Windchill vs Centric PLM

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Our analysts compared Windchill vs Centric 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.

Product Basics

Windchill is a product lifecycle management and supply chain system that utilizes the latest developments in technology to optimize operations. Automation and AR capabilities are some of the modern technologies that can be included in the system. The program increases the visibility of product concepts as they move throughout the lifecycle by collecting real-time CAD data.

Its automation capabilities also allow for changes made downstream to be reflected in other areas, such as in technical documents and promotional materials. These changes can also be reflected in graphical representations of a product to ensure accuracy. Windchill works to reduce duplicate work and communication errors as a product moves throughout the lifecycle.
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Centric PLM is a software solution designed to streamline the entire product lifecycle, from ideation and design to sourcing, production, and launch. It caters particularly to companies in fast-moving consumer goods industries like fashion, apparel, and homeware.

Centric PLM offers several key benefits. It centralizes product data, eliminating the need to search through scattered spreadsheets and emails. This fosters improved collaboration among internal teams and external partners.

The software boasts features like mobile applications for on-the-go access, visual collaboration tools, and integrations with 3D design software. These features can help companies reduce time to market, improve product quality, and gain a competitive edge.

While user experiences can vary, Centric PLM is generally praised for its scalability and modularity. Companies can choose the specific functionalities they need, making it suitable for businesses of various sizes. Pricing is typically based on a subscription model with tiers offering different features and user capacities.


Pros
  • Centralized Data
  • Improved Collaboration
  • Faster Time to Market
  • Scalable & Modular
  • Mobile App Access
Cons
  • Steep Learning Curve
  • Customization Challenges
  • Limited Real-Time Data
  • Potentially Costly
  • Subscription Model
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Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
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Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
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Product Insights

  • Increased Visibility: Look at products as they move from one aspect of the lifecycle to another. Components of this include the ability to look at quality aspects and feature changes. 
  • Boost in Productivity: Boosts productivity among workers. Centralization and a single view of data can reduce the amount of time that employees spend looking for information. 
  • Use the Latest Tech: Can integrate with Vuforia, an AR tool. This allows users to look at their designs in a real-world setting and to use that information to inform aspects of a product. As technology advances and more features become available, it can be helpful to stay up-to-date on the latest and greatest tools. 
  • Reduced Costs: Cost is an essential factor to consider when looking at different software solutions. Reduces costs through the efficient creation of product variants, which is typically time-consuming and costly. 
  • Automation: Leverages automation to help update content and users as features and definitions are altered. This ensures consistency and reliability of information. 
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  • Streamlined Communication and Collaboration: Centric PLM acts as a central hub for all product information, eliminating the need for siloed data and communication across teams. Imagine a designer uploading a sketch, which can be instantly accessed and commented on by product managers, engineers, and sourcing specialists, all within the same platform. This fosters a collaborative environment that reduces misunderstandings and delays.
  • Reduced Time to Market: By centralizing product data and streamlining workflows, Centric PLM helps companies get products to market faster. For instance, designers can receive instant feedback on material availability from sourcing teams, eliminating the back-and-forth communication that can slow down the development process. This allows companies to capitalize on market trends and stay ahead of the competition.
  • Improved Product Quality and Consistency: Centric PLM's centralized data repository ensures that everyone is working with the latest product specifications. This reduces the risk of errors caused by outdated information or miscommunication. Think of it as a single source of truth for everything related to a product, from materials and technical specifications to quality control procedures.
  • Enhanced Cost Management: By providing real-time insights into material costs, production processes, and inventory levels, Centric PLM helps companies make informed decisions that can optimize their bottom line. Imagine a scenario where a material cost increase is flagged within the system, prompting the sourcing team to explore alternative suppliers. This level of cost transparency empowers companies to make data-driven decisions and minimize waste.
  • Increased Visibility and Control: Centric PLM provides a comprehensive view of the entire product lifecycle, from concept to launch. This empowers managers to identify potential bottlenecks, track progress, and make adjustments as needed. Imagine having a real-time dashboard that displays the status of every product in development, allowing for proactive problem-solving and course correction.
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  • Product Design and Visualization With AR:  Offers integration with Vuforia, an augmented reality (AR) platform. Design 2D and 3D objects not only on a screen, but also in a real-world setting. Collaborate with others across the world on these designs. 
  • Change Management: The change management can make alterations during the product life cycle in a centralized location so that other users can access the most up-to-date information. This tool also provides visibility of how change impacts an organization throughout the product life cycle. 
  • Product Quality Monitoring: Integrates quality measures into product development. This allows employees to see what type of quality issues occur and to work to solve them for future and ongoing iterations of a product. 
  • BOM Management: Digital Bill of Materials (BOM) is provided through this system. A parts-centric approach to BOM is available with a single source of truth for all organizational product data. This program is closed-loop throughout the entire lifecycle from conceptualization to product release. 
  • Product Variation: Developing a product variation can be time-consuming and expensive. This system works to assist in the complete production process of product variants to ensure customer satisfaction and cost-effectiveness. 
  • Unified Data: Windchill centralizes data from multiple aspects of a business into a single view to make access easier and less time-consuming. Real-time CAD and product data are some of the sources included in this feature. 
  • Automatic Content Updates: When changes are made to a product during the development phase, Windchill allows for the automatic update of content in accordance with these changes. This tool can also manage content that is gathered from multiple sources. 
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  • Product Data Management (PDM): Centric PLM acts as a central repository for all product information, including specifications, materials, bills of materials (BOMs), and technical drawings. Imagine a digital library containing everything a team needs to know about a product, from its initial concept to final production.
  • Sample Management: The software streamlines the sample creation and approval process, allowing designers and product managers to collaborate effectively on prototypes. Think of a digital workflow where designers upload samples, provide feedback, and track revisions, all within a single platform.
  • Calendar and Lifecycle Management: Centric PLM helps plan, schedule, and track all stages of the product lifecycle, from design deadlines to production milestones. Imagine a visual timeline that displays key development stages for each product, ensuring everyone is on the same page and deadlines are met.
  • Supplier Collaboration: The platform facilitates communication and collaboration with suppliers, enabling real-time updates on material availability, pricing, and production progress. Imagine a communication hub where companies can share specifications with suppliers, receive quotes, and track order fulfillment, fostering stronger relationships.
  • Mobile Applications: Centric PLM offers mobile apps that provide on-the-go access to product data, approvals, and communication channels. Think of designers sketching on a tablet and uploading concepts directly into the system, or product managers receiving real-time production updates while traveling.
  • Visual Collaboration Tools: The software features digital whiteboards and mood boards that enable teams to brainstorm ideas and collaborate visually. Imagine a virtual space where designers can share sketches, inspiration images, and product concepts, fostering a more creative and collaborative environment.
  • Integration with Design Software: Centric PLM integrates with popular 3D design software, allowing for a seamless flow of information between design and development stages. Imagine a scenario where a designer creates a 3D model in their preferred software, which can be directly imported into Centric PLM for further development and production planning.
  • Reporting and Analytics: The platform offers comprehensive reporting and analytics tools that provide insights into product development performance, costs, and supplier efficiency. Think of a dashboard that displays key metrics like time-to-market data, production costs per unit, and supplier performance ratings, empowering data-driven decision making.
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Product Ranking

#2

among all
PLM Software

#32

among all
PLM Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

83
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100
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74
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Bill of Materials Management
Change Management
Compliance Management
Design Management
Document Management
Packaging and Label Management
Platform Capabilities
Change Management
Project Management
Recipe and Formula Management

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Windchill
Centric PLM
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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 100 100 100 100 100 8 100 100 100 100 57 100 92 99 46 90 74 68 58 100 45 100 86 75 86 67 8 85 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 112 reviews
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78%
of users recommend this product

Windchill has a 'good' User Satisfaction Rating of 78% when considering 112 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

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4.8 (8)
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3.8 (61)
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4.0 (30)
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3.4 (13)
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Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Windchill and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Bill of Materials Management, Design Management and Quality Management.

Bill of Materials Management Award
Design Management Award
Quality Management Award

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Centric PLM and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Packaging and Label Management.

Packaging and Label Management Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Integrations: All reviewers who mentioned integrations said that the system has robust integration options with a helpful set of integrated tools.
Functionality: Approximately 90% of users who talked about the system’s overall functionality noted that its suite of features and automation tools were stable and capable of handling critical daily processes.
Searching Tools: About 66% of reviewers who referred to search features noted that they were intuitive and helped find specific documents quickly.
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Centralized Product Data: Eliminates scattered information across spreadsheets and emails, fostering collaboration and reducing errors. Imagine a single source of truth for everything related to a product, accessible by all teams.
Improved Time to Market: Streamlined workflows and faster communication help companies get products to market quicker. For instance, design teams can receive instant feedback from sourcing on material availability, avoiding delays.
Enhanced Collaboration: A central platform facilitates communication and information exchange between internal teams and external partners. Imagine designers, engineers, and suppliers collaborating seamlessly on a single product concept.
Increased Visibility and Control: Real-time insights into the product lifecycle empower managers to identify bottlenecks, track progress, and make proactive adjustments. Think of a dashboard that displays the status of every product in development, allowing for course correction as needed.
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Ease of Use: Nearly 60% of reviewers who mentioned the system’s usability noted that the system required a steep learning curve with training requirements to master.
Support: Complicated issues took long periods of time to solve, with the overall support process being hit or miss, according to all reviewers who mentioned support.
Customization: All users that talked about customization said that customizing the system wasn’t easy and there wasn’t much room for customization in the first place.
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Steep Learning Curve: Centric PLM's comprehensive features can be overwhelming for new users, requiring dedicated training time to become proficient. Think of a complex software program with numerous functionalities that take time to master.
Customization Challenges: While offering some customization, extensively modifying Centric PLM to perfectly match specific workflows can be difficult and resource-intensive. Imagine a system that requires significant development effort to align perfectly with unique business processes.
Potentially Costly: The subscription-based pricing model, coupled with potential implementation and training costs, can make Centric PLM a significant investment, especially for smaller businesses. Consider the software cost, along with setup and training expenses, which may be a barrier for some companies.
Limited Real-Time Data: Some users report a slight delay in data synchronization across the entire system. This means information updates might not be reflected instantaneously, which is important for businesses requiring constant real-time data accuracy.
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Windchill’s PLM and supply chain management features are robust and help optimize and streamline daily operations. Powerful integrations with popular applications like CAD boost efficiency and add value to the product as a whole. Its automation features help users overcome manual tasks and streamline their tasks. While its features are impressive, it required significant time and training investments to familiarize users with the system. Customization options are available, but customizations were hard to implement without help. Support was often described as slow, especially when more complex problems occurred. Some reviewers also mentioned that the monthly maintenance costs were on the high side.

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Recent user reviews of Centric PLM highlight its ability to centralize product data and streamline workflows, leading to faster time-to-market. One reviewer, a product manager at a fashion company, praised Centric PLM for eliminating scattered information across emails and spreadsheets, which previously caused delays in communication and product development. This centralized approach is particularly beneficial in fast-paced industries like fashion, where trends can change quickly and getting products to market swiftly is crucial. However, reviewers also noted challenges associated with Centric PLM's complexity. Some users reported a steep learning curve, mentioning it takes time for new users to become comfortable with the software's extensive features. This can be a hurdle for companies with limited training resources. Additionally, extensive customization can be difficult, which may not be ideal for businesses needing a highly tailored PLM solution. For instance, a small business with unique design processes might find Centric PLM's customization capabilities too cumbersome compared to more user-friendly options. Overall, Centric PLM seems well-suited for medium to large companies in industries like fashion, consumer goods, and homeware that value a centralized data repository, streamlined communication, and the ability to handle complex workflows. However, the steep learning curve and potentially high costs mean smaller businesses or those with unique process needs may want to explore alternative PLM solutions offering greater ease of use or more straightforward customization options.

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