Interesting that while I’m at the Rockwell Software event the following news broke that GE Intelligent Platforms is partnering with PTC to integrate IT and PLM technologies. This is on the heels of the Dassault Systemmes acquisition of Apriso for the very same reason.
Previously, Siemens had acquired MES capability (Siemens IT now) and then UGS (Siemens PLM now) toward the goal of the digital factory. I have seen some good integration of Siemens PLM into Siemens Industry, but the IT integration does not seem to be going anywhere.
Dassault has previously started partnerships with Rockwell Automation twice and then with Schneider Electric. Neither seems to have born any fruit.
Off the record comments by some Rockwell people when I told them about this news is that they’ve investigated this sort of integration and the value just isn’t there.
GE-IP news
So, it will be interesting to see how this program works out. I’ll try to keep an eye on it. Here is the news release:
GE Intelligent Platforms is joining the PTC PartnerAdvantage program. The two companies will work to integrate GE’s Proficy software applications with PTC’s technology solutions to help manufacturers close the loop between product design and production execution on the shop floor.
As a platinum tier member of the PTC PartnerAdvantage program, GE Intelligent Platforms will gain access to tools for integrating its MES applications with PTC Creo design software and PTC Windchill product lifecycle management software. Proficy Plant Applications, integrated with PTC Windchill MPMLink, will enable process plans, manufacturing bill of materials (mBOMs), and work instructions to accurately reflect engineering design.
“When manufacturers design the process for quality and compliance they can ensure that products are built right the first time,” said Jim Walsh, Industrial Software General Manager for GE Intelligent Platforms. “The integrated solution that Proficy software and PTC Windchill offers customers is the ability to reduce errors, accelerate new product introductions, and provide flexibility to manage engineering change.”
GE’s Proficy Plant Applications maintains traceability and genealogy of products and parts, including process parameters, equipment and tooling used for a full “as-built” record of modifications and sign-offs, complementing the “as-designed” and “as-planned” records in PTC Windchill.