Just a couple of years ago I attended a conference by a PLM supplier where one of presentations seemed to indicate that they were working on merging the functions of MES (manufacturing execution system) software with their PLM (product lifecycle management) software. When I followed up, the presenter made it clear that they were not looking to actually combine any MES and PLM capabilities directly, though he admitted the presentation could have been interpreted that way. The presenter did not say this merging of technologies was impossible or off their radar, but he did make it clear that such a possibility would take several more years of development and was not part of any near-term plans.
Not hearing such discussion from other vendors, I chalked it up to my reading too much into that one presenter’s discussion. But now comes news that the wheels are actually turning on the connected MES/PLM front.
GE Intelligent Platforms, a provider of manufacturing operations management (MOM) software, is joining the PTC PartnerAdvantage program. The companies will reportedly work together to integrate GE’s Proficy software applications with PTC’s design software to help manufacturers close the loop between product design and production execution on the shop floor.
According to the release from GE, as a platinum tier member of the PTC PartnerAdvantage program, GE Intelligent Platforms will gain access to tools for integrating its MES applications with PTC Creo design software and PTC Windchill product lifecycle management software. GE says that by integrating Proficy Plant Applications with PTC Windchill MPMLink, process plans, manufacturing bills of materials and work instructions can be generated to accurately reflect engineering design.
This project is based on GE’s Proficy Plant Applications’ abilities to maintain traceability and genealogy of products and parts, including process parameters, equipment and tooling used for an as-built record of modifications and sign-offs. Combined, these capabilities are said to directly complement the as-designed and as-planned records in PTC Windchill.
