AIA recommends PLCS

The Engineering Data Interoperatibility Group, EDIG of the Aerospace Industries Association Inc., AIA now recommends their member companies and suppliers to adopt a Standards-based interoperability solution utilizing PLCS (ISO 10303-239), a part of the internationally accepted STEP standard.

EDIG recently published a position paper with their present views on this matter. Their view is based on a survey made among their member companies and a comparative analysis of the leading data exchange Standards from ISO/STEP and GEIA.

The EDIG position paper presents one word that describes the reason for the current EDIG view better than anything, and that is -maturity-. The interoperability standards have now reached a sufficient level of maturity, and have been evolved into both a technical and psychological level making them ready to be feasibly and cost-effectively implemented. On this background the EDIG recommends that AIA member companies and suppliers adopt a standards-based interoperability solution utilizing PLCS (ISO 10303-239), part of the internationally accepted STEP standard.

The maturity and scope of coverage of the Standard will provide coverage for the widest cross-section of engineering applications now in use. PLCS also offers the capability to define exchange specifications (DEX) to meet particular data requirements. A number of such DEXs are already being developed, and others may be created as necessary by industry.

In order to minimize the time and cost required to implement, and to maximize the potential benefits, EDIG recommends that aerospace companies implement Best Practices in standards-based interoperability as described in the Engineering Data Interoperability Guide. It is also recommended that PLCS be adopted as part of the overall AIA eBusiness framework.