No serious downtime or data loss; just compatibility, consistency and protection of our investment as a result of systematic innovations in technology and applications.Peter Sorgatz
Head of Computer Engineering on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the CIM Database introduction at BASF
BASF Polyurethanes
BASF Polyurethanes is one of the world's leading manufacturers of this high-performance and versatile special-purpose plastic polyurethane. The company develops and produces basic products, systems and special elastomers.
Combining PLM and agile project management
Innovation has a long tradition at BASF Polyurethanes GmbH. 50 years ago, BASF's subsidiary in Lemförde created the material Cellasto - at that time still known as Elastogran. When it introduced the software CIM Database in 1994, the term Product Lifecycle Management was not invented. Today, the PLM solution is the platform for worldwide data, process and project management. In this context, the BASF Group's plastics experts benefit from reliable processes and at the same time agile teamwork in the planning and management of development projects as well as in the project planning of new production plants. The Lemförde site is the global technology centre for Cellasto and, at the same time, a research and development centre for polyurethane products. In the financial year 2017, BASF Group company sales amounted to EUR 2.9 billion and the number of employees to 1,700.
Solution
Since the introduction of CIM Database in 1994, upgrade to a global PLM platform with a comprehensive range of functions: CAD data management; automatic product data exchange; project management; document management; engineering change management; knowledge management; class list of characteristics (CLC).
Benefits
Permanent transparency of project, schedule, document and cost situation; fast order processing and good project cash flow due to detailed project-related expense recording and thus fast invoicing; efficiency and flexibility due to easily configurable class concept and standardization by means of templates; high reuse and secure variant management due to systematic classification through characteristic lists.
Specifics
Comprehensive use of project management functions for the planning and control of complex development projects as well as for the project planning of new production facilities: integrated document management and project controlling in real time, project progress control by task management.
