Unlocking the potential of PLM with AI

In today's fast changing world, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword—it’s redefining how organizations manage their products from design to production. When AI meets Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software, businesses get a powerful combination that streamlines workflows, minimizes errors, and drives smarter decisions. The future is not coming—it's already here!

Power of AI and PLM Integration

My firsthand experience with Digital Transformation 

While working on Digital Twin technologies using 3DEXPERIENCE Platform, I witnessed how a strong digital foundation can change the game. Normally in industries Traditional workflows are very slow, not integrated and prone to errors. I realized by integrating data with simulation and predictive insights, we enable cross functional teams to make quick and informed decisions for any type of complex assets. Now with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI) we can take it to next level. 

Let's explore how AI powered PLM can transform Industrial Solutions - 

Change Management Scenario 

Lets imagine simple design change in any component will impact many downstream objects such as technical documentation, manufacturing process, engineering items, manufacturing items, safety instructions, supplier information, installation instructions, maintenance instructions and such many... If we find out any of this change late that it disrupts multiple systems! Then it will be a huge rework cost and also create lots of mess up to maintain releases. 

With Digital Twin concept we have all these objects are interlinked by some mechanism in PLM Platform. AI eliminates headache to predict downstream effects, suggests workflows and detects inconsistencies before they run into expensive mistakes. 

Design Optimisation 

AI powered PLM can automate change tasks, suggest optimised design and shorten iteration cycles. 

In Digital Twin models gave us a unified product view, with AI we can take this further, it will learn from previous revisions to generate better solutions faster than ever. The result will be more smarter, more efficient product development cycle. 

Intelligent Bill of Material (BOM)

Managing BOMs manually comes with bigger risks - missing components, missing updated changes, inconsistencies, last minute scrambles to manage changes. AI can help us to ensure BOM Accuracy by checking all relevant objects, predicting missing elements, and flagging risks in Engineering BOM, Manufacturing BOM, Supply Chain BOM, Service BOM etc. 

Using Digital Twin concept of "Single Source of Truth" we can maintain digital thread across all these objects and create BOM powered Digital Twin Simulation. With AI we can predict in advance any missing components, inconsistencies in BOM and reduce delays in production or in maintenance / service of components. 

Configure to Order (CTO) and Engineer to Order (ETO) process transformation

Most of our industries deals with customised products. Digital Twin Platform will help organizations to maintain all such pre-defined configurations in one single platform to generate relevant BOMs easily. Also all customised configurations will also be stored in PLM platform so that end user can access customised BOM at his/her will. 

AI solution for this will help user to validate these configurations as per rules defined in platform, predicts manufacturabilty challenges and also estimates delivery timelines based on real time data. AI driven CTO or ETO cycle ensure precision and predictability in customer specific manufacturing. 

Final Thoughts 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) are no longer optional. The days of static, manual product data management are fading fast. AI driven PLM solutions are now a necessity for industries looking to stay competitive, minimize risk, faster turnover time and enhance quality. 

Organizations that embrace AI powered PLM today will be the ones leading the charge tomorrow. Let's make Industrial workflow smarter, faster and future ready !!!