Arena PLM + QMS for AWS GovCloud
Arena, a PTC businessReviews from AWS customer
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Extremely powerful business software
What do you like best about the product?
What I like best about Arena is it is very easy to use and search items in the archive. Arena is very well organized and easy for new users to get up to speed on how to pull part numbers and save files.
The BOM structure handling is very well setup in this system. I also like how all files are dependent on each other when they are linked in a bill of materials structure, and can't add or remove components without updating this structure, so it forces everyone to take their time when making changes to released parts. I also like the ability to search older changes and mine data.
That greatly helps me to determine if parts come in that were made wrong, I can go back and look to see why we made each change in the past so that we dont accept parts that will not function properly.
The BOM structure handling is very well setup in this system. I also like how all files are dependent on each other when they are linked in a bill of materials structure, and can't add or remove components without updating this structure, so it forces everyone to take their time when making changes to released parts. I also like the ability to search older changes and mine data.
That greatly helps me to determine if parts come in that were made wrong, I can go back and look to see why we made each change in the past so that we dont accept parts that will not function properly.
What do you dislike about the product?
There aren't that many things that I don't like.
The one main thing for me is the search option sometimes doesn't bring up everything in the system, especially when searching for explicit things, for example for us, when I search fasteners in our system, for some reason I always miss something that is in there and end up creating a new part number for fasteners that already exist in our system.
The one main thing for me is the search option sometimes doesn't bring up everything in the system, especially when searching for explicit things, for example for us, when I search fasteners in our system, for some reason I always miss something that is in there and end up creating a new part number for fasteners that already exist in our system.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
There are multiple benefits that we are seeing now that we have this software. One major benefit is the ability to keep all of our data in one place globally. I can go in and look at drawings and pull parts from other sites, and easily work remotely on other projects that are in other countries. The other benefit is archiving all of the changes that we have had in the past, and the structure of those changes that forces the user to input why they are changing the part so that this data can be mined in the future to avoid wasted time so that engineers can learn from mistakes and build upon designs.
Recommendations to others considering the product:
The advice I have is that you aren't going to find a software that is better than this. I have been in engineering for a long time, and have managed a post-market engineering department in the medical device industry, and I really wish we would have had Arena at that site, because this is so much easier to use than what we had there.
The other PLM software that is out there has no comparison to Arena, it is like comparing microsoft paint to solidworks for 3d modeling.
The other PLM software that is out there has no comparison to Arena, it is like comparing microsoft paint to solidworks for 3d modeling.
Good, self-validated cloud EDM/PLM, but poor sales quality and lack of business workflows
What do you like best about the product?
The overall package is very good as a cloud solution/QMS/PLM/EDM as a Service. Many features and settings that you'd expect are available. The support is excellent! The help desk is prompt and courteous and our customer success manager Lori is a dream. Overall the ECO process is very workable with the ability to auto-route approval flows--Very powerful. On top of all that, they validate each cloud release for you so you only have to validate your use of the software. Very very helpful and an overall reduction in overhead.
What do you dislike about the product?
The Sales group at Arena is pretty shady. They changed our representative and the new one did not honor our original negotiations for our renewal; and since you're already in their system, it's pretty hard to do anything except pay more for the same or less level of services, if any disagreement is had. That being said, the support is excellent! The help desk is prompt and courteous.
Another issue is the general lack of workflows both for business processes to be integrated into the ECO process and also to guide employees through the data entry process to ensure good records and adequate, searchable data.
Ex 1: ECO's can't be approved and then, before becoming effective, cycle through additional post-approval processes (such as going to the finance team, supply chain, or training team, etc for additional processing/part movement before becoming effective and publicly the current revision.)
Ex 2: Change requests do not directly flow into an ECO and are a separate thing that dotted-line links to one or more ECOs but do not have a clear path for automated group approval and promotion to ECO --- aka files are not easily brought forward from a request to a change.....its all manual file movement and attachment.
Inventory dispositions are not yet searchable via web interface, only the API, but Arena continually is updating, so it may be a matter of time.
Lastly, there's not a great way to iterate designs....this is a general industry problem of current software in general (you have a production released BOM, but I want to "freeze" and release a design version of that same design which modifies a few things....it will eventually replace the original as the next revision.......there is no easy way to do this without pulling new, temporary item numbers to release those, test them, and then fold them back into the existing revision....
Another issue is the general lack of workflows both for business processes to be integrated into the ECO process and also to guide employees through the data entry process to ensure good records and adequate, searchable data.
Ex 1: ECO's can't be approved and then, before becoming effective, cycle through additional post-approval processes (such as going to the finance team, supply chain, or training team, etc for additional processing/part movement before becoming effective and publicly the current revision.)
Ex 2: Change requests do not directly flow into an ECO and are a separate thing that dotted-line links to one or more ECOs but do not have a clear path for automated group approval and promotion to ECO --- aka files are not easily brought forward from a request to a change.....its all manual file movement and attachment.
Inventory dispositions are not yet searchable via web interface, only the API, but Arena continually is updating, so it may be a matter of time.
Lastly, there's not a great way to iterate designs....this is a general industry problem of current software in general (you have a production released BOM, but I want to "freeze" and release a design version of that same design which modifies a few things....it will eventually replace the original as the next revision.......there is no easy way to do this without pulling new, temporary item numbers to release those, test them, and then fold them back into the existing revision....
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
We are replacing a paper process with a more easily managed and less overhead digital one. We are also using PLM as a vault for our design history and manufacturing documentation. It's overall a solid option for QMS and PLM.
Recommendations to others considering the product:
Good cloud system-as-service option, but still an expensive licensing structure for entire-company access, as many users do not always access all the features. Many features are still under active development, so that's helpful.
Behind the times for updates
What do you like best about the product?
Web accessibility is key function for use across departments
What do you dislike about the product?
Software is far behind in mobile application support. So many times I need to be able to pull documents at remote sites, and not having an easy-to-navigate Mobile app makes the process much more difficult. It would also be nice to see a cad data plug-in for viewing cad models in the native Arena environment.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
Sadly without the CAD integration tools and file preview, the software is nothing more than an expensive file management server. Looking to use the ECO process but will need to get up to speed with capabilities so we are using it correctly.
Recommendations to others considering the product:
I would only recommend if there is mobile application support as well as native file/CAD viewer tools built into the Arena environment. Without good changes, you might as well go with a fancy Excel sheet and save some money.
Arena,great to use for training and QMS
What do you like best about the product?
The training portal is extremely convenient. It works out so much better than having to use a different system for training ,documents and SPEC Sheets. it is like a one stop shop for your needs into the daily manufacturing process.
What do you dislike about the product?
The different number of files that are associated with certain search results, i find, are confusing at times. That could be a result of the carry over from previous system, or entry errors on the migration .that would be about it
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
faster access to training, better search availability than our older system.We get notifications on training quicker and there are less missed on time training
Recommendations to others considering the product:
If you are a small company coming off of a "start up" status, then this is in the ball park to help you grow
Very easy to use
What do you like best about the product?
I like the way Arena is easy to navigate and how it works at being able to approve and read documents.
What do you dislike about the product?
I wish Arena had more tabs and that it was more user friendly to navigate.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
We had a paper document system and this solves the issue with passing papers around to sign. Helps with workflow.
Recommendations to others considering the product:
It seemed to take a long time to implement but it was worth it.
Functional Quality System with UX to be desired
What do you like best about the product?
I like that it's easily customizable for users.
What do you dislike about the product?
The user interface is pretty poor. It doesn't seem to have been updated in many years.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
I am a Product Development Engineer using Arena. I am mainly interested in whether it is easy to interface with and straightforward to submit changes. I would say all of the functionality is there, but there are no frills.- for example, the process is not streamlined and so oftentimes pieces of a DCN are forgotten and then have to be revisited. Also, the ability to create your own forms to incorporate into a change (for us it would be a Change Impact Form)
Recommendations to others considering the product:
If you are looking for a basic PLM system, this is a solid system that does not ever seem to go down. If you are looking for a system that will be extremely easy to use and something that a wide base of users will enjoy, especially those who are slightly technophobic, then this is not a system for you. Everything in this system looks like it comes out of the 90s. Even down to email alerts that you have a change waiting are kind of painful to look at. We have a lot of people that won't open up the program from alerts alone and I think much of that is the Text only interface that is provided as the auto-alert system. Then, when you get into the program it just isn't a "fun" experience. However, it does get the job done.
Arena Review
What do you like best about the product?
I like how training is easier and gives you a notification that you have a new training each time. I feel as though it is user friendly. I also find creating quality documents to be extremely easy in Arena and the help guide is very good. My company switched over from paper base so I am excited that Arena was as easy as it has been since the change from paper base to QMS was extremely easy thanks to Arena.
What do you dislike about the product?
I wish I could convert other abilities like inventory control to Arena since it is very user friendly and easy to work with. Currently our inventory system is not ideal and wish that we could use Arena or something similar with the same user interface. Another thing I think would be great is if a person is assigned to a task is that Arena sent a message either through email or as a notification on the website and continually does it for every day that an assigned task goes undone.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
Training requirements as well as excellent document control. I realize the transition from paper based to QMS was extremely thanks to Arena and all the amazing benefits it has to offer especially for a company just starting with a computer system.
Recommendations to others considering the product:
There is no advise needed as I am very happy with Arena and the entire QMS system. I wish all other systems are this easy.
arena and the future
What do you like best about the product?
how user friendly the system is in terms of creating a change and accessing data
What do you dislike about the product?
Needs a better association setup so that things are more clear
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
I have been able to better search the system for all of my data needs
Recommendations to others considering the product:
It is a system that can take your data to the next level
Arena is an evolutionary marvel for big data but can be difficult to automate data entry processes.
What do you like best about the product?
Arena is capable of handling big data workflows. It is a great tool for file management alongside data entry. It simplifies the handling of complex information and processes. It is not always intuitive but it is clean and once you understand it well enough to implement the data you want it is very effective to use.
What do you dislike about the product?
Arena can get messy with file numbering if you have to delete files and it is often easier to make new records by hand rather than figure out how to do mass fixes/changes to certain fields and/or uploads of whole records. We configure Indented Bills of Material in an Excel file, which can be tricky and clunky uploading from and downloading to.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
We want to move away from the use of spreadsheets and cloud servers for vast product information storage and change orders for production. Arena is helping us realize this goal. It is robust enough to be capable of fluidly managing big data through the workflow process, though it still seems more complicated in areas where manual duplication of information is necessary than it probably should be. I expect it will continue to evolve to more easily meet streamlined needs where information should be able to automatically replicate across fields without propagating where it is not needed.
Recommendations to others considering the product:
Seems like common sense but it is oh so important to understand your processes and workflow in and out before setting up Arena fields and flows.
ARENA - Not a bad tool to use
What do you like best about the product?
This tool works well for document control - we haven't used the new requirements or project "worlds", which would be VERY useful in connecting the design, engineering and implementation phases of development.
What do you dislike about the product?
Certain quirky problems, like having to manually add every applicable change to a new supplier representative, rather than them having access to all changes for that supplier, either by default or an option button.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
This tool does allow us to track the production phases and applicable testing through the quality module, which keeps project management both informed and on task to see what teams may be missing critical information needed to proceed to the next development phase.
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