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PDM interface

PDM ERP Integration: 
4 ways for every requirement

Your options when connecting GAIN Collaboration with ERP systems or third-party systems:
JoinServer – Web service – Database coupling – ERP interface

A good decision:
Integrating PDM and ERP.

Data consistency

Data consistency

For fewer errors or inconsistencies

By linking the PDM and ERP systems, your product data is consistent in both systems. Changes in the PDM system (including updating a parts list) are automatically reported to your ERP system and updated there.

Efficiency

Efficiency

For optimised processes and time savings

Integration enables seamless data exchange between PDM and ERP systems. Manual data transfers or double data entry are a thing of the past.

Transparency

Transparency

For better decisions

Only when your PDM system is connected to your ERP system is it possible to have a uniform view of your product information with its business processes. For example, current product development statuses or production plans.

Workflows

Workflows

Automatically Up to Date

Automated workflows and notifications can be used to automatically transfer important information from the PDM to the ERP system. For example, to trigger procurement processes or production orders when a product is released.

Traceability

Traceability

For more quality assurance

Linking product data with production, sales or purchasing makes possible traceability easier or more transparent.

Intelligent ERP PDM Integrations with
GAIN Collaboration: For better decisions and less time-to-market

Optimize processes – increase productivity and efficiency

  • Gain valuable insights for improving your business processes and developing new products. For example, how you can use ERP and PDM to make your PLM concept into flow.
  • Improve collaboration and communication between different departments in the company.

What is your initial situation?

  • Your structures in the company: Should they remain in place? Are you planning optimizations? Which?
  • Your software solutions: Which systems specifically do you plan to continue? Do you want to replace systems?
  • Your processes: Which processes remain in place? What improvements are desired?
  • Your budget: How high is your willingness to invest?

Your requirements determine the coupling type

Depending on the requirements with regard to desired processes or systems, the type and manner of coupling that is optimal for your company will result.
Experience shows that these can be worked out in a practicable way in one or more workshops and with the support of a guiding paper.
Below are a few questions, the answers to which will lead you step by step to the optimal coupling for your company:

  • Do you want bidirectional data exchange?
  • Would you like to be able to perform queries from one system to another? For example, query the stock level of an ERP article from the PDM system.
  • Should (be able to) keep documents such as drawings in PDF format as attachments to articles in the ERP system?
  • Welches System soll in Ihrem Unternehmen die Hoheit bei der Artikelanlage haben?
  • Should part numbers be generated manually or automatically?
  • Should a number range be defined for an automatic part number in the PDM system?
  • Should articles be revisable in the ERP system? Or in other words: Do several versions of an article with attached bills of material exist in the ERP system? Or should only the version, the index change?

Couple ERP PDM with GAIN Collaboration.
4 possibilities of integration:

CouplingGAIN Collaboration JoinServer als Kopplung, zum Beispiel zu ERP, DMS oder CRM
JoinServer		Webservice Kopplung über REST API, zum Beispiel zu ERP, DMS oder CRM
Webservice		Datenbank-Kopplung, zum Beispiel zu ERP, DMS oder CRM
Datenbank Kopplungen		Schnittstelle als Kopplung, zum Beispiel zu ERP, DMS oder CRM
ERP Schnittstelle
Brief descriptionStable, cost-effective, simple and version-independent solution for any size of company.Easy to implement, maintenance-free, fast and dynamic. Suitable for any size of company.Stable and version-independent solution for larger companies with know-how in the database environment or an IT department.Real-time exchange for highest demands. For larger companies with know-how in the database environment or an IT department.
External systemsERP, DMS, CRM, etc.ERP, DMS, CRM, etc.ERP, DMS, CRM, etc.ERP
Data exchangeBidirectional on file levelBidirectional coupling via WebSercice and REST APIBidirectional coupling on database levelBidirectional coupling on database level in network API
CompatibilityCoupling to any system capable of processing CSV or XML files.Can be connected to any system that has a REST API.Can be connected to any system that uses a database. This method is only applicable if another system fetches data from the system via the GAIN Collaboration API (GAIN Collaboration Client license required) for data exchange/data synchronization.
Functional exampleFunctional example Information about CAD documents or articles, as well as parts lists from the PDM system is exported by the JoinServer time-controlled as CSV or XML into an exchange directory. Other systems serve themselves there.A REST API (part of PDM, ERP systems and the Webservice) enables the systems to communicate with each other. For example, it creates articles in the PDM or ERP system, performs a comparison of values, and/or enables the reading/writing of data records or parts lists.A database coupling writes, for example, information on CAD documents or CAD articles, as well as parts lists from the PDM system into database tables. The connected systems use these tables and process them.Example PDM-ERP coupling: Here, program libraries of the ERP system are integrated in the PDM system. These contain API functions of the ERP system. For example, users can create articles directly in the ERP system from the PDM system. There is a direct intervention in the ERP process.

Synchronization / data exchange
Automatic creation of articles and parts lists in the ERP.\\\Direct creation of articles and parts lists in ERP from PDM.
Automatic synchronization of information between PDM and ERP.\\\\
Automatic provision of neutral files (PDF) in the DMS system.\(via extension)(via extension)(via extension)
Dynamic queries, such as querying stock levels in the ERP system.[\[\
Information in PDM and ERP identical at all times.[\[\
Transfer of neutral data, for example to the ERP system.\(via extension)(via extension)(via extension)
Time-controlled synchronizationTime-controlled, information is not always available immediatelyFast data exchangeTime-controlled, information is not always available immediatelyFast data exchange
Dynamischer Abgleich auf andere Systeme[\[\

Other parameters
Release dependencyindependent independent independent dependent
Maintenance & care for updates or release upgradesMaintenance-free, no maintenance effortMaintenance-free, no maintenance effortMaintenance-free, no maintenance effortUpdating & testing necessary
Implementation effortfast & simple low to moderateincreasedincreased
Direct access to ERP/PDM[\[\
Dynamic queries[\[\
JoinServer Details ...WebServices Details ...

What are your linkage goals?

As you can see, integrating a PDM system or linking it with other systems brings numerous advantages. And at the same time raises just as many questions.

We are happy to support you with our decades of experience. Therefore our cordial invitation: Just contact us.

Your 1st step to GAIN Collaboration. Order a free demo:

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