In the dynamic world of product development, mastering product lifecycle management (PLM) is essential for driving efficiency and fostering innovation. Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE platform offers a cloud-based suite designed to optimize PLM processes.
This article explores the foundational PLM features of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, including its roles and applications, that enhance collaboration, streamline project management and ensure robust security. As we delve into these core elements, you’ll gain insights into how the platform can support your organization’s PLM needs and drive successful project outcomes.
Anytime, anywhere access with security
The cloud-based nature of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform is essential for any organization aiming to maintain agility in today’s fast-paced business environment. Teams can access the platform from any device — whether it’s a desktop computer, tablet, or smartphone — staying connected to their projects regardless of location. This flexibility is particularly valuable for global organizations with distributed teams, enabling seamless collaboration across different time zones.
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform has a security framework designed to protect sensitive product data while ensuring easy accessibility. The platform adheres to stringent security standards, such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO/IEC 27001. It utilizes multi-factor authentication, role-based access control and transport layer security (TLS) encryption. These measures ensure that data is secure against unauthorized access.
This blend of flexibility and security not only enhances productivity but also supports remote and hybrid work models, making it easier for organizations to adapt to modern work environments. By enabling teams to work securely from any location, the platform helps foster a work culture that boosts employee satisfaction and retention, creating a more dynamic and resilient organization.
ENOVIA and 3DSwymer
ENOVIA and 3DSwymer are designed to connect users and stakeholders, integrating them into a unified framework that enhances collaboration and accelerates product development.
The 3DSwymer role on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform provides users with a suite of applications and services that digitally link everyone across the value stream. By creating social communities for collaborators, consumers and customers, organizations can more effectively share knowledge, experiment with new ideas and drive innovation.
Key tools within 3DSwymer, include:
- 3DDrive: A secure cloud-based storage solution that supports a wide range of data types, including CAD files, and offers desktop synchronization for seamless data management.
- 3DPlay: A browser-based file previewer that enables users to view and mark up 3D and non-CAD files with tools for measurements, section views and annotations.
- 3DSwym: Derived from “Say What You Mean,” this serves as the central hub for collaboration within the 3DEXPERIENCE environment. It enables users to create and engage in communities, post updates, share ideas, conduct surveys and more.
Project planning in ENOVIA
In ENOVIA, the Project Planner application and role on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform offer robust tools designed for managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and dependencies.
Project Planner employs direct-access responsibilities to regulate user access and project interactions.
The Project Planner application on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform streamlines project management with interactive Gantt charts for tracking timelines and task dependencies, advanced resource management for efficient allocation, and real-time collaboration tools for enhanced team communication. It also offers reporting and analytics to monitor progress and make data-driven decisions. By centralizing project activities and improving visibility, this application boosts efficiency and control, making it a valuable tool across various industries.
Key ENOVIA features, include:
- Direct access and responsibilities: assigns roles such as Leader, Author and Viewer. Each provides specific levels of authority, permissions and access.
- Flexible member management: add and assign roles to users, including Project Managers who can view projects in the “My Projects” section.
- Risk and dependency management: to identify risks and manage dependencies effectively.
- Real-time collaboration: to communicate and keep the team updated on changes and workflow statuses.
- Advanced resource management: to manage resources and balances workloads.
- Robust reporting and analytics: to provide insights for monitoring progress and making data-driven decisions.
Kanban board
The Kanban Board application is a new feature available with the Project Planner role. This tool provides a straightforward way to visualize and manage work activities through the Kanban methodology, improving teamwork efficiency.
With the Kanban Board application, you can:
- Customize Your Board: Set up your Kanban board to fit your team’s process flow by adding or removing columns as needed.
- Enhance Collaboration: Include team members on the board to facilitate joint efforts and communication.
- Manage Work Items: Add various work items such as issues, requirements and tasks to the board.
- Track Maturity States: Optionally align columns with maturity states to oversee the progress of objects. Move cards between columns to reflect changes in maturity, with the flexibility to define columns with or without maturity states.
Product Release Engineer
The Product Release Engineer (XEN) role is critical for ensuring that new products are released to market smoothly and efficiently. This role provides tools for managing the entire release process, from finalizing product designs to coordinating manufacturing and distribution. The XEN role includes features for managing approval workflows, ensuring that all necessary stakeholders have reviewed and signed off on the product before it is released. It also provides tools for tracking release readiness, including managing bill of materials (BOMs), production schedules and quality control checks.
By centralizing all release-related activities, the XEN role helps to minimize the risk of delays or quality issues, ensuring that products are delivered to market on time and meet customer expectations.
Product Release Engineer highlights, include:
- Streamline data to ensure information fits user needs.
- Efficient data access to quickly navigate and access relevant engineering data.
- Multi-discipline collaboration to promote effective teamwork across different disciplines and improve project outcomes.
- Simplify engineering definitions to reduce complexity via flexible visualization, mass editing features and lifecycle management tools.
- Standard part numbering for better organization.
- Manage BOMs to define material quantities within engineering definitions preventing errors in production.
- Configured definitions to maximize the reuse of engineering definitions, streamlining processes and reducing redundant work.
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform’s comprehensive list of PLM tools enhance collaboration, streamline project management and ensure secure access. By integrating roles like 3DSwymer, Project Planning, Kanban Board and Product Release Engineer, the platform supports efficient and innovative project execution and success.
For a deeper dive into advanced PLM strategies on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform stay tuned to my next article.
About the Author
Hanen Bdioui is the Co-Founder of Champion Xperience and a dedicated advocate for Dassault Systèmes solutions. As a SOLIDWORKS Expert & Specialist and Instructor, she has gained recognition as a SOLIDWORKS Champion and the first 3DEXPERIENCE Edu Champion from Tunisia. Hanen’s exceptional projects have earned her invitations as a special guest to 3DEXPERIENCE World, where she actively contributed to the Edu booth at 3DXW24 in Dallas. Her expertise plays a crucial role in promoting technical excellence and driving innovation in the field.