Product data management (PDM) integrates and manages all the information that defines a product, from design to manufacture, and to end-user support. PDM can be seen as an integration tool connecting many different areas, which ensures that the right information in the right form is available to the right person at the right time. When properly implemented, PDM systems will result in faster work, fewer errors, less redundancy, and smoother workflow for an organization. A recent advance in PDM technology concerns with the use of web-based technologies. The objective of this paper is to review PDM technology in general, and discuss the web-based PDM systems in particular. The emphasis is given toward the integration of PDM methodology with web architecture, and how this new infrastructure enhances a traditional PDM system. To reinforce the argument, a number of currently available PDM systems that have embraced web-technologies are reviewed, and some industrial implementations are presented.