Stages of deploying PLM software
Implementing PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) software is not just a simple IT project. It is a strategic initiative that deeply affects the company’s business processes: R&D, design, industrialization, quality, production... In other words, it is a project that transforms how technical data is managed and shared.
Without a structured approach, the risks are numerous: configuration errors, unexpected cost overruns, partial adoption by teams, wasted time, or even a lack of tangible short-term results.
These pitfalls can jeopardize the project’s success and slow down the momentum of industrial digitalization.
Conversely, a well-managed deployment maximizes the benefits of a PLM:
• Reliability of product data;
• Reduced time to market;
• Assured regulatory compliance;
• Improved collaboration between teams;
• Accelerated innovation.
To realize these advantages, it is necessary to follow a clear, incremental implementation process.
In this article, Aletiq shares a structured PLM deployment guide to help you anticipate each critical phase.
Step 1 – Understanding operating modes and the associated operational challenges
Before any configuration or migration, it is essential to take the time to understand how the company actually operates day to day. This involves mapping existing processes, analyzing interactions between departments (R&D, quality, industrialization, methods...), and identifying friction points or efficiency losses.
This phase also clarifies the project’s priority objectives. Involving operational teams from the outset is fundamental: they are the ones who use the solution on a daily basis.
Step 2 – Defining the target model with operational teams
Based on the initial analysis, the target model is defined with operational teams. This step is much more than a simple reproduction of existing processes: it is a real opportunity to challenge current practices. By rethinking workflows, approval circuits, change tracking, and expected data formats, the company can fully leverage digital transformation to drive deep business transformation with, in the end, efficiency gains at a global scale.
While working on the target model, roles and responsibilities are determined for each user profile, along with access rights. This step builds a coherent functional foundation aligned with both business priorities and technical constraints.
Step 3 – Software configuration
Once the model is defined, the PLM software is configured to faithfully reflect the company’s needs. Modern solutions, such as Aletiq, allow rapid, flexible configuration without custom development.Configuration includes defining document lifecycles, modeling workflows, structuring bills of materials (EBOM, MBOM), and adapting the interface to different user profiles.
Step 4 – Migration of historical data
Before Go Live, migrating existing technical data is a critical step. File cleanup is often necessary to identify the data to be migrated, structure the information, adapt it to the new system, and correct inconsistencies.
Next, a mapping is carried out to align existing formats with the target structure. Progressive tests validate migration quality and ensure a reliable database from the start of production use.
Step 5 – Setting up the interface with ERP tools
Integrating PLM with the ERP is essential to avoid duplicate entries and ensure a continuous digital thread. This automated synchronization pushes bills of materials, manufacturing routings, and item data directly into the ERP.
This interoperability guarantees data consistency across the entire product lifecycle and streamlines exchanges between the company’s various departments.
Step 6 – On-site user training
Deployment success largely depends on team adoption. Training which can begin ahead of Go Live helps users familiarize themselves with the solution and test processes using concrete cases. User validation is a key step to secure the switch to the new system.
On-site training sessions strengthen engagement, facilitate ownership of the new tool, and help identify any final adjustments needed before the official launch.
Deploying PLM software is a structuring project that, when well executed, durably transforms product data management within the company. From understanding business processes to training users, each step contributes to building a solid solution that is useful and adopted over the long term.
By following a progressive, collaborative, and well-equipped approach, industrial companies can accelerate their digital transformation while safeguarding their investment.
At Aletiq, our support team assists clients at every deployment stage, ensuring the solution fully addresses their operational challenges. This approach enables us to tailor the solution to each site’s specificities while guaranteeing a smooth implementation, close support, and tangible results from the first quarter.
FAQ
How long does a PLM software deployment take?
The deployment timeline depends on the type of solution chosen. For a cloud PLM like Aletiq, it is possible to deploy the solution in around 2 months per site. In contrast, on-premise solutions are often more complex to implement: the process can extend over several months, or even years, depending on scope size, the quality of existing data, and the expected level of integration with other tools (ERP, CAD...).
How can user adoption be ensured?
Involve teams from the start, train on concrete use cases, and demonstrate measurable gains quickly.
Is it necessary to migrate all existing data?
Not necessarily. It is often advisable to migrate only active, critical data.
Which indicators should be tracked to measure success?
Usage rate, error reduction, approval lead times, document search time, user feedback.
Can processes be readjusted after deployment?
Yes, a good PLM is scalable. Workflows, roles, or views can be adjusted as maturity increases. Cloud solutions, such as Aletiq, offer great flexibility: you can adapt the configuration yourself as needed, while still benefiting from the vendor’s support if necessary.
