Events

Case report in the course of the "Product Life live" conference: Integration of the CAD data-exchange system into the PDM-PLM environment at the FRIMO Group
7 November 2007, Mainz

In the course of the "Product Life live" conference, Arno Driemeyer, head of Information Technology at FRIMO Group GmbH in Lotte, reported on OpenEDM having been used to successfully integrate a CAD data-exchange system at this automotive supplier. An annual conference, which this year was held from 6 to 7 November in Mainz, it allows users of PLM/PDM solutions to compare notes on possible solutions for product data management using various systems. Various users report on implementation strategies and their experience launching systems. Pleasing for intellivate: Arno Driemeyer expressed many positive words about the OpenEDM's successful use at FRIMO.

Driemeyer first explained the special conditions under which the product data management is carried out at FRIMO (an example for the entire segment of the automotive supply industry): A leading supplier to and development partner of the automotive industry, the company develops, projects and builds production facilities, displaying a very complex data structure that puts high requirements upon the product data management system. Driemeyer sets out why OpenEDM delivers especially outstanding results in this field in particular. This system will best allow for the necessity of continuous and close meshing of the various development chains and company locations, he stated. "FRIMO decided on an Enterprise PLM system, the range of use of which goes far beyond classic PDM usage in the field of engineering/design."

Driemeyer especially praised the capability of simple and uncomplicated data-exchange also beyond company bounds, which has emerged not least in the course of using ODETTE to tie in the CAD data-exchange system. It is now possible for information provided by clients and suppliers to be easily integrated in OpenEDM: "Staff at the company who are put in charge of handling CAD data," Arno Driemeyer states in his lecture, "report their work having been made much easier along with improved transparency and data quality." In combination with OpenEDM's extremely simple and clearly arranged operability, this results not only in cost savings but also in a high degree of acceptance of the system among FRIMO staff, who work with the system on a daily basis. On the strength of such positive experience, further expansion is planned in the future: "Data transfer is also to be activated for staff in the Production Scheduling and Purchasing departments so that they can independently provide their suppliers with current production data in a direct manner."

Finally, Arno Driemeyer stated that, with the aid of OpenEDM, the product data management system along with the easy tying in of the CAD data-exchange system had resulted in substantial time savings in development and thus also in the time-to-market process. In particular, very effective automation of routine activities, such as easily understandable and modular detection mechanisms for analysing incoming CAD data go to enable substantially more efficient use of internal company resources.

Detailed information on the use of OpenEDM at FRIMO Group GmbH can be found in this case report

Seminar on All-encompassing Product Data Management (PDM) • the example of Waldmann Lichttechnik

The implementation of comprehensive product data management planning with the aid of OpenEDM was looked at in the course of the  Seminar on All-encompassing Product Data Management (PDM) by the Wirtschaftsverband Industrieller Unternehmen Baden (wvib) [Business Association of Industrial Companies in Baden] on 8 May 2007 in Villingen-Schwenningen.

Based on a general introduction to the subject of PDM, the realisation of a relevant project at Herbert Waldmann GmbH & Co. KG was focused on as a case study in the seminar, which was attended by numerous companies.  Josef Schöttner, the owner of SICON, a PDM/PLM consultancy, and Günther Ziegler, project manager at Waldmann Lichttechnik, presented the entire sequence of the project from the drawing up of the planning to its realisation with the aid of OpenEDM, doing so in the form of a practical guide.

After this, Ingrid Wrobel from Waldmann demonstrated the highlights of OpenEDM in the case of its use at her company. The seminar participants were extremely impressed by the comprehensive approach of the project as well as the system's varied and intelligent possibilities. The flexible process model and data model, which was set up at Walmann with the aid of OpenEDM met with special interest. This makes it possible for the company to operate its complete configuration management and lifecycle management in a professional fashion. In the course of a multiple-stage process, successive "virtual light fittings" are created, which can be handed over directly to the planning system.

intellivate at Balve Optimum

This year during the Balve Optimum Equestrian Tournament, intellivate GmbH welcomed a large number of guests in the V.I.P. lounge at the site of the tournament, Wocklum Castle, providing an opportunity for interesting rounds of talks. This international tournament is one of Germany's most important equestrian sports events.

"With our presence at Balve Optimum we want to document the regional solidarity of our company", states Thomas Röhrig, managing director of intellivate. "We have great respect for the organisers, who make it possible for such a top-class event to be offered in the Sauerland."

The tournament was an absolute success - the performances by the riders created sporting enthusiasm, providing an atmosphere that was ideal for professional and private talks in the V.I.P. lounge.
intellivate especially congratulates the winner of the Optimum Prize, Markus Renzel, on his Holsteiner gelding, Connally.