Handling Complexity of Product Data Across Companies

18 May 2016 · 32 min
32:19

The session, hosted by Håkan Codén (Eurostep) and featuring Irene Gustafsson (Volvo Cars), examines how Volvo Cars manages the growing complexity of product data in a multi‑partner environment. Irene outlines Volvo’s transformation journey since 2011, its historic collaborations (Ford, Mitsubishi, Geely/SEVT), and the strategic need for flexible PLM cooperation. The core of the talk is the Shared Technologies Control (STC) solution – a data‑sharing hub that sits between Volvo’s internal PLM (KDP) and partner systems (Teamcenter) and enables nightly synchronization of CAD data, part‑level mapping, and controlled variant information exchange. The architecture emphasizes minimal integration, part‑level granularity, and a “brick‑by‑brick” rollout that allowed a production‑ready link with SEVT in six months. Eurostep’s role is highlighted through the ShareSpace suite (InReach, InControl, ShareSpace in Life) and cloud‑based services managed by CGI and Microsoft. The discussion then moves to practical challenges: IP ownership, version and software compatibility, semantic mapping versus simple part mapping, supplier lock‑in, and the balance between technology investment and manual coordination. Audience questions probe the semantics of data mapping, software sharing, and how suppliers cope with differing OEM models. The session concludes with reflections on the pragmatic, part‑focused approach as a way to reduce complexity while maintaining flexibility for future collaborations.

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