Master Data & Product Structures
The product structure as data backbone: we model your company's product structures in SAP and turn them into a reliable foundation for engineering, production and after-sales — with iPPE, PSM, iBase and equipments.
Product structures as the data backbone
In the product structures competence field we focus on modelling the product structure in SAP and using it as the data backbone for product development and production. Our solutions are centred on the iPPE product structure (Integrated Product and Process Engineering) and the Product Structure Management (PSM) of the SAP PLM solution built on top of it.
iPPE and PSM model different structure types very flexibly within one data model — including additional data such as purchasing and supplier information, cost, weight, quality-assurance and recycling attributes. PSM adds full integration into the PLM web UI, tabular maintenance of dependency knowledge, Guided Structure Synchronization, and visualisation and simulation of dynamic assemblies.
We also take care of building and maintaining these data, taking over product structures from other PDM systems and exchanging them with adjacent systems — including CAD integration with position and instance management. Enhancements from our practice: serialisation and traceability (e.g. batches for shelf-life checks, maintenance and service), development management on structure level (versioning, release processes, engineering change) and the transfer of concept and engineering BOMs into production BOMs — including product variance.
At a glance
- iPPE & PLM Product Structure Management (PSM)
- iBase & equipments
- Product structure architectures & data model
- CAD integration with position/instance management
- Take-over from other PDM systems
- Serialisation & traceability
Product Structure Management
The modern view on the iPPE product structure.
- Full integration into the PLM web UI
- Extended authorisations & ad-hoc workflows
- Tabular dependency maintenance
- Visualisation & simulation of dynamic assemblies
EBOM → MBOM
From the engineering view to the production view.
- Guided Structure Synchronization (SAP standard)
- CaRD BOM Handover for iPPE-to-iPPE transfers
- Change take-over without tedious comparisons
Additional data & reporting
More than just the structure.
- Purchasing, cost, weight & QA data on the structure element
- CaRD Product Structure Report for iPPE/PSM
- Management of software versions & release information
Material master services
Consistent master data across languages and systems.
- Merging of material masters
- Automated short-text translation (MMRI add-on)
- Data cleansing as part of migrations
Specialist sites on this topic
Dedicated topic sites around master and product data (partly German-language).
- material-addon.com — rename & replace material masters
- cad-integration.de — CAD integration (ECTR) with SAP
- data-cleansing-check.de — data cleansing & archiving
Frequently asked questions
What is the advantage of iPPE over the classic BOM?
iPPE models different structure types (BOMs, process structures, routings) flexibly in one data model and carries arbitrary additional attributes — ideal for high product variance and as the shared data backbone of engineering and production.
Do you support the transfer of engineering BOMs into production BOMs?
Yes — depending on the scenario with the Guided Structure Synchronization of the SAP standard (source PSM/material BOM, target material BOM) or with our CaRD BOM Handover solution for iPPE-to-iPPE transfers including subsequent restructuring.
Can you take over product structures from third-party PDM systems?
Yes. We migrate structures and attached data from other PDM systems and ensure a clean, traceable transition into SAP.
Does this match your project?
Talk directly to our consultants — no detours.