From PDM to PLM: How Vault 2027 Enables Connected Product Development

Product data management often begins with a focus on controlling files and revisions. Over time, organizations realize that managing data alone is not enough.

As products, compliance requirements, and teams grow, companies need their engineering data to support change management, quality, and collaboration beyond engineering. Vault 2027 plays a critical role in enabling this transition.

When PDM Alone Is No Longer Enough

Organizations relying solely on PDM often encounter challenges such as:

• Manual change tracking outside engineering
• Disconnected quality workflows
• Limited visibility across departments
• Heavy reliance on spreadsheets and email

These gaps slow decision making and increase risk as organizations scale.

Vault as the Foundation of the Product Lifecycle

Autodesk Vault serves as the system of record for engineering data by providing version control, access management, and a centralized source of truth. A strong PDM foundation is essential before extending processes across the product lifecycle.

What Vault 2027 Adds to PDM

Vault 2027 strengthens PDM by improving data visibility, reducing friction in daily workflows, and introducing AI-assisted guidance that increases adoption and consistency. These improvements make engineering data easier to trust and easier to extend across teams.

Vault PLM: Extending Beyond Engineering

Vault PLM combines Vault Professional with Fusion Manage to support broader product lifecycle processes, including:

• Change and release management
• Quality and compliance workflows
• Cross-department BOM management
• Supplier and stakeholder collaboration

Vault and PLM data remain connected, reducing duplication and misalignment.

How Vault 2027 Supports PLM Readiness

Vault 2027 helps organizations prepare for PLM by improving data quality, supporting standardized workflows, and making engineering information accessible across departments. This reduces risk and simplifies PLM adoption.

Is Vault PLM the Right Next Step

Organizations often consider Vault PLM when:

• Change management becomes manual or error prone
• Quality processes need tighter integration with engineering
• Multiple teams depend on engineering data for decisions
• Greater traceability and visibility are required

Call to Action

Vault 2027 is not only a PDM upgrade. It is a strategic step toward connected product development.

Speak with SolidCAD about whether your organization is ready to move from PDM to PLM and how Vault 2027 can support that journey with lower risk and higher return.