Arena PLM Software

Pros

I use the software since 2014 and I love it. As I already mentioned, it's super user friendly and it takes no time to work comfortable with it. I contact support service few times and received the feedback in less then 24 hours. I like that developers listens users inquiries and improve Arena in new releases. Also it's very important that they provide webinars before software updates and send video that Administrators can share to all users.

Cons

It's hard to say because the product is great. However I wish it would be less limitation with number of items mass uploading. For example sometimes our ECOs have more then 100 items but we can not upload more then 50 in one shot

Good product organization, and control of the history of all revisions for all components, even their end of life.
Suppliers use it as well.

Pros

THat after you add your products, then easily you can find each detail in it and the history review.

Cons

The time it needed to learn the process, and start to implement it. but it is like that when you start to learn a new process.

Automation of document control and training.

Pros

Trackability. I can keep track of who has been trained, when and what is open. Can eliminate paper training records, especially since the system is managed on 2 coasts.

Cons

Document control, change control a bit complicated-too many steps. Not very intuitive. Have to go from one screen to another.

Pros

Good organised, and after a while can find everything I need, good with this notification list so I can follow all emails I received from ARENA and the action point I have there.

Cons

Needs continuously use to can remember all functions and features, sometimes it is too many steps to go through before adding any item.

Esig with all records and as EDMS both for Design and Production, Training records consolidated for those records, now ad hoc capability for external training records.

Pros

Training system now available, configurable for design and production environment. The company appears to listen and be responsive to problems when encountered in the released product.

Cons

Training system does not allow cloning for job specific tasks to be combined for higher level employees that perform multiple functions.

Pros

Simple and easy to use and access. Our users easily to find information and document they looking for.

Pros

Visibility on key information that we need and ease in the set up of new account for access . Turn around time is short and approval process is easy to manage

Cons

No historical record on pricing and Arena pricing could only keep the price of one source , does not allow weighted cost for dual or multiple sources .

Organization. The software has helped me organize and manage all of our part numbers. It has also allowed me to share the most up to date, and controlled information with our suppliers.

Pros

The learning curve is not too steep and the Arena team is regularly improving the functionality.
Additionally the customer support has been top notch

Cons

Management of suppliers and sharing information (especially files) with suppliers leaves some room for improvement. Another key improvement would be improving the already useful search function to be able to exclude items from a search.

Reliable PLM controls

Pros

Mature software with many quick views and links to related information. Easy to train users, intuitive interface

Cons

Report writer is old and awkward and needs overhaul. Inability to provide searches/filters/reports based on stage of route for change orders.

Ability to manage the product record and collaborate with supply chain partners

Pros

In the startup environment with fewer than fifty employee Arena is simple to deploy, maintain, and exceptional for collaborating with key supply chain partners. Arena's ability to scale with the growth of the company and our expanding supply chain is critical to our success.

As the company evolves and grown to more that 200 employees, Arena can evolve and keep pace when your business model. The ability to add additional features such as Quality, speaks well for the capability of the Arena Solution to grow.

Cons

As an Arena system administrator and user I would like to see more flexibility to develop custom work flows. The stage one, stage two methodology is perfect for managing the review and release process gates. However, I need the ability to customize the workflow after the change orders has been released and locked.

There is a need for review and approval after release with supply chain partners that can not be addressed and part of the Implementation process.

Pros

Ease of use for new users. Full customization of all fields to meet our specific needs without having to develop anything.

Cons

The inability to create new items in bulk. Ie. if you create this type of part you also need these 4 other parts no matter what. The ability to have a macro type option to do some of these multiple part creations would be great.

All documentation in one place with all spec's and info attached to the BOM. Creates overview, peace of mind, reduces time to search for info, reduces confusion in the organization etc etc

Pros

Minimal set up, only create settings to match our need, and all files, data and info is linked to items so all info is in one place

Cons

Some User interface details, like the multifunction back key, top right corner is not so intuitive, i often need to explain the function. Moving from one item one level up in the BOM is not so easy, so moving between multileve partlists is not so intuitive. Editing BOM/spec can only be done when you in that level, so you have to first go into the subassy to be bale to add/remove items. There must be a way that this is not needed so you can do it anytime as long as you see the item you want to modify.

Pros

Ties items and assemblies together to find full history of the changes, ECO's, and Deviations. The new changes included a header change to show the progress of the ECO, which helps to view the status.

Cons

Sometimes hard to navigate and search for requested items. The "Changes" View doesn't show a list of items, so unless you know what you're searching for specifically, it is hard to see it on the changes tab.

Pros

- The advanced search tool I like the most. It helps me to filter what I need for change orders or part numbers regarding to any given attributes.
- I also like the that you can customize attributes for ECRs, ECOs and items

Cons

Product revision control is a bit too manual (no auto-rev-up for parent items). Some GUI at the request level is confusing.

We aren't using all the potential benefits at present, but are working to take advantage of them. It is a solid tool for Configuration Management; we are just starting to use some of the capabilities that go beyond classic CM.

Pros

This tool allows an organization with limited Configuration Management experience to do an effective job of CM.

Cons

Some of the user interfaces could be improved to be more intuitive for those unfamiliar with CM or databases, but this is more a user training issue.

It provided the client, Acclarent with a platform for management of documents within their product life cycle.

Pros

(Relative) ease of use. I am stating this based on a requirement to say at least one positive thing about SAAS.

Cons

Product claims that are marginal at best. Ability of the organization to maintain a validated state.

Going from an access database and manual ECO system to ARENA was a change that provided so many benefits. Our ECO turn around time decreased, we were able to make changes to parts and various BOMs quicker and easier. Changes made to parts/BOMs are fully traceable and the changes are available on ARENA via redlines.
The various quality modules provided us with a more streamlined approach to CAPAs, NMRs and Device Returns.
Our purchasing function has improved as access to necessary files is all provided via ARENA.
Overall the ARENA PLM System is very user friendly and a very powerful tool.

Pros

The change module, items module, and quality module, ease of use, and customer service at ARENA

Cons

No cons at this time.

Advice to Others

NA

For a decade and a half the various modules and services of Arena PLM have been at the hub of my engineering activities. At multiple companies and across several industries this software has been able to deliver powerful, enterprise level cloud-based lifecycle management solutions in a reliable and user friendly manner, and I am amazed by the quality of support. As far as I'm concerned, Arena is one of my core suites in ANY venture, the one quantity I can depend on because it just *works*.

Pros

The sheer flexibility and ease of use, combined with a low barrier to entry and learning curve. Combine that with both desktop and mobile accessibility and you have a best-in-class offering.

Cons

There are a couple of feature enhancements that I've been waiting for a while now, but I also recognize that 1) there are workarounds for those missing elements that are functional, just not pretty and 2) Arena support has shown a clear track record of listening and responding to customer feedback, so I'm fairly confident I'll see those new addons someday.

Advice to Others

A bit of thought early on about workspace configuration and setup makes scalability downstream much, MUCH more efficient.

I have implemented Arena PLM over the years. The basic PLM information is easy to create and control. The new features and functionality always make for a centralized location for all information on Products in all lifecycle phases. Supplier access allows seamless communication for critical changes incorporation to product lines throughout various product lifecycles. Change Order/Deviation/ Corrective Action Request interface for contract manufacturer to collaborate actions to take on factory floor with critical actions for inventory dispositioning, for material planning and procurement. Centralized location for compliance documentation associated to items within a product. Workflow for Change Orders and Change Requests. Redlines for all Change Order controlled revisions on BOM's. The system is easily modified for unique requirements per company policies. Cloud application eliminates maintenance and hardware requirements which reduces IT cost. Incorporation of best business practices for the release and controlling all product data. New enhancements make this PLM a gem in a fast pace industry.

Pros

Ease of use and all the features to control changes of product lines. On cloud enhancements and maintenance done by software provider. Many ways to make this software

Cons

Spellcheck. Minimal issues

Advice to Others

Great support fast response times.

I used Arena for 4 years at a medical device company. We used Arena for document control (PLM) and BOM management. We did not use Arena for ERP / supplier management. Compared to the other PLM I have used, Arena is the most intuitive and easiest to use. Only thing I would update is the ability to limit particular users from accessing older revisions of documents.