Ensure A Successful PLM Data Migration – Choose the Right Service Provider

While migration and integration are a fact of life for all companies as they move from older to newer applications, the actual migration is often associated with numerous complexities. And it’s no different when Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tools are involved. There is a lot that goes into the planning and execution of the migration of data from the current legacy systems to the new target PLM platform. As a company’s existing data contains a significant portion of their intellectual property, the success of adopting a new PLM system greatly depends on effectively migrating existing data in an intelligent, precise and timely manner.

Data migration brings numerous issues to the forefront. Most PLM vendors deploy an informal process for migrating physical files, with scant attention to the actual meta-data around parts and documents. Besides this, there are other challenges faced in migrating data, the biggest challenge being how to integrate product data throughout the entire product lifecycle. When data is migrated, there is a need to:

· Reformat data in the right manner to ensure the receiving applications can use it

· Conform to security rules that may be established in multiple applications

· Ensure data mapping is carried out so that it can be placed properly into a new application

· Clean the data so that it retains its value and integrity as it is moved

With migration issues being handled poorly, and most PLM vendors not being in the business of cleansing and repairing data, though this is a mandatory requirement, the search for the right PLM vendor can get arduous. You need a service provider who can offer an intelligent approach to the migration of the PDM data in the context of applications and processes by assisting the customer in planning, assessment and suggesting right migration approach.

Here’s what to look for: The service provider you choose must:

· Identify PDM data cleansing including applications and their data model.

· Direct MCAD & PLM integration or MCAD data management integration with PLM Technology.

· Seamlessly control costs associated with data migration.

· Effectively manage quality of data on PLM / PDM Software.

Every PLM data migration must follow tailored best practices in order to deliver the kind of targeted, enterprise-wide process improvements that a truly efficient PLM solution can provide. It is also prudent to check if the provider offers services such as:

· CAx Integration -Integration of all major MCAD, ECAD, CAM, and CAE systems

· MRP /ERP Integration – Specification and implementation of integrations to all major MRP and ERP systems

· PLM / PDM Integration -Specification and implementation of integrations between different PLM systems and between PLM and PDM or CAD Data Management systems

· Legacy System Integration -Specification and implementation of integrations and interfaces between your PLM and existing legacy systems.

Regardless of whether you want to migrate all the data at once or perform the migration step by step, using the old system and the new system in parallel for a certain amount of time, partner with the right service provider to ensure the smooth and correct migration of existing PLM data.