ShipbuildingPLM is the only product lifecycle management (PLM) platform built specifically for shipbuilding. It helps shipyards manage information, control change, and create continuity across design, engineering, production, and sustainment activities. Whether information originates from internal systems, external design packages, or legacy vessel data, ShipbuildingPLM helps teams maintain a connected source of truth throughout the vessel lifecycle. It also supports digital twin initiatives, MRO activities, and long-term fleet sustainment.
What is ShipbuildingPLM?
ShipbuildingPLM is the only product lifecycle management (PLM) platform that is specifically built for the business of shipbuilding. It allows your shipyard to manage and organize information, track and respond to changes, and lay the groundwork for digital innovation through tools like digital twin construction and integration with a 3D model of a ship. ShipbuildingPLM also supports MRO activities such as ship maintenance and weld management software coordination.
The only shipbuilding-specific PLM platform
Most PLM platforms require shipyards to adapt their processes to fit the software.
ShipbuildingPLM is different. Built specifically for shipbuilders, it supports concurrent design, procurement, construction, and sustainment activities while managing information across current, legacy, and externally sourced projects.
Powered by Aras Innovator and enhanced with shipbuilding-specific functionality, ShipbuildingPLM combines proven PLM technology with deep industry expertise.
Manage and organize information
Successful digital transformation depends on having control of shipbuilding information. Without a connected information foundation, it becomes difficult to support initiatives such as the digital twin and digital thread, and lifecycle data management.
As shipyards increasingly work with internal systems, external design packages, legacy vessel information, and data from multiple sources, information must be accessible to the right teams at the right time. Many platforms struggle to provide that level of connectivity.
ShipbuildingPLM uses an open, information-agnostic architecture to connect data across systems and disciplines. This gives teams access to actionable information in context, helping eliminate data silos and create continuity throughout the vessel lifecycle.
The result is a connected digital foundation that supports collaboration, informed decision-making, and future digital initiatives.
Understand and manage change
Managing change across projects and sister ships is one of the toughest challenges in shipbuilding. Teams need visibility into what is changing, who is affected, and whether information is ready for production. When departments work from different systems or information sources, rework and delays often follow.
ShipbuildingPLM provides a shared information environment where teams can evaluate potential changes before they are implemented. Users can visualize the vessel, perform impact analysis, capture decisions, and initiate change orders while maintaining access to the latest project information. Integration with tools such as Navisworks connects 3D models with project data, improving visibility and collaboration across teams.
Once a change is initiated, workflows, permissions, and notifications help ensure the right people are working with the right information at the right time. Teams can track changes throughout the process while reducing the risk of working from outdated or unreleased information.
After a change is complete, stakeholders can review what changed and understand its impact through 3D model visualization and CAD revision comparisons. As the system of record, ShipbuildingPLM maintains a complete history of project changes and their context, creating traceability throughout the vessel lifecycle.
ShipbuildingPLM is a logical hub within the whole of the shipyard IT landscape. For us, it’s a one-stop-shop.
Ronald de Vries, Managing Director, Floorganise
Create an enduring shipbuilding foundation
No two shipyards work exactly the same way. The systems, workflows, and processes already in place within your organization are likely there for a reason. As projects increasingly involve external design packages, legacy vessel data, and information from multiple sources, maintaining continuity across those systems becomes even more important.
ShipbuildingPLM is designed to adapt to your shipyard—not the other way around. Its open architecture integrates with existing business systems, connecting information across departments, applications, and project environments. This creates a strong foundation for collaboration, digital continuity, and future innovation.
Built on modern APIs, ShipbuildingPLM can evolve alongside your business and technology strategy. Whether adopting AR, VR, IoT, robotics, automation, or future digital initiatives, shipyards can extend existing investments without replacing the systems that already work.
Support MRO and a multi-CAD environment
As vessel lifespans increase, shipbuilders and owners must manage growing volumes of legacy information. ShipbuildingPLM supports a multi-CAD environment, allowing teams to work with legacy and externally sourced design data regardless of the original authoring platform.
By connecting information across internal systems, external design packages, and legacy vessel data, ShipbuildingPLM helps create continuity throughout the vessel lifecycle while preserving the value of existing engineering investments.
When design data is unavailable, technologies such as laser scanning and point cloud data can be incorporated to capture the as-is state of a vessel and support future engineering, maintenance, and modernization efforts.
PLM Implementation Success
See how an incremental approach allowed SSI and our partner Aras to implement a PLM solution at Ingalls Shipbuilding within only nine months.
See the benefit from day one
Successful digital transformation shouldn’t require a rip-and-replace approach. ShipbuildingPLM helps shipyards deliver value quickly by building on existing systems, processes, and investments.
Powered by the Aras Innovator platform and enhanced with shipbuilding-specific functionality, ShipbuildingPLM can be adopted incrementally while supporting continuity across systems, projects, and information sources.
By establishing a connected source of truth over time, shipyards can reduce implementation risk and realize value from day one. Ingalls Shipbuilding has proven this approach as the way forward in their CAD and PLM implementation journeys.
F.A.Q.
Shipbuilding is in our DNA. Since 1990, SSI has developed and implemented shipbuilding solutions tailored to the industry’s unique needs. With over 30 years of expertise, we understand the challenges of shipyards and deliver proven solutions.
SSI ShipbuildingPLM is a vertical solution built on Aras Innovator that is specifically for shipbuilding. It provides:
- Best practices, workflows, and data relationships tailored to shipbuilding.
- Tools for visualization and data management.
- A shipyard-specific data model, including relationships between parts, assemblies, compartments, and more.
ShipbuildingPLM can be implemented within months due to:
- A pre-designed shipbuilding data model, reducing setup time.
- Quick configuration and customization to meet specific shipyard needs.
- Elimination of the need to build fundamental shipbuilding relationships from scratch.
SSI uses an agile approach that:
- De-risks the project.
- Delivers incremental gains over time.
- Optimizes for long-term success.
This approach has successfully implemented SSI and Aras solutions in large shipyards worldwide.
Navy yards building complex vessels require solutions that are:
- Effective at managing complex change workflows.
- Compatible with government cyber-security requirements
ShipbuildingPLM combines:
- Enterprise-level functionality.
- Nimble implementation and ease of use.
- Scalable solutions that align with comprehensive and complex requirements
Yes, SSI ShipbuildingPLM and Aras Innovator offer:
- Seamless upgrades for decades, with proven resilience.
- Continuous and transparent upgrades ensure data resiliency.
- Configurations that only need to be created once, saving time and resources.
A project created 15 years ago can be upgraded to the latest version with ease.
Absolutely. ShipbuildingPLM:
- Can incorporate data from any CAD system, like Foran, AVEVA, or Cadmatic.
- Maintains independence from source model file formats.
- Ensures workflows, data relationships and information are easily managed regardless of CAD source.
ShipbuildingPLM provides tools that allow:
- Suppliers and partners to access the latest versions of files.
- A secure method for external users to publish files.
- Controlled access so external users see only the information and relationships they are granted.
SSI has supported shipbuilding clients working together on shared PLM platforms to:
- Collaborate on design
- Manage the construction process.
This approach ensures seamless teamwork between multiple stakeholders.
ShipbuildingPLM uses a part-centric approach to facilitate:
- Visual communication: Render and annotate collections of parts, including assemblies, directly within the PLM browser
- Real-time 3D visualization: Display parts and assemblies in 3D without requiring additional software
Visual planning in ShipbuildingPLM includes access to:
- The entire Bill of Materials (BOM)
- Relationships to other critical data, such as requirements, VFIs, diagrams, and nest tapes
Yes, SSI ShipbuildingPLM offers:
- Full cloud deployment: Compatible with your company’s preferred cloud platform
- Enterprise cloud solutions: Managed jointly by Aras and SSI for businesses requiring high-level service and support
DigitalHub is a foundational version of ShipbuildingPLM that is pre-configured to support shipyard engineering workflows and item types. No matter how messy the current shipyard system architecture is, DigitalHub provides immediate return from a small initial investment and can be further customized to satisfy the specific needs of any shipyard.
