An Approach for an Automated and Market-Driven Optimisation of Product Ranges as Part of the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Framework

From the perspective of systems theory, looking at a defined product range of a company, it is possible to describe the main influences as well as restrictions from the market on it. After figuring out, which of those variables are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely, there is the potential to create sensed values for a “market-driven optimization of product ranges”-feedback loop. The controller of the circuit affects the reference to become the optimal product range for the customer. Therefore a second model or subsystem is needed, which commits the optimum product range in respect to economic interests of the quoting company. Changes in market demands will have, under the restrictions of intra-corporate economic targets, direct effect on the product ranges. Prior achieving that interlinking between market and product, the controller and its functions need to be determined. Rules have to be developed and evaluated in relation to proper feedback on market demands. The whole system will be prototypical implemented based on an integrated enterprise information system, including Computer Aided Design (CAD), Product Data Management (PDM), Part Management (PM), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and E-Commerce (EC) subsystems. The feedback loop stated, will be the core of the system in the PLM framework. The main impact of the loop will be on the product data model, especially its requirements to definition.