Abstract
The aerospace industry faces increasing challenges related to complex supply chains, regulatory compliance, and the need for real-time collaboration. Traditional on-premises Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems have long been used to manage product data, but their high infrastructure costs, limited scalability, and siloed workflows often hinder efficiency.
As a result, many aerospace companies are turning to cloud-based PLM solutions, which offer greater flexibility, enhanced security, and seamless integration with global teams. By moving PLM to the cloud, organizations can streamline collaboration, reduce operational costs, and ensure better compliance with aerospace regulations.
This article explores why cloud-based PLM is rapidly becoming the preferred choice for aerospace designers and manufacturers.
The Growing Demand for Cloud-Based PLM in Aerospace
Aerospace manufacturers manage extensive product lifecycles, beginning with initial design and prototyping and extending through production, maintenance, and regulatory oversight. This level of complexity requires a centralized, accessible, and secure data management system to ensure efficiency across departments and external stakeholders.
For many years, on-premises PLM systems have been the industry standard. However, they come with inherent limitations. The infrastructure and maintenance costs of on-premises solutions are significant, and as businesses expand, these systems often struggle to scale efficiently. Additionally, collaboration between engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain partners can become cumbersome when data is stored in isolated silos, limiting real-time visibility and delaying project timelines.
Cloud-based PLM removes many of these challenges by providing a more agile, interconnected environment that enhances accessibility and adaptability. With real-time data access, improved collaboration, and enterprise-wide connectivity, aerospace companies are increasingly leveraging the cloud to enhance operational agility, optimize workflows, and reduce costs.
Key Benefits of Cloud-Based PLM for Aerospace
Enhanced Collaboration Across Global Teams
The aerospace sector operates within a vast, distributed network that includes manufacturers, suppliers, engineers, and regulatory bodies, all of whom require synchronized access to design data, compliance documentation, and more. We’ve all experienced the version control conflicts, miscommunications, and approval delays that become major obstacles when our teams work in disconnected systems.
By transitioning to cloud-based PLM, companies create a single source of truth, allowing engineers, designers, and manufacturers to access and update models in real time. This ensures that design modifications are instantly reflected across all teams, reducing the risk of errors caused by outdated information. Secure access permissions help manage data integrity while enabling cross-functional collaboration between internal departments and external partners.
Aerospace companies leveraging cloud PLM also benefit from faster design iterations and decision-making processes, as teams no longer need to rely on manual file transfers or isolated updates. By keeping all stakeholders connected to the latest design versions, production timelines become more predictable, and the overall efficiency of bringing new aircraft components to market improves.
Cost Efficiency and Reduced IT Overhead
One of the most compelling reasons for the aerospace industry’s shift toward cloud-based PLM is cost reduction. Maintaining an on-premises PLM system requires dedicated IT infrastructure, continual software updates, and in-house support teams to manage security, storage, and system optimization. These expenses add up, especially for companies that need to expand their operations or integrate new technologies.
Cloud-based PLM on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform removes the burden of costly hardware investments and reduces IT overhead. With a subscription-based model, aerospace companies can scale their PLM usage according to demand, paying only for the resources they need. Automatic updates ensure that the latest security patches and software improvements are implemented seamlessly, eliminating the risk of falling behind due to outdated technology.
Furthermore, cloud adoption reduces downtime associated with system maintenance, allowing engineering and manufacturing teams to focus on production rather than IT concerns. With less reliance on dedicated on-premises servers, companies can redirect their budget toward innovation and advanced manufacturing capabilities.
Stronger Compliance and Regulatory Management
The aerospace industry is governed by stringent regulations designed to ensure safety, environmental responsibility, and product integrity. We can’t have planes falling out of the sky, after all! Meeting compliance requirements from organizations such as FAA and EASA, plus ITAR demands meticulous record-keeping, version tracking, and transparent audit trails.
Cloud-based PLM systems simplify compliance management by automating document control and regulatory workflows. Instead of manually tracking design approvals and certification requirements, engineers can rely on built-in tools that maintain traceability and version history, ensuring that all modifications align with legal and safety standards.
Additionally, cloud PLM allows manufacturers to seamlessly integrate compliance checks throughout the product lifecycle. By embedding standardized workflows and automated reporting tools, organizations can ensure that quality control procedures are followed at every stage of production, reducing the risk of costly errors or delays in regulatory approval.
Seamless Integration with Digital Twin and IoT Technologies
The integration of cloud PLM with Industry 4.0 technologies has unlocked new possibilities for predictive maintenance and performance optimization. Digital twin technology, which creates a virtual representation of physical aircraft components, allows manufacturers to monitor real-world usage data in real time. When linked to cloud-based PLM, this information becomes a powerful asset for optimizing product performance and identifying maintenance needs before failures occur.
In addition, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors embedded in aircraft structures feed data directly into cloud PLM platforms. This enables predictive analytics, allowing maintenance teams to detect stress points, wear patterns, and potential failures before they become critical issues. By leveraging AI-driven analysis, aerospace manufacturers can refine their designs based on real-world operational feedback, ensuring continued safety improvements and cost-effective lifecycle management.
By connecting cloud PLM with digital twins, IoT networks, and AI analytics, aerospace companies gain unmatched visibility into product health and performance, paving the way for more intelligent, data-driven decision-making.
Challenges and Considerations in Adopting Cloud-Based PLM
Despite its numerous advantages, implementing cloud-based PLM requires careful planning. One of the primary concerns for aerospace manufacturers is data security and compliance with international regulations. As critical design files and intellectual property move to cloud servers, companies must ensure that their chosen platform meets strict cybersecurity standards, such as ISO 27001 and ITAR compliance.
For an in-depth look at The Importance of Cybersecurity in the Age of Industrial IoT, read through our previous blog article.
Another challenge is the transition from legacy systems to cloud-based workflows. Organizations with established on-premises PLM solutions must navigate data migration, employee training, and system integration to ensure a smooth transition. While the long-term benefits of cloud PLM outweigh the initial investment in change management, companies must strategically implement training programs to help employees adapt to new tools and processes.
For companies managing extensive supplier networks and complex production workflows, the 3DEXPERIENCE platform ensures seamless interoperability between cloud PLM and existing ERP, CAD, and MES systems. Its unified architecture eliminates data silos, enabling real-time collaboration across the entire supply chain. By offering flexible integration tools, the platform minimizes disruptions and supports a phased adoption approach, allowing businesses to transition at their own pace while maintaining operational continuity.
Conclusion: The Future of Aerospace is in the Cloud
As aerospace companies continue to modernize and embrace digital transformation, cloud-based PLM like that offered by the 3DEXPERIENCE is becoming the standard for efficient product lifecycle management. Its ability to improve collaboration, lower costs, and enhance compliance tracking makes it an invaluable tool for managing complex aerospace projects.
By transitioning to a cloud-based PLM environment, aerospace manufacturers can enhance global collaboration, streamline compliance tracking, and integrate cutting-edge Industry 4.0 technologies. Companies that embrace this shift will not only improve operational efficiency but also position themselves as leaders in an increasingly data-driven aerospace sector.
To explore how cloud-based PLM can enhance your aerospace product lifecycle management, contact Mecanica today and discover tailored solutions that align with your operational needs.