PLM Usage

About PLM Usage

Parts, or internal items, in the CES database may be used in many different product structures and in many different projects. It is often necessary, or at least helpful, to find out where all instances of a part are located. The PLM Usage button gives you the ability to collect that information and display it in a tree structure that includes both projects and product structures in which the selected part is used.

To access the PLM Usage button, select an internal item from the Sourcing Search Results window. Go to the PLM Properties tab. You will see the PLM Usage button at the bottom of the tab.

The PLM Usage process uses various pieces of information about the current internal item including user information, current project information, PLM ID and revision ID. This information is used to obtain the necessary product structure and project information for all instances of the internal item. This information is then displayed in the following form:

  • Project 1
    • Product 1.1 (instance count)
      • Instance name 1.1.1
      • Instance name 1.1.2
      • ...
    • Product 1.2 (instance count)
      • Instance name 1.2.1
      • Instance name 1.2.2
    • ...
  • Project 2
    • Product 2.1 (instance count)
      • Instance name 2.1.1
      • Instance name 2.1.2
      • ...

When Using PLM Usage

  • PLM Usage requires VPM Navigator, therefore you have to connect to ENOVIA V5 VPM using the VPM Navigator.
  • There might be more than one PLM instance in a CES deployment with a centralized server. If so, the PLM ID might be used in different projects under different product structures in the various PLM instances. PLM Usage supports only one PLM instance.
  • PLM Usage is not supported for Manufacturer or Supplier Items.
  • The displayed tree structure is view only.
  • The tabs available in the Properties window can be customized based on the user group associated with the logged in user. For more information about customizing the Properties view, refer to CES Administration Guide : User Tasks : Customizing CES : Customizing the Properties Window.

How To Use PLM Usage

This task explains how to view use the PLM Usage functionality.
This example assumes that you:
  • have started CATIA (How you start CATIA depends on how it is set up on your system.)
  • have access to a database that is populated with Manufacturer, Supplier and Internal information
  • have performed a search for one or more Internal Items.
  • have connected to ENOVIA V5 VPM using VPM Navigator.
  • have logged in to CES. For more information on logging in, refer to Accessing CES Functionality.
  1. From the Search Results window, select an internal item.  Right-click and select Item Details from the shortcut menu.  The Item Details window appears.



     

  2. Click the PLM Usage button at the bottom of the tab. The following window appears:

Internal Item Properties Window

The Properties window can be described as follows

Object Description

Header

This area lists the static attributes of the object that is open in the Properties window. This information remains consistent until changed. Should any of these attributes change, you must refresh the Properties window to display the updated information.

Tabs

The tabs appearing in the Properties window for Internal Items contain manufacturer information, supplier information, PLM information, pricing, alternate items and attachments, of the object. You can click the tabs to view the corresponding information.

Attributes

You can view all the fields associated with an object. This lists all the fields other than those displayed in the Header. These fields are again object-dependent, and can be masked by a company per their individual requirements and standards.


This table describes the fields displayed in the Properties window.

Fields Description

Select Item Type

Dropdown list that lets you switch from one item type to another.

This table describes the buttons displayed in the Properties window:

Button Description

More

Click this to display all the Header information in a separate Details window.

Close

Close the Properties window.

This table describes the tabs available in the Properties window:

Window Description
Detailed Specifications This tab displays the attributes that define the technical specifications that pertain to the current item. For more information about this tab, refer to Detailed Specifications.
Manufacturer Info This tab displays information about the manufacturers or manufacturer items associated with the internal item. For more information about this tab, refer to Manufacturer Info.
Supplier Info This tab displays information about suppliers or supplier items associated with the internal item. For more information about this tab, refer to Supplier Info.
Alternates This tab displays a list of other parts that perform the same function similar to the current part. For more information about this tab, refer to Alternates.
PLM Profile This tab displays the ENOVIA V5 VPM profile of the current item, including property information. For more information about this tab, refer to PLM Profile.
PLM Properties This tab displays the details of the item that are stored in the ENOVIA V5 VPM database. For more information about this tab, refer to PLM Properties.
Pricing & Availability This tab lets you select which prices to view and the currency in which to view the pricing. For more information about this tab, refer to Pricing and Availability.
Attachments This tab displays a list of documents or specifications that are related and attached to the internal item. For more information about this tab, refer to Attachments.