This article reviews the main technical options and approaches that may be pursued to achieve a robust integration Teamcenter with other enterprise systems most commonly ERP.
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Executive Summary
Companies are often faced with the challenge of integrating standalone PLM systems with ERP and there are clear business benefits that can be derived from achieving a robust bi-directional flow of bill of material (BOM) information between the two environments.
The sheer variety and complexity of the integration challenge means that ‘off the shelf’ ERP connector products may not always provide the level of flexible bi-directional integration that is demanded.
In these circumstances a more bespoke approach becomes necessary. In this context, there are a number of different ways for integrating to Teamcenter ranging in complexity from the very simple file based to a more sophisticated SOA type approach. The most appropriate approach will take into account the complexity of the integration challenge as well any infrastructure and financial constraints.
The paper begins by looking at basic XML approaches with a particular focus on PLMXML. The various ways of exporting PLMXML are reviewed and the appropriateness of using PLMXML is also discussed. The paper explains when & why PLMXML may not always be the most effective approach and discusses alternatives.
This leads into a fuller discussion of the various Teamcenter APIs. Server side approaches are discussed with particular focus on the Teamcenter Integration Toolkit (ITK) and the new C++ API which is an alternative to ITK with Teamcenter Unified.
The paper then discusses how server side customisations (or user services) can be made accessible from a Teamcenter client via another module in Java (weaved into the Teamcenter Rich Client interface).
The paper explores variations on this theme. For instance, how ITK can be bypassed completely and Java integration programs written directly into the Teamcenter Rich Client Platform using the Teamcenter Portal API. There is also a discussion of how & why it may be desirable to expose server-side (ITK) functionalities through the thin or web client.
The final part of the paper explores the Teamcenter SOA client toolkit. The SOA approach becomes very useful when you have other enterprise applications that cannot be run in the context of a Teamcenter client or server environment but which still needs to access Teamcenter functionality or data.
Why Do Organisations Have Separate PLM and ERP system?
It is worth reflecting for a moment on why companies are often faced with the challenge of integrating standalone PLM solutions with ERP systems when many ERP vendors increasingly offer integrated PLM type capabilities.
There are likely to be two main reasons. The first is simply that many companies have older ERP and MRP systems that make no claims to deliver a PLM capability. As a result they may have invested in a standalone PLM system (like Teamcenter) because their ERP vendor does not have a PLM offering.
The second reason is that PLM and ERP solutions have evolved to accomplish different tasks. So although some ERP software vendors do offer integrated PLM capabilities as part of their suite of business solutions, PLM solutions from dedicated PLM software vendors typically deliver more complete solutions for personnel engaged in the product development process.
Some organisations therefore find it difficult to trade advanced PLM functionality for the alternative benefits of a single enterprise system.
Why Bother Integrating ERP & PLM?
Connecting PLM and ERP platforms to enable the bi-directional flow of product data is crucial for establishing a so-called ‘single source of the truth’ and enabling the efficient transfer of information through the organisation.
Its no longer acceptable either from a productivity or an accuracy point of view to have bill of materials information transferred manually between PLM and ERP. Indeed we would argue that the full benefits and efficiency gains offered by a PLM solution like Teamcenter can only be realised if it is integrated effectively with up-stream and down-stream information flows.
But when it comes to achieving this integration, what are the technical options and which one is right for your company?
Its probably worth starting this discussion by referring to the off the shelf ERP connector products offered by PLM solution vendors for their PLM solutions (Teamcenter being no exception). These typically deliver varying levels of integration with some of the more common ERP systems or the export and import of formatted XML data.
These products can be useful. However, the individualised nature of the integration challenge and the sheer variety of products available in the ERP marketplace means that these generic approaches may not always provide the level of integration that is demanded.
In these circumstances a more bespoke approach becomes more or less unavoidable.
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