Doc. PLMV-KB · 45 articles · Rev. 2026.10
Knowledge base
Reference articles on product lifecycle management, the wider product data stack, EU product regulation and AI. Every article opens with a direct answer, cites primary sources where available and is reviewed with the vendor register.
Series · 10 articles
PLM Foundations
Definitions, system boundaries and core processes: BOMs, change control, deployment models and industry variants.
- 001What Is PLM? Product Lifecycle Management ExplainedWhat is PLM? Product lifecycle management explained: the data it governs, core capabilities, who uses it, how it fits with ERP and PIM, and 2026 trends.
- 002PLM vs PDM: Scope, Users and When You Need EachPLM vs PDM compared: scope, users, data and processes, with a side-by-side table, typical upgrade triggers and how to move from PDM to enterprise PLM safely.
- 003PLM vs ERP: Where the System Boundary BelongsPLM vs ERP explained: a responsibility table for items, BOMs, changes and costs, MBOM boundary models, release handoff design and integration pitfalls.
- 004EBOM, MBOM and SBOM: Managing Bills of MaterialsEBOM, MBOM and SBOM explained: what each bill of materials view contains, how they relate, worked examples, variant handling and how PLM keeps them in sync.
- 005Engineering Change Management: ECR, ECO and ECNEngineering change management explained: how ECR, ECO and ECN work, change board roles, impact analysis, effectivity and metrics for change control.
- 006Cloud PLM vs On-Premise PLMCloud PLM vs on-premise PLM compared: SaaS, vendor-managed and self-hosted models, cost, customisation, security, the EU Data Act and 2026 licence shifts.
- 007PLM for Process Industries: Formulas, Recipes and SpecificationsPLM for process industries explained: formula and recipe management, specifications, regulatory calculations, labelling and how it differs from discrete PLM.
- 008PLM for Fashion, Apparel and RetailPLM for fashion, apparel and retail explained: line planning, tech packs, sampling, supplier collaboration, costing, compliance and the textile DPP.
- 009The Digital Thread: Connecting Product Data Across the LifecycleThe digital thread explained: how linked product data connects requirements, design, manufacturing, quality and service, plus key standards and first steps.
- 010PLM Total Cost of Ownership: Cost Elements and RangesPLM total cost of ownership explained: licence, implementation, integration, migration, operations and AI costs over five to seven years, with estimate ranges.
Series · 12 articles
Regulation & Compliance
EU product regulation translated into the data your PLM and PIM systems must hold: PPWR, ESPR, DPP, CSRD, REACH, EUDR.
- 011PPWR Explained: EU Packaging and Packaging Waste RegulationPPWR explained: what Regulation (EU) 2025/40 requires from 12 August 2026, which packaging rules follow in 2028-2040 and what it means for PLM data.
- 012PPWR Data Requirements: Product and Packaging Data You NeedPPWR data requirements explained: the packaging attributes, substance data, conformity records and EPR volumes your PLM and PIM must hold under EU 2025/40.
- 013Digital Product Passport (DPP): Requirements and TimelineDigital Product Passport (DPP) guide: ESPR rules, the July 2026 registry launch, harmonised standards, first product groups and the PLM data passports need.
- 014ESPR: The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products RegulationESPR explained: Regulation (EU) 2024/1781, the 2025-2030 working plan product groups, the unsold goods destruction ban and the PLM data ecodesign requires.
- 015EU Battery Passport: Requirements, Data and DeadlinesEU battery passport guide: which batteries need one from 18 February 2027, the data required under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 and the status of delegated acts.
- 016CSRD and Product Data: What Sustainability Reporting NeedsCSRD and product data after Omnibus I: new scope thresholds, simplified ESRS from FY2027 and the PLM data behind Scope 3, circularity and substance reporting.
- 017REACH and RoHS Compliance in PLM: Data and ProcessesREACH and RoHS compliance in PLM: SVHC and restricted substance rules, 0.1% thresholds, SCIP notifications and the material data your bill of materials needs.
- 018Product Carbon Footprint and LCA Data in PLMProduct carbon footprint (PCF) in PLM: ISO 14067, GHG Protocol and PACT methods, EU rules that require footprints, and the BOM and supplier data a PCF needs.
- 019EUDR: Deforestation Regulation and Product TraceabilityEUDR guide: Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 applies from 30 December 2026 after the 2025 amendment. Scope changes, due diligence and the traceability data needed.
- 020Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Product DataExtended producer responsibility (EPR) explained: PPWR producer registers, eco-modulated fees, textile EPR and the product data manufacturers must manage.
- 021GS1 Digital Link, Data Carriers and the DPPHow GS1 Digital Link, QR codes, Data Matrix and RFID act as data carriers for the EU Digital Product Passport, and what Sunrise 2027 means for 2D barcodes.
- 022Product Compliance Software in the PLM StackProduct compliance software explained: substance screening, REACH, RoHS, SCIP, PPWR and DPP data, and how compliance tools integrate with PLM and ERP.
Series · 8 articles
Product Data Stack
How PLM connects to PIM, DAM and MDM, and the standards and governance that keep product data usable.
- 023What Is PIM? Product Information Management ExplainedWhat is PIM? Product information management explained: core functions, data model, users, integration with PLM, ERP and DAM, and how to select a PIM system.
- 024PLM vs PIM: Different Systems, Connected DataPLM vs PIM compared: scope, users, data ownership and lifecycle stage, plus how to integrate PLM and PIM so product data flows cleanly from design to sale.
- 025What Is DAM? Digital Asset Management ExplainedWhat is DAM? Digital asset management explained: core functions, metadata, rights, renditions, integration with PIM and PLM, and how to choose a DAM system.
- 026DAM and PLM Integration: Connecting Media and Product DataDAM and PLM integration explained: packaging artwork workflows, CAD-derived renders, shared identifiers, lifecycle status and common integration patterns.
- 027MDM vs PIM vs PLM: Roles in the Product Data StackMDM vs PIM vs PLM compared: what each system manages, who uses it, where they overlap and how to design data ownership across the product data stack.
- 028Product Data Syndication: GDSN, Marketplaces and RetailersProduct data syndication explained: how GDSN data pools, retailer portals and marketplace feeds distribute product data, and how PLM and PIM prepare it.
- 029Product Classification Standards: ETIM, ECLASS, GPC and UNSPSCProduct classification standards compared: how ETIM, ECLASS, GS1 GPC and UNSPSC structure product data, current versions, and how to apply them in PLM and PIM
- 030Product Data Quality and Governance: Rules, Roles and MetricsProduct data quality and governance explained: quality dimensions, ownership roles, metrics and controls that keep PLM, PIM and compliance data fit for use.
Series · 6 articles
AI & Automation
Where AI produces measurable results in product data work today, and the governance the EU AI Act expects.
- 031AI in PLM: Use Cases That Deliver TodayAI in PLM explained: which use cases deliver value today, which remain experimental, what major vendors announced in 2025-2026, and the governance required.
- 032Generative AI for Product Content: Uses, Limits and ControlsGenerative AI for product content: how teams use language models for descriptions, translations and attributes, where errors arise, and the controls to apply.
- 033EU AI Act and Product Data Software: Dates and DutiesThe EU AI Act for PLM, PIM and product data software: application dates after the 2026 Digital Omnibus, risk classes, GPAI rules and what buyers must do.
- 034Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) for Product DataGenerative engine optimisation for product data: how AI search engines read product information and which data and governance improve accurate citation.
- 035AI Agents in Product Data Operations: Uses and GuardrailsAI agents in product data operations: what agentic AI can do in PLM and PIM today, vendor announcements from 2025-2026, risks, and the guardrails required.
- 036AI-Assisted Compliance Screening for Products and MaterialsAI-assisted compliance screening: how AI reads supplier declarations, checks substances against REACH and RoHS lists, and where human review stays essential.
Series · 9 articles
Selection & Implementation
A practitioner sequence from requirements and scripted demos to migration, adoption and the business case.
- 037How to Select a PLM System: A Practitioner GuideHow to select a PLM system: selection phases with typical durations, scoring weights, scripted demos, proof of concept and decision governance for buyers.
- 038PLM Requirements and RFP: How to Write Them WellHow to write PLM requirements and an RFP: scenario-based requirements, catalogue structure, MoSCoW priorities, response codes and consistent evaluation.
- 039PLM Vendor Demo Scenarios: Running Scripted DemosHow to run scripted PLM vendor demos: 6 to 10 scenario examples, sample data packages, scoring scales and evaluator roles that make vendor fit comparable.
- 040PLM Implementation Roadmap: Phases, RACI and KPIsPLM implementation roadmap: phased releases with typical durations, release 1 scope, governance RACI, parallel migration and testing tracks, and release KPIs.
- 041PLM Data Migration: Scope, Process and EffortPLM data migration explained: what to migrate or archive, a 7-step process, CAD migration risks, typical effort as share of project cost and migration KPIs.
- 042PLM User Adoption: Change Management That WorksPLM user adoption and organisational change: resistance by role, a structured change model, key user networks, role-based training and adoption KPIs.
- 043PLM Integration Architecture: CAD, ERP, PIM and MESPLM integration architecture: data ownership between PLM, ERP, PIM and MES, CAD connectors, event-driven release, integration patterns and interface KPIs.
- 044PLM Business Case: Benefits, Costs and Financial ModelHow to build a PLM business case: baseline metrics, benefit categories with estimate ranges, 5 to 7 year costs, NPV, payback and benefit tracking.
- 045PLM Software Market in Europe: Structure and Vendors 2026The PLM software market in Europe in 2026: enterprise suites, mid-market SaaS, industry-specific PLM, European vendors, recent M&A and regional buying factors.
Compliance calendar
EU deadlines that depend on product data
Application dates for regulations covered in the knowledge base.
- In force
EU Digital Product Passport registry live
Registry operating rules under Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1778; six harmonised DPP standards cited.
- In force
EU AI Act general application
Most provisions apply, including Article 50 transparency duties. Annex III high-risk obligations moved to December 2027.
- In force
PPWR applies
Regulation (EU) 2025/40 general application. The Commission ruled out a postponement.
- Next
EUDR applies to large and medium operators
Deforestation-free due diligence and geolocation data for covered commodities.
- Upcoming
CSRD: FY2027 reporting year starts
Companies above 1,000 employees and EUR 450m turnover report on financial year 2027 under the simplified ESRS.
- Upcoming
EU battery passport mandatory
EV, LMT and industrial batteries above 2 kWh need a digital battery passport.
- Upcoming
EUDR applies to micro and small operators
Second application date after the 2025 amendment.
- Upcoming
AI Act: Annex III high-risk systems
Postponed obligations for high-risk AI listed in Annex III.
Dates as published in EU law and Commission communications, checked 16 October 2026. Later amendments can move them; each entry links to the article with sources.