More complex products, shorter innovation cycles, an increasing number of variants and rising customer requirements - companies are required to organize their product development efficiently. However, the use of different IT island solutions leads to information disruptions and data silos that result in a lack of transparency, errors and delays. A professional PLM system can provide a remedy, but this often requires time-consuming and resource-intensive implementation. With its new cloud PLM offering, Contact Software aims to remove this obstacle: CIM Database Cloud combines PLM functionality with the performance, scalability and security of the cloud, the company announced. Additional acquisition and operating costs for in-house server infrastructures are therefore not incurred.

Among other things, CIM Database Cloud offers functions for document management, project management, cost calculation, material management and the comparison of different parts lists. Companies can seamlessly integrate their existing system landscape via interfaces to third-party systems such as CAD and ERP software. This creates a consistent digital thread that connects processes and data flows across departments and facilitates collaboration. Thanks to the high degree of standardization, the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) application is ready to use out of the box, explains Contact Managing Director Maximilian Zachries: "We have integrated best practice templates into the software, which are based on 30 years of PLM experience from hundreds of projects. Like all our products, CIM Database Cloud is based on our Contact Elements platform and is optimized for rapid deployment." The administration of CIM Database Cloud does not require any programming knowledge and can be carried out by the specialist departments themselves. In addition, the intuitive user interface offers a high level of user-friendliness so that even new users can quickly find their way around.

SaaS application in three stages

The software is available as a SaaS application in three expansion stages: Collaborate, Accelerate and Innovate. For companies with high customizing requirements, CIM Database Cloud offers optional DevOps services. This allows individual business processes to be mapped precisely and functions to be continuously adapted. With the three expansion stages, companies can find the right solution for their requirements and can gradually increase the technical maturity of their product development. This remains cost-efficient thanks to the flexible license model, which also enables pay-per-use billing.

This article appeared in issue 10/23