A National Laboratory has been utilizing PTC Windchill PDMLink for CAD Data Management and other general PDM functions, but they wanted to do more with Windchill. The obvious leap was to implement PDMLink change management functionality, but the National Laboratory did not have enough resources to support this on their own. Knowing the importance of this project, the Lab wanted to work with experts to ensure they had an optimized system deployed. That’s when they reached out to partner with Fishbowl Solutions. When it comes to engineering change management, organizations like the National Laboratory are trying to make better informed decisions earlier in the process so they can implement process improvements, eliminate costly issues, and get successful projects/products to market faster. However, many organizations are still using an “electronic paper-based” process that doesn’t incorporate true workflow with task driven activity in a closed loop system that can surface information to all key stake holders.
Leveraging a Best Practice Approach
Fishbowl spent time with the National Laboratory to understand their “As-Is” processes as well as their goals and requirements for the “To-Be” system. Through this discovery process, Fishbowl was able to review with the Lab how their requirements matched against the standard out-of-the-box PDMLink change management process. Gaps were analyzed, and redundant steps noted.
Configuration, Reusable Solutions
Fishbowl Solutions designed a system that filled the gaps without risk of customization, and redundant steps were removed while others were automated with the powerful PDMLink workflow engine. This optimized design was deployed and validated by the customer. Some final tweaks were implemented, and most noteworthy was a final deliverable automation app.
The Lab still needed to create an ECN/ECR deliverable packet for customers and this was tedious, cumbersome and time consuming to do in any system (basically pulling different metadata, forms, attachments, and other information into a single PDF). However, Fishbowl leveraged their standard System Generated Drawing Automation framework and applied it to this use case. The outcome is that users have a one button pick access to the deliverable that is dynamically created at any point in their process, and one is automatically created at the completion of the process.
Results
Customers aren’t looking to just implement change management, they want to realize the results of what a robust system can deliver. Improved metrics around reducing time to complete a change, ability to prioritize to completion, eliminate unauthorized changes, increase change success rate, reduce warranty costs/issues, and more… These are the key measurements that are now more easily captured and surfaced onto dashboards and reports once Windchill Change Management is deployed.
Differentiator
Fishbowl is a 20-year PTC Software Partner with expert solution developers and expert implementation consultants under one roof, this differentiator delivers real competitive advantage to our customers. We hope to see you in Boston at LiveWorx 19.
Contact Rick Passolt, PLM Sakes Manager, for more information on PTC Windchill PDMLink for CAD Data Management, PDMLink change management, and our System Generated Drawing Automation framework.
About Fishbowl Solutions
Fishbowl Solutions has been a PTC Software Partner since our inception in 1999. Our partnership provides access to PTC product APIs, training, and support. Our team has decades of experience working with PTC technology. We provide a full suite of professional services centered on the PTC product set. We offer both add-on products and customizations for PTC Windchill, Creo, and ThingWorx Navigate. We are also a PTC Vuforia reseller. We have the experience and expertise to recommend the right mix of solutions and services for your next project.
