Product data management (PDM) is an in inevitable process in any manufacturing company or firm that has to deal with large amounts of product data. This process can be extremely daunting when done manually, which is why most companies adopt the use of product data management software. That way, they can easily monitor and manage product data from the design stage to production. This software is extremely helpful for product designers, whose job is to design and create all the initial specifications of new products, and production managers ensure that these specifications are followed.
If you are in the market for PDM software, you are likely to get overwhelmed. However, we have done the hard work for you by reviewing some of the best PDM software in the market today. So, just make sure you read this post to the end.
6 Best PDM Software
- Teamcenter – Best PDM Software for Large Companies
- SolidWorks PDM – Best PDM Software in Terms Of Ease of Use
- Altium 365 – Best PDM Software for Electronic Products
- Upchain PLM – Best PDM Software for user-friendliness
- Productsup – Best PDM Software for Flexibility
- OpenBOM – Best Innovative PDM Software
1. Teamcenter – Best PDM Software for Large Companies
PRICING: Not Available on the official website
If you are looking for a software solution to help manage and automate all your product’s specification documentation and implementation, you may want to consider signing up for Teamcenter. Teamcenter is a robust product lifecycle management solution that can be used to manage product data. With this software, users can carry out 3D designs, documentation, embedded software, and more. When it comes to features, Teamcenter doesn’t disappoint, as it packs loads of helpful features, including process management, product configuration, materials management billing, cost management, mechanical design management, and more.
At the time of writing this piece, Teamcenter doesn’t have actual pricing information on its website. So, you will have to contact their sales department to get the information. Also, we couldn’t find an option for a free trial, which means you won’t get a chance to try them out risk-free.
KEY FEATURES
- Process management
- Audit management
- Risk management
- Design controls
- Version control
- Workflows
- Analytics and reporting
REASONS TO BUY
- Excellent performance
- Great customization options
REASONS TO AVOID
- No pricing information
- Customer support can do better
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2. SolidWorks PDM – Best PDM Software in Terms Of Ease of Use
PRICING: Not available on the official website
If you are actively in search of an efficient solution to help you accelerate and manage every stage of your product development process, SolidWorks may be a great solution for you. The software has been developed to ensure every aspect of your product development, from concept to manufacturing, is well taken care of. The software makes it easy for users to create, monitor, and manage product designs and concepts with fewer steps and processes. SolidWorks has lots of innovative functionalities that help you complete workflows and processes in record time, thereby saving lots of time in the process.
With this software, users can quickly generate 3D models and 2d drawings. One of the things you would love about SolidWorks is the fact it is easy to set up and configure. It is worth mentioning, however, that SolidWorks doesn’t have its pricing information displayed on its official website.
KEY FEATURES
- Design/engineering
- CAM data exchange
- CAD-CAM import
- CNC workflows
- Programming control
- PCB layout editing
- Rendering tools
- Drawing tools
- Collaboration
REASONS TO BUY
- Super intuitive user interface
- Great performance
REASON TO AVOID
- The software requires lots of systems resources
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3. Altium 365 – Best PDM Software for Electronic Products
PRICING: starts at $200 a month
Altium 365 is all-purpose PDM software for electronics product design. The Software gives its users lots of flexibility by uniting data management, PCB design, teamwork, and MCAD. Altium 365 gives users all the flexibility they will ever need in a PDM solution by making it easy for them to design, share and manufacture from a single space without the need for any installation or configuration. You only need to subscribe to “Altium design,” which is more like their main ‘umbrella’ package that gives users access to all their other solutions. Altium 365 is a popular PDM solution and you can easily find hundreds of independent reviews about it online.
Another thing you would love about this software is that it is a bit flexible with its pricing, as there’s an option for a free trial on their official website, which means you can try out the product without any upfront financial commitments.
KEY FEATURES
- PCB layout editing
- Schematic editor
- Customization
- 3D modeling tools
- Data management
- Component placement
- Component libraries
- Custom interface
REASONS TO BUY
- Transparent and flexible pricing
- Free trial
REASON TO AVOID
- Occasional glitches here and there
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4. Upchain PLM – Best PDM Software for
PRICING: Not available on the official website
If you are in search of efficient and robust PDM software for your company, Upchain PLM is a great option to consider. The software doubles as both a Product lifecycle management (PLM) and product data management (PDM) solution. So, depending on the scale and scope of your project, the software can always come in handy and help you automate your workflows and processes. You will never need to worry about your projects slowing down or getting cut off halfway due to a lack of personnel to manage and monitor product data.
Upchain makes it easy for users to manage complex designs. The software is equipped with built-in workflow management, cloud deployment, and project dashboards for easy monitoring and stock-taking.
KEY FEATURES
- Audit management
- Product metadata
- Activity dashboard
- Access controls
- Notifications/alerts
- Data management
REASONS TO BUY
- Free trial
- Easy integration options
REASONS TO AVOID
- They can be more transparent with their pricing information
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5. Productsup – Best PDM Software for Flexibility
PRICING: Not available on the official website
Productsup is an all-purpose product-to-consumer (P2C) solution and PDM platform that allows small and large companies to take full control of their product data management, documentation, and implementation. Productsup boasts robust features including product content syndication, vendor and seller onboarding, social commerce, feed management, and more. The software has thousands of active users and lots of positive independent reviews online.
There is no pricing information on Productsup’s official website; you may have to get in touch with them to get the full details.
KEY FEATURES
- Feed management
- Social commerce
- Product content syndication
- Marketplace experience
- Insights
- Seller and vendor onboarding
REASONS TO BUY
- Highly flexible
- Excellent support
REASON TO AVOID
- The UI can be more interactive
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6. OpenBOM – Best Innovative PDM Software
PRICING: starts at $55 a month
OpenBOM is a robust digital network-based solution that makes it easy for companies to manage their product data. The platform also connects manufacturers with the right supply networks. The software’s data management and collaboration functionality allow users to manage parts, vendors, bills of materials, and so on. OpenBOM is suited to small to large manufacturing companies. OpenBOM is an online-based solution that is accessible to millions of users anywhere in the world. There is a free trial and free trial on the official website as well.
KEY FEATURES
- Product data management
- Bill of materials
- New product introduction
- Metadata
- Collaboration
- Analytics
REASONS TO BUY
- Free version
- Responsive support
REASON TO AVOID
- New users will have to overcome a small learning curve
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References and Links
- https://www.g2.com/categories/product-data-management-pdm
- https://www.capterra.com/product-data-management-software/
- https://www.getapp.com/it-management-software/product-data-management/
- https://www.swyftsol.com/blog/top-pdm-solutions
- https://sourceforge.net/software/product-data-management/
- https://slashdot.org/software/product-data-management/