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SpaceTech Chooses keytech PLM Software


Sulz am Neckar, May 5th, 2015. With the introduction of the keytech PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) solution, SpaceTech GmbH, an internationally known company in the space industry, has replaced their previous manual data management system with a comprehensive and professional PLM system. In addition, the deep integration with the SolidWorks CAD solution supports integrated and transparent item and document management. “Furthermore, we have promised ourselves that besides reducing administration costs and the error rate associated with manual data management that with keytech PLM we will increase lineality, security and efficiency in editing, documentation, archiving and updating project-relevant documents and information,” says SpaceTech project manager Karl-Dieter Hügle.

As part of optimizing their business processes, SpaceTech GmbH, an internationally known company in the space industry from the southern German town of Immenstaad, decided to implement the CAD solution SolidWorks, and now with the introduction of the PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) system from keytech Süd GmbH, SpaceTech have met another milestone towards having a complete and integrated item and document management system to replace their current manual data management system. SpaceTech GmbH’s core business includes the design, development and production of spacecraft equipment, satellites and terrestrial applications with a focus on Environmental Monitoring Systems. In the fall of 2014 keyech PLM was introduced into the MGSE (Mechanical Ground Support Equipment) field and supports the design of products such as the ground equipment for the GRACE-FO (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow ON) mission, whose primary goal is the exact measurement of climate change indicators through changes in the gravity field.

“Besides the range of functions and the user-friendly handling of the product, the crucial factors in our decision-making process for keytech PLM were, above all, the independence from one specific CAD system but at the same time the deep integration with all current CAD programs,” explains Karl-Dieter Hügel, project manager at SpaceTech. “In addition, the administrative cost of manually managing our volume of data, with around 20 assemblies each with up to 100 parts and around 200 newly created drawings annually as well as unlimited changes and validity indexes, was no longer economically viable. In the end our main job is in engineering not in managing documents and data.”

With over 1,000 implementations, keytech solutions help and optimize customers around the world in different industries during the entire life cycle of a product – and enable the user to manage all project-relevant data, documents or workflow status and to provide up-to-date information company-wide. SpaceTech has promised itself that besides reducing administration costs and the error rate associated with manual data management that with keytech PLM they will increase lineality, security and efficiency in editing, documentation, archiving and updating project-relevant documents and information.

SpaceTech’s Decision-Making Factors in choosing keytech PLM:

  • Independence from CAD programs and specific industries
  • Deep integration to current CAD systems like SolidWorks
  • High flexibility, open platform and adaptability
  • Large yet practical range of functions
  • Linear data and document management
  • keytech frees up time for the important tasks