Centric PLM
By Centric Software, Inc
Centric PLM typical implementation process:
Discovery and requirements gathering: Centric PLM starts with project scoping, where stakeholders define business goals, workflow specifics, and integration needs to ensure the solution fits the organization’s unique product development processes.
Solution design and configuration: The platform is configured for each brand, category, and workflow—including modules for planning, merchandising, development, sourcing, and quality. Data models, user roles, dashboards, and approval workflows are adapted to mirror how the company operates in real life.
Integration and data migration: Legacy product data, bills of materials, supplier details, and costings are imported. Centric PLM is integrated with ERP, 2D/3D design, supply chain, and other mission-critical systems to centralize data and automate cross-platform processes.
User training and onboarding: Hands-on training, knowledge transfer sessions, and “train-the-trainer” programs are conducted for key users and teams. Support resources and documentation accelerate rapid adoption for all stakeholders.
Pilot launch and validation: A staged pilot is launched for select teams or regions, validating workflow configuration, integrations, report outputs, and approval processes. Feedback is collected, and the solution is refined as needed.
Centric PLM is highly configurable and can be tailored across data, process, UI, and integration layers to fit specific business needs in different consumer goods verticals.
Configurable, modular platform: enable only the modules you need (planning, merchandising, development, sourcing, quality, compliance, packaging/artwork) and add more over time as processes mature.
No-code/low-code configurability: adapt data models, fields, forms, page layouts, workflows, and approvals without core code changes, preserving upgrades via Centric’s Agile Deployment approach.
Role-based UX personalization: define roles, permissions, dashboards, notifications, and task views by brand, region, category, or supplier to reflect organizational structures and governance.
Flexible workflow design: configure stage gates, change management, versioning, and digital approvals for category-specific lifecycles, from concept to tech packs to production release.
Assortment and planning customization: tailor visual line planning, season structures, collections, and what‑if scenarios to local calendars, channels, and merchandising methods.
Costing and KPI configuration: customize cost sheets, margin calculations, target thresholds, and performance KPIs per market, product family, or vendor program.
Supplier collaboration setup: brand the supplier portal, define RFQ templates, qualification criteria, document packs, and audit checklists per category or compliance regime.
Quality/compliance templates: build inspection plans, non‑conformance flows, audit templates, and sustainability data capture (materials, certifications, Scope 3) tailored to standards and customers.
2D/3D design integrations: connect Adobe, Clo, Browzwear, Optitex, SOLIDWORKS, Rhino and more; map metadata, versioning, and sample workflows to your design stack.
Enterprise integrations: prebuilt and API-driven connectors to 80+ ERP systems, PIM/DAM (including Contentserv), e‑commerce, supply chain, and BI—configured to your data model and sync cadence.
Data import/export: configurable data pipelines for BOMs, specs, supplier catalogs, and pricing; support for staged migrations and ongoing synchronization with legacy systems.
Multi-brand/multi-entity support: partition data, taxonomies, and governance across brands, BUs, or regions while maintaining corporate roll-ups and shared libraries.
Localization options: configure languages, units, calendars, fiscal periods, and labeling to regional needs while keeping a global model.
Visual Boards and market add-ons: extend with Centric Visual Boards and adjacent solutions (Planning, Pricing & Inventory, Market Intelligence) to match merchandising and pricing workflows.
Centric PLM offers structured onboarding, role-based training, and ongoing success support designed to accelerate time-to-value and ensure confident adoption across functions and suppliers. New users are enabled through guided implementation workshops and hands-on sessions aligned to day‑to‑day workflows in planning, merchandising, design/3D, sourcing, quality, compliance, packaging/artwork, and manufacturing—supported by a “single source of truth” approach that standardizes data and processes from concept to launch. Training combines solution walkthroughs, best‑practice process design, and change‑management guidance so administrators and end users can configure roles, approvals, dashboards, and reports without disrupting operations.
To extend learning, Centric provides product demos, webinars, and masterclass content for manufacturers and brands, giving teams practical examples, use cases, and workflow deep dives they can apply immediately in production environments. Implementation follows Centric’s agile methodology with knowledge transfer and “train‑the‑trainer” models, enabling internal champions to scale enablement across regions, brands, or categories while maintaining governance and upgrade‑safe configurations. Post go‑live, customers receive continuous support, release communications, and access to resources that help optimize adoption, integrate adjacent systems (ERP, 2D/3D design, supply chain, e‑commerce), and evolve processes as the product portfolio grows.
Centric PLM implements a layered security program covering governance, controls, and technical defenses to protect product and supplier data. The company attests to SOC 3 and states GDPR compliance, underpinned by formal governance, risk, and compliance practices aligned to recognized security frameworks. Core protections include encryption in transit and at rest (backups encrypted by default), strict access controls, and a documented vulnerability management program with periodic internal/external scans, prioritized patching, and regular penetration testing with remediation by severity.
Application security emphasizes secure SDLC practices: developers receive formal training in secure web application development and follow OWASP Top 10 guidance, with policies communicated and acknowledged by staff, plus background screening and NDAs at hire. A dedicated privacy and security team operates an ISMS across application, cloud, network, and system layers, maintaining policies and standards and overseeing continuous monitoring. For data sovereignty and portability in the EU, Centric describes an EU Data Act–aligned “switching process,” a data register for exportable data, and technical/organizational/contractual measures to prevent unlawful access or transfers outside the EU, with options to keep data within the EU when required.
Centric PLM follows an agile and proactive release cycle, delivering frequent updates to ensure customers always benefit from the latest features, security enhancements, and regulatory compliance improvements. The company typically delivers two major and two minor software releases each year, with additional updates or patches rolled out as required to address urgent needs or emerging security issues.
Update management is designed to minimize disruption: for cloud-based customers, Centric PLM handles all testing and deployment, automatically upgrading environments to the latest version while maintaining data integrity and business continuity. Every release is accompanied by detailed release notes, advisory communications, and training materials so users can easily adapt to new features and workflow changes. For on-premises or privately-hosted deployments, Centric works closely with customers to schedule and support updates, ensuring smooth transition and rollback options if necessary.
Centric PLM’s policy on data ownership and portability ensures that customer organizations retain full ownership rights and control over all the data they generate, store, or manage within the Centric PLM platform. Data is not claimed by Centric Software—the client’s business data, including product records, specifications, designs, reports, and supporting documents, remains the sole property of the customer at all times.
For data portability, Centric PLM provides robust mechanisms for exporting all relevant business data in standardized, industry-accepted formats. The platform’s architecture supports comprehensive data extraction and migration processes, enabling customers to efficiently back up data, transition between systems, or exit the relationship without data lock-in. Under the EU Data Act and other global regulations, Centric also details a “switching process” for EU customers—enabling smooth and compliant data exports, documented via a data register and governed by technical, organizational, and contractual safeguards to prevent unauthorized disclosures or transfers outside required residency zones.
Centric PLM operates under annual or multi-year subscription agreements, with clearly defined terms for renewal and cancellation to support enterprise customers’ planning and data continuity needs.
Contract renewal is usually automatic at the end of the agreed term unless the client provides formal written notice of non-renewal within a specified advance period, which is often 30 to 90 days before the renewal date. Price adjustments for future contract periods are communicated to customers ahead of the renewal, enabling budgeting and review of ongoing commitments.
Cancellation is permitted at the end of any contract period without penalty, with customer support provided for data export and offboarding; organizations retain ownership of their data and can extract it in standard formats before service deactivation, ensuring there is no risk of vendor lock-in. For early termination prior to contract expiry, the customer may be liable for all remaining fees under the current term, and any one-time setup or professional services costs are generally non-refundable. Prepaid fees for unused service periods are also typically non-refundable.
Centric PLM is built to meet top-tier compliance standards in data protection, security, and industry regulations for global organizations. The platform is SOC 3 attested, which demonstrates adherence to stringent security controls and trust service principles for cloud-based software. It is also fully GDPR compliant, incorporating technical, organizational, and contractual safeguards to protect the personal and business data of EU customers and to fulfill global privacy mandates.
For customers operating under the EU Data Act and similar regulations, Centric PLM provides mechanisms for data sovereignty and export with clearly defined processes that ensure customer data remains under their control and residency rules are maintained. Security standards are supported by internal policies and a dedicated security team who maintain an ISMS, regularly audit the system, and implement continuous monitoring, vulnerability management, and remediation measures based on global best practices.
