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Office equipment industry

IBM and Sony Collaborate on Web-Based Product Data Management

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

IBM Japan Ltd. announced that Sony Corporation has contracted the company to build a new web-based worldwide product data management (PDM) system. The system, named PADICS, will be one of the largest PDM systems in the electronics industry, tracking data for 17 million components, part assemblies, designs, and alterations for Sony's consumer, broadcast equipment, and other products. The system will be accessible 24-hours a day via web browsers at 100 Sony office and plant locations around the world. The collaboration aims to enhance Sony's product development process and provide a worldwide-shared technical support system.

Key Takeaways:

  • Sony has contracted IBM to build a new web-based worldwide PDM system, PADICS, valued at 1.2 billion yen (approximately $10 million).
  • The system will track data for 17 million components, part assemblies, designs, and alterations for Sony's consumer, broadcast equipment, and other products.
  • The system will be accessible 24-hours a day via web browsers at 100 Sony office and plant locations around the world.
  • IBM's ENOVIApm software will be used to build the PADICS system.
  • The system will be one of the largest PDM systems in the electronics industry.
  • The initial implementation will involve several hundred Sony design and support staff, while full implementation by the end of next year is expected to involve up to 7,000 designers, engineers, and other Sony employees worldwide.
  • ENOVIApm is a PDM software suite that is part of the Product Development Management II (PDM II) software developed by ENOVIA Corp. and marketed and sold worldwide by IBM.
  • PDM II provides companies with a multi-CAD collaborative and innovative environment to do virtual product and process modeling, simulation, and management across the extended enterprise.
  • Sony dispersed its product design groups to overseas locations due to the need to access the latest information on designs, parts, and components in real-time.
  • IBM Japan was awarded the contract to help create the new PDM system for Sony based on its expertise in systems integration, e-business, and other networking skills.

Statistics:

  • 17 million components, part assemblies, designs, and alterations will be tracked by the PADICS system.
  • 100 Sony office and plant locations around the world will have access to the PADICS system 24-hours a day via web browsers.
  • Up to 7,000 designers, engineers, and other Sony employees worldwide will be using the PADICS system by the end of next year.
  • The PADICS system will be valued at 1.2 billion yen (approximately $10 million).

Sources:

  • IBM Japan Ltd.
  • Sony Corporation
  • ENOVIA Corp.
  • Dassault Systemes S.A.
  • International Business Machines Corp. (IBM)
  • Business Wire, November 12, 1998
  • http://www.ibm.com/mfg/
  • http://www.ibm.com/news
  • http://www.enovia.com
  • http://www.dsweb.com

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