Implementation of product lifecycle management tools using enterprise integration engineering and action-research

Abstract

This paper describes how enterprise integration engineering (EIE) and action-research (A-R) can be used to support the implementation of product lifecycle management (PLM) tools. The EIE concept is used to align the corporate strategies with the use of PLM technologies in order to impact the key performance indicators (KPIs) in the enterprise. An EIE reference framework is proposed to define strategies, evaluate performance measures, design/re-design processes and establish the enabling tools and technologies to support the enterprise strategies, while A-R is proposed to guide the PLM tools implementation at various stages of the product development process. An industrial application is described to demonstrate the benefits of applying EIE, A-R and PLM in an enterprise.

Keywords:

• enterprise integration
• enterprise modelling
• product lifecycle
• action-research
• industrial application

Acknowledgements

The research presented in this document is a contribution for the ‘Rapid Product Realisation for Developing Markets Using Emerging Technologies’ Research Chair, ITESM, Campus Monterrey (Mexico), the ‘Technological Innovation’ and ‘Design of Mechatronics Products’ Research Chairs, ITESM, Campus Ciudad de México (Mexico) and the ‘PLM tools implementation process for engineering projects’ Research chair, EAFIT University (Colombia).