Manufacturers embrace the Windchill factor

Software supplier PTC has created a new module - which streamlines the link between design and manufacturing - in Windchill 9.0, the latest iteration of its web-based PLM system. The module, called MPM Link (standing for Manufacturing Process Management), is a heavily re-written version of software that PTC acquired in the takeover of Polyplan two years ago. Michael Distler, director of Windchill product marketing, told Eureka: "It helps to identify the detailed steps needed to go from a designed product to a manufactured product - by running the design and manufacturing concurrently." While he accepted that other systems can run design and manufacturing concurrently, he pointed out that this would need three separate packages - one for design, one for manufacturing, and the 'interface' - rather than a single, integrated system. The company estimates that Windchill 9.0 will be available from September - along with a definite price of the MPM Link add-on. Hong Kong-based toy manufacturer Jetta, which this week announced it has adopted Windchill, has already indicated that it will upgrade to version 9.0 when it is available. Other leading Windchill users include Airbus and BAE Systems.