Smart manufacturing without robust data management capabilities is hard to imagine. The scale and diversity of manufacturing data, flowing across design, production, and distribution is massive. Over one terabyte of operational data, including engineering specifications, quality parameters, maintenance records, and customer feedback is generated daily.
Manufacturing CIOs consistently invest in application integration strategies to get end-to-end product data insights. Still, data silos are a big challenge that can cause delays, inefficiencies, and compliance risks to the overall operational activities.
The concept of digital thread is now widely being adopted to tackle evolving data silos challenges.
The Digital Thread Imperative
Manufacturing CIOs are entrusted to enable organizations with robust data-driven frameworks and architectures. The digital thread offers a framework to connect different enterprise systems and applications used across the value streams and help manage the necessary structured and unstructured data to improve how decisions are made over the life cycle of a product from the time of its design, build, service, and usage.
Digital threads are essential for breaking down data silos by integrating multiple enterprise systems containing data of different data formats. But across customer-facing channels, manufacturers always have to ensure:
- Quality products are delivered to the customer
- Products are compliant with the regularity norms
- Efficiency and quality standards are maintained
- Product data insights are leveraged to make quick decisions
Why Does Digital Threads Need a Robust PIM System?
While digital threads connect diverse systems, they are also directly and indirectly connected to Product Information Management (PIM) systems.
A PIM system  is the single source of truth for product-related data, ensuring that all teams — engineering, manufacturing, sales, and service — access consistent, updated product data.
It consolidates data from various sources (PLM, ERP, MES, etc.), enriches it, and distributes it across systems to maintain data accuracy and completeness.
Traditionally, PIM systems were used to manage product data for marketing and commerce purposes. They have now evolved with more robust capabilities to support different demands and use case scenarios of manufacturers. Here is how a PIM system supports digital thread strategy:
- Consolidates Dispersed Data: PIM systems aggregate information traditionally siloed across PLM, ERP, MES, and quality management platforms.
- Ensures Data Consistency: Unlike systems that focus on isolated aspects of operations, a modern PIM ensures accurate and synchronized product data flows across all enterprise systems.
- Enables AI & Automation: A well-structured PIM fuels AI-driven analytics, predictive maintenance, and automated decision-making.
- Supports Sustainability & Compliance: PIM ensures that sustainability data (e.g., material sourcing, carbon footprint) is accurately documented and shared across systems.
- Enhances Supply Chain Collaboration: Provide a trusted and standardized version of product information to facilitate better inventory management, recall readiness, and product authentication, improving the supply chain efficiency.
Also Read: Product Information Management (PIM) for Manufacturing
How PIM and Digital Threads Work Together?
PIM provides the essential foundation, and linking this data to digital threads can provide a strategic advantage at multiple operational levels.
| Capabilities | Digital Thread | How PIM Supports |
| Data Flow | Connects data across design, production, and service | Ensures trusted, enriched, and standardized product information |
| Operational Efficiency | Provides real-time data for decision-making | Eliminates data inconsistencies and provides real-time access. |
| Regulatory Compliance | Tracks product information across systems | Automates compliance-related processes and averts regularity risks. |
| Customer Experience | Enhances product lifecycle visibility | Ensures accurate product information for a seamless product experience |
| Industry 4.0 Readiness | Supports AI, IoT, and smart manufacturing | Deliver real-time product data for automation, AI, IoT, and analytics |
 Conclusion
Today, robust data management capability has become the backbone of smart operations. In a competitive and data-driven manufacturing landscape, a robust PIM strategy, along with a digital thread strategy, can be a game changer for reducing costs, increasing conversion rates, and enhancing customer experiences.
Want to discuss how integrating a PIM solution with your smart manufacturing process can unlock new possibilities? Contact our PIM experts.
is the Head of the Industrial, Manufacturing, Energy & Utilities Industry Group at Happiest Minds. She brings over two decades of rich industry experience and is currently focused on helping our customers achieve the true value of digitization so they can be future-ready.
She is passionate about building trust and creating impact through digital transformation, partner collaboration, and driving customer success by connecting people, products, and experiences.
