Manufacturers rely daily on engineering data to define products, to drive change, to support manufacturing and to make business decisions. However, for many organizations, that data does not behave in the manner that it should. It may be well managed within a PLM or PDM system but difficult for other groups to access or to use.
Sales may not have access to the product status, operations may await information, and suppliers may need to be informed of a revision, but the process continues to depend on e-mails, spreadsheets and manual follow-up.
Most manufacturers are familiar with this situation. The systems and the data exist, but the difficulty is in getting them to operate together to meet the needs of the business.
That is where xLM Solutions and Inturing come in.
The value of a strong foundation
Good data is the starting point for good processes and has always been the basis for our work here at xLM. Well-structured product data, version control, clean bills of materials, proper security defined processes and a clear change process(es) together provide the engineering foundation that must be established prior to increasing visibility, automating processes and integrating systems.
In the absence of this foundation, the same problems recur in different forms. Information is searched for rather than immediately known. Variations in the communication of changes result in critical steps that depend on individuals rather than on reliable processes.
For that reason, assisting customers in bringing their PLM and PDM systems into order is the beginning of so much of what xLM Solutions does. With a solid engineering foundation, a simple question remains: How can that data be more useful to the entire organization?
Solving the gaps manufacturers deal with every day
Manufacturing systems were never designed to communicate readily with one another. Over time, people create workarounds by sending e-mails, updating spreadsheets and relying on experience and memory to overcome the gaps. It works until it doesn't.
The inefficiencies appear in predictable ways:
- A sales order is won but engineering is not integrated in a timely manner.
- An engineering change is approved but downstream departments are still waiting for notification.
- A supplier requires the latest revision information, but there is no clean method for sharing it.
- A person on the shop floor needs to know the current status of a part but receives an answer from multiple systems.
Better connected systems, better business decisions
When engineering data can move more freely and accurately across the business, the benefits are real.
Teams spend less time chasing information.
- Manual handoffs are reduced.
- Changes are easier to communicate and track.
- Cross-functional visibility improves.
- Leaders gain a clearer view of what is happening across the product lifecycle.
Most importantly, people can do their jobs with more confidence because they are working from better information. That is the real value of connecting PLM and PDM to the rest of the business.
Putting engineering data to work across the organization
This is where Inturing, a new partner of xLM Solutions, comes into play. By integrating the systems that manufacturers use daily including PLM, ERP, CRM, financial and project management systems, Inturing provides for reduced manual effort and for increased visibility among departments. Workflow automation, integrations, reports and custom applications provide the mechanism for delivering that value.
The relationship with Inturing is very exciting for us and reflects a natural compatibility. The xLM team is responsible for providing accurate engineering data while Inturing specializes in using that same data throughout the entire business.
Extending that value across the business
With the engineering infrastructure in place, a natural question follows: how can this information be made more useful to the rest of the organization?
This is Inturing’s specialty. The Inturing team has ample expertise with workflow automation, integration, dashboards and custom applications, and can help integrate the various systems you use on a daily basis. Manual work is reduced and integration across departments is improved accordingly.
Our team at xLM, meanwhile, provides customers with correct engineering data and Inturing provides the integration of this data for use throughout the business. With this complementary integration, I am very enthusiastic about our new partnership and see it as a natural fit.
Inside xLM's partnership with Inturing
The xLM and Inturing teams bring different strengths to the table, but we support the same goal: helping manufacturers close the gap between engineering and the rest of the business.
xLM brings deep experience in PLM, PDM, engineering data, and manufacturing processes. Inturing brings expertise in integration, workflow automation, and helping organizations connect systems in practical ways.
This might mean helping a customer clean up and strengthen their PLM environment, connecting engineering data to ERP or CRM workflows, or creating better reporting so key teams can access the information they need without digging through disconnected tools.
Whatever the starting point, the objective is the same: make engineering data more useful, more visible, and more actionable.
Disconnected PLM/PDM data slowing you down?
Manufacturers do not need more complexity. They need systems and processes that work better together. If your organization is still relying on manual work to bridge the gap between engineering data and business operations, it may be time to take a closer look at what is possible.
Please get in touch with our team to learn how xLM and Inturing can help.
About xLM Solutions
xLM Solutions is a full-service PLM consultancy helping engineering and manufacturing enterprises manage product data, streamline change processes, and support digital transformation initiatives. With experience across 3DEXPERIENCE, SOLIDWORKS PDM, Aras, and more, xLM helps manufacturers and industrial companies build a stronger foundation for engineering and business performance.
About Inturing
Inturing is an Australia-based automation and integration consultancy focused on helping organizations connect systems, streamline workflows, and deliver value quickly. With growing experience in manufacturing environments, Inturing helps customers improve the flow of information across PLM, ERP, CRM, and other core business systems.
