Introduction
For years, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems were exclusively “on-premise,” requiring massive servers, expensive IT maintenance, and complex VPNs for remote access. This created barriers for small companies and slowed down global collaboration for large ones.
Cloud PLM refers to PLM software that is hosted on a cloud provider’s servers and accessed via a web browser (often as SaaS – Software as a Service). It is the infrastructure that enables the “Digital Thread” to exist globally, allowing an engineer in Germany, a supplier in Taiwan, and a manager in the USA to work on the exact same data in real-time.
Why the Shift to Cloud PLM? 4 Key Drivers
1. Universal Accessibility and Collaboration
In a post-pandemic world, engineering teams are rarely in the same building. Cloud PLM allows instant access to 3D models, BOMs, and requirements from any device, ensuring that the “Single Source of Truth” is always available, whether you are at the office, at home, or at a factory site.
2. Scalability and Flexibility
Traditional hardware takes months to upgrade. With Cloud PLM, you can add 50 new users or increase storage capacity in minutes. This “pay-as-you-go” model is perfect for companies that need to scale rapidly according to project demands.
3. Reduced Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
By moving to the cloud, companies eliminate the need for:
- Purchasing and maintaining expensive servers.
- Dedicated IT staff for PLM updates and patches.
- Massive upfront capital expenditure (CapEx), shifting instead to predictable operating expenses (OpEx).
4. Enhanced Security and Disaster Recovery
Modern cloud providers (like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud) invest billions in security. Cloud PLM offers enterprise-grade encryption, automated backups, and multi-factor authentication that often surpass what a private company can implement on its own.
Cloud PLM vs. On-Premise: At a Glance
| Feature | On-Premise PLM | Cloud PLM (SaaS) |
| Deployment | Months (Hardware setup). | Days or Weeks (Instant access). |
| Upgrades | Manual, slow, and risky. | Automatic and seamless. |
| Upfront Cost | High (Licenses + Servers). | Low (Subscription-based). |
| Maintenance | Handled by internal IT. | Handled by the Vendor. |
| Collaboration | Difficult for external partners. | Built-in for global ecosystems. |
Cloud PLM and the Digital Engineering Vision
In Digital Engineering, Cloud PLM acts as the “connective tissue”:
- Integration with Ecosystems: It easily connects with other cloud tools like Slack, Jira, or cloud-based CAD/CAE.
- Real-Time Data Flow: Updates to a requirement or a design are propagated instantly across the digital thread.
- AI and Big Data: The cloud provides the processing power needed to run AI-driven analytics on product data, predicting failures before they happen.
How Visure Solutions Powers Your Cloud Strategy
Visure Requirements ALM Platform offers a robust cloud-based experience designed for high-stakes engineering:
- SaaS Excellence: Visure’s cloud deployment allows your teams to start managing complex requirements immediately, without IT headaches.
- Secure Collaboration: Granular access controls ensure that suppliers only see what they need to see, protecting your intellectual property while fostering collaboration.
- Seamless Integration: Even in the cloud, Visure connects with your existing tools (on-prem or cloud), maintaining a unified digital thread.
- Global Performance: Visure’s infrastructure is optimized for speed, ensuring that even large requirements modules load quickly for users anywhere in the world.
Conclusion: The Sky is the Limit
Cloud PLM is no longer a luxury for large corporations; it is a strategic necessity for any company that wants to compete in the digital age. By removing the friction of physical infrastructure, Cloud PLM allows engineers to focus on what they do best: innovating and building great products.
With Visure, your journey to the cloud is secure and efficient. We provide the requirement-driven foundation in a flexible cloud environment, ensuring your digital engineering process is as agile as your vision.
Check out the 14-day free trial at Visure and experience how AI-driven change control can help you manage changes faster, safer, and with full audit readiness.
