Saab Bofors Dynamics goes for PLM-ERP link

Swedish missile systems supplier Saab Bofors Dynamics has started a series of projects aimed at extending its existing manufacturing and business management IT (ERP), with integrated product data management (PDM) and CAD, to improve management and responsiveness of its engineering development services and engineer-to-order project manufacturing. The company, which has been an IFS ERP user since 1998 across some of its operations, is upgrading to IFS Applications 2003, increasing its user base to 1,000 seats as it moves away from its legacy systems, and IFS buying software to cover product lifecycle management (PLM). Several CAD systems are to be integrated, including Catia and Ideas on the MCAD side and Mentor on ECAD, and product lifecycles will be managed by co-ordinating all information and business process flows from engineering, document and revision management, to manufacturing, delivery and MRO (maintenance, repair and operations). Users will be able to access all data and documentation via web portals, easing real time information transfer and management, providing a better foundation for collaborative team working with partners, suppliers and customers, and improving project management while cutting administration costs. Lars Tossman, Saab Bofors Dynamics’ CFO, says: “IFS has performed well since we first invested in [it]. Since then, critical parts of the system have been enhanced. Improved functionality for our type of business – ie complex manufacturing with major demands on project management – was an important criterion for staying with IFS.” Upgrading began in January, with the first components now just going live. Over the next couple of years, the extended system will be rolled out across all Saab Bofors Dynamics operations in Linköping, Karlskoga, Gothenburg, Eskilstuna and Järfälla, all in Sweden.