Case Studies
PLM Speeds Development to Transform Solar Power Tracker Technology
Overview
Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Exchange & Integration Functional Applications - Product Lifecycle Management Systems (PLM) Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Data Management Platforms | |
Renewable Energy Utilities | |
Product Research & Development Quality Assurance | |
Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services System Integration | |
Operational Impact
With Arena’s PLM platform, Nextracker is taking advantage of the quality management capabilities to create quality records connected to the underlying product record. By processing first article inspections and form, fit, and function (FFF) information in Arena Quality, Nextracker’s team can link parts that need to be tested. Nextracker uses the quality system to create and process nonconforming material reports (NCRs) and corrective action reports (CARs). | |
Facing harsh weather conditions and climate change, Nextracker must rapidly design and develop highly durable products that can perform well over a 30-year life span. Reliability, performance, and uptime (availability) are paramount in the design and development of these products. “Arena PLM enables us to instantly access product documents, part fixes, changes, replacement parts, and product design history anytime. We can respond immediately during development, or after our products reach customers, to deliver and maintain high-quality solar tracker products around the world,” said Lee. | |
With Arena, Nextracker realizes these strategic benefits: Accelerated product launches, Real-time access for global partners eliminates time-zone delays, translating to 25% faster launches, Centralized product record helps double the number of CM partners to speed production, Review and approval times are cut by nearly 60%, Improved accuracy, Product and quality information are managed together in a single system, Automated passing of information between CAD and ERP eliminates data entry errors, Outdated email communication for sharing drawings and product information can be eliminated. | |
Quantitative Benefit
Increased global manufacturing capacity by 200% in one year. | |
Cut review and approval times by nearly 60%. | |
Accelerated product introductions by 25%. | |