Product Lifecycle Management

Advanced import

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

These new features are available:

  • PLM import setup: Enables users to specify the data mapping and validations to be performed during the import.
  • PLM workbench: The PLM Import Workbench (pdimp8200m000) session enables users to interactively modify the data before it is imported. Users can approve or reject PLM objects before they are imported.

Alternative viewers

Some native file formats have non-published interfaces and cannot be opened by 3rd party viewers, such as the Inventor Drawing file format.

To support customers who use native file formats with the corresponding viewer from the CAD vendor, such as Autodesk, the option to specify the viewer to use for a particular file format is now supported.

Consequently, you can now open inventory file formats with the CAD or Autodesk native viewer from Infor PLM for Discrete.

Infor Disclaimer:

  • While Infor opens the opportunity to use the Autodesk® Forge Viewer, we are not responsible for any issues arising from the use of this Viewer.
  • As the functions used by Infor are public APIs, we endeavor to support the functions as published (https://forge.autodesk.com/en/docs). Changes in the availability and the functions of the APIs can cause disruption to the interface outside the direct control of Infor.
  • Infor takes no responsibility for the APIs or functions offered by Autodesk.
  • To use this viewer, we expect you to use your own bucket, client ID, and client secret for the authentication.
  • ® Autodesk is a trademark of Autodesk, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates, in the United States.

IDM document types

Previously, when sending PLM documents to IDM, the documents were transferred to a single document type.

To enable multiple document types, the IDM Document Type field has been added to the PLM Project (pdadm3600m000) session. If a value is specified in this field, all documents that belong to the project are transferred to the specified document type.

If no document type is specified at the project level, documents are transferred to the default document type, which you can specify in the IDM Preferences (pdadm0103m000) session.

Impact analysis - item production data

Impact analysis provides PLM users with a set of tools how to query, in LN CE, how a change can affect the logistics domain.

Because different investigations may be required, several queries designed to answer typical questions are offered about PLM items related to the logistics domain. In addition to the basic questions regarding purchase, cost, and service, more advanced queries are also supported.

Impact analysis now provides the ability to analyze the production data of the PLM item. The logistic information provides insight into production data such as lead time and scrap.

Linking of multiple objects (select source and link selected)

Previously, you could link only one PLM object at a time in the Item, Document, and Folder sessions for object links. Linking multiple objects could take some time.

Now, these sessions support links to these objects:

  • PLM Item (pdpdm1600m000)
    • Multiple documents on the Documents tab
    • Multiple folders on the Folders tab
    • Child components of one item to another on the BOM tab
  • Folder (pdpdm3600m000)
    • Multiple documents on the Documents tab
    • Multiple items on the Items tab
    • Multiple folders on the Child Folders tab
  • Document (pdpdm2600m000)
    • Multiple items on the Items tab
    • Multiple folders on the Folders tab
    • Multiple documents on the Child Documents tab

Markup support by AutoDesk viewer

The ability to mark up CAD files for Inventor drawings is now supported by the AutoDesk viewer.

For authorized users, the CAD Viewer Workbench (pdpdm8500m000) supports these features:

  • Creating markups and saving them into PLM
  • Opening the CAD viewer in the PLM application without leaving the PLM application to access the third-party CAD viewer

The workbench has these advantages for customers:

Effectiveness of flow
PLM for Discrete interfaces with the CAD viewer out of the box. Non-CAD users can access design files that are already available in PLM. All authorized users can search, browse, view, and mark up the design files in the system. Markup details are saved into PLM and can be accessed by any authorized user.
Seamless integration
It provides the CAD viewer as an embedded component of PLM. Using the workbench, users can access the CAD viewer software and access all features of the viewer within the PLM session.
Enterprise-wide access
Markup details are stored in the system and are accessible to the entire organization without the need for expensive and complex CAD applications.

Infor Disclaimer:

  • While Infor opens the opportunity to use the Autodesk® Forge Viewer, we are not responsible for any issues arising from the use of this Viewer.
  • As the functions used by Infor are public APIs, we endeavor to support the functions as published (https://forge.autodesk.com/en/docs). Changes in the availability and the functions of the APIs can cause disruption to the interface outside the direct control of Infor.
  • Infor takes no responsibility for the APIs or functions offered by Autodesk.
  • To use this viewer, we expect you to use your own bucket, client ID, and client secret for the authentication.
  • ® Autodesk is a trademark of Autodesk, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates, in the United States.

Satellite sessions in structure workbenches

Depending on whether you start the structure workbench from an item or a document, either the Item Structure Workbench (pdpdm8100m000) or Document Structure Workbench (pdpdm8100m000) is started. In these workbenches, a thumbnail and detail panes are shown. Previously, to see other details of the object, you had to open the detail sessions.

To view detailed data of the object directly in the workbench, these additions have been made:

  • Related documents and files information in the Item Structure Workbench
  • Related files and related items information in the Document Structure Workbench
  • An option to link and unlink the related data.

Search based on field description

Previously, because fields could not be found by searching the field description, it was difficult to specify mask conditions, or advance conditions in PLM Export.

Now, fields can be searched by field description.

Transfer of item thumbnail

Thumbnails provide visual information about PLM items. They are usually generated by CAD applications and saved in PLM.

For LN CE users who cannot access PLM data, these thumbnails can be very useful. Now, if a thumbnail exists in PLM, the thumbnail image is also displayed in the general item data of LN CE.