Arena - one of the easiest PLM systems out there!
Updated March 31, 2021
Arena - one of the easiest PLM systems out there!
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with Arena PLM and QMS
We currently use many different functions of Arena. Primarily as our main PLM to manage BOMs and ECOs and components. We also use the Quality Module for RMA and Failure Analysis tracking. The primary departments that use it are Operations, Engineering, Purchasing, Product Management, and Finance - so a good chunk of the organization. In addition to our group, we have proposed to use Arena in other groups among ABB as well. The business problems that it addresses are that it easily puts all the information in a centralized location for users from different groups to gain access. The management of BOMs, ECOs, parts and the revision control really helps to keep things in line.
- Revision Control - keeps things in check to ensure that right files are always being used.
- Easy User Interface - anyone can use it, even from a non-technical background.
- User Access control - easy to segregate between types of users to allow access to certain things.
- Workflow - would be nice to have an automated workflow to remind people to approve things or enter decisions (e.g. in ECOs and Requests)
- More customization - some templates are locked down and have to use certain fields, without the ability to change or remove them when making templates (e.g. in the Quality world when making a RMA template)
- Quality - Documentation control helps to greatly improve rather than keeping things on a Network folder.
- NPI - Easy to transition from engineering (In Design) to Production (Released) and send proper revision documents to suppliers/Contract Manufacturers
- Manufacturing Changes - ECO's are easy and I think quicker in Arena than in any other fashion that I have seen ECO's done in my career
- Product Features
- Product Usability
- Product Reputation
The web-based Cloud functionality so that anyone can use it from any location is a major benefit. In addition, it seems to be priced fairly competitively. The simple user interface and ease of customization is also a good plus that helps to make our decision. I like how Arena adds updates constantly and is always improving their features. Their customer support is great too, as well as the training class we took originally.
Arena was extremely easy to deploy and implemented on time. The implementation team was a great help and is always there to support when needed. I also find that when sending suggestions for improvements or changes they are super quick to respond, which is great in a fast-paced industry like ours.
Do you think Arena PLM and QMS delivers good value for the price?
Yes
Are you happy with Arena PLM and QMS's feature set?
Yes
Did Arena PLM and QMS live up to sales and marketing promises?
Yes
Did implementation of Arena PLM and QMS go as expected?
Yes
Would you buy Arena PLM and QMS again?
Yes
Arena is much better than QAD in terms of BOMs and ECOs and Revision Control. We use Arena concurrently with SAP and they integrate very well together, which is nice. The integration team was really helpful in making sure that the SAP to Arena functionality runs smoothly, and when there are any issues, they are very responsive to help make changes to fix the problem that might be there.