The Future of PLM Data Access — Why C-Suite Leaders Should Invest in ThingWorx Navigate
As new products get more innovative and internal processes become increasingly complex, efficient data access is more important than ever. Engineers, designers, procurement teams, and executives all rely on Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems like PTC Windchill to retrieve product data. However, many organizations struggle with siloed data, slow retrieval processes, and cumbersome system interfaces that create bottlenecks in production and decision-making.
For teams outside of the engineering department, quickly accessing the right data that is managed in Windchill may require help from IT or engineers, pulling them away from higher-value tasks. These inefficiencies can result in delays and missed market opportunities.
To remain competitive, companies must ensure their teams can quickly and securely retrieve the data they need — without unnecessary complexity. ThingWorx Navigate offers an intuitive, solution that simplifies access to real-time PLM data, helping businesses accelerate workflows and improve efficiency across departments.
Key Takeaways — The Future of PLM Data Access: Why C-Suite Leaders Should Invest in ThingWorx Navigate
- Inefficient PLM data access creates bottlenecks — Many organizations face delays and rising costs due to siloed product data, slow retrieval processes, and reliance on engineers or IT to provide critical information.
- Engineers lose valuable time retrieving data for other teams — Instead of focusing on innovation and problem-solving, engineers often act as gatekeepers to PLM data, reducing productivity across the organization.
- IT costs increase due to complex PLM training and support needs — Casual users struggle to navigate Windchill, leading to repeated training, frequent help desk requests, and expensive customizations.
- Slow data access leads to delays in procurement and manufacturing — Without real-time access to the latest product information, teams experience slower approvals, procurement challenges, and production setbacks that affect time-to-market.
- ThingWorx Navigate simplifies PLM data retrieval — By offering role-based applications, it allows employees across departments to access only the information they need, reducing reliance on engineers and IT support.
- Seven pre-built applications cater to different team needs — From viewing product documents and design files to measuring in 3D and tracking parts lists, ThingWorx Navigate ensures that each department can efficiently find relevant data.
- ThingWorx Navigate integrates seamlessly with Windchill and enterprise systems — It connects with ERP, MES, CRM, and IoT platforms, ensuring up-to-date data across the organization without complex IT interventions.
- Key features improve security, customization, and flexibility — Role-based access control protects intellectual property, while mobile compatibility and IoT integration enhance usability across different environments.
- Real business results include faster approvals, reduced IT costs, and fewer errors — Companies using ThingWorx Navigate report 37% less time spent retrieving data, 29% faster workflows, and improved compliance tracking.
- Investing in modern PLM access is critical for staying competitive — C-suite leaders must prioritize efficient, role-based PLM solutions to streamline workflows to minimize costly errors, and accelerate time-to-market.
- 3HTi provides expert implementation, training, and support — As an experienced Windchill implementer, 3HTi helps organizations maximize their PLM investment by ensuring ThingWorx Navigate delivers measurable business value.
- Now is the time to optimize PLM data access — Companies that act now will gain a competitive edge in manufacturing efficiency, collaboration, and innovation.
The Cost of Poor Data Access in Manufacturing
Lost Productivity
Engineers frequently act as gatekeepers to product data, spending hours each week retrieving files, drawings, and specifications for colleagues. This inefficiency takes time away from innovation, problem-solving, and product development.
High IT Costs
Companies invest significant resources in PLM training and IT support, yet casual users often need more assistance. This leads to repeated help desk requests and increased system administration costs.
Slower Time-to-Market
When product data is difficult to retrieve or requires engineering approval, approval cycles slow down, procurement struggles to secure parts, and manufacturing delays increase. These inefficiencies compound over time, pushing back release dates and impacting revenue potential.
Higher Risk of Errors
Working with outdated, incorrect, or incomplete product data can lead to procurement errors, production defects, and compliance issues. Without an easy way to track and verify real-time information, organizations expose themselves to avoidable rework and regulatory risks.
How ThingWorx Navigate Solves PLM Data Challenges
ThingWorx Navigate eliminates these bottlenecks by providing instant access to the right product data, for the right people, at the right time. ThingWorx Navigate provides role-specific applications that make retrieving product information simple and fast. You get the data you need without sifting through the data you don’t need.
Seven Pre-Built Applications for Targeted Data Access
ThingWorx Navigate includes a suite of seven role-based applications, ensuring the individual gets exactly the information they need:
- View Document — Quick access to product-related documentation such as PDFs, specifications, or manuals.
- View Requirements — Enables engineers and designers to review requirement data as projects evolve.
- View Design Files — Allows non-CAD users to access design drawings without needing CAD software.
- View Drawing — Ensures manufacturing teams always have the latest product drawings.
- View & Measure in 3D — Provides an interactive, 3D printing view of product designs without requiring specialized software.
- View Part Properties — Displays critical part attributes and metadata.
- View Parts List — Gives procurement teams real-time access to parts lists and supplier data.
- View Part Structure — Enables users to navigate product structures (BOMs) and understand assembly relationships.
- View Change Management — Provides visibility into change requests, change notices, and problem reports.
- View Tasks — Displays assigned tasks related to workflows or approvals.
- View Problem Reports — Allows users to see and track reported product issues.
- View CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Actions) — Provides insights into quality-related corrective actions.
Flexible and Scalable for Any Business
- Accessible on Any Device — Works on desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
- Seamless Integration — Connects with PLM vs ERP, MES, CRM, and other enterprise systems for a unified view of business operations.
- Easy Deployment and Customization — Can be tailored to specific business processes without costly development work.
Key Features That Improve Workflow
Fast and Simple Search Tools
- Allows users to find data instantly, without needing extensive Windchill knowledge.
- Wildcard searches and filtering options ensure quick access to relevant information.
Seamless Windchill Connectivity
- Directly integrated with Windchill, eliminating data silos and versioning conflicts.
- Ensures real-time updates to keep teams working with the most current information.
Customizable Applications for Unique Business Needs
- Companies can modify ThingWorx Navigate’s applications to fit their workflow without complex development.
- A developer toolkit is available for further customization.
Secure, Role-Based Access
- Protects intellectual property by ensuring employees only see data relevant to their role.
- Reduces the risk of unauthorized data access or leaks.
- See the data you need without sifting through the data that is irrelevant to you.
Mobile and IoT-Ready
- Works on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, giving teams access wherever they need it.
- Integrates IoT data, allowing businesses to monitor real-time product performance and usage.
Measurable Business Benefits
Companies that implement ThingWorx Navigate see:
- 37% less time spent retrieving data, freeing up engineers for higher-value work.
- 29% faster approvals and procurement processes.
- Lower IT and training costs due to simplified system navigation.
- Stronger security and compliance through controlled data access.
A Manufacturer’s Success with ThingWorx Navigate
The Challenge
A global manufacturer faced production delays and procurement inefficiencies because teams outside engineering struggled to access product data in a timely manner. Every data request required manual retrieval from engineers or IT, creating slowdowns across departments.
The Solution
By implementing ThingWorx Navigate, the company provided self-service, role-based access to data managed in Windchill PLM. This allowed:
- Procurement teams to access parts lists instantly.
- Manufacturing teams to retrieve updated 3D models and work instructions.
- Compliance teams to review and approve product changes without delays.
The Results
- Fewer procurement errors, reducing supply chain disruptions.
- Faster production cycles, improving on-time delivery.
- Better compliance tracking, ensuring all changes were properly documented.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Manufacturers, product developers and Executives can no longer afford inefficient PLM data access. ThingWorx Navigate eliminates barriers that slow down production, increase costs, and create operational risks. By making real-time product data available to the right people at the right time, businesses improve efficiency, reduce unnecessary delays, and strengthen data security.
For executives and business leaders, investing in better PLM data access means reducing waste, increasing collaboration, and maintaining a competitive edge in product development. Quick access to the right data helps increase the speed of decision making. ThingWorx Navigate simplifies complex PLM systems and ensures teams get the information they need without extra steps or IT and Engineering team intervention.
As one of the first Windchill resellers, 3HTi has decades of experience helping businesses improve PLM efficiency and data management. Our team provides expert implementation, training, and support to ensure ThingWorx Navigate delivers maximum value to your organization.
To learn how ThingWorx Navigate can improve PLM access and efficiency for your team, contact 3HTi — Engineering Software and Solutions today.
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