for PLM in the cloud

The main functionality of the CAD utility is to perform file operations in the background for CAD and MS Office files.

This utility can perform operations, such as mapping and generating thumbnails and PDFs, for files in a background process. This background process is accessible from the workflow and triggers operations for files after they are released.

The utility is installed and executed on an on-premises Windows machine, which can communicate with PLM in the cloud.

Component engineering

If you use the component engineering feature, PLM for Discrete can now integrate with a third-party service provider. This is a cloud-based service used to search components on the go and create a BOM for production.

Component engineering provides universal part search within the Silicon Expert Database and enables customers to stay informed about part changes and BOM changes.

The component engineering feature provides customers with these benefits:

  • Identify components at risk and gain visibility into electronic component lifecycle status, multi-sourcing, available inventory, and predicted years to end of life.
  • Keep company and product up to date with reporting requirements and data on which components are at risk for compliance issues. Stay compliant with up-to-date data for social, environmental, and political regulations.
  • Find billions of electronics parts using partial part numbers or description searches. Avoid unplanned redesigns.
  • Select the right part at the right time, manage component lifecycle and obsolescence risks, access lead time, pricing, and availability analysis in simple steps.
  • View parametric data, packaging, regulatory compliance, obsolescence forecasts, component risks, datasheet histories, and inventory from authorized distributors.
  • Identify non-compliant components with data for environmental and government legislation such as REACH, RoHS, WEEE, and conflict minerals.
  • Gain up-to-date information on delays, shortages, and global market shifts to mitigate risks within your supply chain.
  • Detect and avoid counterfeit parts.
Note: This functionality interfaces with Silicon Expert services and requires a license for Silicon Expert. This license must be purchased separately.

Email option for workflow distribution step

A step of the type distribution has been added to the PLM workflow template to send emails to defined recipients. The recipients receive an email through the SMTP server defined in tools, which connects to the eMessage connector in LN Tools.

Recipients can be defined as PLM-Users, PLM-Groups, or non-PLM Users.

In the workflow template definition, a template for the body of the message and a subject for the email can be specified.

In the definition of the workflow distribution step, variables such as business process field values can be specified.

Item structure reports

These reports have been added:

Item structure with documents and drawings
This report prints the BOM structure, related documents, and drawings for each child item. The item, revision, effective date, and number of levels can be selected.
Item structure with reference designators and manufacturers
This report is similar to the report above, but shows reference designators and manufacturers for each child item.

PBOM revision control

To improve revision control, these fields have been added to the PBOM:

  • Status - can be set to Draft or Approved. Only approved PBOMs can be sent to LN CE.
  • Sequence and Sent to Production - used as additional status indicators in the process.

These new fields are used to control the modification of the PBOM.

If the status of the PBOM is Approved, it cannot be modified. To modify the PBOM, its status must be changed to Draft. Changing the status to Draft can be done only if the PBOM has not yet been sent to production.

Quality - PLM integration

See the topic with the same title in Quality.

Skipping of component to production

When you send an EBOM or PBOM to production, you can choose to skip a component in the BOM. For this, the Skip to Production check box is available on the BOM line. Now, this check box has also been added to the Item Structure Workbench (pdpdm8100m000).

This check box affects the Send to Production step from an item and from a workflow or business process.

Topdown load for CAD connectors

The topdown load feature of PLM supports the definition of items and their bill of materials and the creation of the design to match the product structures in CAD applications.

This only applies if a CAD connector is installed for the respective CAD applications and enabled on the CAD design system.

Various PLM enhancements

These additional enhancements have been made in PLM:

  • The Document Files (pdpdm5500m200) session has been added to view document and file information together.
  • For security reasons, S3 bucket information is now hidden in the Vault session.
  • The duplicate option is now available in the PBOM to copy the child components. This facilitates copying a PBOM from one site to another.
  • Previously, the BOM ID was generated as a combination of parent item ID and revision. Now, you can use a mask to generate the BOM ID.
  • The Update action is now available in the Item Categories and Document Categories session to update category attributes.
  • A check box is now available in Project to send emails from business processes in a project. This option enables users to configure mails for specific projects.