Product lifecycle management as a whole business management system: An exploratory research

Abstract

Product Management Systems (PLM) are systems that enable efficient management of all data related to product design, development, production and after-sales processes. These systems should be used as a business strategy that enables management of all data related to the product throughout the enterprise, authorizing access to the database, automatisation of the Bill of Materials’s (BOM) and task-based project management. The sustainability of innovation and product development activities can be possible with a product-oriented management approach based on the products throughout their life cycle processes. In product-oriented management, all activities must be related to the product and process flows which should be updated and managed as living assets. This can be achieved with an efficient PLM system that operates in this way which is capable to respond quickly to customer requests and assist in the provision of value propositions that will give them a competitive edge. Within this context, the aim of the study is to explore PLM systems and move it beyond product development process and show how these systems can be structured as a business management system. Accordingly, the study is designed as an exploratory research in which a process analysis is performed in ELTAS, a leading company in transformer sector in Turkey, as a case study. As a result, PLM systems are proposed to manage the processes. It is believed that the findings of the study will enable many businesses to be aware of PLM processes and understand how they are designed as a business strategy.