Hardware testing conjures up images of rigorous checks for durability, reliability, and performance. But what if the tools used to design and produce that hardware are flawed? Ensuring hardware quality requires more than just testing the final product. You must ensure that the software tools and apps you use to design and manage the product lifecycle are up to the job.
This is where testing product lifecycle management (PLM) tools come into play. PLM tools are vital for modern product design, managing everything from initial concepts and design to production workflows and product retirement. However, as powerful and valuable as these tools are, they can still be prone to errors.
The Crucial Role of PLM Systems in Hardware Design
PLM systems are central to all aspects of a product’s lifecycle. It ensures that design data is accurate, up-to-date, and consistent across all departments, from engineering to manufacturing. PLM tools manage every component dimension, material specification, and production process. These applications are often integrated with other complex systems and built with custom workflows. So, if errors creep into the design phase and corrupt data, the final hardware products can be severely affected.
For example, if PLM software misinterprets or fails to design a model correctly, it can lead to parts being manufactured with incorrect shapes, tolerances, or sizes. This can result in components that do not fit together, fail to function as intended, or even compromise the safety and performance of the final product.
The Risks of Ignoring PLM Systems Testing
It’s a common misconception that thorough hardware testing guarantees the quality of the final product. Unfortunately, this oversight can lead to costly errors when PLM software is left out of the testing equation. Even a minor bug in PLM tools can trigger a domino effect of version control issues, causing the wrong data to be used in production and resulting in hardware failing to meet the required specifications or standards.
Poorly manufactured parts and hardware can lead to expensive recalls, damaged brand reputations, and, in worst-case scenarios, safety hazards that put customers at risk. Falling short of quality measures creates a perfect storm of dissatisfied customers, increased manufacturing costs, and lost sales – all of which eat away at your bottom line.
The dangers don’t stop there.
Software bugs in PLM systems can disrupt communication and workflows between design and manufacturing teams, leading to costly delays and confusion. The intricacies of PLM software, combined with the need for seamless interoperability between various integrated systems, can severely impact the efficiency and effectiveness of your entire product development and manufacturing process.
Investing in comprehensive PLM software testing isn’t just about protecting hardware quality – it’s about safeguarding your entire product lifecycle management workflows from hidden risk.
Keysight Eggplant Test: A New Approach to PLM Systems Testing
Keysight Eggplant Test overcomes the limitations of traditional automation frameworks and manual testing. While many testing tools struggle with the complexity of PLM software, Eggplant Test excels by adopting a user-centric, image-based testing methodology. It goes beyond merely validating what’s under the hood; it tests how the entire product lifecycle management system truly behaves by interacting with the software just as a human would.
Image-based testing for complex GUIs
Unlike traditional test automation tools that rely on brittle scripts and object locators, Keysight Eggplant Test uses advanced image and character recognition to see the graphical user interface (GUI) exactly as a user would. This makes it ideal for testing complex GUIs found in PLM systems. Eggplant validates all visual elements, ensuring critical design data is accurate, and interactions across platforms work as expected.
End-to-end testing
PLM software is the backbone of product design and manufacturing, often linked with numerous other systems, including MES, CAD, and ERP. Keysight Eggplant Test breaks down the silos between these layers, offering end-to-end testing that ensures every component of the PLM ecosystem works harmoniously. Whether verifying data integrity between design and manufacturing or ensuring workflows are running smoothly, Eggplant Test integrates effortlessly with all layers of the System Under Test (SUT).
Technology-agnostic approach
PLM systems come in many shapes, sizes, and configurations. Eggplant Test’s technology-agnostic design means it can connect with any system, regardless of the underlying technology. From desktop to web-based PLM tools, Eggplant adapts to your testing needs, ensuring that no part of your process is left unchecked. It’s the ultimate tool for diverse, evolving environments.
Automated exploratory testing
With its ability to perform automated exploratory testing, Keysight Eggplant Test pushes beyond predefined test scripts to uncover issues that traditional testing might miss. This dynamic testing approach is crucial for PLM systems, where complex, custom workflows can lead to unexpected software behavior. Eggplant’s exploratory capabilities help you identify these hidden risks by increasing test coverage and catching bugs before they impact your product quality.
Conclusion
The message is clear: Rigorous testing of PLM systems is not just an option; it’s essential. Without it, you’re gambling with your product quality, operational costs, and end-user safety. The stakes are high, and the potential damage to your company’s reputation is even higher.
By prioritizing PLM tool testing and fostering collaboration between hardware and PLM teams, organizations can ensure that they design, produce, and deliver products with the highest quality and reliability.
If you’re a hardware tester, now is the time to connect with your PLM team. Discuss the importance of regular PLM testing and consider how you can work together to prevent issues before they start. After all, the quality of your hardware depends on it.
Take Action:
- Reach out to your PLM team today and discuss how you can collaborate on testing efforts.
- Ensure that your PLM tools are being tested as rigorously as the hardware they support.
- Consider the role of PLM in your overall quality assurance strategy and make any necessary adjustments.
- Sign up for our Quick Start guided pilot program and gain access to 60 hours of personalized, hands-on guidance to accelerate implementation and adoption.
By taking these steps, you’ll be well on your way to ensuring your PLM systems are as robust and reliable as the products they help create.