Integrating Practical PLM and IoT Education

Abstract

Technological advancements of the recent decades, mainly through more powerful computer hardware and extensive software solutions, led to an exponential increase in the amount of digitally available data and have finally paved the way for the Internet of Things. In the IoT world smart devices can receive, store, and send information through internet gateways and be connected to online IoT-platforms. Consequently, companies nowadays not only face themselves in situations of managing processes, but also in managing data and information. Next to IoT, Product Lifecycle Management is a strategic approach for the integrated data and information management along a product´s lifecycle from the first idea to disposal. The synergies between IoT and PLM are evident: Through IoT devices real-time data of a product can flow directly into the PLM system and provide insights for improvements in product and process development. Both, IoT and PLM have become highly relevant subjects in today’s engineering education. This chapter dives into the fundamentals of IoT and PLM and introduces teaching methods and practical exercises for students also including the prerequisites and challenges of each exercise.