PLMV-VP-005 · Rev. A · Released 2026-10-16
Autodesk Fusion Manage
Autodesk Fusion Manage is a cloud PLM application from Autodesk for BOM, change, quality and new product introduction processes, with Upchain included as a cloud data management option.
Overview
Autodesk Fusion Manage is the cloud PLM application in the Autodesk Fusion family. It grew out of Autodesk PLM 360 and was renamed from Fusion 360 Manage with Upchain to Fusion Manage in March 2024. Functional areas include BOM management, change and release management, new product introduction, quality management, supplier collaboration, product portfolio management, requirements management and dashboards, configured through a process template library and a visual configuration editor.
Autodesk acquired Upchain, a cloud PLM and PDM vendor, in 2021. Upchain remains entitled with Fusion Manage as a cloud data management option, alongside the on-premises Autodesk Vault PDM that many Inventor and AutoCAD users already run. Plans include Fusion Manage, Fusion Manage Enterprise (adding a sandbox, external collaboration and more storage) and Fusion Contributor licences for people who view data and take part in workflows without authoring. An open API connects ERP, CRM and other systems.
At Autodesk University in September 2026, Autodesk previewed an agentic PLM experience for Fusion Manage that reasons over product and workflow context and suggests next actions; Autodesk labels it as coming soon. Autodesk, founded in 1982 and listed on Nasdaq, is best known for AutoCAD, Inventor, Revit and Fusion. Typical Fusion Manage customers are mid-market and smaller manufacturers using Autodesk design tools that want configurable cloud workflows without hosting infrastructure.
Best fit
Small and mid-sized manufacturers using Inventor, AutoCAD, Fusion or Vault that want configurable cloud PLM workflows with low IT overhead.
Presence in Europe
Autodesk sells Fusion Manage in Europe through its reseller network, for example ARKANCE and Symetri, and buyers should confirm data residency options for the service with Autodesk.
Strengths
- Cloud delivery means no server infrastructure and access for suppliers and external stakeholders through a browser.
- A template library and visual editor let administrators configure workflows without heavy custom code.
- Close alignment with Inventor, AutoCAD, Fusion and Vault simplifies adoption in Autodesk design environments.
- Contributor licences extend participation in workflows to occasional users at a lower entry point.
Considerations
- The product is SaaS only, which may not fit organisations that require on-premises PLM.
- The agentic AI experience announced in September 2026 is not yet released, so current AI functionality is limited.
- CAD data management involves a choice between Vault and Upchain, and buyers should clarify the long-term architecture with Autodesk.
Capability assessment
| Bill of materials | Available |
|---|---|
| Change management | Available |
| CAD data management | Available |
| Formulation and specifications | Limited |
| Regulatory compliance | Limited |
| Sustainability and LCA data | Limited |
| Supplier collaboration | Available |
| Requirements management | Available |
| AI assistance | Limited |
Editorial assessment of documented out-of-the-box functionality, reviewed 16 October 2026. Strong, Available, Limited, or Partner (delivered through partners or add-ons). How levels are assigned.
Integrations and ecosystem
Autodesk VaultAutodesk InventorAutodesk FusionAutoCADUpchainERP and CRM via open REST API
Sources
Related reading
From the knowledge base
Same focus: Discrete manufacturing
Similar vendors
- 3DEXPERIENCE platform (ENOVIA)Dassault Systèmes
- Aras InnovatorAras Corporation
- Arena PLMArena, a PTC business
- CONTACT ElementsCONTACT Software GmbH