8 Data Integration- Product Data Management

Question 1

What is product data management?

Answer 1

A centralised system for synchronising product related data

This stops data corruption issues which happen in CIM systems and lead to machinery malfunction.

Question 2

What does PMD include?

Answer 2

Technical specifications eg. Materials used and measurements

CAD drawings

Bill of Materials (BOM) and details of parts, sub-assemblies and raw materials

Construction details relating to manufacturing processes

Costs

Details of suppliers involved

Photos of final product

Question 4

What are the advantages to PDM?

Answer 4

Products reach the market more quickly- reviews are carried out more efficiently

Productivity is improved- due to automatic tracking and management of data

Control of the process is more efficient and secure, using only the most up to date data

Question 5

What are the disadvantages of PDM

Answer 5

Searching for information in the system can sometimes be difficult if data input was not carried out effectively

Integrating information from different programs is an issue in product data management because systems often use different formats and standards. This leads to errors, data duplication, miscommunication, and delays in product development.

Duplicate data and large files can slow down the system, causing:

Reduced performance – systems take longer to load or process data.

Storage issues – unnecessary files take up valuable space.

Confusion – users may not know which version is correct.

Errors – using outdated or incorrect data can lead to mistakes in design or production.

Overall, this can lead to delays, higher costs, and lower product quality.