To stay competitive in today’s fast-paced product development environment, manufacturers need more than siloed systems and manual workflows. Autodesk Vault PLM, a strategic integration of Vault Professional and Fusion Manage, combines on-premise CAD data control with enterprise-wide process management. This powerful solution streamlines engineering workflows, enhances collaboration and accuracy, and supports better decision-making across the entire product lifecycle.
Many engineering organizations have built functional, if complex, systems to manage their product data. Spreadsheets, shared drives, email threads, and hands-on coordination can work, but they often require extra time and attention to maintain.
Processes that rely on manual data entry, retyping between design and ERP systems, or personal knowledge passed informally between team members can be difficult to scale as teams grow or projects become more complex. These methods can introduce small disconnects that, over time, make it harder to track progress, communicate clearly, or respond quickly to change. Autodesk Vault PLM offers a way to build on what’s already working by connecting systems and automating routine tasks. This frees teams to focus more on the work that moves projects forward.
Every organization manages data in its own way, but certain patterns can create challenges as teams grow. When communication happens in separate systems, it can become harder to get a full picture of a project’s status or anticipate the downstream impact of changes.
Engineering, operations, and procurement teams often use different tools to manage their work, and while that can be effective in smaller environments, it can also lead to duplicated effort or misalignment. Product data, such as BOMs, may need to be re-entered manually into ERP systems. Important context, like supplier changes or design revisions, can sometimes get lost in handoffs. Over time, these gaps can slow down collaboration or make responsibilities harder to track.
Autodesk Vault PLM provides a structured framework to help teams stay aligned while continuing to use the systems they’re comfortable with. It creates a single source of truth for product data, so that teams can work from the same information in real time, without unnecessary back-and-forth.
Autodesk Vault PLM combines two well-established tools into a single, integrated solution that supports both detailed CAD data management and broader enterprise workflows.
Vault Professional offers local, secure management of CAD files, with full revision control and lifecycle states. It integrates directly with tools like Inventor, AutoCAD, and Revit, making it easy for engineering teams to manage and share design data. Fusion Manage extends this by providing cloud-based tools for managing change orders, BOMs, supplier collaboration, and quality processes. Because it’s accessible from anywhere, it helps bring teams across locations into the same workflow.
Together, Vault and Fusion Manage form a digital thread that connects engineering with the rest of the business, supporting transparency, traceability, and collaboration across departments.
Vault PLM is designed to improve productivity and clarity in day-to-day work. Automating routine workflows and providing better visibility helps reduce the need for time-consuming status updates and manual coordination.
Task assignments, due dates, and automated notifications give everyone a clear view of progress without requiring additional meetings. Change requests and approvals can move forward smoothly, with built-in escalation paths to keep work moving. For BOMs, Vault PLM allows CAD data to stay in sync with the broader product structure. Teams can collaborate across departments to review, update, and approve BOMs, which helps reduce confusion when changes occur mid-project.
Vault PLM also supports better collaboration with suppliers and quality teams. Suppliers can be included in secure workflows when needed, and quality issues can be linked directly to design data and tracked through resolution. This kind of transparency helps everyone stay aligned and makes it easier to maintain records for compliance or process improvement.
Integration with ERP and other systems is another area where Vault PLM can add value. Using tools like powerPLM and Fusion Manage APIs, many organizations connect Vault PLM with existing ERP, MES, or CRM platforms to reduce duplication and streamline data flow. For teams managing large volumes of data across multiple tools, this can significantly reduce administrative overhead.
Finally, Vault Professional helps ensure that CAD files are managed securely, with version control and user-based access to protect sensitive data. Engineers can collaborate with confidence, knowing that the latest files are always accessible and that changes are properly tracked.
A few common misconceptions can make teams hesitant to explore PLM solutions, but Autodesk Vault PLM addresses these concerns head-on. Some assume PLM is only suited for large enterprises, but Vault PLM is modular and scalable, making it an excellent fit for small and mid-sized manufacturers. You can start with just the capabilities you need, such as BOM management or engineering change control, and scale up as your organization grows. Others feel their current setup is “working fine,” and in many cases, it is until a new manager asks for better visibility, or a critical project highlights the limitations of manual processes. These systems, while familiar, often don’t scale well or provide the traceability needed for growth.
There's also a perception that PLM is a legacy technology, but Vault PLM is modern, cloud-ready, and light on IT requirements. It's designed to integrate seamlessly into today’s workflows without the burden of outdated infrastructure. For teams concerned about the time or disruption of implementation, Autodesk Vault PLM is designed for phased deployment—eliminating the need for a costly rip-and-replace. This approach allows you to start with high-impact areas, prove value early, and expand gradually based on your team’s needs and capacity.
Hagerman ensures faster time-to-value by helping you prioritize key workflows, implement in manageable phases, and continuously optimize as your needs evolve. But what truly makes the solution sustainable is our long-term commitment to your success. Our dedicated support team offers real-time help, onboarding resources, and proactive guidance to keep your systems aligned and performing as your business grows.
Successful implementation isn’t just about technology—it’s about fit, support, and long-term value. As an Autodesk Platinum Partner, Hagerman helps guide organizations through every stage of adopting Vault PLM.
It starts with discovery and roadmapping. We take time to understand your workflows, identify pain points, and prioritize where Vault PLM can have the most immediate impact. From there, we support system configuration and integration, often using tools like powerPLM to connect Vault, Fusion Manage, and your existing ERP.
Training is designed around the needs of each team. Engineers, operations personnel, and administrators each receive role-specific guidance to ensure they’re comfortable and confident with the system. After implementation, we offer help desk support and long-term optimization, and for those who want even more hands-on assistance, our managed services can help maintain system performance and support future growth.
In today’s complex manufacturing environment, disconnected product data can slow progress and limit visibility. Autodesk Vault PLM helps overcome these challenges by connecting engineering, operations, and supply chain teams through secure file management, enterprise-wide visibility, and configurable workflows that support real-time collaboration.
With Vault PLM in place, teams can move faster, reduce administrative overhead, and make decisions with greater confidence. Whether your goal is to reduce rework, streamline change management, or prepare for future growth, Vault PLM provides the foundation to scale smarter and stay competitive.
Download the free eBook and take the self-assessment to evaluate your BOM accuracy, workflow readiness, and collaboration efficiency. Connect with Hagerman & Company today to see how Autodesk Vault PLM can transform your product data and support your business goals.