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Filter 23 vetted Siemens PLM reviews and ratings
Reviews (1-12 of 12)
September 22, 2019
Too Complex to Ensure Mass User Adoption
Siemens PLM Software, Teamcenter, is used across our entire organisation to manage the entire product lifecycle. Data is created by the designers and engineers, it is then made manufacturable by process engineers, and manufactured by operations. The entire process is done within the software suite and allows full traceability of the product, implemented from cradle to grave. Teamcenter does its job really well and ensures that a product of consistent quality is delivered to an end-user.
- The software is really well suited for multi-site working due to the strong back-end and collaboration tools.
- The software is highly configurable meaning that it can fit into most organisations existing processes by means of its configuration. (This is both a major strength and major weakness.
- The software is built to accommodate multiple simultaneous users, all changing data at the same time, and all doing different things. The system has never crashed on me in this regard and always delivers what is expected.
- It has too many features built into one software package. Whilst this may be considered an advantage to some, the lack of focus in the package means that there is no clear cut way to use it.
- As mentioned in the "Pros" section, the configurability of the product is so great that it becomes an advantage. Whilst PLM is intended to enforce best practice in product design and management, the level of configurability means that companies are able to transfer their sub-standard practices into this world-class software and continue making the same mistakes as always.
- The cost per seat to use it is very high. Whilst PLM is a great product to use, at this price, only enterprise-level customers can afford to use it.
We use Teamcenter throughout NOV, as our main PLM/EDC tool.
- Teamcenter tracks & creates revisions pretty well, but that is after much customization we've done to it.
- Quite a bit of search power, although very complicated and challenging to use the search features.
- A database that can be integrated with ERP systems, but that does require much code writing and an SOA system.
- Document security -- not sure if these features are out-of-the-box or customizations, but this capability is highly valuable to protect IP.
- Teamcenter is highly buggy, and most bugs are very time consuming to live with. Many bugs have existed for a long time and Siemens has yet to fix them. Examples are extremely slow response for the Windows Explorer plug-in used for adding datasets for document items, views in the viewer getting "stuck" and won't clear even after a full window refresh - solution currently is to close the viewer and reopen it, or sometimes close & reopen Teamcenter; functions that fail one way but work another, such as Teamcenter will freeze up when selecting "save and check in" after an item data edit, but will work fine if the user saves and then does a "right click - check in." Many more examples exist too numerous to list here.
- Teamcenter is too complex and non-intuitive. This causes a need for a lot of training, and refresh training. Occasional users really struggle because of this, and require a lot of hand-holding by support or admin folks.
- Also highly unstable, particularly the Java portion, at the Client level. We get a lot of Java errors or Java related errors (some users almost daily - no exaggeration). Java never closes on its own after a user closes Teamcenter, which is normally not a problem unless Teamcenter inadvertently creates a second instance of Java, or otherwise crashes. Also, sometimes apparently related, the various cache folders on the Client machine get corrupt and require the user to clean them out after closing Teamcenter (unless it had already crashed) and restart Teamcenter - this every week or two per user, depending on usage. This all seems to be worse with Windows 10, so perhaps there's a Teamcenter - Java - Windows 10 compatibility issue.
- Because of the issues mentioned above, Teamcenter requires an inordinate amount of support personnel. We have an entire corporate department dedicated to supporting Teamcenter, and local users who serve as local admins and support.
- Teamcenter is a very expensive to use, because of the issues expressed here. Many, many man-hours per year are spent supporting this tool, and many, many more man-hours are spent just on dealing with delays due to bugs and inefficiencies.
Siemens PLM software is being used a company-wide level for engineers and designers to analyze CAD in 3D. Visualization Mockup is the most often element used. This addresses our problem of analysis of design for design reviews and for problem-solving issues.
- 3D CAD review works really well in VisMockup. It allows for a virtual representation of the product.
- Sectioning in 2D works well for tolerance checks.
- The ability to move and rotate components allows engineers to see how the components interact and how they perform in different positions.
- Measurements are not always accurate and sometimes difficult to take.
- The user interface needs to be updated and a better arrangement of the icons are needed.
- Importing and exporting data is cumbersome.
September 30, 2015
An Overview of PLM, the Siemens way
The Engineering Manager wanted to use the software to during our transition from 2D to 3D design. It would primarily be used in our department only at first, and by other departments later. It was very mature software, but at the time we wanted to install locally and what I was given was under powered, so I spent too much time arguing with the IT dept over getting more hardware. It solved all of our design problems in that it tracked EVERYTHING. The biggest problem was that it required a change in discipline by all our designers to track everything instead of using AutoCAD alone. Siemens PLM was great in that respect...
- Tracks design data very thoroughly.
- Making 3D models of our designs was a daunting change, but worthwhile.
- The PLM tracking of old data was excellent.
- The tracking of existing designs in template format was excellent.
- Nothing
October 05, 2017
Siemens PLM - Organize Your Data
We use Siemens PLM software to manage our Engineering data, including 3D CAD models, 2D drawings, and supporting documentation. We have also built our ECN workflow into the system, which gets used by all of our business departments, including Product Development, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Accounting, Purchasing, Marketing, and Operations.
- Easy to navigate
- Version control of shared documents
- Electronic workflows and notifications for processing ECNs.
- Web client for occasional users
- Easier data migration from other systems
- Single sign-on integration with Windows Active Directory
July 29, 2014
My time with Siemens PLM Software
During my time as a Design Engineer with Graham Packaging Co. I utilized the CAD (NX), CAE (NX FEA/Nastran), and PLM (Teamcenter) software offered by Siemens. My role was to support new and existing business by developing and engineering new package designs to meet our customers needs. The use of Siemens software helped ensure we remained ahead of our competition by improving effciency/throughput, minimzing risk, and providing the tools needed for innovation.
- NX CAD is a highly customizable software that any designer/drafter can learn in a short period of time. I would consider NX to be one fo the best CAD packages available on the market. The base platform allows for easy integration into other software offered by Siemens, which improves data tranfsers and file integrtiy moving from concept (Studio), CAD (NX), and CAE (NX FEM).
- NX CAE is a state of the art computer aided engineering software that helped us improve our design decisions and drive our first run capability from concept to production.
- Siemens PLM is a fully integrated product lifecycle managment software that helps manage design/data, create standard workflows/roles, and drives effciency throughout the organization. It is an off that shelf product that can be implemented into any organziaiton without spending large amounts of money customizing and developing an internal version that will become obsolete in 5-10 years.
- As with any technical software package the support and buy in from upper managment is critical to drive the implementaiton and culture within the organziation. If support is lacking then the full capabilities and return on investment will not be realized.
- Some standard functionality/capabilities are embeded into alternate software or require additional licenses to use.
July 28, 2014
Siemens PLM: A Useful Enterprise Tool
Currently, we are using Teamcenter and NX to allow for better CAD and CAD-BOM management. Engineering is the only department currently using the softwares, although Siemens and third-party developers provide many modules and add-ons to push the data stored in Teamcenter to the Shop Floor and throughout other parts of the organization. Teamcenter removes the headaches of storing CAD files on a local/network drive which can get very convuluted if not controlled correctly.
- Inherent strengths (check-in/check-out, revision control, access control)
- Integration with NX
- Customization capabilities
- Global Product Data Management
- Expensive
- Unreliable programming can cause unexpected crashes
- Almost forces you to rely on Siemens consultants for customizations
We use it specifically in engineering department. I am part of the service industry, where I am involved with automotive clients. So my answers are related to my clients' requirements. Siemens PLM addresses data sharing between sites, helps in collaboration between engineering, suppliers and plants.
- User Interface is much better, and easy to understand
- Structure Manager shows and manages Bill of Materials (BOM) in a effective manner. Freedom to choose what you want to view -- dynamic perspective
- Manufacturing Process Planner module is well represented, integration with digital manufacturing tools.
- Ease of set up and template distribution through BMIDE
- Ability to handle real life data flow using workflow module
- Need some more improvements in product documentation. eEasy to get lost in documentation.
- PLMXML module needs help clues in creating rules, Just like query builder.
- Viewers ( JT) needs improvements.
July 22, 2014
Why Siemens PLM is the only choice
Siemens PLM software was used widely by Engineering and Supply Chain for CAD model management, ECO management, document management and BOM management (eBOM and mBOM). This software allowed collaboration across multiple global locations with hundreds and thousands of end users working in various engineering functions and responsibilities. This software was key to keeping teams in synch regarding live designs and on time for project completion / deadlines.
- BOM Management
- Integrated CAD Management
- Customization of API
- Forward compatibility
- Integration between Teamcenter and NX and which versions will work together
- Performance / speed
Norfolk Southern's equipment design and equipment manufacturing facility is made up of a 6 person engineering team that is responsible for designing and developing new and preexisting machines for Norfolk Southern. For a smaller design team, we really are only involved with the design and product development side of Siemens PLM software through the use of NX CAD, NX Nastran, and NX Cam. Having just recently purchased NX Cam, we have greatly increased the amount of products being produced while significantly increasing our products overall quality.
- Seamless interaction across multiple departments.
- The software allows you to create a very high level of control and organization within your engineering staff. This reduces the companies mistakes and maximizes productivity.
- The software makes it very easy to track your product through every phase of the production cycle.
- Speaking from experience with NX, each revision seems to be focused more on the layout of icons as compared to the functionality of the features.
- Features within NX that have been used for years are no longer being used as a result of new revisions. Doesn't make a lot of sense to the end user. It would be nice to know what the reason is on a much larger scale (ie large customer recommendation?)
August 04, 2014
NX CAD with Teamcenter Integration
Our engineering department has been using Siemens PLM software since 2010. NX (formerly known as Unigraphics; UGS) is a powerhouse CAD package that has helped us achieve our goals for modeling, drafting, and CNC programming. It is incredibly powerful and is suited well for working with the complexity associated with aerospace components. To manage our files, we use Teamcenter. Teamcenter provides a vehicle to keep track of file revisions, workflows, etc.
- NX offers powerful modeling capabilities, and is able to handle very complex geometry.
- The Drafting package within NX is world-class. The quality and ease of use of producing blueprints are better than most any other software I have worked with.
- Teamcenter is integrated with the NX system, to ensure control over file revisions and workflows.
- The help that I have received when contacting Siemens' technical support (GTAC) is generally prompt, courteous, and usually effective.
- Within the NX CAD package, there are often various little bugs and glitches that we come across in daily use. We generally submit incident reports to Siemens on these.
- In general, the Teamcenter software package lacks ease of use, general users within the department require frequent intervention and help from higher users for seemingly simple tasks.
It is used as a document repository (includes revision history of documents) and workflow (emails users, accept and reject requests). It also sends information to other systems. It is used by manufacturing to pull documentation. It is used by the power users to accept and reject requests. It fills the gap that other Siemens applications do not fill.
- The interface of the application is nice!
- It is too much of a system for the basic needs of the application it is used for. Siemens spec'd and recommended the solution.
- The system is not very flexible or customizable. It has several limitations that cannot be modified.
- It is overly complex and difficult for users to understand. It lacks common sense UI functions that do not need a manual to figure out.
Siemens PLM Scorecard Summary
About Siemens PLM
Siemens PLM does offer a free product suite, under the Solid Edge product line.
Siemens PLM Competitors
Siemens PLM Technical Details
| Operating Systems: | Unspecified |
|---|---|
| Mobile Application: | No |