# Best Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Software - Page 5 *By [Daniel Rivera](https://research.g2.com/insights/author/daniel-rivera)* Product lifecycle management (PLM) software manages the data and processes involved in a product's development, from inception through launch. Companies use PLM software to increase productivity and collaboration, improve quality, bolster creativity, and shorten a product's time to market. It helps integrate data, documents, business systems, and individuals involved in the creation process. PLM solutions also allow stakeholders to track the changes made to the product during its development. Initially designed for manufacturing, it is used across various industries such as architecture, engineering, construction (AEC), and even services. In manufacturing, most PLM vendors provide custom functionalities for multiple types of production, such as discrete, process, and engineer-to-order (ETO). PLM software is used by various users in an organization, such as product managers, engineers, production personnel, and maintenance technicians. Since PLM data is used in the manufacturing, servicing, and disposal processes, this software integrates with various systems, including [ERP systems](https://www.g2.com/categories/erp-systems), [quality management systems](https://www.g2.com/categories/quality-management-qms), [supply chain management software](https://www.g2.com/categories/supply-chain-management), and [enterprise asset management (EAM)](https://www.g2.com/categories/enterprise-asset-management-eam). To qualify for inclusion in the PLM category, a product must: - Provide functionality for product design and computer-aided design(CAD) solutions - Allow users to create and manage product configurations and bill of materials (BOM) - Deliver features for requirements tracking and engineering change management - Provide a centralized repository to manage product data throughout its lifecycle - Maintain product documentation, CAD models, drawings, and technical specifications - Manage product costs by tracking the costs of the components defined in BOMs and recipes - Comply with quality standards and regulations or with customer-specific requirements - Include simulation features to manage product testing scenarios in virtual environments - Facilitate collaboration with suppliers, subcontractors, and other stakeholders - Assist manufacturers with process planning across multiple locations - Analyze product development KPIs and monitor engineering performance ## Top Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Software at a Glance | # | Product | Rating | Best For | What Users Say | |---|---------|--------|----------|----------------| | 1 | [Teamcenter](https://www.g2.com/products/teamcenter/reviews) | 4.3/5.0 (1,116 reviews) | CAD-integrated BOM and change control | "[Secure, Intuitive Document Management with Seamless Word, Excel, NX Integration](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/teamcenter-review-12785742)" | | 2 | [SAP Integrated Product Development](https://www.g2.com/products/sap-integrated-product-development/reviews) | 4.2/5.0 (70 reviews) | Engineering-to-manufacturing traceability inside S/4HANA | "[Streamlines Product Design, Engineering, and Collaboration in One Place](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/sap-integrated-product-development-review-12738948)" | | 3 | [Arena PLM & QMS](https://www.g2.com/products/arena-plm-qms/reviews) | 4.2/5.0 (432 reviews) | BOM control with supplier-shared change orders | "[Clear, Easy Status Tracking and Stakeholder Feedback](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/arena-plm-qms-review-12313094)" | | 4 | [Odoo MRP](https://www.g2.com/products/odoo-mrp/reviews) | 4.2/5.0 (15 reviews) | BOM-driven manufacturing with Odoo ERP integration | "[Highly Customizable with Integrations](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/odoo-mrp-review-12132614)" | | 5 | [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) | 4.7/5.0 (682 reviews) | Cloud-native CAD with integrated version control | "[Easy-to-Use, Cloud-Based CAD for Teamwork](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/onshape-review-12062338)" | | 6 | [SAP PLM](https://www.g2.com/products/sap-plm/reviews) | 3.8/5.0 (59 reviews) | ERP-integrated BOM and change control | "[Flexible Document and Change Management with SAP PLM](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/sap-plm-review-4659147)" | | 7 | [Propel](https://www.g2.com/products/propel-propel/reviews) | 4.3/5.0 (141 reviews) | Salesforce-native PLM with change and BOM control | "[Clear tracking of tasks and responsibilities](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/propel-review-12439739)" | | 8 | [Aras Innovator](https://www.g2.com/products/aras-innovator/reviews) | 4.4/5.0 (113 reviews) | Low-code PLM with legacy system integration | "[Flexibility and Openness Make Aras Innovator a Standout](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/aras-innovator-review-12634519)" | | 9 | [OpenBOM](https://www.g2.com/products/openbom/reviews) | 4.2/5.0 (786 reviews) | CAD-integrated BOM management with multi-level assembly tracking | "[I transform the way of generating plans in PDF and storing them](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/openbom-review-12956379)" | | 10 | [Windchill](https://www.g2.com/products/ptc-windchill/reviews) | 4.1/5.0 (109 reviews) | CAD-centric PLM with Creo integration | "[Centralized Data and Seamless CAD Integration Elevate Collaboration](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/windchill-review-12201794)" | --- ## What Are the Most Common Questions About Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Software? *AI-generated · Last updated: May 26, 2026* ### What are the best PLM Software platforms for manufacturing companies with 500+ employees? Based on G2 reviews, enterprise manufacturing teams most often describe [Teamcenter](https://www.g2.com/products/teamcenter) as a strong fit for large, complex environments because it centralizes product data, BOMs, approvals, and CAD information across engineering, manufacturing, and operations. According to verified users, it helps large teams work from a single source of truth, improve traceability, and coordinate changes across departments and locations. G2 reviewers mention strengths around revision control, workflow management, and integration with CAD and ERP systems, while also noting that training, implementation effort, and system complexity can be part of the rollout for bigger organizations. **Here are some of the top-rated products on G2:** - [Teamcenter](https://www.g2.com/products/teamcenter) – used by large manufacturing and engineering teams for centralized product data, change control, BOMs, and cross-functional collaboration ### PLM Software that manages product data across engineering, supply chain, and manufacturing? Based on G2 reviews, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Software that connects engineering, supply chain, and manufacturing is valued for creating one controlled system for product data, changes, and approvals. G2 reviewers mention that users want design files, BOMs, supplier documentation, and downstream manufacturing records aligned in one place so teams are not working from disconnected spreadsheets or outdated files. According to verified users, [Teamcenter](https://www.g2.com/products/teamcenter) is frequently used this way, especially for linking engineering data with manufacturing planning, procurement, and ERP-connected processes. Reviews also consistently highlight benefits such as reduced duplication, stronger traceability, and fewer handoff errors when multiple departments rely on the same product record. ### Which PLM Software implementations maintain accuracy during format migrations across your organization? Based on G2 reviews, [Teamcenter](https://www.g2.com/products/teamcenter) stands out in this category for organizations focused on maintaining accuracy during migrations and cross-system data movement. According to verified users, reviewers cite data mapping, conversion support, centralized records, and strong audit trails as valuable when moving product information from disconnected tools into a more controlled PLM environment. G2 reviewers mention that Teamcenter helps reduce version confusion, keep historical records visible, and align data before it is pushed into downstream systems. At the same time, users note that migration and configuration can take meaningful effort, especially when older systems, custom workflows, or large datasets are involved across multiple teams. ### Highest rated PLM Software for accelerating time-to-market in manufacturing across your organization? Based on G2 reviews, manufacturers often connect faster time-to-market with stronger workflow automation, better collaboration, and fewer manual handoffs. G2 reviewers mention that Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Software helps accelerate launches when design, approvals, BOM updates, and change management all happen in one environment. According to verified users, [Teamcenter](https://www.g2.com/products/teamcenter) is repeatedly described as helping teams shorten design iterations, improve launch timelines, and speed decision-making through automated approvals, centralized comments, and integrated product data. Reviews also point to quicker issue identification and smoother cross-functional coordination as reasons teams can move products forward with fewer delays, especially in engineering-heavy manufacturing environments. ### Most reliable PLM Software based on reviews from automotive manufacturers across your organization? Based on G2 reviews, reliability in automotive-oriented PLM use cases is usually tied to revision control, auditability, CAD integration, and consistent collaboration across teams. G2 reviewers mention [Teamcenter](https://www.g2.com/products/teamcenter) as dependable for managing complex assemblies, engineering changes, and product data history in environments where accuracy matters. According to verified users, teams value its ability to keep everyone on current versions, centralize records, and support approvals and traceability during design and production workflows. Reviewers also note that it performs well as a system of record for large manufacturing programs, though some users mention learning curve, performance on large datasets, and customization effort as considerations during ongoing use. **Here are some of the top-rated products on G2:** - [Teamcenter](https://www.g2.com/products/teamcenter) – frequently used for revision control, CAD-connected workflows, audit trails, and managing complex manufacturing data ### Which PLM Software reduces product data retrieval time to seconds for your specific needs? Based on G2 reviews, users look for Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Software that makes part records, drawings, BOMs, and approvals easy to find without digging through shared drives or emails. According to verified users, [Teamcenter](https://www.g2.com/products/teamcenter) is often praised for centralizing product information, applying search and classification tools, and helping teams retrieve older components, current versions, and related documents more efficiently. G2 reviewers mention that these capabilities reduce duplicate work and improve day-to-day decision-making by making approved data easier to access. At the same time, some users note that search and system speed can slow down when databases are very large, so retrieval performance may depend on dataset size and configuration. ### Top PLM Software for companies with distributed design and production teams effectively? Based on G2 reviews, distributed teams benefit most from PLM tools that centralize files, manage revisions clearly, and let multiple departments work from the same approved data. G2 reviewers mention that Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Software is especially valuable when design, procurement, manufacturing, and quality teams operate across sites and need real-time visibility into updates. According to verified users, [Teamcenter](https://www.g2.com/products/teamcenter) is commonly used to align distributed teams by keeping CAD files, BOMs, approvals, and workflow history in one place. Reviewers say this helps reduce version mismatches, improve handoffs between design and production, and make remote or multi-location collaboration more consistent, even if onboarding and heavy datasets can add complexity. **Here are some of the top-rated products on G2:** - [Teamcenter](https://www.g2.com/products/teamcenter) – supports distributed engineering and production teams with shared product data, role-based access, and revision-controlled collaboration ### Which PLM Software integrates seamlessly with CAD tools like CATIA and NX? Based on G2 reviews, [Teamcenter](https://www.g2.com/products/teamcenter) is the most frequently referenced option here because reviewers repeatedly mention direct work with NX, CATIA, and other CAD tools inside broader PLM workflows. According to verified users, these integrations help teams save models, manage assemblies, control revisions, and connect design data with change processes and BOM structures without relying on disconnected file handling. G2 reviewers mention that this is especially useful for engineering organizations that need CAD data to stay aligned with manufacturing, approvals, and downstream systems. Users also note that while the CAD connectivity is a major strength, setup, customization, and learning curve can require added effort depending on the environment. ### PLM Software providing real-time bill of materials accuracy across revisions for your specific needs? Based on G2 reviews, buyers looking for real-time bill of materials accuracy usually prioritize revision tracking, approval workflows, and a central system that keeps engineering and manufacturing records aligned. G2 reviewers mention that Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Software is most effective here when BOM views, change logs, and version history are visible to all stakeholders working on the same product. According to verified users, [Teamcenter](https://www.g2.com/products/teamcenter) is frequently praised for BOM management, revision control, and maintaining traceable updates across assemblies and related files. Reviews describe benefits such as fewer duplicate parts, stronger consistency between teams, and clearer downstream impact when changes are made to product structures. ### Most trusted PLM Software by large manufacturers based on user reviews based on user reviews? Based on G2 reviews, trust among large manufacturers is most often built around consistent version control, compliance support, cross-functional workflows, and the ability to serve as a dependable source of truth. G2 reviewers mention that teams trust Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Software when it keeps records auditable, approvals structured, and product data accessible across engineering, manufacturing, procurement, and quality. According to verified users, [Teamcenter](https://www.g2.com/products/teamcenter) is repeatedly described as a trusted platform for managing complex product data and large-scale collaboration. Reviews commonly highlight centralized information, strong change tracking, and reliable CAD and ERP-connected processes, while also acknowledging the need for training and thoughtful implementation. **Here are some of the top-rated products on G2:** - [Teamcenter](https://www.g2.com/products/teamcenter) – trusted by large manufacturing organizations for centralized control, audit trails, and complex cross-team product workflows ## How Many Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Software Products Does G2 Track? **Total Products under this Category:** 98 ### Category Stats (Jun 2026) - **Average Rating**: 4.32/5 The average rating of products in this category, based on all submitted ratings - **Top Trending Product**: Bombiix PLM, DPPs, PIM and DAM (+1.78%) - Among all products in this category, Bombiix PLM, DPPs, PIM and DAM recorded the largest rating increase compared to last month *Last updated: June 24, 2026* ## How Does G2 Rank Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Software Products? **Why You Can Trust G2's Software Rankings:** - 30 Analysts and Data Experts - 9,000+ Authentic Reviews - 98+ Products - Unbiased Rankings G2's software rankings are built on verified user reviews, rigorous moderation, and a consistent research methodology maintained by a team of analysts and data experts. Each product is measured using the same transparent criteria, with no paid placement or vendor influence. While reviews reflect real user experiences, which can be subjective, they offer valuable insight into how software performs in the hands of professionals. Together, these inputs power the G2 Score, a standardized way to compare tools within every category. ## Which Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Software Is Best for Your Use Case? - **Leader:** [Teamcenter](https://www.g2.com/products/teamcenter/reviews) - **Highest Performer:** [Duro](https://www.g2.com/products/duro/reviews) - **Easiest to Use:** [Arena PLM & QMS](https://www.g2.com/products/arena-plm-qms/reviews) - **Top Trending:** [Aras Innovator](https://www.g2.com/products/aras-innovator/reviews) - **Best Free Software:** [Teamcenter](https://www.g2.com/products/teamcenter/reviews) --- **Sponsored** ### Bild Bild is a cloud-native Product Data and Lifecycle Management (PDM/PLM) platform built for modern hardware teams that need better control over CAD files, versions, and product data. Bild gives engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams a single source of truth for managing hardware development without slowing teams down or adding unnecessary complexity. Bild simplifies CAD data management and version control. Engineers can securely store, access, and manage design files from anywhere, ensuring teams always work from the latest version. Built-in check-in/check-out, version history, and change tracking eliminate the risk of overwriting work, reduce errors, and improve accountability across teams. Whether managing individual parts or complex assemblies, Bild makes it easy to understand what changed, who changed it, and why. Beyond version control, Bild supports BOM management and cross-functional collaboration by connecting product data across the entire lifecycle. Engineering changes automatically surface to manufacturing and operations teams through role-specific workflows, helping teams stay aligned as products move from design to production. Suppliers and external partners can securely collaborate on designs, share documentation, and provide feedback without exposing sensitive internal data. Unlike legacy PLM systems, Bild is cloud-native, fast to deploy, and intuitive to use. Teams can access CAD files and product information anytime, anywhere, without VPNs or heavy infrastructure. The modern interface lowers adoption barriers and enables teams to get value quickly, without months of training or expensive implementation projects. By centralizing product data and streamlining collaboration, Bild helps hardware teams reduce production risk, improve visibility, and move faster with confidence. From early-stage startups to scaling hardware organizations and global enterprises, Bild provides a flexible and accessible PDM/PLM solution that grows with your product development needs. Key solutions include: - Secure version control and revision management - Centralized bill of materials (BOM) management - Supplier collaboration and controlled external access - Automated engineering change management workflows and documentation [Visit website](https://www.g2.com/external_clickthroughs/record?secure%5Bad_program%5D=ppc&secure%5Bad_slot%5D=category_product_list&secure%5Bcategory_id%5D=184&secure%5Bdisplayable_resource_id%5D=184&secure%5Bdisplayable_resource_type%5D=Category&secure%5Bmedium%5D=sponsored&secure%5Bplacement_reason%5D=page_category&secure%5Bplacement_resource_ids%5D%5B%5D=184&secure%5Bprioritized%5D=false&secure%5Bproduct_id%5D=1186779&secure%5Bresource_id%5D=184&secure%5Bresource_type%5D=Category&secure%5Bsource_type%5D=category_page&secure%5Bsource_url%5D=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.g2.com%2Fcategories%2Fproduct-lifecycle-management-plm%2Ff%2Fmes&secure%5Btoken%5D=c9dfe85c87e55bd2191afd85847dfa00dfd41ae37e84e8bce5331aceb8371775&secure%5Burl%5D=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.getbild.com%2Faccess-interactive-demo%2F%3Futm_source%3Dg2%26utm_medium%3Dpaid%26utm_campaign%3Dg2_clickads_2026%26utm_content%3DPLM&secure%5Burl_type%5D=custom_url) --- ## What Is Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Software? [CAD & PLM Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/cad-plm) ## What Software Categories Are Similar to Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Software? - [Product Data Management (PDM) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/product-data-management-pdm) --- ## How Do You Choose the Right Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Software? ### What You Should Know About PLM Software ### What is PLM Software? Getting a product to market is a long process, and PLM technology can be used to cover each step. The first point in the lifecycle is the conception of the product, wherein research is conducted to create a product catered to a targeted demographic. A PLM system can track the evolution of your product, even at this early stage. Once a product is out of conception, it moves on to the design phase. Product designers create mockups and prototypes, as well as test the product; a PLM system is utilized to keep track of all the notes taken during this phase. From here, a product moves into production. The design is shipped off to be manufactured, and the organization must keep track of the sourcing of materials, costs, timelines, and more. A PLM system should be able to account for all of these different variables that go into creating your product. The final step in the product lifecycle is distribution and maintenance. You’ll have to ensure your product is warehoused and distributed to the appropriate sales channels. You’ll then need to track sales and customer support data in order to fully understand your product’s performance. A PLM solution will easily keep track of these data points as your product moves onto the market. Key Benefits of X Software - Manage files, documents, drawings, and other data for a product in a centralized location - Control and collect document revisions - Improve employee communication and collaboration by centralizing data and designs - Increase productivity by eliminating redundancies - Minimize errors and inconsistencies across teams - Shorten time to market for a product ### Why Use PLM Software? **Quicker time to market –** A PLM solution will keep your team organized during the lifecycle of your product. All relevant data about a product is kept within this platform, which means your team has complete control over it. Having easy access to this information means that design teams can work faster, quickly transferring design data to production so the product can get manufactured in a timely matter. **Enhance the quality of your product —** PLM tools allow you to easily control and manage the details that impact the overall quality of the product you are designing. With the help of this software, manufacturers take the notes given to them by product designers to ensure all details and procedures surrounding the manufacturing of this product are up to snuff. This is especially helpful if there are teams in multiple locations working on different phases of the product lifecycle. **Meet compliance standards —** When designing and manufacturing a product, there are likely a number of compliance standards your product will need to meet. Companies must manage and maintain data pertaining to variables such as the contents of purchased goods and how products are built and modified. PLM systems reduce the risk of violating compliance standards, since these tools act as a single source of authority for this information. ### What are the top PLM software options for the aerospace industry? For PLM software options suited for the aerospace industry, these are some of the top G2 rated software options: - [PTC Windchill](https://www.g2.com/products/ptc-windchill/reviews): Known for its extensive features like collaboration tools, security measures, and multi-device compatibility. Dominates in managing complex product structures. - [Teamcenter by Siemens](https://www.g2.com/products/teamcenter/reviews): Offers data management, digital thread integration, and compliance support features. Widely trusted in the aerospace industry. - [Dassault Design & Engineering Simulation Suite](https://www.g2.com/products/dassault-design-engineering-simulation/reviews): Also known as Dassault Systemes suite, these apps provide a broad range of PLM solutions catered to a variety industries, including aerospace. ### Which PLM platform is best for innovation management? For innovation management, several PLM platforms stand out, each with its own unique strengths. According to G2 users, these are some of the best PLM platforms for innovation management: - [Propel](https://www.g2.com/products/propel-propel/reviews): Cloud-native teams seeking agile, customer-driven product innovation and customizable workflows. - [Oracle PLM](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-product-lifecycle-management-plm/reviews): Offers AI-driven digital solutions and is best for enterprises that need to integrate with ERM, SCM, and innovation management. - [Aras Innovator](https://www.g2.com/products/aras-innovator/reviews): Open-sourced PLM solution that provides flexibility and scalability for those looking for innovation management capabilities. ### Who Uses PLM Software? Users with any hand in the creation of a product can benefit from the use of PLM software. Teams involved in the design of a product can use these tools to store various notes about the details of their designs. Product manufacturers take these notes and ensure all products they build are sound and meet company standards. A product manager needs to keep tabs on all phases of a product throughout its lifestyle, and a PLM system allows them to do so. These solutions are useful for the design and production of any product, from anything as small as a consumer-based product to something as large as a car. ### Kinds of PLM Software PLM systems all typically serve the same purpose—to manage a product’s lifecycle, from conception to distribution. For that reason, there is not a lot of variety within the PLM ecosystem. However, there is a slight variation in the way these solutions may be deployed. Some PLM systems come from an ERP vendor, as they can be featured directly in those suites. A number of PLM-specific vendors offer best-of-breed applications. These are a suite of modules that are used to manage all stages of the product lifecycle. You may also select a standalone PLM module to perform the tasks that you need. ### PLM Software Features **Bill of materials (BOM) management —** A lot goes into building your product. You will need various materials and different quantities of each. PLM software helps keep track of this information and enables the management, visualization, and sharing of data across any team in your company. **Change management —** Bringing a product to life is a difficult task, and there will likely be many changes along the way. Change management ensures that there is an orderly process to request, plan, implement, and evaluate the changes to a design or process related to the product. **Reporting and analytics —** Product data storage is one of the key components of a PLM system. To best utilize the product information stored within the platform, a PLM solution should have robust reporting capabilities. **Quality management —** These solutions offer workflows that coordinate, manage, and track cross-departmental product quality processes. All of this information will be stored in the PLM system, making it the single source of truth for quality management. This means you can easily improve product quality while you reduce time-to-closure. **Supplier collaboration —** Getting your product to your target demographic is the end goal for anyone involved in its creation. A PLM system may have the functionality to help you find the best supplier for your particular product. You can approve vendors, manage their audits, and more with the help of a PLM tool. **Product data management (PDM) —** One of the key benefits of a PLM tool is that it keeps track of all your product data, enabling the organization, management, and analysis of your information. Teams across your organization can add their own notes about revisions and releases as well. This encourages cross-departmental collaboration for product design and manufacturing. Other Features of PLM Software: [AutoCAD Integration Capabilities](https://www.g2.com/categories/plm/f/autocad-integration), [BOM visualization Capabilities](https://www.g2.com/categories/plm/f/bom-visualization), [CAD Capabilities](https://www.g2.com/categories/plm/f/cad), [ERP Capabilities](https://www.g2.com/categories/plm/f/erp), [Ideation Capabilities](https://www.g2.com/categories/plm/f/ideation), [Inventor Integration Capabilities](https://www.g2.com/categories/plm/f/inventor-integration), [MES Capabilities](https://www.g2.com/categories/plm/f/mes), [Modular PLM Providers Capabilities](https://www.g2.com/categories/plm/f/modular-plm-providers), [Optimization Capabilities](https://www.g2.com/categories/plm/f/optimization), [Solid Edge Integration Capabilities](https://www.g2.com/categories/plm/f/solid-edge-integration), [Solidworks Integrations Capabilities](https://www.g2.com/categories/plm/f/solidworks-integration), [Virtual Testing Capabilities](https://www.g2.com/categories/plm/f/virtual-testing) #### Additional PLM Features **Kind —** While it may not be universally offered by all PLM products, some solutions offer different CAD capabilities so that you may produce a 3D design of your product. Those tools that have computer-aided engineering (CAE) functionalities allow you to simulate products and identify weaknesses in the early design stages. PLM solutions may also offer computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), which communicates with the machinery used to make the product to ensure it follows the precise specifications you put into place. An efficient PLM system also automates a number of processes, so that the transition between each phase of the lifecycle is as smooth as possible. Workflows, task distribution, and communication between different departments may be automated with these systems. Some PLM tools have [business intelligence](https://www.g2.com/categories/business-intelligence) functionalities. You can access updated reports, charts and graphs surrounding your product data within these platforms. PLM solutions equipped with this functionality should also give you the ability to display specific data the way you want to see it, enabling insight into trends and potential bottlenecks across your company. ### Potential Issues with PLM Software **Potential data loss —** A number of documents are generated in the product design and manufacturing process. The fact that a PLM system houses all product information also has the potential to be its undoing; if your PLM system goes down, you lose access to all data. This includes different kinds of documents as well, such as CAD files, spreadsheets, pictures, and more. If your solution is not secure and reliable, there is always a chance you could lose your data—and with a PLM solution, that means you could lose everything. **Revision errors —** A product goes through many changes throughout its lifecycle. Each change should be documented to better keep track of the most current version of the product. The more documentation, the more likely the chance of sending over an older version of the product to design or manufacturing. A misstep like this could cost your organization time and money. **Lack of integration —** A smooth product lifecycle requires many moving parts and plenty . Sometimes that means integrating multiple products with your PLM solution. For example, if you do not have an efficient CAD solution, your PLM system may not automatically generate a BOM list for you. If a step like this gets skipped over, there will be a large disconnect between design and manufacturing. ### Software and Services Related to PLM Software **CAD software —** The more detailed your data is, the smoother the product lifecycle will be. [CAD](https://www.g2.com/categories/cad) solutions are used to create 3D models of objects and structures, which provide more perspectives than a simple sketch. This means that, at the end of a product’s lifecycle, a manufacturer could catch potential product flaws before it is brought to market. **Project management —** PLM software keeps the design and manufacturing of your product running smoothly. A [project management](https://www.g2.com/categories/project-management) tool will keep the people behind the creation of that product organized. These tools allow you to view task assignments across the entire span of the product lifecycle. This provides different teams with visibility into what other teams are working on.