Introduction

The Product Structure Editor application, within the 3D Product Architect role (PAU), allows you to navigate the structure of a product independently of the various CAD tools used to create it. It enables you to explore the relationships within the product structure due to the large amount of data that may be associated with a product throughout its lifecycle. These relationships extend beyond a single discipline, such as alternate parts in manufacturing, data from finite element analysis and specifications from engineering. Beyond navigation, you also mockup new product structures completely independent of CAD or simply initiate new designs from scratch (Work Breakdown Structures).

Objective

Among the more recent enhancements is a focus on supplier collaboration. For this post, we will take a closer look at two major enhancements that enhances the Product Structure Editor’s ability to work with suppliers.

Extended Collaboration Hub (…introduced in R2023x FD03)
The purpose of this  functionality is to accelerate product development through improved collaboration between suppliers and OEMs for both design and manufacturing.

The Extended Collaboration Hub provides an automated method in which to quickly setup multiple OEM & supplier environments to interact uniquely with shared IP. It facilitates and manages “extended collaborations” involving multiple stakeholders, such as teams across different companies or departments. These various teams can work together on shared projects, ensuring efficient and secure collaboration. 

Key aspects of the extended collaboration hub include:

• Centralized Collaboration Environment: It serves as a common space for conducting collaboration activities between several stakeholders, including leading teams and partner teams.
• Predefined Dashboards: The hub includes predefined dashboards with useful applications that are automatically generated when a collaboration is created. These dashboards help in managing different aspects of the collaborative project, such as communication, data sharing, review, preparation, and member management.
• Traceability and Governance: The hub provides traceability of all actions and events within the collaboration, ensuring that all activities are recorded and can be tracked. It also includes governance services that manage participant access and responsibilities.
• Customizable and Scalable: The collaboration environment is customizable and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of different projects. It supports multiple collaborations, making it a versatile tool for various collaborative scenarios.
• Secure and Efficient Data Management: The hub ensures that all data shared within the collaboration is secure and managed efficiently, reducing risks associated with data transfer and version control.
• Integration with 3D EXPERIENCE Platform: The extended collaboration hub is integrated with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, providing access to a wide range of tools and services that support collaborative work, such as simulation, model-based engineering, and real-time data sharing.

This functionality is achieved through the app “Extended Collaborations Control Center’, accessible by administrators.

For further details and videos on this enhancement, please review the related wiki posted here in the ENOVIA User Community.

Collaboration Package Management (…introduced in R2023x FD04)
The purpose of this functionality is to govern the process of gathering and protecting data to be exchanged with suppliers and partners locally and globally. 

With this tool you can create a “Technical Data Package” (or: TDP) containing all the IP needed for a particular project and share it with the appropriate stakeholders. The primary capabilities include:

• Gathering and Sharing Content: Users can gather and share 3DEXPERIENCE content at various stages of maturity for publication.
• Managing Data Disclosure: It helps in managing the disclosure of IP Export Controlled and IP Protected content.
• Sharing and Publishing: Users can share package publications to a collaborative space, user, or user group.
• Generating Reports: It supports the generation of reports while publishing a collaboration package.
• Tracking and Approval: Users can track shared package publications and support the approval process with defined routes.

The TDP is revision-controlled so you can revise and improve a package over time, but retain the history of the prior packages if comparatives are necessary. The application also has the ability to classify a TDP within a security class and a security library using the IP Protection Management or IP Export Control Management apps. The collaboration package is secured by the rules and policies of the security class as provided by the IP Protection and Export Control application.

For further details on these capabilities, please review the related wiki posted here in the User Community as well as my post, An Introduction to Technical Data Packages on the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform within the ENOVIA User Community.

Summary

The Extended Collaboration Hub and Collaboration Package Management facilitate teamwork and information sharing, enhancing productivity and efficiency. They provide a centralized platform for communication, document management, and project tracking, ensuring seamless collaboration and improved decision-making when working with a supplier network.