Consider that the end-to-end lifecycle of a product begins with the first spark of innovation and ends when the product is dismantled, recycled, consumed, or disposed of. Managing the "product lifecycle" demands more than managing the product’s design, introduction to manufacturing, and associated documentation. It also requires managing all the processes involved during various production operations, as well as managing the warranty, service, maintenance, and repair processes andin some cases the recycling/disposal processes.

A manufacturer’s business model and strategy may dictate involvement in all or just a few of the lifecycle stages – but obviously most manufacturers are involved in areas in and around the actual production and need to manage these critical phases of the product lifecycle.

This ARC Advisory report discusses how in today’s software landscape, a “PLM” system houses part of the information for the product lifecycle. The rest of the information is found in other business systems such as ERP and Supplier Management, and in plant systems such as Manufacturing Process Engineering and Planning, Process Execution, Process Quality, and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul systems.