Arbortext vs Arena PLM

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Our analysts compared Arbortext vs Arena PLM based on data from our 400+ point analysis of PLM Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Arbortext Software Tool
Arena PLM Software Tool

Product Basics

PTC Arbortext is an end-to-end publishing and content authoring solution designed to help manufacturing organizations streamline the delivery of technical publications. It allows users to maintain a digital thread of dynamic data to boost consistency with real-time synchronization and a single source of data truth.

Users can create high-quality content by writing XML documents and creating stylesheets, complete with 2D and 3D illustrations. Automation capabilities include auto-generating content, automating publishing, formatting and printing. It also supports multi-channel delivery and multi-language formatting.

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Arena PLM is a cloud-based solution that gives internal and external users access to relevant information throughout the entire design lifecycle. It provides capabilities such as project management, document management and collaboration functionality. It enables users to save money by developing useful bids and improving productivity through the automation of various workflows.

Compliance with ISO and FDA standards is also supported to ensure everything is “up to code.” Simple deployment with no coding needed is a vital feature.
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$700/Seat, One-Time
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Tailored to your specific needs
$3,000/User, Annually
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Tailored to your specific needs
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Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
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FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Improve Productivity: Save time with reusable XML component-based content and automated formatting. Minimize programming by creating, updating and simplifying stylesheet creation.
  • Simplify Content Management: Gain a single source of truth for all your technical documentation. Centralize stylesheets, layouts, formatting, and service and product information, eliminating scattered information and streamlining your content lifecycle.
  • Enhance Technical Content Quality: Deliver error-free documentation by enforcing stylesheets that automate information layout and delivery. Improve content reusability, enforce style guides and ensure regulatory compliance with approved information.
  • Increase Automation: Minimize manual tasks by automating publishing processes, formatting, layout tasks, and the delivery of multi-channel and multi-language service and product information.
  • Reduce Publishing Production Costs: Develop a single source for styling criteria and formats to eliminate disparities and rework from multiple stylesheets, languages and document types. Minimize the costs of distributing and printing paper copies of product information.
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  • Centralized Information: Store product data in one place so every user can access and review the most relevant information. It reduces redundancies and miscommunication among those with access to the system. 
  • Internal and External Collaboration: Share information and work with supply chain partners through this program. Users may also share notes, documentation and more to ensure that everyone is on the same page and understands the project's scope or task. 
  • Cloud Deployment: Deploy this solution through the cloud so users can easily access it anytime and anywhere with a strong internet connection. 
  • Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance: Guarantee businesses meet every regulatory requirement and industry standard such as ISO, FDA and more. 
  • Simple Implementation: Install this platform seamlessly. No coding required. 
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  • Content Creation: Use the editor to create standardized content for multiple media formats. Auto-generate text using language-specific collation rules. Incorporate editable, intelligent graphics and embed 2D and 3D animation or illustrations in web and interactive content.
  • Structured Editor: Simplify technical content creation with word-processing capabilities like change tracking, drag-and-drop editing and keyboard macros.
  • Real-time CAD Data: Gather and use real-time CAD data to develop illustrations and animations more quickly. Ensure product information and graphics are accurate with IsoDraw’s ability to update objects and change specifications throughout the production cycle. Create output in multiple data formats including raster graphics, 2D, 3D and animations.
  • Automated Document Creation: Automate formatting and document layouts prior to publication with the Advanced Print Publisher tool. Minimize time spent manually editing graphics, text and other features in formats including XML, JPG, GIF, CGM and SVG.
  • Stylesheet Creation: Create stylesheets with the styler tool, which allows users to develop a set of standards and rules across stylesheets. Ensure content and product quality and consistency along the product lifecycle in multiple layouts and languages.
  • Multichannel Content Delivery: Generate one or more different types of dynamic output simultaneously to multiple formats. Take single-source content and publish it across multiple channels.
  • Multi-Language Formatting: Export generated text as a separate file to translate and create multi-language stylesheets. Increase reusability by using multiple numbering schemes to meet regional numbering rules and mirroring page layout definitions for right-to-left languages.
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  • BOM Management: Control current, past and pending product revisions. Manage complex assemblies that consist of aspects such as electrical and mechanical components, documentation and software. It also sorts the information into a multi-tiered hierarchical assembly structure. 
  • Arena Exchange: Provide stakeholders with access to relevant product information in one centralized location. The chat feature allows internal and external users to discuss any arising issues during the gaps between formal processes. Partners may comment, view or download updated information such as reports, BOMs, AMLs and AVLs. 
  • Document Management: Share, track and store various documents while ensuring compliance with FDA, ISO and other regulatory standards. Users obtain authorization to product specifications, instructions, drawings and changes. This module also includes standard operating procedures, safety specifications and training records. 
  • Change Management: Manage entire product records and any related processes. Route, draft, release and trace engineering changes. Reviewers receive notifications via dashboards and email alerts. Visualization of factors such as backlog, change cycle time performance and progress are also available for all product lines. 
  • Item Management: Develop accurate and complete item records with structured documents and part information, efficiently permitting users to configure their hierarchical bill of materials structures. This feature tracks and manages manufactured assemblies and purchased components. 
  • Project Management: Connect files, changes, items and tasks to product records at all schedule levels and enable team collaboration. This apparatus tracks project progress through customizable phases that contain assignable tasks and milestones. Users may also gather data and use it to perform comprehensive cross-project analysis. 
  • Demand Analysis: Forecast the total components used to better negotiate with external partners. This tool is available for even the smallest component level, giving customers a leg-up over competitors that aggregate demand only for their most expensive parts. Users gain profit from untracked, inexpensive components as well as expensive ones. 
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Product Ranking

#9

among all
PLM Software

#10

among all
PLM Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

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Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

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Arena PLM
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Bill Of Materials Management Change Management Compliance Management Design Management Document Management Packaging And Label Management Part Management Platform Capabilities Project Management Quality Management Recipe And Formula Management Reporting And Dashboard Requirements Management Supplier Management 84 100 100 90 96 22 89 100 100 98 57 100 92 83 0 25 50 75 100
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Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

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User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 26 reviews
Great User Sentiment 526 reviews
84%
of users recommend this product

Arbortext has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 84% when considering 26 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

82%
of users recommend this product

Arena PLM has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 82% when considering 526 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

n/a
4.7 (9)
4.2 (25)
4.1 (228)
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4.0 (27)
4.0 (1)
4.1 (262)

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Improved Collaboration: Foster seamless collaboration across engineering and design with manufacturing and marketing departments. The centralized platform eliminates information silos and ensures everyone has access to updated product data, reducing communication errors and delays.
Enhanced Product Quality: Facilitate a controlled and standardized approach to product development with features like change order tracking and revision control. Real-time updates ensure everyone is working on the latest version of product specifications, minimizing the risk of errors and improving overall product quality.
Streamlined Supply Chain Management: Integrate with supplier databases and other supply chain management tools to improve communication and coordination with suppliers, leading to more efficient procurement processes and faster time-to-market.
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Implementation: Of the users who commented on this program's installation and interface, 57% said it's easy to install, simple to learn and the interface is clean.
Performability: Approximately 64% of users who addressed this solution's overall performance said it was user friendly, easy to navigate and reliable.
Modules: Of the users who discussed this platform's features, 48% stated that it offers a comprehensive dashboard, shares information with suppliers and tracks product progress.
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Complex Implementation: Implementing a PLM system can be complex and time-consuming. Businesses need to invest time in data migration, user training and system configuration to ensure a smooth transition.
High Initial Investment: The cost of PLM software is not as cheap as chips, especially for larger companies with complex product lifecycles. Licensing fees, implementation costs and ongoing maintenance charges can add up quickly.
Data Migration: Migrating existing product data from legacy systems to a new PLM platform opens a whole new can of worms. Incomplete or dirty data or inconsistent formatting can lead to problems down the road, so data quality and consistency require careful attention during migration.
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Search Tool: Roughly 51% of users who addressed this application's modules said the search tool isn't on par because it can't search partial names or part numbers and it's a little tricky to find the right documents.
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PTC Arbortext is a content authoring tool designed to streamline the creation, management and delivery of technical documentation. Its focus on reusability through XML components and automated formatting helps users save time and reduce errors. Additionally, it centralizes product information and enforces stylesheets to ensure consistency across various media formats.Beyond core content creation functionalities, it offers features like real-time CAD data integration, automated document creation and multi-channel content delivery. While pricing isn't publicly advertised, it likely follows a tiered licensing structure based on required features. Overall, it offers organizations an effective way to optimize technical content creation and delivery and maintain a digital thread.

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Arena PLM is a complex solution that manages every aspect of a product's lifecycle. Users find it easy to implement and learn because it has simple navigation, frequent updates and high-quality document storage. Its modules — ranging from BOM management and demand analysis to item and change management — streamline tasks and permit users to collaborate with suppliers openly. Although some users dislike the search tool, most find this program a robust system worth the time and money.

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