Codex of PLM Openness

An initiative of the ProSTEP iViP e. V. for gaining a common understanding on openness of IT systems in the context of PLM.

The Initiative

The joint development of a Codex of PLM Openness (CPO) was initiated in 2011 under the auspices of the ProSTEP iViP Association. The CPO in version 1.0 was developed in cooperation with BMW, Daimler, Dassault Systèmes, IBM, Oracle, PTC, SAP, Siemens PLM, T-Systems and Volkswagen. 

This coordinated joint effort of IT providers, IT integrators and IT customers succeeded for the first time in developing a common basic understanding on the subject of openness of IT-systems in the context of PLM. For this purpose measurable criteria were defined, allowing every IT customer and IT provider in the market a clear positioning with regards to „PLM Openness“.

 
The CPO is a voluntary self-commitment for industrial and IT companies, aiming at implementing or offering highly integrative solutions for seamless data processes in PLM.

The Motivation

The term „PLM Openness“ refers to the openness of IT-solutions for Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) in terms of efficient communication (interoperability), integrability (infrastructure) and functional expandability, as well as interfaces, standards for data formats, and transparency of the architecture. The more open the IT solution, the higher will be its ability to be integrated into existing system environments and business processes. By seeking maximum system integration, companies want to ensure that they are able to use their data once it was generated continuously throughout the entire product lifecycle.

As no requirements, such as legal regulations, standards or guidelines, have been established to this effect so far, the ProSTEP iViP e.V. started this initiative in the form of an open community for IT providers and IT users. The goal is to establish a common understanding of „Openness“ as a basis for the further development of IT systems and processes in PLM.

The Benefit

The initiative is a clear signal and invitation to all players in the market to participate.

For introducing innovations and technological progress faster to the PLM system environment of the industry, a Codex -  in the sense of a jointly formulated self-commitment - is an important step into the future, for both IT providers and manufacturers of the aerospace & defense, automotive, mechanical engineering and shipbuilding industries.

IT customers can take togther with IT providers and IT integrators a clear position and can express their basic requirements for PLM openness, facilitating the agility, flexibility and speed they need in the further development of their PLM-system landscape and providing investment protection at the same time.

Thus, IT providers and IT integrators receive harmonized, clearly formulated requirements for the openness of IT-systems and the consolidated findings they need for an innovative product portfolio. Long-term business strategies are easier to pursue with PLM Openness.  A commitment to the Codex for PLM Openness does not mean to give away achievements. It means to specify the conditions for a strong partnership with your customers and third parties involved. In short: you can strengthen your market position.

The Codex of PLM Openness

With the CPO, IT providers, integrators and customers have developed for the first time a common basic understanding on the subject of openness of IT systems in the context of PLM.
Essential elements of the CPO are:

• Voluntary self-commitment  of participating companies (CPO-Statement)

• Definition of measurable Must-, Should- and May-Criteria

The main categories of the CPO are

• Interoperability

• Infrastructure

• Expandability

• Interfaces

• Standards

• Architecture

The Codex of PLM Openness 1.0 is a first model intended to be developed further in the future. The ProSTEP iViP Association has the objective to raise awareness for the initiative worldwide and to increase the active participation of interested companies.