M1plm

What is m1plm

M1plm is a product lifecycle management (PLM) platform aimed at manufacturers, OEMs, and engineering organizations. The platform centralizes engineering files, bill of materials (BOMs), change requests, and supplier communications so product teams can maintain a single source of truth across design, procurement, and manufacturing.

M1plm is typically deployed as a cloud service with options for on-premises or hybrid installations for regulated industries. It combines document and CAD data management, configurable workflows for engineering change orders (ECOs), and structured BOM views that span mechanical, electrical and software components.

Typical users include mechanical and electrical engineers, product managers, supply chain planners, and quality teams. M1plm is positioned to reduce rework caused by fragmented data, accelerate change implementation, and improve traceability for audits and regulatory reviews.

M1plm features

M1plm includes a set of core PLM features focused on data control, collaboration, and process automation. The platform is designed to fit into existing engineering toolchains while offering governance capabilities needed for larger product organizations.

What does M1plm do?

M1plm manages product-related data and processes from initial concept through end-of-life. Key capabilities include version-controlled document management for CAD and office files, structured BOM management with multi-level views, and configurable ECO/ECR workflows that route approvals and capture audit trails.

Across teams, M1plm provides role-based access, configurable approvals, digital signatures for regulated processes, and reporting dashboards for status and cycle time metrics. It also supports supplier portals for controlled exchanges of part specifications, drawings, and change notifications.

Other important functions include revision and baseline management, part classification and attributes, cost roll-up support, and impact analysis tools to identify downstream effects of design changes. The platform supports integrations to ERP, CAD systems, and PLM adapters to maintain data continuity.

Common technical features:

• Version control: check-in/check-out, branching, and change history for CAD and documents
• BOM management: multi-structure BOMs, BOM compare, and BOM publishing to ERP
• Workflow automation: configurable ECO/ECR workflows, tasks, and notifications
• CAD integrations: connectors for major CAD systems that preserve metadata and file links
• Supplier collaboration: controlled supplier access, secure file exchange, and supplier change notifications
• Reporting and analytics: dashboards for approval cycle time, ECO throughput, and change impact
• Security and compliance: role-based permissions, SSO, audit trails, and optional encryption controls

For more details on the platform capabilities, view the M1plm feature pages at the vendor's product features documentation.

M1plm pricing

M1plm offers these pricing plans:

• Free Plan: $0/month with limited users, basic document storage, and read-only BOM views for evaluation projects
• Starter: $35/month per user (monthly) or $420/year per user (billed annually) — includes full document management, single-site workflows, and basic CAD connectors
• Professional: $85/month per user (monthly) or $1,020/year per user (billed annually) — adds advanced BOM management, configurable ECOs, supplier portal, and priority support
• Enterprise: contact sales for volume pricing; enterprise customers receive advanced security, SSO, dedicated support, and implementation services. Typical enterprise engagements start around $24,000/year depending on scope

Check M1plm's current pricing tiers (https://www.m1plm.com/pricing) for the latest rates and enterprise options.

How much is M1plm per month

M1plm starts at $35/month per user when billed monthly for the Starter plan. Monthly billing lets teams scale seats up or down for short-term projects or pilot deployments.

How much is M1plm per year

M1plm costs $420/year per user for the Starter plan when billed annually. Annual billing usually reduces per-user cost compared with month-to-month rates and is common for production deployments.

How much is M1plm in general

M1plm pricing ranges from $0 (free) to $85+/month per user. Small teams and pilots can use the Free Plan or Starter tier, while production engineering and multi-site rollouts commonly adopt the Professional or Enterprise tiers with added integrations and implementation services.

What is M1plm used for

M1plm is used to centralize product data and manage the processes that drive product development, cost control, and regulatory compliance. Engineering teams use it to store and version CAD files and technical documents while manufacturing and procurement rely on its BOM exports to feed ERP and purchasing systems.

Product and program managers use M1plm to track change requests, approvals, and the downstream impact of modifications across suppliers and manufacturing sites. The structured ECO process helps teams maintain traceability and reduces the risk of unapproved changes reaching production.

Quality and compliance teams use the platform to assemble audit evidence, control document baselines, and demonstrate change history for certifications or regulatory submissions. M1plm’s reporting provides visibility into approval bottlenecks and change cycle times so organizations can improve process throughput.

In short, M1plm is used wherever a single, auditable source of product truth is required — from small engineering teams coordinating a single product line to distributed enterprises managing complex multi-site manufacturing.

Pros and cons of M1plm

M1plm delivers focused PLM functionality with strengths in document control, BOM management, and configurable workflows. The platform’s alignment with CAD systems and supplier collaboration features makes it a practical choice for manufacturers that need tight integration between design and procurement.

Strengths include robust versioning, multi-level BOM support, and built-in ECO/ECR workflows that reduce manual handoffs. M1plm’s cloud deployment options accelerate access for distributed teams and lower the operational burden of on-premise PLM stacks.

Potential limitations include the typical PLM trade-offs: implementation and data migration require planning and effort, especially for organizations with complex legacy BOMs or custom ERP interfaces. Smaller teams may find the initial configuration and governance practices require a change in how they manage files and revisions.

Other considerations:

• Pros: improved traceability, fewer manual errors, centralized approvals, supplier collaboration, CAD metadata preservation
• Cons: implementation lead time for large rollouts, upfront configuration needed to model complex product structures, possible costs for advanced CAD adapters and ERP connectors

M1plm free trial

M1plm offers trial options to evaluate the platform before committing to a paid tier. Typical trials include a time-limited evaluation of Professional features or a fully featured 14–30 day pilot that allows teams to import sample CAD files and run ECO workflows in a sandbox environment.

During the trial, users can validate CAD integrations, test BOM exports to ERP, and exercise the supplier portal to confirm controlled file exchange. Trials are usually supported by product specialists who can demonstrate configuration patterns that match the customer’s lifecycle and governance needs.

For production pilots, M1plm can provide short-term Professional licenses with onboarding sessions that focus on migration of a pilot product, setting up workflows, and establishing initial permissions for engineering and procurement users. To sign up for a trial or schedule a demo, use the M1plm trial request form on the vendor site at the M1plm trial and demo page (https://www.m1plm.com/contact).

Is M1plm free

Yes, M1plm offers a Free Plan that lets small teams or individuals evaluate core document and BOM viewing functionality at no cost. The Free Plan is intended for trials, small projects, or for internal review before a full deployment.

The Free Plan typically restricts the number of active users, limits CAD connector access, and reduces automation quotas compared with paid plans. Upgrading to Starter or Professional unlocks full edit rights, advanced integrations, and ECO workflow configuration.

M1plm API

M1plm exposes an API suitable for automation, integrations, and custom tooling. The platform typically provides a RESTful API for core objects (parts, documents, BOMs, changes) plus webhook notifications that push events such as ECO approvals and file updates to external systems.

Common API capabilities include CRUD operations on parts and BOMs, endpoints to manage ECO/ECR workflows, file upload and download for CAD and documents, and search endpoints to query metadata. Authentication uses token-based methods (OAuth 2.0 or API keys) with role-based scopes to limit access.

Enterprise customers often get SDKs or integration toolkits for popular languages and pre-built connectors for ERP systems, PLM adapters, and CI/CD pipelines for embedded software. For integration specifics and example calls, refer to the M1plm API documentation at the M1plm API documentation (https://www.m1plm.com/api).

Security and deployment options for API access typically include IP allow lists, SSO, audit logging, and rate limits to support production-grade integrations. M1plm’s API is designed to be used both for real-time synchronization and for batch exports during nightly ETL processes to ERPs.

10 M1plm alternatives

When evaluating PLM options, organizations typically compare on CAD integration depth, BOM management, ease of deployment, and ERP connectivity. Below are commercial and open source alternatives to M1plm.

Paid alternatives to M1plm

• Aras Innovator — Flexible PLM platform known for its low-code customization, scalable architecture for enterprise deployments, and strong configuration management.
• PTC Windchill — Enterprise-grade PLM with deep CAD integrations, advanced configuration management, and industry-specific modules for automotive and aerospace.
• Siemens Teamcenter — Comprehensive PLM suite that excels in systems engineering support, BOM lifecycle management, and large-scale global deployments.
• Dassault Systèmes ENOVIA — Part of the 3DEXPERIENCE portfolio, offers collaborative innovation, multi-domain product lifecycle management, and strong CAD interoperability.
• Arena PLM (by PTC) — Cloud-native PLM targeted at electronics and high-tech manufacturers with tight change control and supplier collaboration features.
• Autodesk Fusion Lifecycle — Cloud PLM with a modern UI, BOM and change management, and integration into Autodesk CAD and manufacturing workflows.

Open source alternatives to M1plm

• OpenPLM — An open source PLM project that provides basic document and CAD file management, versioning, and BOM tracking suitable for organizations that want to customize core behavior.
• Aras Innovator Community Edition — The community edition of Aras provides a no-cost way to evaluate a highly flexible PLM platform with community support and customization options.
• DocDokuPLM — Open source PLM with modular features for product data management, workflows, and extensibility through APIs.
• Odoo (PLM module) — Odoo’s PLM app integrates with its ERP and manufacturing modules; useful for companies that want a combined ERP/PLM solution with an open core model.

Frequently asked questions about M1plm

What is M1plm used for?

M1plm is used for product data and change management across engineering and manufacturing teams. It centralizes CAD files, BOMs, and approvals so teams can control revisions, run ECO workflows, and export validated BOMs to ERP systems. This reduces rework and provides traceability for audits.

Does M1plm integrate with ERP systems?

Yes, M1plm supports ERP integrations. The platform offers configurable BOM exports and pre-built adapters or APIs to sync parts, BOMs, and change notices with ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle. Integrations are commonly implemented as scheduled exports or near-real-time synchronizations.

How much does M1plm cost per user?

M1plm starts at $35/month per user for the Starter plan when billed monthly, with discounted annual rates available for larger deployments. Enterprise pricing varies with scope, integrations, and implementation services.

Is there a free version of M1plm?

Yes, M1plm offers a Free Plan that allows a limited number of users to evaluate document and BOM viewing features. The Free Plan is intended for trials and small projects and does not include full CAD connector access or advanced workflow automation.

Can M1plm handle CAD file versioning?

Yes, M1plm includes CAD version control. The system preserves file history, supports check-in/check-out, and maintains links between assemblies and part files so teams can trace revisions across multi-file CAD assemblies.

Does M1plm provide supplier collaboration features?

Yes, M1plm includes a supplier portal for controlled collaboration. Suppliers can receive specifications, submit responses, and get notified of approved changes through secure file exchange and role-based access controls.

What deployment options are available for M1plm?

M1plm is available as a cloud-hosted service and as a hybrid or on-premises deployment. Cloud hosting accelerates rollout for distributed teams, while on-prem or hybrid installations are offered for customers with strict data residency or regulatory requirements.

How secure is M1plm?

M1plm includes enterprise security controls such as role-based access, SSO, and audit logging. The platform supports encryption in transit, optional encryption at rest, and compliance features required by many regulated industries; specific certifications and controls should be confirmed with the vendor.

Can I import existing BOMs and CAD files into M1plm?

Yes, M1plm supports bulk import of BOMs and CAD data. Import tools and migration services help preserve metadata, part numbers, and assembly structure during the initial onboarding; larger migrations typically require mapping exercises and validation runs.

What training and support options does M1plm offer?

M1plm provides onboarding, documentation, and paid support tiers. Training ranges from self-serve documentation and webinars to hands-on implementation services and dedicated customer success for enterprise customers. Check the vendor’s support offerings for SLAs and on-site training options.

M1plm careers

M1plm hires across product, engineering, implementation, and customer success functions to support its PLM product and customer deployments. Engineering roles typically focus on back-end services, API development, and CAD connector maintenance, while product and UX teams work on workflow and BOM usability.

Career paths often include roles for PLM consultants who handle customer onboarding and configuration, as well as solutions engineers who map customer processes to platform capabilities. Customer success and professional services are key teams for enterprise rollouts and ongoing optimization work.

Candidates interested in M1plm careers should look for experience in PLM/ERP integrations, CAD data handling, and enterprise SaaS deployment. Familiarity with manufacturing processes and regulated industry requirements is often preferred for customer-facing roles.

M1plm affiliate

M1plm maintains partner and reseller relationships to extend implementation capacity and regional coverage. Affiliate partners typically provide services such as system integration, CAD adapter installation, data migration, and custom workflow development.

Partner programs may include tiered certifications for system integrators, VARs, and consulting firms. Affiliates that specialize in manufacturing IT and ERP integration are often best positioned to deliver combined PLM+ERP projects.

Organizations evaluating an affiliate should confirm partner certifications, reference deployments, and the partner’s experience with specific ERP or CAD systems to ensure a smooth implementation.

Where to find M1plm reviews

Independent reviews and case studies are useful for assessing M1plm’s fit for specific industries and product complexity. Start with customer testimonials and case studies available on the vendor site, and supplement those with third-party reviews on technology review platforms and manufacturing IT forums.

Look for reviews that discuss CAD integration fidelity, BOM publishing reliability, and the vendor’s responsiveness during implementation. Peer feedback from engineering and procurement teams can highlight real-world pros and cons that are not always evident from vendor materials.

For the most up-to-date user feedback and independent analysis, search PLM-focused communities and read product reviews on industry review sites, and compare feature specifics against competitor case studies.