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Arena PLM and QMS

Score8.7 out of 10

360 Reviews and Ratings

What is Arena PLM and QMS?

Arena by PTC is a cloud-based PLM and QMS platform. Arena helps product companies that rely on distributed teams and global supply chains to develop products, ensure regulatory compliance, and respond to customer demands.

Media

Screenshot of Arena Bill of Materials (BOM) Management. Indented BOM displaying "in production" item status.
Screenshot of Arena Engineering Change Management.  Engineering Change Order (ECO) approval with redlines.
Screenshot of Arena Projects. Project schedule with status and progress.
Screenshot of Arena Quality. Quality process showing a Corrective Action Report (CAR) with the issue details, affected items, and resolution progress/status.
Screenshot of Arena Requirements. Tracks requirements and related product development issues for a complete product picture.
Screenshot of Arena Analytics, Arena's business intelligence (BI) tool
Screenshot of Arena Supply Chain Intelligence (SCI). Proactively monitor the health of your BOM and electronic component risk.

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Screenshot of Arena Bill of Materials (BOM) Management. Indented BOM displaying "in production" item status.

5 Star Review

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Hi, I use it for browsing
Technical specifications data, engineering dwgs,
Creating ECOs, NCRs, PNs, Training
Adding suppliers information,
Reviewing quality data, etc.
Overall I use almost each and every tab its in Arena.

Problems:
Sometimes if we upload images of product it cannot be uploaded and a few times it doesn't. In efficient process.
Lack of automation in the workflow nor processes
Lack of full visibility for customers

Scope of use case:
Customer relationship to share documentation
Procuring off the shelf parts based on data sheets
Manufacturing traceability
Personnel SOPs access
Personnel training
Capturing non conformances as needed
Doing project related gate 4 based on project phase

Pros

  • Training updates and expiration dates
  • Tasks to finish
  • Having bookmarks
  • Downloads data to access easily
  • New homepage is really helps to track many things in one go
  • Integrations are good to keep track off

Cons

  • Increasing size or capacity of uploading the documents/image to at least 25 gigs
  • Good to have a display of abandoned items in new homepage
  • By adding a microscopic view if people want to switch to due to eye issues, or using tiny monitors or working in 10 inch laptop by itself

Return on Investment

  • Structuring BOM ease procurement decisions
  • Reduced product related errors
  • Recording non conformances
  • Keep product related documents up to date which in turns ease supply chain partners
  • Recording training data overall

Alternatives Considered

SAP PLM and PTC Windchill

Other Software Used

Miro, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Convert PDFs

The industry-leading PLM

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

My organization use Arena PLM to manage all purchased items, engineer drawings, work instructions, engineer change orders, RMAs, and more that on my employee status level requires. Other colleagues might have more access or limited access due to their role in the organization.

Pros

  • Has everything all in one place
  • Ease of navigating through the dashboard

Cons

  • So far it has been relatively easy to use and been using it for the past 7 years since I work with this organization. I haven't had any other experience with other PLMs to see what else there is to offer.

Return on Investment

  • Reduced engineering change cycle time
  • Improved information/drawings sharing with suppliers
  • Reduced product information errors

Other Software Used

Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Adobe Acrobat, SOLIDWORKS

Arena Review.

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We utilize Arena for processes such as nonconforming material review, procedures, work instructions, and part drawings. Arena makes controlling non conforming parts much more easier than what we had before. Before everything was done by paper but with Arena its electronic and much more convient. Work instructions and procedures are reviewed and approved by Quality personnel before it gets released to production. Part drawings get updated by engineering before it hits design.

Pros

  • No more paper. Everything is electronic and easy to track.
  • Very straightforward and easy to use.

Cons

  • The layout can be updated to make it more user-friendly.

Return on Investment

  • We identify which parts are aging the fastest, what needs attention, and who is responsible for their care.
  • We identify which parts are the most problematic and which suppliers have the highest material return rates. This helps us decide which vendors to use and which not to use.

Other Software Used

QAD Adaptive ERP, Adobe Acrobat

Arena PLM and QMS is a friendly user tool

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I use Arena PLM and QMS to check EOL (end of life) of component in BOM (bill of materials).

Pros

  • Under Notes, I know exactly the status of a Manufacturing Part Number such as EOL, Obsolte , NRND, etc...

Cons

  • need Item Name in Search 's dropdown menu
  • need a format or dropdown menu for Item Name for passive components such as Capacitor, Resistor, etc...or Active components like IC, or mechanical part like Screw, Bracket, etc...

Return on Investment

  • reduced engineering change cycle time by 80 percent
  • improved information sharing with supply chain partners by 90 percent
  • reduced compliance risk by 90 percent
  • reduced product information errors by 95 percent

Other Software Used

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Edge, Kofax AP Essentials

Flexible PLM/QMS System

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I have several clients who use Arena PLM and QMS, In my activities with the client I am a user and an administrator for their Arena, One client is a contracting company for design and development for several other clients. Arena has been instrumental in maintaining the lifecycle of products from piece parts to final product for multiple products.

Pros

  • BOM management
  • Quality process (NCRs, CAPAs ect.)
  • Collaboration with suppliers
  • Managing Design History

Cons

  • A separate equipment management world (Cal and PM)
  • More flexibility on custom reports

Return on Investment

  • Better visibility to quality issues
  • Consistent and efficient ECO process
  • Save time in design and development with DHF in Arena

Alternatives Considered

QT9 QMS, Cognidox and Greenlight Guru

Other Software Used

Atlassian Jira, QAD Adaptive ERP, Microsoft 365