Developing an IT Infrastructure for Educational Institutions

Teaching Product Lifecycle Management

Atul S. Khiste Robert Van TilM.S. student Professor

Industrial & Systems Engineering Dept.Oakland University

Hillberg PatrickSolutions Architect

Siemens PLM Software Inc.

Agenda

❏ What is PLM❏ Challenges at academic institutions for PLM

implementation❏ PLM implementation at Oakland University – What

did we learn❏ Overview of our solution

❏ PLM system level architecture❏ Platform level architecture❏ Conclusions and Future Considerations

What is PLM?

❏ PLM is about collaboration❏ Digital tools saves money and time

❏ Digital models replace prototypes❏ It’s cheaper to bend bits and bytes than it is to bend metal

❏ PLM leads to a reduction in time, energy and material

PLM Implementation - Challenges

❏ Challenges for academic institutions❏ Lack of skilled IT support❏ High cost for PLM softwares❏ Standard PLM software installation templates❏ Customization required for teaching PLM tools❏ Issues using PLM tools online

❏ Licensing❏ Compatibility

❏ Connectivity and latency issues

What did we learn?

❏ Planning prior to starting course❏ Need for flexible IT infrastructure❏ Consider security related issues❏ Check software vendor license policies❏ Limitations of written training materials

What did we do?

Normal PLM software setup Deployed softwares on local physical machines Identified, resolved and documented operational issues

Online course – the need for a virtual lab Created virtual machine allowing 50 concurrent users

Pre-configured Teamcenter PLM client installed Performance comparison of remote vs local Failed attempt to virtualize CAD software Use of social forum for sharing issues

Created lab materials

How did it go?

Operational issues due to wrong IT implementation method

Gaps between course goals and IT infrastructure Online course premises/local deployment

impediment No licenses to support collaborative education goals

Virtualizing PLM application was identified as best option Virtualization helped administrator to control deployment

and maintenance

Cost and scalability of virtual servers

How did we respond?

❏ Designed and implemented new IT architecture❏ Developed procedures for PLM application

deployment❏ Created digital video library for PLM - CAD labs❏ Proposal for cloud providers to support schools for

hosting PLM applications❏ Proposal for providing licenses for CAD virtualization

and work instructions ❏ Standard PLM software installation templates

designed for academic institutions

Training and SupportManufacturing process planningTeamcenter

Plant Simulation

Product management - Teamcenter

IT Architecture Overview

System level architecture

Platform level architecture

Conclusions and the future

❏ Teamcenter (PLM) - Solid edge (CAD) integration successfully implemented

❏ Developed and implemented an IT infrastructure for off-campus virtualization

❏ Package application for remote users to solve deployment and compatibility issues

❏ Standard practice document for PLM and Tecnomatix suites implementation

❏ Plan to use cloud computing shared platform for hosting Teamcenter application