Success Story
XAAR adopts keytech PLM for SolidWorks Data Management XAAR Printhead Technology leader chooses keytech PLM to manage Product Development environment. keytech Software GmbH, a leading SolidWorks Gold integrated PLM solution provider, announces that XAAR, the worldleading independent supplier of state-ofthe-art industrial inkjet printheads, inks and peripheral equipment, has adopted keytech PLM as the backbone of its product development system.
keytech offers complex lifecycle support XAAR chose keytech’s solution following an extensive evaluation process, citing keytech PLM’s ability to manage and
control complex lifecycles and integration with both 3D-CAD and Business Systems (such as ERP) as the leading driving factors. According to Robert Ison, Project Leader at XAAR, “It quickly became apparent that we needed custom lifecycles, rather than standard, as they’re critical to defining our products. We looked at creating these lifecycles in our previous system, but the investment required proved prohibitive.” Sparked by the opening of its new manufacturing facility, XAAR took the decision to re-evaluate its existing IT systems and subsequently, to look elsewhere for the core Data Management component of its Product Development and Engineering process.
XAAR - The decision for keytech PLM
The selection criteria for the final system were complex lifecycle support and tight integration with SolidWorks, Axapta™ ERP-system, XAAR’s ECAD-system Altium 2007™ (formerly ProTel) and its own proprietary Shop Floor Management system, XPS.
Criteria and analysis “We did a full analysis on the packages available and it became apparent that keytech did what everyone else does plus a lot more” commented Ison. Alongside SolidWorks integration, other features that attracted XAAR to keytech’s offering were multi-language support, ease of use and integration to other systems within the organisation. But perhaps the overriding deciding factor was keytech’s Data Management capabilities. As Ison pointed out “One of the major benefits for us was the fact that keytech deals with product data and items, rather than
have documents. With other systems it is very difficult to add into a Bill of Materials as you had to create a false document and add that to the BOM. “Ease of use, multi-language support, business system and unparalleled SolidWorks integration mean that we believe we’ve made the right decision for now, and the future. Its ease of use and integration with SolidWorks really does seem to be second to none.” Ison concluded.
„..Its ease of use and integration with SolidWorks really does seem to be second to none.” just documents which means it can handle Bills of Materials more intelligently. Each item has its own item number as well as the documents associated to it. As a result, you can create full and acurate Bills of Materials by adding parts that don’t exploded acurator by XAAR as a 3D-model
keytech about the cooperation
About XAAR
„keytech is delighted that XAAR, a leader in a highly competitive, innovation driven market, has chosen keytech PLM as the backbone for its Product Development environment. This highlights the requirement within the mainstream product development and manufacturing sector for world class yet affordable Product Lifecycle Management solutions which connect the often disconnected systems many companies use. keytech is committed to providing solutions which speed innovation within a management environment to the SolidWorks community.“ commented Reiner Heimsoth, CEO of keytech Software GmbH.
Xaar is the world’s leading independent supplier of industrial inkjet printheads, inks and peripheral equipment to commercial printing and industrial manufacturing markets. Xaar’s innovative technology offers OEM customers and licensees commercial advantage through product differentiation, productivity, and faster time-to-market. Additional information about Xaar is available at www.xaar.co.uk
About keytech keytech is a leader in the integration of CAD, ERP and Data Management systems into cohesive, yet affordable, environments that fulfill its customers’ requirements and boost their productivity across many areas
NB: Brand and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.
of the enterprise. With integration of major 2D- and 3D-CAD-systems and integrations into major ERP-systems, keytech’s flagship offering, keytech PLM, is a scalable solution, beginning with simple document management and ending in a complete Product Lifecycle Management solution.
Robert Ison Xaar Science Park Cambridge CB4 0XR Tel.: +44 0 1223 423663 rison@xaar.co.uk www.xaar.co.uk
keytech Software GmbH SuderwichstraĂ&#x;e 68 45665 Recklinghausen Tel.: +49 2361 985 80 0 Fax: +49 2361 985 80 23 info@keytech.de www.keytech.de