System Integration is a prerequisite for the Digital Thread

The digital thread links all the relevant information about a product that is generated during the different phases of its lifecycle. It is a prerequisite for ensuring the traceability of dependencies in both directions, i.e. throughout the product lifecycle and from the data acquired during operation back to product development. And it provides the basis for the various digital twins that virtually represent and accompany the product throughout its lifetime – e.g. in the "as built" or "as maintained" state.

The growing number of domains involved in product management and corresponding diversity of IT systems mean that it is becoming increasingly difficult to view information from end to end, keep tabs on everything and create digital data models. This difficulty is exacerbated if the data from development partners and suppliers also needs to be integrated. If data from a variety of different source and/or management systems must be merged, synchronized and linked, a large number of point-to-point connections are required – connections have to be created, maintained and adapted in the event of upgrades or switch to a new system.

The integration of new platforms, e.g. for mapping the digital twins of products and manufacturing processes, presents IT organizations with additional challenges.

In addition, the paradigm shift from drawing-based to model-based product development means that the demands being placed on integration have become much greater. It is no longer all about exchanging individual files and documents but about synchronizing information objects that are linked to each other.

Drawings, BOMs and reports become information that is only derived from model-like artifacts when required. Primary information objects are 3D CAD models, simulation models and product structures, which are subject to revision, configuration and change management.

Model-based product development is a prerequisite for the creation of product models for manufacturing and operation, which are referred to as digital twins. These digital representations provide a new level of product lifecycle support, including manufacturing methods, the collection of field data and associated business and service concepts. 

Linking on a semantic level

If the IT systems are to meet the increased integration requirements, they need be linked with each other on a different and higher level. Semantic approaches, which are able to deal with the data semantics in product development and the product lifecycle in general, make it possible to seamlessly integrate the different enterprise systems and get to grips with the new level of complexity.

System integration is therefore becoming a key component in the application architecture. Companies in industries such as the aerospace and automotive industries now consider system integration a strategic issue when it comes to ensuring end-to-end digitalization. They need integration solutions that allow them to combine the platforms of their preferred vendors with best-in-class solutions from other vendors. These solutions must address all aspects of the digital thread, i.e. both vertical integration between the authoring and management systems and horizontal integration throughout the product lifecycle from product planning to development and production through to service and operation.

Standards-based integrations are more cost-efficient and less risky than in-house developments. Digital thread solutions like those provided by PROSTEP ensure that process changes and updates to the connected software systems can be performed without the need for internal development projects. They are mature, robust and reliable and, like other commercial software applications, are constantly being updated. This allows IT to focus on the operation rather than the development of software, which significantly increases efficiency. PROSTEP's digital thread platform offers components for integration, traceability and collaboration in an integrated enterprise application that is subject to ongoing development and optimization.