Get Savvy about PLM

Copyright 2007, LRHirr

Definition of QMS/DMS/PLM

This topic has been sitting in my notes as a to-do for a very long time.  From a very high level perspective, terms like knowledge management, document management, quality management and product management just create confusion for folks – are they all referring to the same thing?

Quality Management Systems (QMS) are considered to be focused upon a company’s quality records, often including the ability to manage basic workflows around corrective actions/preventative actions (CAPA), statistical process controls, non-conformance reports.  Most QMS systems are industry focused and are often tied to the medical device industry and the pharmacology industry.  QMS systems may or may not have document management system (DMS) level capabilities.

DMS systems are focused upon managing documents electronically.  The systems are typically structuring to support “file folder” based information and have workflows to support revision history and change processes around those electronic files.  DMS systems typically cannot support product structures and the more complex relationships of tying documents to a bill of materials. Some document management systems will “build” a compiled content site for large scale web environments that are sensitive to rollouts of new art, press releases, special offers and such.

Product Lifecycle Management(PLM) systems  may or may not have QMS level templates, however they support a broad range of workflows, are highly adaptive and handle the change management of documents, folder based file management and the product structure related file management.  PLM systems often include capabilities to manage CAD data, Bills of Material, program management, requirements management, view and markup capabilities, and supplier access to key product related data.  PLM will not “build” a content site.