What is meant by Product structure management?
The term "product structure management" refers to the management and structuring of the hierarchical composition and definition of a product in its assemblies, components, and materials. The goal is to create a clear and detailed representation of the product structure to enable efficient manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance.
Typical software functions in the area of "product structure management":
- Product Structure Creation: Creation and definition of the hierarchical structure of a product, including assemblies, parts, and materials.
- Variant Management: Management of product variants and configurations within the product structure.
- Bill of Materials (BOM) Creation: Compilation and management of the bill of materials (BOM) listing all required parts, materials, and quantities.
- Change Management: Management of changes to the product structure, including approvals, revisions, and history.
- Access Control and Release: Control of access to the product structure and ensuring release of changes by authorized personnel.
- Integration with CAD Software: Seamless integration with CAD software for creating and editing 3D models and technical drawings.
- Lifecycle Management: Management of the product lifecycle from conception through development to retirement, including traceability and archiving.
- Visualization and Analysis: Visualization of the product structure for better analysis, planning, and optimization of manufacturing processes.