Product Data Management
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Product Data Management (PDM) is a category of computer software that aims to create an automatic link between CAD and a database, usually with data on what components something drawn using CAD consists of. This enables automatic reports on product costs, etc. Furthermore, PDM enables companies producing complex products to spread product data in to the entire launch-process. This significantly enhances the effectiveness of the launch process.
Most PDM packages are industry specific. Most larger CAD vendors have some kind of PDM offering.
Standard off-the-shelf CAD (Autodesk, etc) has PDM functionality built in. CAD vendors in an industrial niche usually have a separate closed offering (example, textile CAD - Lectra, Gerber, etc)