PLM programs are very integral in many industries, such as manufacturing and automotive. But running a business in today’s world involves using a ton of other business tools and technologies. And you can’t operate them in isolation because PLM, ERP, CRM tools, and the like are all interdependent to achieve business objectives.
Therefore, the best PLM software perfectly fits in with other platforms in your digital ecosystem like a jigsaw puzzle. Aras Innovator PLM offers seamless integration with a wide range of third-party tools, enabling organizations to build a connected digital ecosystem across their enterprise.
Connecting these critical tools reduces many operational inefficiencies and creates a single source of truth throughout the product lifecycle. Middleware software are a key part of making these system integrations happen. They are like the translator or liaison between different applications and systems that let them communicate information and data properly.
In this article, we’ll explain the benefits of performing Aras PLM integrations using xEngine, Xavor’s own proprietary middleware software. It is a powerful program that can handle deeply customized integrations efficiently and securely.
Why enterprises use PLM software
Modern products are very complex to make. Whether it’s consumer products like smartphones or B2B products like airplanes, a lot of technological ingenuity and thought process goes into making them commercially viable.
Product lifecycle management can help centralize all the technology, information, and planning involved in product development, which keeps products updated and sustainable. The automotive industry was the first to use PLM systems in its car manufacturing process. And even today, it is mostly industries that deal with manufacturing complex products that mainly use PLM solutions, such as:
- Aerospace
- Automative
- Industrial manufacturing
- HealthTech products and medical sciences
- High-end consumer electronics
Oracle Agile PLM, Aras Innovator, and Propel are some of the popular product lifecycle management tools in the market. They offer features that help these industries in the product development process, from concept and design to manufacturing and service.
1. Centralized product data and collaboration
PLM software serve as a single source of truth for all product-related information. They enable cross-functional collaboration between different teams, such as engineering, manufacturing, quality control, and supply chain. This collaboration reduces miscommunication and ensures product data remains consistent throughout the enterprise.
2. Change management and regulatory compliance
It is very rarely the case that a product is created exactly the way it was initially conceptualized. Many changes occur during the process due to material constraints, market requirements, or unexpected situations.
PLM software keep track of all the changes in the product development lifecycle, which can be as small as fixing a flaw in the design or replacing the entire material due to supplier issues. Moreover, industries are regulated by strict compliance standards. PLM solutions make sure that every change conforms to the regulatory standards of the industry.
3. Integration with digital threads
PLM systems integrate with other tools like ERP, CAD, and CRM to create a digital thread. This creates a continuous flow of product information that supports digital transformation initiatives.
For example, Aras Innovator’s Digital Thread feature helps your organization optimize your go-to strategies and reduce redundant or manual data entries.
Aras PLM Connectors
Integration solutions are one of the top features that users look for in product lifecycle management tools. Aras Innovator offers PLM Connectors that integrate the platform with other tools and applications.
Connectors are prebuilt or custom integrations that perform the following actions:
- Sync information between Aras and third-party systems
- Automate the flow of product data
- Reduce manual work and eliminate duplicate data entry
- Ensure data consistency across departments
Most connectors are provided by Aras itself, while others are developed by Aras partners. Moreover, businesses can also build their own custom connectors using Aras’ Open API.
xEngine: The middleware that connects and automates
As mentioned earlier, middleware software allow the integration between PLM software and other business tools. They are the underlying structure that connects different software applications or systems.
Middleware software are of different types based on the tasks they handle, such as:
- Data translation
- Message routing
- Authentication and security
- Transaction management
- Event handling
xEngine is Xavor’s own solution for powerful integration between PLM platforms like Aras Innovator and downstream systems. xEngine enhances enterprise data flow by enabling automated, reliable communication across platforms.
When a key event occurs in Aras, such as the release of a Part or an XML file, xEngine is triggered to retrieve the structured XML data. It then processes and transforms the information according to defined business rules and routes it to the appropriate target system, which might include ERP, CRM, Salesforce, or compliance platforms.
This integration minimizes manual intervention, ensures data consistency, and accelerates product lifecycle workflows. By acting as a smart, event-driven bridge, xEngine plays a critical role in connecting engineering with broader enterprise operations.
Here are the core features of xEngine:
1. Flexible and customizable
xEngine is built to grow with your business. You can connect your ERP, CRM, and LMS systems with it without changing xEngine’s core software because it uses a flexible adapter framework that acts like a plug-in.
Further, you can use xEngine’s prebuilt adapters or build your own using the internally provided tools. This flexibility allows you to add a new tool whenever you want without a complete overhaul.
2. Interoperability
Not all middleware programs can support real-time communication between applications. But xEngine can talk to any system using its standard message formats like XML and supports both sending and receiving data.
You can connect Aras PLM to Salesforce, Jira, or any other tool using xEngine. It is your universal translator.
3. Ease of deployment
Conventional integration solutions can be complex and time-consuming to implement. xEngine, however, is fairly quick to install and doesn’t require a lot of configuration work. It’s built using .NET technologies and runs on all popular databases, such as SQL Server, Oracle, and MySQL.
4. User-friendly configuration
xEngine has an easy-to-use Admin Portal where you can manage everything easily. This allows you to know which systems are connected, how they exchange data, and who gets notified in case of errors in one centralized place. In other PLM software integrations, you would need to edit technical files or jump between tools to accomplish these tasks.
5. Full visibility
Every message that passes through xEngine is tracked from start to finish. It gives you full visibility into when it was received and processed, whether it failed or not and if it did, where and why it failed.
With such total transparency and real-time insight, your PLM software will debug issues faster and be compliance-ready.
6. Multiple integrations
xEngine offers scalability because of its modular design. One instance of xEngine can handle many integrations at once, across multiple systems. This simplifies the often complex process of choosing and configuring the right data management tools for your enterprise. Therefore, you don’t need a new server or tool for each integration. Just plug in a new adapter, update your config, and it works.
Conclusion
PLM software enables faster launches and is very cost-effective, but these are just the surface-level benefits of PLM tools. In essence, product lifecycle management is a paradigm shift in product development, how data flows, and how to bring your products to life.
Aras Innovator is a modern PLM software that connects your whole digital ecosystem, where all platforms speak the same language. But it doesn’t do that alone; it needs an effective middleware like xEngine to create an intelligent, integrated enterprise.
Together, Aras Innovator and xEngine provide a scalable and intelligent integration solution that empowers organizations to stay agile, connected, and efficient. Whether you’re managing complex product data or enabling seamless cross-platform workflows, this integration lays the foundation for a truly digital and collaborative enterprise.
Xavor has delivered PLM solutions to its clients for over 15 years. We are a certified Agile PLM and Aras Innovator partner, trusted by Fortune 500 companies, startups, and SMEs to support and scale their PLM ecosystem. Our PLM experts can modernize your PLM platform, perform PLM migrations, and create powerful integrations to create a cohesive business ecosystem.
Connect with us today at [email protected] and book a free consultation session with our experts.
