SAP PLM

Building Bridges for CAD and ERP

Flexible transition to the SAP Cloud


Gräfelfing, 2024-11-25

SAP is increasingly focusing on the cloud. For companies in the manufacturing industry, the question is: Can I integrate my PLM processes into the cloud environment and if so, how? Cideon has developed CAD interfaces for this purpose. The new integrations ensure a flexible transition to the cloud. CAD and PDM data can be integrated. The advantage: engineers can work in their familiar environment while benefiting from reliable cloud integration. This ensures consistent data and eliminates redundancies.

In the future, SAP will focus on a hybrid cloud model that enables companies to modernize in stages - with both on-premises and cloud solutions. This strategy creates flexibility and allows companies to transform their IT infrastructure according to their individual requirements and at their own pace. However, the question for organizations is how to protect existing investments while taking advantage of the cloud. It is also unclear how to integrate existing CAD and PDM data from existing systems.


The Whole Product Development Process at a Glance


Cideon has developed PDI connectors to major CAD authoring systems and the special SAP PLMSI integration for Autodesk Vault Professional. This enables the company to offer customized solutions to the manufacturing industry. The extensions are based on SAP Product Data Integration (PDI) and enable a direct connection to Cloud SAP PLM. For hybrid on-premises or private cloud environments, the tried-and-tested SAP Engineering Control Center (ECTR) also supports seamless integration. The PDI connectors and SAP PLMSI integration ensure consistent data integration, improving both quality and efficiency throughout the value chain.


More Data Consistency Across the Product Lifecycle


Based on SAP’s new integration options, central interfaces have been developed to integrate various CAD and PDM/PLM systems into the extended cloud spectrum of SAP S/4HANA. The interfaces enable the seamless transfer of assemblies, parts and drawings, including all dependent documents. The integrations therefore optimize data exchange and improve collaboration within the company. The interfaces also enable a continuous flow of information and data consistency across the entire product lifecycle.


Business Benefits of Scalable Integration


  • Manage customer requirements flexibly and accurately
  • Structure and centralize data management
  • Improve data quality
  • Optimize use of resources
  • Improve processes - reduce redundancies
  • Reduce production costs
  • Respond faster to market changes
  • Transparent and traceable changes - internal and external

Background


Daily work in the product development process is often characterized by data inconsistencies, a lack of integration, duplicate data entry and inefficient workflows. In addition to powerful CAD systems, the engineering team needs a product data management (PDM) system with traceable version and status control. In addition, there is often a lack of standards in the change and approval process. User management and access control for internal and external collaboration is often lacking. External users are usually connected via additional systems - which means that friction losses are inevitable. System discontinuities between the various disciplines and between CAD, Office applications and the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system lead to a lack of efficiency in the product development process.


Summary:


In an increasingly digitalized and globally networked economy, innovation and speed are crucial. The efficient development, production and marketing of products is the basis for a company's success. Efficient product lifecycle management (PLM) is at the heart of this and enables companies to seamlessly manage the entire lifecycle of a product - from the initial idea, through design and production, to service and disposal.

With its PLM solutions, SAP offers comprehensive options for controlling these processes. Cideon creates corresponding CAD interfaces and advises companies on all strategic issues relating to the use of the cloud in the context of product lifecycle management. Companies benefit from a scalable and secure infrastructure and have the flexibility to adapt processes throughout the company to changing market requirements and business needs.


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Images


Cideon has now developed PDI connectors to CAD systems - for example to Autodesk Inventor Cideon has now developed PDI connectors to CAD systems - for example to Autodesk Inventor


Overview of the SAP PLM interfaces from Cideon Overview of the SAP PLM interfaces from Cideon




About Cideon


Cideon advises and supports companies in optimizing their product development processes – from the initial concept through to engineering, production and services.

Cideon's innovative solutions ensure continuous data flow along process chains making data accessible and cost-effective throughout the company. In this way, Cideon's customers can fully exploit the potential of digitalization to benefit themselves and their clients.

Cideon employs 310 staff at 13 locations in Germany and Austria. It is part of the Friedhelm Loh Group, a globally successful Group with 12 production facilities and 95 subsidiaries.

Further information can be found at www.cideon.com and www.friedhelm-loh-group.com.



Birgit Hagelschuer, Public Relations

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