Arena PLM System Feedback For Perspective Users
October 16, 2018

Arena PLM System Feedback For Perspective Users

Robert Nguyen | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Arena

Arena is currently used as hardware product lifecycle management tracking system. We use Arena to track hardware design, development, manufacturing builds, tests and monitor quality processes. Arena allow us to collaborate with suppliers and vendors to manage material. We also use it to manage products' certifications/compliance documentation.
  • Data is stored on the Cloud. Data retrieving is responsive and convenient.
  • Supplier access for collaboration
  • Does not require high level of maintenance
  • One of the major features an account admin should have is the ability to perform edit during ECO/ECR change review. It is a risk but the account admin should have the ability to determine the risk and update without rejecting the ECO in review with minor changes.
  • Core default attributes are so generic and cannot be modified (renamed) to complement new custom attributes.
  • Limit number of characters for custom attributes. I believe currently the maximum is 1000 characters.
  • In several areas, the Arena system lacks the tracking history of activities of all Arena users. Examples: changes to requests and changes (ECR/ECO/FSR), users submit comments, emails notifications from analysts to suppliers, etc.
  • Tracking users account history currently is limited to 6 months
  • The cost to use and deploy Arena is low cost relative to other PLMS.
  • Thus far, Arena gives us the ability to store critical data, track the changes and manage the hardware configuration effectively.
  • We have not encountered application down time which is important to our operations.
  • Price
  • Product Features
Arena has a diversified list of rich features needed for a good PLM system: quality, product collaboration, file sharing, etc. Price is also an attractive factor. It allows us to remain cost effective, while developing scalable processes as we grow.
Thus far I am pleased with some of the new features/modules being added to our Arena application suites. I have not had a lot of issue during implementation. The technical support has been great. What's not available in documentation has been complement with the tech support and solutions team.
I used Oracle Agile file server version as admin for about 8 years. In comparison, I believe Arena does offer some advantages ranging from flexibility, low cost to features. With continuous improvements, I believe Arena has a lot of potential and can be competitive in the PLMS space.
Arena is well suited for small and mid-size companies. It is very responsive and requires low maintenance from account administration perspective. An area where Arena needs to improve is the ability to track detail history of all activities (items, requests, changes, quality, comments, communications between users, analysts, admins). This is a critical function needed for a solid PLM system.