Product Lifecycle Management and Embedded Information Devices

Abstract

The closed-loop product lifecycle management (PLM) system focuses on tracking and managing the information of the whole product lifecycle, with possible feedback of information to product lifecycle phases. It provides opportunities to reduce the inefficiency of lifecycle operations and gain competitiveness. Thanks to the advent of hardware and software related to product identification technologies, e.g., radiofrequency identification (RFID) technology, recently closed-loop PLM has been highlighted as a tool of companies to enhance the performance of their business models. However, implementing the PLM system requires a high level of coordination and integration. In this chapter we present the background methodologies and techniques and the main components for closed-loop PLM and how they are related to each other. We start with the concept of closed-loop PLM and a system architecture in Sect. 43.1. In Sect. 43.2 we describe the necessary components for closed-loop PLM and how to integrate and coordinate them with respect to business models, hardware, and software. In Sect. 43.3 we propose a development guide based on experiences gathered from prototype applications developed to date. In Sect. 43.4 we introduce a real case example that implements a closed-loop PLM solution focusing on end-of-life (EOL) of vehicles (ELV). Finally, Sect. 43.5 discusses some challenging issues and emerging trends in the implementation of closed-loop PLM.