Product Data Management

Software category used to save product data in databases. Product data include, first of all, engineering data, such as CAD-models and drawings (CAD), digital mock-up (DMU), Bill of Material (BOM). Meta-data contain information about the file creator and the current status of a particular element. A PDM-system helps organizing collective access to such data by ensuring its continuous integrity, introducing the necessary changes to all product versions, modifying material specification, and facilitating configuration of production versions. As an integrated subsystem, PDM is used throughout product lifecycle as part of the product lifecycle management (PLM). Most PDM-systems enable working simultaneously with engineering data generated by different CAD-systems.