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Who this is a good fit for
Engineering support teamsProcurement teamsFactory teamsSystem administrators
Standardize drawing conversion, naming, BOM-based distribution, and downstream access without disrupting the existing PLM backbone.
Common example situations
- Batch drawing conversion from Teamcenter with BOM-based distribution
You may be running into these problems
If several of these sound familiar, this theme is usually worth reviewing first.
Manual conversion does not scale
DFT, DWG, PDF, and other exports still depend on manual handling, which creates errors as the volume grows.
Downstream teams struggle to get the right drawing set
Procurement and factory teams often chase drawings and previews around the BOM, which wastes time on follow-up.
The existing Teamcenter environment cannot be disrupted
When Teamcenter or another PLM backbone is already in place, teams usually want to extend it, not replace it.
What customers usually ask for
These are the requests that tend to surface early in real conversations.
We want drawing conversion and naming to run in batches instead of through repeated manual steps.
We want downstream teams to retrieve drawings and lightweight previews directly from the BOM context.
We want the new capability to work with Teamcenter instead of forcing a platform replacement.
How teams usually roll this out
You do not need a massive transformation on day one. The best first step is usually the part of the workflow that is slowing people down the most.
1
Receive conversion tasks from the current system
Start with Teamcenter or another engineering process as the source for drawings, BOMs, and export tasks.
2
Convert and standardize automatically
Run format conversion, naming cleanup, and file archiving in a more repeatable way.
3
Distribute around the BOM
Package drawings, previews, and related files so procurement and factory teams can work from a clear structure.
4
Publish to downstream portals or systems
Deliver the results to procurement, factory, or internal portals while keeping version and distribution records.
Recommended product mix
You can phase these in over time. Not every module has to go live on the same day.
| Module | What it does in this solution |
|---|---|
| 3D Viewer | Provides lightweight previews and downstream model access. |
| PDM | Manages drawings, versions, BOMs, and distribution records. |
Deployment and integration
The right rollout depends on security requirements, the systems you already have, and how many teams need to be involved first.
Deployment options
A common approach is to keep Teamcenter or the existing PLM as the master system and add conversion and distribution capability around it.
Integration path
The rollout can connect with Teamcenter, BOM data sources, procurement portals, factory systems, and file servers.
Best place to start
Start with the business unit or equipment line that has the highest drawing volume and the most repeated export work.
What teams usually see first
Every organization is different, but these are the early changes teams most often notice once the workflow is running.
Drawing conversion becomes more stable and less dependent on manual export work.
Procurement and factory teams get information faster, with less waiting for design support.
Naming and distribution become easier to standardize, which makes history easier to search later.
Teams improve the downstream experience without dismantling the systems they already rely on.
Frequently asked questions
If you already have CAD, PLM, MES, ERP, or in-house systems in place, these questions are usually a good place to start.
We already have Teamcenter. Do we still need this?
Often yes. The biggest pain point is usually not the master PLM itself, but how downstream teams retrieve, preview, and use the information.
Is this limited to one file format?
Not necessarily. Most projects begin with the formats that create the most friction for downstream users today.
Can procurement and factory teams view files without specialist CAD software?
Yes. That is one of the key benefits of lightweight previews and BOM-based distribution.
You may also want to review these themes
If the problem you are solving touches more than one workflow, these pages often go together.
R&D Project & BOM Governance
R&D Project & BOM Governance
Bring projects, BOMs, engineering files, and approval flows back into a trackable, collaborative rhythm.
3D in Business Systems
3D in Business Systems
Bring 3D viewing, locating, annotation reading, and interaction events directly into quality, service, or in-house platforms.
Want to see how this could fit your team?
Tell us what systems you use today, who needs access, and where the handoff is breaking down. We can help you decide the best place to start.