Windchill is a mission-critical enterprise system with multiple components and touch points across an entire enterprise. Because of this complexity, you might recognize the need for Windchill Managed Services. EAC has created a managed services program for your Windchill system: the EAC Alliance Program. The Alliance Program provides PTC Windchill managed services such as Windchill administration and support.

Our team of expert system administrators help improve system performance, optimize server and license configurations, and maintain a stable PLM environment for your organization. Looking to understand what we deliver? Below are some frequently asked questions.

Frequently asked questions around Windchill Administration

When manufacturing and engineering leaders evaluate their PLM strategy, they have a lot of critical questions. Decision-makers need clear answers on what Windchill administration involves, when they should consider outsourcing, and what risks unmanaged environments pose. Below we provide focused answers to frequently asked questions to help you evaluate whether a Windchill managed services program is right for your organization.

What does Windchill administration involve and why is it important?

Windchill administration encompasses the full set of tasks required to keep your PLM system healthy, secure and aligned with organizational processes—such as user and license management, system configuration, performance tuning, and lifecycle/workflow definitions. Effective administration ensures data integrity, minimizes downtime, and keeps product data flowing smoothly across engineering, manufacturing and service operations. For example, administrators will manage user access, define roles/teams, configure workflows, administer object types and versioning, and monitor system logs to identify issues before they escalate.

Without dedicated administration, companies risk slow performance, inconsistent processes, and lost productivity—making this role foundational for any serious Windchill deployment.

When should a company consider outsourcing Windchill administration instead of managing it in-house?

Outsourcing Windchill administration makes sense when internal resources are limited, the system has become complex, or you want access to specialist expertise without hiring full-time staff. Many companies turn to managed services when they lack sufficient Windchill-specific knowledge in-house, or when maintaining uptime, performance, patching and monitoring become too burdensome for their IT/engineering teams. According to recent program data, partnering with a managed services provider can deliver high-availability environments and relieve internal teams to focus on strategic PLM usage rather than just maintenance.

If your Windchill system is integral to product development and you can’t afford extended downtime or degradation in performance, outsourcing can be the smarter and more scalable choice.

What are the typical risks of poorly managed Windchill environments?

When Windchill systems are under-managed, organizations face risks such as unplanned downtime, degraded system performance, data inconsistency, version misalignment, and security vulnerabilities from delayed patching. These issues can slow engineering workflows, hamper collaboration between teams, increase support costs, and even result in compliance or audit failures if product data is uncontrolled. For instance, if workflows or lifecycles aren’t properly configured, teams may inadvertently work on the wrong version of a part or document—leading to errors that propagate downstream. In highly regulated or competitive manufacturing sectors, these problems compromise innovation speed and product quality, making adequate administration essential rather than optional.

What types of administrative tasks are included in a Windchill managed services program (patching, system tuning, replication, license optimization)?

A Windchill managed services program typically includes proactive system tasks such as regular patching and updates, server and application performance tuning, license usage tracking and optimization, data cleanup, replication site management, CAD worker configuration and environment monitoring. For example, administrators will monitor system logs for error patterns, manage replication sites to support multiple locations or disaster recovery, and alert you when license groups or worker scripts need attention. Additionally, managed service offerings may include scheduled health checks, junior to expert support tiers, shared service dashboards and continuous improvement planning so your Windchill environment evolves rather than stagnates. Outsourcing these tasks ensures consistent support for your PLM environment and often delivers performance gains and uptime improvements beyond what internal teams achieve alone.

What can customers expect from our Windchill managed services?

Here’s what customer’s see with our Windchill Managed Services and what you can expect.

Windchill Managed Services Percent of Uptime

95.1% of our EAC Alliance Program customers achieve 100% Windchill uptime. Our customers that do not have 100% Windchill uptime still maintain over 99% availability.  This is an overall average of 99.95% or more uptime.

Windchill Managed Services Predictive Maintenance

Our Alliance program executes planned (weekly, monthly, etc) Windchill maintenance.  Predictive maintenance is more efficient and the preferred approach to system maintenance. Roughly 1/4 of Alliance customers choose to implement PTC System Monitor (PSM) as a way to bolster EAC’s already rigorous proactive maintenance.

Speed/Performance of Windchill with Managed Services

100% of EAC’s Alliance Program customers see an improvement in the speed and performance of their Windchill system.  Out of the box, Windchill leaves a lot of room for performance tuning and server optimization. Our EAC Alliance Program Team are skilled in analyzing  and optimizing system resources to suit your individual needs

Windchill Managed Services Security/Patches

100% of our EAC Alliance customers receive (or are notified) of patches.  This way you can be assured that your system is running with maximum security at all times. 

Next Steps: Optimize Your Windchill System with Confidence

Your Windchill system is the backbone of your product development process. Don’t let preventable performance or maintenance issues slow down your innovation. Whether your team needs help managing system uptime, planning proactive maintenance, or optimizing your PLM environment for scalability, EAC Product Development Solutions is here to help.

Our Windchill Managed Services give you direct access to certified PLM experts who monitor, maintain, and continually optimize your environment, so your engineers can stay focused on product design, not system administration.

If you’re ready to improve your system’s reliability, performance, and ROI, connect with us to help your organization achieve:

Augmented Reality (AR) is rapidly transforming the way industries operate, enabling businesses to enhance productivity, streamline workflows, and improve training efficiency. PTC Vuforia is one of the tools at the forefront of this revolution, offering cutting-edge AR solutions designed to empower enterprises with innovative digital experiences.

But what is Vuforia, and how does it benefit businesses looking to integrate AR development into their operations? In this blog, we will explore what is PTC Vuforia, its key features, industry applications, and how businesses can leverage it for digital transformation.

What is PTC Vuforia?

PTC Vuforia is a leading augmented reality solution designed to create immersive and interactive AR experiences for businesses. It enables organizations to develop, deploy, and manage AR-powered applications that improve workforce efficiency, enhance product visualization, and simplify complex processes.

Originally developed as a mobile AR platform, Vuforia has evolved into a comprehensive AR development suite under PTC, catering to industries like manufacturing, healthcare, automotive, and retail. With Vuforia, businesses can leverage AR to enhance training, optimize maintenance procedures, and bridge the knowledge gap between expert workers and new employees.

Key Features and Capabilities of PTC Vuforia

PTC Vuforia offers a range of powerful features designed to support businesses in their digital transformation journey. Some of its key capabilities include:

1. Vuforia Engine

2. Vuforia Studio

3. Vuforia Chalk

4. Vuforia Expert Capture

5. Vuforia Instruct

These features make PTC Vuforia one of the most versatile AR solutions available today, enabling businesses to unlock new efficiencies and improve overall productivity.

How PTC Vuforia Powers Augmented Reality Solutions

As organizations embrace digital transformation, augmented reality solutions are playing a pivotal role in bridging the gap between physical and digital environments. PTC Vuforia enables businesses to leverage AR in various ways, including:

With these capabilities, businesses can optimize their processes, reduce operational costs, and enhance employee performance.

Benefits of Using PTC Vuforia

Organizations adopting PTC Vuforia experience a wide range of benefits, including:

1. Improved Efficiency and Productivity

AR-powered workflows streamline operations and reduce manual errors. Employees can access hands-free AR guidance, allowing them to perform tasks more accurately and efficiently. By integrating PTC Vuforia, businesses can reduce downtime, minimize delays, and ensure workers have the necessary information at their fingertips. This leads to improved workflow automation and faster problem resolution, enhancing overall productivity.

2. Faster Training and Knowledge Retention

Traditional training methods often require significant time and resources, with inconsistent results. Vuforia Expert Capture allows companies to create immersive AR training programs, enabling new employees to learn faster and retain knowledge more effectively. This hands-on, interactive approach to training ensures workers acquire the necessary skills efficiently, reducing onboarding time while improving workforce competence.

3. Reduced Operational Costs

One of the biggest challenges businesses face is the high cost associated with equipment maintenance, training, and troubleshooting. Vuforia Chalk enables remote experts to guide field technicians in real-time, eliminating unnecessary travel costs and reducing expensive downtime. Additionally, Vuforia Instruct helps automate quality control processes, reducing the risk of production errors and minimizing resource waste.

4. Enhanced Collaboration and Problem-Solving

PTC Vuforia fosters a collaborative work environment by enabling real-time interaction between employees, engineers, and remote experts. Workers can use AR-powered visual guidance to troubleshoot issues, reducing miscommunication and improving first-time fix rates. This enhanced level of collaboration leads to better decision-making, faster problem resolution, and improved overall efficiency.

5. Competitive Advantage

In today’s digital era, businesses must stay ahead of the competition by adopting the latest technologies. PTC Vuforia provides organizations with the ability to innovate and enhance customer experiences through AR-driven solutions. Companies that leverage AR for product visualization, training, and maintenance gain a competitive edge by improving service quality, increasing customer satisfaction, and reducing operational inefficiencies.

By integrating PTC Vuforia, businesses can streamline operations, improve workforce efficiency, and drive digital transformation.

Industry Use Cases of PTC Vuforia

Businesses across various industries are leveraging PTC Vuforia to transform their operations. Some notable use cases include:

Manufacturing

Healthcare

Automotive

Aerospace & Defense

Retail & E-Commerce

These examples highlight the versatility of Vuforia’s AR solutions in enhancing business operations across multiple sectors.

How to Get Started with PTC Vuforia

If you’re ready to integrate PTC Vuforia into your business, follow these steps to get started:

1. Explore PTC’s Website

2. Try Free Trials and Demo Versions

3. Leverage Training and Support Resources

4. Integrate Vuforia with Existing Systems

5. Develop a Proof-of-Concept

By taking these steps, businesses can ensure a smooth transition into the world of AR development with PTC Vuforia.

Taking the Next Steps with Vuforia

PTC Vuforia is revolutionizing industries by enabling businesses to harness the power of augmented reality solutions for enhanced training, remote collaboration, and operational efficiency. From manufacturing and healthcare to automotive and retail, Vuforia’s AR solutions are unlocking new possibilities for businesses worldwide. If your organization is looking to stay ahead in the digital era, now is the perfect time to explore what is Vuforia and how it can drive innovation in your industry.

In today’s digital world, efficiency is at the top of every business’s priority list. That’s true across industries, especially when it comes to managing complex documentation. Organizations dealing with technical content—whether for manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, or healthcare—require a solution that ensures accuracy, consistency, and streamlined distribution. Which is where PTC Arbortext comes in.

As an industry-leading digital publishing system, PTC Arbortext automates the creation, management, and publication of structured content. This tool empowers businesses to deliver high-quality technical documentation, ensuring compliance and enhancing user experience. But what is PTC Arbortext? And how can it transform your documentation processes? Let’s dive in.

What is PTC Arbortext?

PTC Arbortext is a dynamic authoring and publishing solution designed for organizations that need to produce high-quality, structured technical documentation. This software enables businesses to create, manage, and publish technical content efficiently by leveraging XML and SGML-based structured authoring. Arbortext can also deliver documentation in multiple formats—including PDF, HTML, and interactive web-based platforms.

As a digital publishing system, Arbortext automates content distribution, allowing organizations to efficiently update and maintain large-scale documentation. Companies looking for tools to produce service manuals, regulatory documents, or instructional guides trust this tool to seamlessly deliver content across various channels.

The Role of Arbortext in Digital Media Publishing

In an era where digital content is essential, digital publishing systems play a crucial role in ensuring seamless information delivery. Arbortext enhances documentation workflows by automating publishing processes and enabling businesses to distribute structured content effortlessly.

By integrating with other PTC solutions like Windchill, Arbortext provides version control, collaboration, and real-time updates to ensure documentation remains accurate and up to date. Companies leveraging PTC Arbortext have seen a number of benefits, including reduced manual effort, improved compliance, and better end-user experiences. We’ll explore those benefits more later, but first, let’s talk key features and capabilities.

Key Features and Capabilities of Arbortext

PTC Arbortext stands out with its robust set of features designed to streamline documentation creation and publishing. Ready for a list of key capabilities? They include:

These features position PTC Arbortext as an invaluable tool for businesses looking to optimize their technical documentation processes.

Benefits of Using PTC Arbortext

And here we’ve arrived at the benefits section. We mentioned a few of them above, but those were just a small sampling of the benefits organizations that implement Arbortext experience. Here’s a more complete range of the benefits of using PTC Arbortext:

1. Efficiency & Accuracy

Arbortext eliminates errors by ensuring documentation follows structured authoring principles. This leads to better consistency and accuracy across all technical content. Automated workflows also reduce manual effort, allowing teams to focus on content creation rather than formatting and revision.

2. Cost Savings

By automating documentation workflows, businesses save time and resources, reducing labor costs associated with manual formatting and publishing. The ability to reuse structured content across multiple documents also minimizes redundancy, lowering overall production costs.

3. Scalability

Whether you are a small business or a global enterprise, Arbortext scales to meet your documentation needs. The platform efficiently manages increasing volumes of content, making it an ideal solution for companies with growing technical documentation requirements.

4. Enhanced User Experience

Arbortext ensures end-users receive well-organized, easily accessible, and interactive documentation that enhances usability and comprehension. Features such as embedded multimedia, hyperlinks, and intelligent navigation improve the overall experience for end-users, whether they are technicians, engineers, or consumers.

5. Regulatory Compliance & Risk Mitigation

For industries requiring strict adherence to regulatory standards, such as aerospace, defense, and healthcare, Arbortext ensures documentation meets compliance requirements. Automated updates and version control reduce the risk of outdated or incorrect information being distributed, minimizing legal and operational risks.

6. Faster Time-to-Market

Arbortext speeds up the documentation development cycle by eliminating bottlenecks in content creation, approval, and distribution. Businesses can quickly update and publish technical content, ensuring that product manuals, service documentation, and regulatory materials are available as soon as needed.

7. Seamless Collaboration

With integration into PTC Windchill and other product lifecycle management (PLM) tools, Arbortext enables seamless collaboration across teams. Writers, engineers, and compliance specialists can work together efficiently, ensuring documentation is accurate, up-to-date, and aligned with product changes.

These advantages make PTC Arbortext a powerful solution for businesses that require high-quality, efficient, and compliant technical documentation.

Industry Use Cases of Arbortext

Ever used one of those instruction booklets to put your Ikea furniture together? Then you’ve experienced the use case of Arbortext firsthand. But Arbortext does more than provide content for instruction manuals. It may come as no surprise that the software is widely adopted across industries that require high-quality documentation. Some common use cases include:

By leveraging PTC Arbortext, businesses in these industries can streamline content management and improve information delivery.

FAQ: What Decision-Makers Want to Know When Considering PTC Arbortext

When engineering, manufacturing, and service leaders evaluate documentation and publishing tools, they often ask: Why should we use Arbortext? What industries benefit most? Does it support XML/SGML authoring and reuse? Can it integrate with our CAD, PLM or engineering systems? And will it publish multi-channel and multilingual outputs? Below we answer those key questions.

Why do companies use Arbortext for technical publications?

Companies adopt Arbortext because it enables them to create, manage and publish highly structured technical documentation efficiently, directly tied to engineering and service data. The software transforms CAD/BOM and product data into content modules that can be reused across manuals, service bulletins, parts catalogs and other deliverables, reducing manual effort and editorial errors. Its integration with engineering systems ensures documentation remains aligned with design changes, which is critical in environments where inaccuracies can cause costly field problems or regulatory issues. Overall, Arbortext offers a scalable, enterprise-grade solution for technical publications rather than relying on ad-hoc desktop tools.

Which industries benefit most from Arbortext?

Arbortext is particularly strong in highly regulated or complex-product industries, such as aerospace, defense, industrial-equipment manufacturing, automotive, and high-tech electronics. These sectors often require rigorous documentation standards (e.g., S1000D, military specifications, multi-language output) and linked publishing workflows, all of which Arbortext supports. In service-intensive industries, the ability to deliver up-to-date parts catalogs, service bulletins and 3D illustrations helps drive technician first-time-fix rates, reduce downtime and improve part-ordering accuracy. Because of its robust content reuse and automation capabilities, it scales well for global operations with many product variants and service locations.

Can Arbortext handle XML/SGML authoring and reuse for documentation?

Yes, Arbortext is built to support structured authoring using XML (and in some cases SGML) so that documentation content can be modular, reusable, and governed by schema/standards (such as DITA or S1000D). Authors don’t need extensive XML programming knowledge. The interface supports engineering-friendly workflows, yet enforces structure and reuse behind the scenes. Since content is broken into components, you can update a single module (for example a parts list section) and refresh all outputs that reference it, improving consistency and reducing maintenance overhead. This modularity enables multi-channel publishing, translation reuse and faster time-to-update when product designs change.

How does Arbortext integrate with CAD, PLM or product engineering systems?

Arbortext integrates tightly with engineering environments such as CAD systems (including 2D/3D illustrations derived from design data) and with PLM platforms like PTC Windchill for document version-control, change-notification and data linkage. Because technical publications are linked to product configurations, BOMs and illustrations pulled from CAD, documentation updates mirror engineering changes automatically, avoiding manual re-authoring and misalignment. This connection supports the digital thread by ensuring content is not disconnected from engineering intent, and it enables workflows where documentation triggers can follow product revisions. The result: tighter collaboration across engineering, documentation, manufacturing and service teams.

Does Arbortext support multi-channel publishing (print, web, mobile) and multilingual output?

Absolutely. One of Arbortext’s key strengths is single-source publishing, where authors create content once and then deliver it to multiple channels: print PDF, web HTML, mobile apps, and interactive e-publications. It also supports localisation and translation workflows, making it ideal for global companies that need multilingual documentation while minimizing duplication and translation cost. The system can publish both traditional manual formats and more advanced interactive or AR-enabled content thanks to its illustration, animation and output engine capabilities. For companies aiming to reach field technicians, customer portals or mobile service teams, multi-channel and multilingual publishing are critical capabilities.

How to Get Started with PTC Arbortext

We’ve shared what Arbortext is, it’s key features, the benefits it provides and how companies in various industries use it. Now let’s dig into getting started with Arbortext. For businesses looking to implement the digital publishing system, jumping in is straightforward:

First, companies may want to try a demo. Who doesn’t want to know the capabilities of a tool before fully deploying it? While PTC offers free trials for demo versions that allow businesses to explore various software, Arbortext isn’t one of them. However, interested parties can request a demo by communicating directly with PTC or partners. This enables users to assess its functionality and determine how it fits into their workflows.

Second, businesses will want to choose their deployment. Arbortext is available as a cloud-based or on-premises solution, depending on business needs. Businesses will want to evaluate their IT infrastructure and choose the best deployment model to ensure a seamless integration.

Additionally, companies will want to know about available Arbortext training and support. With resources like PTC University, online forums, and other official documentation, users have several educational options to get up to speed. Training programs and webinars can also help teams master Arbortext’s capabilities quickly.

Taking the Next Step with Arbortext

PTC Arbortext is a game-changer for businesses looking to streamline their technical documentation and publishing processes. As a powerful digital publishing system, it automates content creation, ensures accuracy, and improves efficiency across industries. Whether you’re in manufacturing, aerospace, healthcare, or automotive, Arbortext offers a scalable and cost-effective solution to your documentation needs.

Looking to better understand the transformative power of technical publication software? Check out The Manufacturer’s Guide to Digital Technical Publications.

Product development is becoming more complex, fast-paced, and globally distributed than ever before. As a result, businesses can no longer afford to rely on outdated tools or fragmented systems to manage the product lifecycle. That’s where Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) comes in.

PLM is a strategic solution that helps organizations manage everything from initial concept to retirement. But when a PLM system is missing, poorly maintained, or improperly implemented, the consequences can be costly, chaotic, and even catastrophic. This blog explores the top risks companies face without a robust PLM system and why investing in the right tools, processes, and support is essential.

Here is a list of the common problems you could face if you choose to manage your engineering data management and PLM systems in-house.

The Growing Demand for Centralized Product Data Management

In the absence of PLM, teams often resort to spreadsheets, local files, and email chains to manage critical product data. These disconnected tools may work temporarily, but they quickly become unmanageable as product complexity increases.

Without centralized data management, teams lose time hunting for information, risk using outdated files, and duplicate work. PLM offers a single source of truth that connects engineering, manufacturing, quality, and procurement teams with real-time access to product information.

Consequence #1: Product Delays & Missed Market Opportunities

One of the most immediate consequences of no PLM system is slower product development. Without structured workflows, version control, and digital collaboration tools, approvals take longer and communication breaks down. This delay not only increases development costs but also results in lost revenue from missed market opportunities.

Implementing PLM accelerates time-to-market by streamlining design iterations, automating change approvals, and enabling cross-functional collaboration from day one.

Consequence #2: Quality and Compliance Risks

Companies without PLM often struggle to maintain audit trails, proper documentation, and consistent processes across teams. This is especially risky in regulated industries like medical devices, aerospace, and automotive, where compliance is non-negotiable.

Manual systems leave room for error and increase the chance of delivering products that fail to meet safety or quality standards. PLM ensures that traceability, validation records, and required documents are captured and managed systematically.

Consequence #3: High Costs from Inefficiencies and Errors

Without PLM, inefficiencies build up across the product development lifecycle. Design teams may use incorrect versions, resulting in rework or scrapped parts. Change requests can be lost or ignored, causing costly delays or customer dissatisfaction.

A well-maintained PLM system mitigates these risks by automating data updates, linking CAD models with BOMs, and ensuring that teams are always working with accurate, up-to-date information.

Consequence #4: Poor Collaboration Across Departments and Suppliers

In companies without PLM, departments often operate in silos. Engineering, manufacturing, and procurement teams each rely on their own systems or documents, making it difficult to stay aligned.

This fragmentation leads to poor communication, misunderstandings, and decision-making based on outdated or incomplete data. PLM bridges these gaps by providing a collaborative platform where internal and external stakeholders can access and contribute to a unified product record.

Consequence #5: Lack of Long-Term Scalability

As products become more complex and markets more competitive, scalability is essential. Manual processes and disconnected systems simply don’t scale with growing demands.

Without PLM, organizations struggle to support product line expansion, manage global operations, or respond to evolving regulatory standards. PLM systems are designed to grow with the business, supporting new products, processes, and geographies over time.

Overlooked Risk: Not Hiring PLM Admin Support

Even companies that implement PLM systems may face challenges if they don’t hire dedicated admin support. As outlined in this article, the absence of skilled PLM administrators can lead to poor system performance, low user adoption, and reduced ROI.

PLM admin services ensure your system stays optimized, configurations remain aligned with your processes, and users are properly supported. Regular PLM maintenance prevents system failure and ensures your investment continues to deliver value.

Training the Workforce for Successful PLM Adoption

Technology alone isn’t enough. Even the most powerful PLM solution will fall short if your workforce isn’t trained to use it effectively. Without proper onboarding and continuous learning opportunities, employees will fall back on old, inefficient methods.

Ongoing training and change management initiatives help teams embrace new workflows and get the most out of your PLM implementation. It’s the difference between a tool that collects dust and one that transforms your business.

The Flip Side: What You Gain with a Strong PLM System

While the consequences of no PLM system are serious, the rewards of successful PLM implementation are equally powerful. A strong PLM foundation enables organizations to operate more efficiently, respond faster to change, and innovate with confidence. When done right, PLM implementation delivers measurable business benefits:

By integrating PLM into your core operations, you position your organization for future success. You gain not only operational efficiency but also strategic agility that lets you outpace competitors and exceed customer expectations.

Don’t Wait for the Pain Points to Pile Up

Many companies don’t recognize the consequences of no PLM system until they’re already struggling. Delays, quality issues, compliance failures, and high operational costs creep in quietly but compound quickly. Know whether your company is in need of better administration, and what next steps look like.