How to choose your PLM software?
Choosing technical data management software has become a strategic decision.
With so many PLM solutions available, how can you make the right choice? Cloud or on-premise? Should you opt for solutions from CAD publishers (PTC, Dassault Systèmes, Solidworks, etc.) or PLM specialists (Aras, Lascom, Aletiq, Audros, etc.)?
Structuring your product data management can quickly become a real headache.
And yet, this choice is far from trivial. In a context of accelerated digital transformation, where development cycles are shortening and customer requirements are becoming more complex, industrial companies need solutions capable of structuring, automating, and securing the entire product lifecycle.
PLM is no longer reserved for large companies: it has become a strategic lever, provided you fully understand its benefits, its limitations, and the criteria to consider when choosing the right solution for your challenges.
Before diving into comparisons, let's lay the groundwork for an informed choice.
5 steps to choosing the right PLM
Choosing PLM software is not just a matter of comparing features or prices. It is a structuring project that must be based on a clear approach, tailored to your business challenges and your level of digital maturity. Here are the 5 key steps to follow to make the right choice:
Analyze your business needs
First and foremost, identify your needs precisely:
• What are the specific requirements of your industry? (regulatory standards, certification cycles, sensitivity to delays, etc.)
• What is the volume and complexity of your product data (bill of materials, variants, configurations)?
• Do you already work with CAD tools or ERP systems?
• Do you have significant needs in terms of traceability, quality, document management, or multi-site collaboration?
• What level of autonomy do you expect? (internal configuration, workflow customization, scalability without external intervention, etc.)
This step allows you to lay the foundations for a realistic and well-defined project.
Define the essential criteria
Once you have clarified your needs, define the non-negotiable criteria for your future PLM. For example:
• Ease of adoption, whether by specific teams or the entire organization;
• Ability to adapt to your internal processes and organization;
• Autonomy of configuration: cloud solutions offer increased flexibility at no additional cost compared to on-premise systems;
• Seamless integration with your existing tools (CAD, ERP, etc.);
• Data security, traceability, regulatory compliance;
These criteria will serve as a compass for filtering the solutions on the market.
Establish specifications and an evaluation grid
Formalize your expectations in clear and structured specifications. Even if it is brief, this document will help you align all stakeholders with the project's objectives, objectively evaluate publishers during discussions, and maintain a comprehensive view of the desired functional scope.
Supplement these specifications with an evaluation grid that will allow you to compare solutions based on your criteria: features, associated services, pricing, deployment scope, etc.
Don't forget to also include technical constraints, priority use cases, and your scalability needs.
Request a demo if applicable
Don't limit yourself to sales presentations: request a personalized demo based on your actual use cases. This is an opportunity to:
• Check the ergonomics and fluidity of the interface.
• Ask specific questions about your business processes.
• Evaluate the responsiveness and understanding of the teams involved.
A good demo should allow you to visualize how the software will work in practice to see if it meets your needs.
Test
If your project is particularly complex, it may be relevant to go further technically to evaluate the relevance of a solution. There are several ways to test PLM software in a concrete and structured way:
• Technical restitution: the service provider uses your own data to integrate it into the solution, in order to verify compatibility and consistency with your real use cases.
• Performance tests: if this corresponds to your challenges, you can request to simulate a large volume of data (e.g., very complex bills of materials, numerous users) to evaluate the robustness and responsiveness of the tool.
A well-conducted test is often the best indicator for making an informed decision and securing your investment.
7 essential criteria (checklist) for choosing the right PLM software
There are many criteria for evaluating PLM solutions on the market, but making the right choice is not just about functionality. It must also take into account the specific needs of your company, your industry, and your level of digital maturity. To help you, here is a 7-point checklist that will enable you to make an informed decision that is aligned with your challenges:
1. Business & industry adaptability :
Make sure the solution fits your industrial environment: level of regulation, technical complexity, project culture. Expectations vary considerably depending on the type of business: a project-oriented structure will not be looking for the same features as a mass manufacturer, just as the requirements of an aerospace player differ from those of a medical company.
2. Speed of deployment
Before choosing PLM software, it is essential to consider the time required for configuration, data loading, and user training. Cloud solutions, for example, are generally faster to deploy than on-premise solutions because they do not require local infrastructure or heavy technical maintenance.
3. Ergonomics & adoption
A PLM tool only generates value if it is adopted by teams. The interface must be clear, intuitive, and suitable for all user profiles. A user-friendly interface promotes engagement, reduces training needs, and accelerates adoption.
4. Integration with existing software
A good PLM must also integrate easily with your software ecosystem: CAD, ERP, quality tools, project management, etc. The more native or open the integrations are, the less silos and double entries you create.
5. Security & compliance
PLM centralizes sensitive data: your technical files, your know-how, your customer exchanges. It must therefore meet high standards in terms of access security, traceability, backup, and regulatory compliance (ISO, GDPR, etc.).
6. Scalability & customization
The solution you choose must be able to evolve with you. It must be able to adapt to new processes, new sites, or new business lines without having to rebuild everything. Beware of rigid or overly vertical solutions.
7. Costs vs. ROI
Beyond the purchase price, take into account the costs of implementation, training, and maintenance. Note that non-cloud solutions often generate unpredictable costs, especially when specific developments are required. Limit these customizations as much as possible, as they entail very high costs for both deployment and maintenance. Also consider the expected gains: reduced errors, accelerated cycles, better collaboration, and simplified compliance. A good PLM is above all an investment, not an expense.
For SMEs and mid-market companies, SaaS solutions, which are more accessible, quick to deploy, and scalable, can make it easy to get started and gradually expand the functional scope as the organization matures.Choosing PLM software is not just a matter of comparing features or prices. It is a truly transformative project that must be aligned with your business challenges, your level of digital maturity, and your company's ambitions.
The goal is to find the right balance between simplicity, efficiency, and scalability. A solution that is too complex can hinder adoption, while a solution that is too limited can become a barrier to growth.
Take the time to assess your needs, involve the right stakeholders, and test the tools on real-world cases. This preliminary work will enable you to make an informed choice and get the most out of your future PLM software.
And if you want to go further, better understand the market, or structure your approach, feel free to consult our white paper or contact us for a personalized demo.
