In today’s fast-paced product development landscape, companies need robust Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions to streamline their operations. Two of the leading PLM platforms are Teamcenter and Windchill.
Teamcenter, developed by Siemens, is a widely used PLM system that integrates with various CAD software, streamlining design, engineering, and manufacturing processes.
Windchill, created by PTC, is another powerful PLM tool, highly flexible and known for its web-based architecture with strong configuration management capabilities, enabling teams to efficiently control product data, track changes, and improve collaboration.

Why Choose Windchill?
Companies migrating from Teamcenter to Windchill often do so for several compelling reasons. Windchill’s web-native architecture offers:

• platform for better collaboration,
• integrated analytics and search features,
• integrated quality management,
• environmental compliance,
• sustainability and
• IoT support

Additionally, Windchill provides more advanced configuration and change management tools, helping teams track product variations efficiently. These advantages make Windchill a future-proof solution, prompting many organizations to make the switch.

Steps to Migrate from Teamcenter to Windchill

1. Identifying Data with Customer Inputs

Before beginning the migration, it’s essential to understand what data needs to be transferred. PLMc work closely with their customers to identify data models, configurations, and historical data along with the files that need to be migrated to Windchill

2. Extracting Data from Teamcenter

Once key data has been identified, it is extracted from Teamcenter. This process involves exporting project and product structures, metadata, CAD files, processes, users, templates and other relevant information from the existing system.

3. Cleansing the Data

Raw extracted data often contains redundant or outdated information. Data cleansing ensures that only relevant, high-quality data is transferred, minimizing clutter in the new system.

4. Preparing the Data

After cleansing, the data is formatted to align with Windchill’s architecture. This includes mapping attributes, adjusting file structures, and ensuring compatibility with Windchill’s data model.

5. Importing Data into Windchill Using Scripts

PLMc’s custom import scripts help streamline the migration process by importing large volumes of data into Windchill efficiently. This reduces manual effort and minimizes errors during the transfer.

6. Verifying the Data

After migration, PLMc conduct thorough validation checks to ensure that the data accuracy, and data integrity are maintained in the migration. PLMc also makes sure that the PLM functionalities work as expected within Windchill.  

7. Getting Feedback from Customers

Finally, stakeholders review the new system to confirm that all necessary data, configurations and processes are in place and that Windchill meets their operational needs. Any adjustments or optimizations are made at this stage.

Migrating from Teamcenter to Windchill requires careful planning, execution, and validation. A structured approach ensures data integrity and a smooth transition. With its advanced capabilities, Windchill enhances collaboration, efficiency, and innovation, making it a future-ready PLM solution for competitive businesses.

13th February 2025
Madiha Sabet