Aras vs SAP PLM

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Our analysts compared Aras vs SAP PLM based on data from our 400+ point analysis of PLM Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

SAP PLM Software Tool

Product Basics

Aras enables efficient control of the entire product lifecycle. It contains change management tools that can provide notifications to relevant users when adjustments are made to ensure consistency throughout the lifecycle. It also accounts for a variety of regulatory standards to help with product compliance.

The included visibility capabilities are robust, and user access is definable based on what’s relevant to each individual person. Multiple sources can be leveraged to develop insights, and multi-level bills of materials can be created as well.
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SAP PLM offers portfolio, project management and product lifecycle costing solutions for the complete product lifecycle experience. Users receive full clarity of teams, costs and fresh product innovations while also managing whole project lifecycles in one place. Users can also conduct portfolio traceability, planning, estimation accounting and closure.

Other notable tools include resource management, analytics and reporting, inbound and outbound integration, thorough product scope and more.
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$2,500/User, Monthly
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$15,600/User, Annually
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Product Insights

  • Control of Entire Lifecycle: Aras gives users control of the entirety of the product design lifecycle, from the time a product idea is conceptualized to final delivery. 
  • Adaptability: Users can tailor business processes within the system to adhere to their company’s unique requirements. 
  • Consistency: Information is centralized in Aras, making it easier for users to see the most up-to-date product specifications. This allows business processes and product development to become more consistent. 
  • Collaboration: With this program, users can track and manage changes while retaining visibility of product status. 
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  • Increase Efficiency: This solution offers product engineering, quotes and lifecycle costing so users can improve and boost their productivity on projects.  
  • Forecast Costs: SAP PLM allows users to evaluate and predict the costs of projects before implementing them. It enables users to cipher and determine various product costs in the preliminary brainstorming and design phases before committing to its production, saving money and resources.  
  • Rapid Market Time: The application enables collaboration so users can streamline production, enhancing the research and evolution of a product. This allows the product to go to the market quicker and minimizes expenses.  
  • Centralized Insights: Users can evaluate prompt insights on project progress and cost efficiency throughout numerous worksites. All of these insights are stored in the platform and conveniently accessible in one central place. 
  • Manage Priorities: This solution helps users to align workflows and procedures with corporate policies and business objectives while freeing financial and human resources to guarantee victorious project achievements. 
  • Combine Departments: Users can link project management with financial and logistics hassle-free to draft project reports for stakeholders and important decision-makers effortlessly. 
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  • ALM Integration: Aras can be integrated with existing ALM environments to develop a singular visualization of a variety of products. This feature is also connected to processes such as change management and BOM. With this connectivity, the source code is managed within the ALM program. 
  • Bill of Materials: The program controls the bill of materials across the entire supply chain. Aras Innovator provides visibility in a centralized location and leverages information from multiple sources to aid in the development of insights. With this tool, users can develop structured, multi-level bills of materials associated with each product lifecycle stage. The system also syncs with MBOMs and EBOMs to give users visibility of cross-disciplinary change statuses. 
  • Change Management: This tool controls assessments, change requests, orders and plans. It gives all users throughout the supply chain visibility of engineering change status through the automatic capture and recording of change histories. The program also contains automated impact analysis, group voting, escalation, delegation, standard best-practice templates created using CM2 principles and more. 
  • Component Engineering: The component engineering feature streamlines the approval, selection, compliance and sourcing workflows for electronic components. The program offers real-time technical data. It contains information on obsolescence and compliance from millions of board-level components gathered from global manufacturers as well. The system includes basic and parametric search functionality along with color indicators, alerts for aspects such as EOL and PCN, IPC 1752A material declaration and compliance with RoHS and REACh. 
  • Configuration Management: The system maintains a hierarchical set of data from the entirety of a product or system’s lifecycle. The program contains configuration identification, status accounting, control and verification. It can also track baselines at different lifecycle stages, including as-built and as-designed. It also sends users email notifications and reminders to keep them updated and on-track with product developments. 
  • Document Management: Aras stores all important documents in a centralized location that is both searchable and secure. The system supports multiple file formats, and version and change control are included for all documents. Some supported file types include PDF, Microsoft Office and TIF. Full-text search mode makes finding relevant information simpler, and user access can be restricted on a user level. 
  • Manufacturing Process Planning: This solution supports MBOM, graphical and concurrent process plans and work instruction authoring. It also offers automatic real-time reconciliation of EBOM/MBOM. Process plans are version-controlled through this tool and contain information regarding parts consumed, steps, skills, resources utilized, etc. MBOMs and process plans for specific plants are available as well. 
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  • Portfolio Management: This software's portfolio management tool offers users rapid reliable overviews of their whole portfolio consisting of projects, programs, services and more. This tool facilitates enterprise project portfolio management (EPPM) for whole visibility on capital expenses, R&D efficiency and the skills of professional and IT tasks. 
  • Project Management: The project management accessory authorizes users to tackle numerous responsibilities such as project structuring, scheduling, visualization and more. Users can also advocate several implementation and finance supervision models such as Six Sigman, phase gate, critical path and product and cycle-time excellence (PACE). 
  • Resource Management: The project and portfolio management solution offers resource management that enables users to enhance their capital and equipment assets based on project needs, qualifications and availability. Users can also pinpoint future resource needs and allocate them accordingly with their company structure, location, skill and business requirements.  
  • Product Cost Formulation and Simulation:  This accessory enables users to carry out cost calculations with manual overrides and recalculation abilities. Users can also implement what-if scenarios and target costing with the simulation tool.  
  • Data Modeling and Extensibility:  Users can employ the data modeling and extensibility module to receive several costing sheets and component splits. They can administer local master data support and integrate with Microsoft Excel and enterprise software.  
  • Inbound and Outbound Integration: SAP PLM permits users to import and export crucial company data through SAP ERP, Microsoft Excel and other platforms using the application program interface (API) component. 
  • Pricing: Users can leverage the pricing accessory to work with countless currencies and dimensions. They can also cipher overhead costs through multiple counting sheets.  
  • Analytics and Reporting: The analytics and reporting module can be implemented throughout the entire product lifecycle, costing categories and other areas. Users can also access version comparisons and use this module for management reporting. 
  • Teamwork and Security: Users can control who has access to projects and activate traceability to track who works specific projects and products. They can also implement collaboration tools for various roles and users.  
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Product Ranking

#3

among all
PLM Software

#17

among all
PLM Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

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Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

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Bill Of Materials Management Change Management Compliance Management Design Management Document Management Packaging And Label Management Part Management Platform Capabilities Project Management Quality Management Recipe And Formula Management Reporting And Dashboard Requirements Management Supplier Management 100 93 100 100 100 91 91 83 98 100 100 100 100 100 0 25 50 75 100
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Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

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User Sentiment Summary

Good User Sentiment 29 reviews
Good User Sentiment 81 reviews
74%
of users recommend this product

Aras has a 'good' User Satisfaction Rating of 74% when considering 29 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

77%
of users recommend this product

SAP PLM has a 'good' User Satisfaction Rating of 77% when considering 81 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

3.9 (11)
3.5 (46)
3.43 (7)
4.42 (12)
4.0 (5)
4.4 (12)
3.4 (6)
4.0 (11)

Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Aras and concluded it deserves the award for the Best Overall PLM Software available today and earns best-in-class honors for Bill of Materials Management, Design Management, Quality Management, Recipe and Formula Management, Requirements Management and Deployment Options.

Analysts' Pick Award
Bill of Materials Management Award
Design Management Award
Quality Management Award
Recipe and Formula Management Award
Requirements Management Award
Deployment Options Award

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Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Centralized Platform: Aras provides a single, unified platform for managing all product data, eliminating data silos and ensuring consistency across the organization.
Customization and Flexibility: Aras's modular architecture allows users to tailor the system to meet their specific needs, providing flexibility to adapt to changing business requirements.
Enhanced Collaboration: Aras facilitates collaboration among cross-functional teams by providing a shared workspace for real-time communication and document sharing.
Traceability and Compliance: Aras's robust traceability features enable users to track changes and maintain compliance with industry regulations, ensuring product safety and quality.
Scalability and Performance: Aras is designed to handle large volumes of data and complex workflows, providing scalability and performance to meet the demands of growing businesses.
Intuitive User Interface: Aras's user-friendly interface makes it easy for users to navigate and access product information, reducing training time and increasing productivity.
Open Architecture: Aras's open architecture allows for seamless integration with other enterprise systems, such as ERP, CAD, and CRM, streamlining data exchange and eliminating manual processes.
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Streamlined Collaboration: Enables seamless communication and data sharing among design, engineering, and manufacturing teams, fostering collaboration and reducing errors.
Comprehensive Product Data Management: Provides a central repository for all product-related information, including design specifications, manufacturing instructions, and quality control data, ensuring data accuracy and consistency.
Advanced Change Management: Facilitates efficient and controlled change management processes, ensuring that changes are tracked, approved, and implemented effectively, minimizing disruptions to product development.
Integration with Other Systems: Integrates seamlessly with ERP, CRM, and other business systems, providing a holistic view of product information and streamlining processes across the organization.
User-Friendly Interface: Offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it accessible to users of all technical backgrounds and reducing the learning curve.
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Complexity: Aras can be complex to implement and use, especially for large organizations with complex product development processes.
Cost: Aras can be expensive to implement and maintain, especially for organizations with limited budgets.
Limited Integration: Aras may not integrate well with other enterprise systems, such as ERP or CRM systems.
Lack of Flexibility: Aras may not be flexible enough to meet the specific needs of all organizations.
Steep Learning Curve: Aras can have a steep learning curve, which can make it difficult for users to get up to speed quickly.
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Data Management: Limited capabilities for managing complex data structures and relationships, leading to data inconsistencies and difficulties in managing large product portfolios.
User Interface: Complex and outdated user interface that can be difficult to navigate and use, resulting in reduced productivity and user adoption.
Customization: Limited customization options and a rigid architecture that makes it challenging to adapt the software to specific business needs, hindering flexibility and agility.
Integration: Difficulties in integrating with other systems, such as ERP and CAD tools, leading to data silos and inefficiencies in product development processes.
Performance: Slow performance and scalability issues, especially when handling large product data sets, affecting productivity and collaboration.
Cost: High licensing and implementation costs, as well as ongoing maintenance expenses, making it a significant investment for businesses.
Support: Limited technical support and documentation, leaving users frustrated and facing challenges in resolving issues.
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Aras is a cloud-based PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) software solution that is trusted by users for its ability to connect people, processes, and data across the entire product lifecycle. Users rave about its strengths, such as its adaptability, ease of use, and robust capabilities. Aras outshines similar products with its ability to be customized to fit specific business needs, making it an ideal choice for companies looking for a tailored solution. It also offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies adoption and training, reducing the time and effort required for implementation. Additionally, Aras's comprehensive capabilities cover the entire product lifecycle, from design and engineering to manufacturing and service, providing a single source of truth for all product-related information. These strengths make Aras a valuable asset for businesses looking to improve collaboration, streamline processes, and drive innovation. However, some users have expressed concerns about the complexity of the software, particularly for users with limited technical expertise. Additionally, the cost of implementation and maintenance can be a barrier for some businesses. Despite these drawbacks, Aras remains a top choice for companies seeking a powerful and flexible PLM solution. Its ability to connect people, processes, and data, combined with its adaptability and robust capabilities, make it an ideal choice for businesses looking to optimize their product lifecycle management. Overall, Aras is best suited for medium to large-sized businesses with complex product lifecycles and a need for a customizable and comprehensive PLM solution. Its ability to connect people, processes, and data, combined with its adaptability and robust capabilities, make it an ideal choice for businesses looking to improve collaboration, streamline processes, and drive innovation.

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SAP PLM is a popular PLM software that has received mixed reviews from users in the last year. Many users praise its powerful features and integration with other SAP products, but some find it complex and expensive. One of the main strengths of SAP PLM is its ability to manage complex product lifecycles, including engineering, manufacturing, and service. It also offers a wide range of features for managing product data, such as CAD integration, bill of materials management, and change management. SAP PLM is well-integrated with other SAP products, such as SAP ERP and SAP CRM, which can provide users with a single view of their product data across the entire enterprise. However, SAP PLM can be complex and expensive to implement, and some users find it difficult to use. It is important to note that SAP PLM is best suited for large enterprises with complex product lifecycles. Smaller businesses may find it too expensive and complex for their needs. In comparison to similar products, SAP PLM is a more comprehensive and feature-rich solution. However, it is also more expensive and complex than some of its competitors. One of the key differentiating factors of SAP PLM is its ability to manage complex product lifecycles. It also offers a wide range of features for managing product data, such as CAD integration, bill of materials management, and change management. SAP PLM is well-integrated with other SAP products, such as SAP ERP and SAP CRM, which can provide users with a single view of their product data across the entire enterprise. Overall, SAP PLM is a powerful and comprehensive PLM software that is best suited for large enterprises with complex product lifecycles. However, it is important to note that SAP PLM can be complex and expensive to implement, and some users find it difficult to use. Smaller businesses may find it too expensive and complex for their needs.

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