TruePLM A model for the Future

Jotne EPM Technology, with support from the Norwegian Space Centre, submitted a proposal to the European Space Agency (ESA) in 2006 as the prime contractor to develop a prototype lifecycle data management system. The project, called TruePLM, was approved in mid-2007 with the focus on providing a solution that addresses two main market opportunities—standards-based information exchange, and intelligent information archive.

The solution includes:

• A standards-based data storage server and exchange facility
• Long-term data archival capabilities based on PLCS-standardized data

The 18-month TruePLM program will deliver a data management system that is capable of integrating Product Data from various stakeholders in complex space projects. The system will store data and documents in a product structured way, to support the exchange & archiving of systems engineering, CAD/CAE, modeling, analysis, documentation and logistics data throughout the entire product lifecycle. This activity is being carried out with the support of ESA and will eventually be tested in a real-world environment through the development of an actual satellite program with a major space contractor.

Space projects are characterized by:

• a project schedule involving well defined phases 0/A to F, standards based processes for project management, technical development, and quality assurance
• a long life cycle, often 8 – 10 years
• a large project organization, including participants within ESA as well as external contractors, most often shifting during the project life-time

The TruePLM implementation will offer solutions adapted to the needs for such projects:

• ISO 10303 compliant data representation (independent of the original application);
• Client-server solution utilizing web services as communication method
• User administration handling roles and access to data in a user-friendly and secure way
• An interfacing method for importing and merge and for export of data from external software applications
• Data access methods based on the product structure (tree structure)
• Easy-to-use end-user application
• Versioning of data and definition of baselines to enable traceability of data