What Is PLM?
Mix (15 tools)
- License: 5 open source · 10 proprietary
- Hosting: 11 self-hosted · 4 SaaS · 0 both
Product Lifecycle Management is the management of a product’s entire lifecycle from inception through engineering design, manufacturing, service, and disposal. PLM platforms serve as the single source of truth for all product-related data, connecting cross-functional teams and processes across the enterprise.
PLM systems manage bills of materials (BOMs) – the structured lists of components, assemblies, and raw materials that define a product. They track engineering change orders (ECOs) and engineering change notices (ECNs) that formalize design modifications through approval workflows. PLM platforms integrate with CAD tools (SolidWorks, CATIA, Creo, NX, AutoCAD) to manage design files, revisions, and multi-CAD collaboration.
Beyond engineering data, PLM encompasses regulatory compliance submissions (FDA 510(k), CE marking, ISO 13485, AS9100), supplier collaboration (component sourcing, qualification, AVL/AML management), and quality management (CAPA, FMEA, inspection plans). The goal is to reduce time-to-market, improve product quality, ensure regulatory compliance, and enable global collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain teams.
About this data & disclaimer
The information on these pages was researched by a combination of human review and large language models. This catalogue serves as a reference for the resources, applications, devices, deployment payloads, and other components that the ResorsIT platform integrates, deploys, and manages. To suggest an addition or correction, please contact us. Prepared by Rhodium Systems Inc., author of the ResorsIT platform — a unified IT operations management platform for IT teams and MSPs that integrates a curated suite of open-source, commercial, and SaaS applications into a single system with shared identity, single sign-on, access control, and a common audit trail. This information is compiled on a best-effort basis: it may be incomplete, contain errors, and become out of date as tools, vendors, licences, and features change. Use this catalogue only as a starting point for your own research, and independently verify and review any tool carefully against your own requirements before relying on it.
Comparison
This evaluation documents product-lifecycle-management platforms for manufacturing, engineering, and regulated industries.
SSO / OIDC Comparison
OIDC is the preferred SSO protocol; the notes below assume Authentik as the IdP.
| Tool | OIDC | SAML | SCIM | Authentik Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aras Innovator | Yes (OAuth2) | Yes | No | Authentik as IdP via OIDC |
| OpenPLM | No | No | No | LDAP only; basic auth |
| Odoo PLM | Yes* | Yes | No | Via Odoo OIDC module; Authentik as IdP |
| Part-DB | No | No | No | LDAP; basic auth |
| InvenTree | Yes* | No | No | OAuth2 via django-allauth; Authentik as IdP |
| PTC Windchill | Yes | Yes | Yes | Native OIDC/SAML; SCIM provisioning |
| Siemens Teamcenter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Native SSO; Authentik as external IdP |
| Dassault ENOVIA | Yes | Yes | Yes | 3DEXPERIENCE platform SSO; Authentik federation |
| PTC Arena | Yes | Yes | Yes | Cloud-native OIDC; Authentik as IdP |
| Autodesk Fusion Manage | Yes | Yes | No | Autodesk ID federation; Authentik SAML |
| Propel PLM | Yes* | Yes | Yes | Salesforce SSO; Authentik as IdP via SAML |
| Oracle Agile PLM | Yes* | Yes | No | Oracle Identity Cloud; SAML federation |
| SAP PLM | Yes* | Yes | Yes | SAP IAS federation; Authentik as external IdP |
| Tracer PLM | No | Yes | No | SAML SSO only; no native OIDC |
| SolidWorks Manage | No | No | No | Windows AD auth only |
* = requires specific module, plugin, or cloud identity federation
Best SSO support: PTC Windchill, Siemens Teamcenter, Dassault ENOVIA, PTC Arena (OIDC + SAML + SCIM)
No SSO: OpenPLM, Part-DB, SolidWorks Manage (LDAP or Windows AD auth only)
OIDC support: Aras Innovator, PTC Windchill, Siemens Teamcenter, Dassault ENOVIA, PTC Arena (native OIDC); Odoo PLM, InvenTree, Propel PLM, Oracle Agile PLM, SAP PLM (via module/federation)
API Comparison
| Tool | API Type | Auth | Webhooks | SDKs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aras Innovator | REST + SOAP | OAuth2, Token | Yes | .NET (official), JS |
| OpenPLM | REST | Token | No | Python (Django) |
| Odoo PLM | REST + XML-RPC | API key, OAuth2 | Yes | Python, Ruby, PHP, JS |
| Part-DB | REST | API key | No | None official |
| InvenTree | REST | Token, OAuth2 | Yes | Python (official) |
| PTC Windchill | REST (OData) | OAuth2, Token | Yes | Java (official) |
| Siemens Teamcenter | REST (SOA) | OAuth2, Token | Yes | Java, .NET (official) |
| Dassault ENOVIA | REST | OAuth2 (3DPassport) | Yes | Java, JS (official) |
| PTC Arena | REST | OAuth2, API key | Yes | None official |
| Autodesk Fusion Manage | REST | OAuth2 (Forge) | Yes | JS, Python (Forge SDK) |
| Propel PLM | REST (Salesforce) | OAuth2 | Yes | Apex, Python, JS |
| Oracle Agile PLM | REST + SOAP | OAuth2, Token | Yes | Java (official) |
| SAP PLM | REST (OData) | OAuth2, API key | Yes | Java, ABAP (official) |
| Tracer PLM | REST | API key | No | None official |
| SolidWorks Manage | REST | API key | No | .NET (official) |
Best API: PTC Windchill, Siemens Teamcenter, Dassault ENOVIA (comprehensive REST APIs with official SDKs and webhook support)
Salesforce-based: Propel PLM (inherits Salesforce API ecosystem)
Broadest SDK support: Odoo PLM (Python, Ruby, PHP, JS via XML-RPC and REST)
Core PLM Features
| Tool | BOM Mgmt | Change Mgmt | CAD Integration | Revision Control | Regulatory | Supplier Collab |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aras Innovator | Yes | Yes | Yes (multi-CAD) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| OpenPLM | Yes | Limited | Yes (limited) | Yes | No | No |
| Odoo PLM | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | No | Limited |
| Part-DB | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| InvenTree | Yes | Limited | No | Yes | No | Limited |
| PTC Windchill | Yes | Yes | Yes (multi-CAD) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Siemens Teamcenter | Yes | Yes | Yes (multi-CAD) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dassault ENOVIA | Yes | Yes | Yes (multi-CAD) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| PTC Arena | Yes | Yes | Limited (viewers) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Autodesk Fusion Manage | Yes | Yes | Yes (Fusion) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Propel PLM | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Oracle Agile PLM | Yes | Yes | Yes (multi-CAD) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SAP PLM | Yes | Yes | Yes (via integr.) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tracer PLM | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| SolidWorks Manage | Yes | Yes | Yes (SW only) | Yes | Limited | Limited |
Full PLM suite: PTC Windchill, Siemens Teamcenter, Dassault ENOVIA, Oracle Agile PLM (all core capabilities with multi-CAD support)
Best OSS PLM: Aras Innovator (AGPL-3.0; comprehensive PLM features including multi-CAD and regulatory compliance)
Parts inventory focus: Part-DB, InvenTree (component/parts management; not full PLM)
Deployment and Licensing
| Tool | License | Self-Hosted | Language | Min RAM | Docker/K8s | Pricing Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aras Innovator | AGPL-3.0 | Yes | C#/.NET | 8 GB | No (Windows/IIS) | Free (Enterprise paid) |
| OpenPLM | GPL-3.0 | Yes | Python/Django | 2 GB | Yes | Free |
| Odoo PLM | AGPL-3.0 | Yes | Python | 4 GB | Yes | Free (Enterprise paid) |
| Part-DB | AGPL-3.0 | Yes | PHP/Laravel | 512 MB | Yes | Free |
| InvenTree | MIT | Yes | Python/Django | 1 GB | Yes | Free |
| PTC Windchill | Proprietary | Yes | Java | 16 GB | No | Per-seat subscription |
| Siemens Teamcenter | Proprietary | Yes | Java/C++ | 16 GB | No | Per-seat subscription |
| Dassault ENOVIA | Proprietary | No (cloud) | – | – | – | Per-seat subscription |
| PTC Arena | Proprietary | No (SaaS) | – | – | – | Per-user/month |
| Autodesk Fusion Manage | Proprietary | No (SaaS) | – | – | – | Per-user/month |
| Propel PLM | Proprietary | No (Salesforce) | – | – | – | Per-user/month |
| Oracle Agile PLM | Proprietary | Yes | Java | 16 GB | No | Per-seat |
| SAP PLM | Proprietary | Yes/Cloud | Java (ABAP) | 16 GB | No | SAP license |
| Tracer PLM | Proprietary | No (SaaS) | – | – | – | Per-user/month |
| SolidWorks Manage | Proprietary | Yes | C#/.NET | 8 GB | No | Per-seat perpetual |
Free options: Aras Innovator (AGPL-3.0), OpenPLM (GPL-3.0), Odoo PLM (AGPL-3.0), Part-DB (AGPL-3.0), InvenTree (MIT)
Lightest deployment: Part-DB (512 MB RAM, Docker), InvenTree (1 GB RAM, Docker)
Heaviest deployment: PTC Windchill, Siemens Teamcenter, Oracle Agile PLM, SAP PLM (16+ GB RAM, complex multi-tier infrastructure)
Tools
16 tools.
Aras Innovator
Aras Innovator is an enterprise-grade open source PLM platform built on a unique XML vault architecture.
License: AGPL-3.0-only (OSS) · Kind: web · Deploy: direct · SSO: OIDC, SAML
ResorsIT usage: Web App with SSO
Access & Identity: Single sign-on · Directory / LDAP
Autodesk Fusion Manage
Autodesk Fusion Manage is a cloud PLM platform that evolved from Autodesk Fusion Lifecycle and incorporates the Upchain acquisition.
License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: web · Deploy: saas · SSO: OIDC, SAML
ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO
Access & Identity: Single sign-on
Dassault ENOVIA (3DEXPERIENCE)
Dassault ENOVIA is the PLM pillar of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, providing product lifecycle management within an integrated environment that includes CATIA (CAD), SIMULIA (simulation), DELMIA (manufacturing), and 3DVIA (visualization).
License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: web · Deploy: direct · SSO: OIDC, SAML
ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO
Access & Identity: Single sign-on · Directory / LDAP · Provisioned account
InvenTree
InvenTree is an open source inventory management system with integrated bill of materials management capabilities.
License: MIT (OSS) · Kind: web · Deploy: direct · SSO: none
ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO
Access & Identity: Forward-auth · Vaulted credential
Odoo CRM
CRM module of the Odoo ERP suite (Community Edition); Python + PostgreSQL; integrates tightly with the rest of Odoo.
License: LGPL-3.0-only (OSS) · Kind: web · Deploy: docker, direct, saas · SSO: OIDC, SAML
ResorsIT usage: Web App with SSO
Access & Identity: Single sign-on · Directory / LDAP
Evaluated under CRM / SFA.
Odoo PLM
Odoo PLM is the product lifecycle management module within the Odoo ERP suite. It extends Odoo’s manufacturing and inventory modules with engineering change management, BOM versioning, and CAD file integration.
License: AGPL-3.0-only (OSS) · Kind: web · Deploy: direct · SSO: OIDC, SAML
ResorsIT usage: Web App with SSO
Access & Identity: Single sign-on · Directory / LDAP
OpenPLM
OpenPLM is a lightweight open source product lifecycle management system built on the Python Django web framework.
License: GPL-3.0-only (OSS) · Kind: web · Deploy: direct · SSO: none
ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO
Access & Identity: Forward-auth · Directory / LDAP
Oracle Agile PLM
Oracle Agile PLM is a legacy enterprise PLM platform with a large installed base in regulated industries including medical devices, aerospace, and high-tech electronics.
License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: web · Deploy: direct · SSO: OIDC, SAML
ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO
Access & Identity: Single sign-on · Directory / LDAP
Part-DB
Part-DB is an open source electronic component inventory and BOM management system designed for electronics labs and small manufacturing operations.
License: AGPL-3.0-only (OSS) · Kind: web · Deploy: direct · SSO: none
ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO
Access & Identity: Forward-auth · Directory / LDAP
Propel PLM
Propel PLM is a product lifecycle management platform built natively on Salesforce, connecting product data with CRM and support; it covers PIM, quality (CAPA), change control, and BOM management.
License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: web · Deploy: saas · SSO: OIDC, SAML
ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO
Access & Identity: Single sign-on · Provisioned account
PTC Arena (Arena PLM)
PTC Arena is a cloud-native PLM platform with an integrated quality management system (QMS). Originally an independent company (Arena Solutions), it was acquired by PTC in 2021 and now complements Windchill as PTC’s cloud PLM offering.
License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: web · Deploy: saas · SSO: OIDC, SAML
ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO
Access & Identity: Single sign-on · Provisioned account
PTC Windchill
PTC Windchill is the industry-leading enterprise PLM platform with deep CAD integration, comprehensive BOM management, and full product lifecycle coverage.
License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: web · Deploy: direct · SSO: OIDC, SAML
ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO
Access & Identity: Single sign-on · Directory / LDAP · Provisioned account
SAP PLM
SAP PLM is product lifecycle management integrated into SAP S/4HANA, providing PLM capabilities as part of the broader SAP enterprise platform.
License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: web · Deploy: direct · SSO: OIDC, SAML
ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO
Access & Identity: Single sign-on · Directory / LDAP · Provisioned account
Siemens Teamcenter
Siemens Teamcenter is a comprehensive enterprise PLM platform with the largest installed base globally. It serves as the backbone for product development in aerospace, automotive, electronics, and heavy machinery industries.
License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: web · Deploy: direct · SSO: OIDC, SAML
ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO
Access & Identity: Single sign-on · Directory / LDAP · Provisioned account
SOLIDWORKS Manage
SOLIDWORKS Manage is a PLM tool within the SOLIDWORKS ecosystem that extends SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional with project management, process management, and item management capabilities.
License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: web · Deploy: direct · SSO: none
ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO
Access & Identity: Forward-auth · Vaulted credential
Tracer PLM
Tracer PLM is a mid-market cloud PLM focused on document-centric product development with an emphasis on usability and fast deployment.
License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: web · Deploy: saas · SSO: SAML
ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO
Access & Identity: Single sign-on
