PDXpert PLM 2008 Offers XML Data Export Options

By DE Editors

Active Sensing, Inc. (ASI; Castle Rock, CO) released PDXpert PLM 2008 Edition, which has been enhanced to meet the requirements of growing companies by implementing the open PLMX (Product Lifecycle Management eXchange) file format for data export, which is optimized for exporting part data and bills of materials to downstream ERP systems.

A PLMX data file combines XML-based product properties with related CAD and other product data files that are compressed (zipped) into a simple and flexible package that can be exchanged with supply chain partners.

Using the built-in support for XML transformation (XSLT) documents, PDXpert 2008 can now export ERP-compatible files directly from the PLM system without intermediate software translators. PLMX data can also be transformed into other commonly used file formats such as Microsoft Office Excel XLS and CSV text. Customized reports can be added to PDXpert 2008 by combining PLMX data with XML-based Report Definition Language Client-side (RDLC) directives.

The new PDXpert 2008 software, which is Microsoft-Vista compatible, also improves its already easy-to-use Google-like search algorithm by indexing a richer set of part, document, and change attributes. Overall application performance has been improved with faster item loading and a streamlined object data model.

A complete single-user PDXpert 2008 system can be licensed for just US$999, and volume discounts reduce licenses to as little as US$499 per user; annual maintenance is optional. An all-inclusive subscription license costs $25 per month, well below ASP-hosted PLM systems.

PDXpert 2008 is available from Active Sensing, Inc.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.