Federal Governments face massive data management challenges that may extend over a 50-year product lifecycle. Enterprise data management is fundamentally a lifecycle strategy for integrating, controlling and managing all of the intellectual property that defines – from both the physical and functional perspectives – all aspects of an aerospace system, platform or product. It aims to bring all relevant information and data together in a very structured and highly secure way at the data model level, enabling stakeholders across the value chain to access the information they need to make informed decisions.

Provide a single, highly secure master source of all configuration management data to support rapid and fully informed decision making. This requires integrating and managing all of the information and knowledge that defines the physical functions of the finished product. When the product includes future service and support initiatives for a fleet of diverse and dispersed aircraft, the data management challenge is magnified.

To support this effort, governments need information-technology support systems robust enough to handle all the right data elements – for example, a history of all the molded plastics required for the interior of an aircraft. Advanced PLM solutions can provide designers with both vertical searches – e.g., search the total build of one airplane – and horizontal searches – e.g., look at all hydraulic systems in a class of aircraft.

Combines data and definitions on design/build with usage and maintenance logs. This is especially critical for fleets of aircraft and NASA projects. Logistics management should include sophisticated feedback for future design changes and improvements.

Link data with processes across the lifecycle. This includes managing all pertinent knowledge relating to product, structure, master model, or BOM. It also includes continuing data management throughout aftermarket and maintenance. Fully inform decision makers about trade-offs and available options.

All changes to both the physical and functional aspects of the product must be tracked and evaluated across disciplines and throughout the value chain. In addition, the process of gathering timely information to support regulatory compliance should be automatic.

Manage all processes centering on product structure master models or BOM. Deliver the right information to the right personnel at the right time. A critical factor here is the ability to personalize key information for users so that they see only what is relevant to getting the job done. Since all irrelevant information is filtered out, productivity improves. Likewise, security issues are minimized.

By seamlessly and rigorously managing knowledge creation, use and re-use, PLM-driven enterprise data management enables program managers to improve multiple aerospace and defense initiatives. Virtual design review can be performed on a 7x24 365-day basis, including the routine exchange of comprehensive 3D images and full disclosure of engineering data and test results. International coalitions can function as highly centralized enterprises, using enterprise data management to facilitate compliance. Multi-discipline teams can assess a master product structure that provides comprehensive insight into the complete “DNA” of every part, subsystem and system in a major aerospace platform.