Traditional database management systems, sometimes called configuration management, are centered on data. They reside in the realm of specialists and do not recognize that companies are driven by events, not data.On the other hand, traditional workflow systems properly handle the flow of information but do not recognize that decisions are based on data that is often very complex.

Lascom PLM brings together the benefits of configuration management and workflow management into one powerful and flexible solution.

Configuration management

Lascom PLM uses a powerful link manager to represent the interactions between different objects of the data model. This capability is the basis of its proven configuration management component. This enables the representation of highly complex data models and further processing such as:

• Date comparison
• Use case of elements
• Multiple views on data

The data model can evolve and change as you need. Lascom PLM follows your lead.

Package Centric Workflow

Each unique Lascom PLM business process supports a virtual package of information. With this package approach, you can store data from existing systems or provide an interface for users to input data directly into the package. Users view package data through a dynamic web page that is created when the user accesses the package. These display forms can be configured to specifically match existing paper forms that are used by the organization.

By matching a web page form to an existing hard-copy business process form, Lascom PLM increases user acceptance and decreases user training time. This also enables Lascom PLM to support pockets of paper-based business process activities because the printed web forms match the physical forms.

Lascom PLM's virtual package can support various serial, parallel, and ad-hoc activities. These can include autonodes that tell the Lascom PLM package to download or upload information from other systems, thereby eliminating the need for user interaction on some activities. Just like a physical folder, the Lascom PLM package can have information stored in it. This information can include documents or engineering drawings that are embedded into the package (much like attaching a file to an email), or the package attachments can maintain reference links to the location of files in the network of the enterprise. In the case of certain types of proposal or reporting packages, documents and information can be attached as a template.

With the Lascom PLM package-centric approach, Lascom PLM manages the data, the presentation, the intelligent routing slip, and the package attachments, allowing users to focus on core competencies.