What is PDM? This is a simple and controversial question. Good answer, because since it came out more than ten years ago, many companies have studied and defined it, and some "standard" statements seem to be handy; It is controversial because PDM in the true sense is far from a "definition" in a few words. In fact, there has never been a purely abstract "PDM", and no enterprise simply "enters a PDM system". This system must complement the specific goals of the enterprise; Different levels of PDM should not be confused, because different levels of PDM are suitable for different levels of enterprise needs, and the ultimate goal of enterprises is enterprise-level information integration.

Literally, PDM is the abbreviation of ProductDataManagement, which refers to a certain kind of software. CIMdata once defined: "PDM is a tool to help engineers and other people manage product data and product development process. The PDM system ensures that a large amount of data and information needed for design and manufacturing can be tracked, so that products can be supported and maintained. " . If we are more detailed, we can understand PDM as follows:

From the product point of view, PDM system can help organize product design, improve product structure modification, track the developing design concept, and find archive data and related product information timely and conveniently.

From the process point of view, PDM system can coordinate and organize process events such as design review, approval, change, workflow optimization and product release in the whole product life cycle.

However, this is only an "accurate" definition of PDM from a purely technical point of view. Real PDM is much more than that. If we must understand what PDM is, we might as well define IT as follows: PDM is an effective method to realize enterprise optimal management based on IT technology, a product of the combination of scientific management framework and practical problems of enterprises, and a product of the combination of computer technology and enterprise culture.

From this point of view, the so-called PDM is not only a technical model, nor a bunch of fashionable technical vocabulary, nor simple programming. It must be an achievable technology; It must be a technology that can be realized by different industries and different enterprises; Must be technology combined with corporate culture. So it is closely related to the enterprise itself. Looking at today's enterprises that successfully implement PDM, each enterprise has its own very specific goals and project names. From Ford's "Ford 2000" and Boeing's "DCAC/MRM" to Nissan's "business process innovation", all successful enterprises have integrated PDM into their corporate culture. Therefore, the vitality of PDM, or the essence of PDM, is also here.

The emergence and development of PDM are closely related to the social environment and the enterprise itself. The development and self-improvement of enterprises to meet the strong demand of the market is the internal driving force for the prosperity of PDM market.

PDM is an effective method to realize enterprise optimal management based on IT technology, and it is the product of the combination of scientific management framework and enterprise practical problems, and the product of the combination of computer technology and enterprise culture.

PDM is also a controversial topic. People have high expectations for it, but it is not well understood. Indeed, to understand PDM, we should never simply apply the modes of understanding CAD/CAM software such as watching demonstrations, doing test questions and "trying out".

For the implementation of PDM, the technology itself is absolutely important, and the PDM system with poor technology is of course difficult to popularize and implement successfully. But technology is only the foundation to achieve enterprise goals. It is difficult to succeed only by talking about PDM technology. Because PDM is not only "PDM", its deeper connotation is the close combination with enterprise culture, the adaptation with production relations and the matching with enterprise goals. Many related issues (such as consulting, engineering experience, implementation methodology, etc. ) are worthy of further understanding and discussion.

In a word, PDM is a tool to help managers manage product data and product development process, and the ultimate goal of implementing PDM in enterprises is to achieve the goal of enterprise-level information integration.