# XPLM CAD Integrations with Infor PLM Discrete > Source: https://netray.co/stack/xplm-cad-integration-infor-plm-discrete > Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems. > Section: ERP Stack ## Short answer XPLM publishes CAD-to-PLM connectors that let engineers work in their design tool while parts, BOM structures and files land in Infor PLM Discrete. The vendor page lists MCAD (Siemens NX, Solid Edge) and ECAD (Altium, OrCAD, EPLAN, PADS, Xpedition) support, with CATIA V5 available only as a customer-specific project. ## Erp Infor PLM Discrete ## Erp Key infor-plm-discrete ## On Prem true ## Product XPLM CAD integrations ## Vendor XPLM ## Category PLM and CAD integration ## Integration **Method:** CAD-to-PLM connectors **Detail:** XPLM installs a connector inside or beside the CAD client. The engineer creates, checks in and releases designs from the CAD tool, and the connector writes items, structures and attached files into Infor PLM Discrete. Which tools are standard and which are projects is stated on the XPLM page, so confirm your exact CAD version with them. **Method:** PLM to ERP hand-off (separate step) **Detail:** The connector feeds PLM, not the ERP directly. Released items and BOMs then move from PLM Discrete to the Infor ERP through the PLM-to-ERP integration you already run. Treat these as two hops with two sets of mapping rules. ## Data Flows **From:** CAD (NX, Solid Edge) **To:** Infor PLM Discrete **Data:** Part attributes, assembly structure, CAD files and drawings **Trigger:** Check-in or release in the CAD client **From:** ECAD (Altium, OrCAD, EPLAN) **To:** Infor PLM Discrete **Data:** Electronic components, board BOMs, design data **Trigger:** Release of a design revision **From:** Infor PLM Discrete **To:** CAD client **Data:** Item numbers, lifecycle state, approved library parts **Trigger:** Part creation or search from CAD **From:** Infor PLM Discrete **To:** Infor ERP **Data:** Released item and BOM revisions **Trigger:** Engineering change release ## Setup ### Confirm supported CAD versions **Detail:** Check each CAD and ECAD tool and version against the XPLM page and ask XPLM about anything that is a project, such as CATIA V5. ### Define the item and attribute model **Detail:** Decide which CAD properties map to PLM Discrete item attributes, including part number, description, unit of measure, material and revision. ### Agree numbering and revision rules **Detail:** Settle whether PLM or CAD assigns part numbers and how CAD revisions map to PLM revisions and lifecycle states. ### Install and configure connectors **Detail:** Roll out the connector to a pilot group of engineers and set credentials, vault locations and file-type rules. ### Map BOM structures **Detail:** Test assemblies with phantom parts, purchased parts and ECAD board BOMs to confirm quantities and reference designators arrive correctly. ### Pilot with one product family **Detail:** Release a real design through to the ERP and reconcile what engineering sees against what planning sees. ### Train and cut over **Detail:** Move engineers off manual part creation and lock down direct item entry in PLM where practical. ## Pitfalls - CAD properties are free text, so a missing or misspelled unit of measure in the model becomes a bad item in PLM and later in the ERP. - ECAD and MCAD teams often use different part-numbering habits, which creates duplicate or clashing item numbers if rules are not unified first. - A CAD upgrade can break the connector. Test the next CAD release with XPLM before engineers install it. - Large assemblies take a long time to check in and can time out over slow VPN links to the vault. - Revision mismatches between CAD, PLM and ERP cause production to build against a superseded drawing. - Customer-specific work such as CATIA V5 has its own scope and support terms, so budget it separately. ## Ai Layer ### Release-readiness checks **Description:** A private assistant reads the PLM item and the CAD properties and lists missing attributes, such as no unit of measure or material, before the release is submitted. ### Duplicate part detection **Description:** Compare new items against existing PLM and ERP items using description and attribute similarity, and propose a reuse candidate for an engineer to accept. ### Plain-language BOM questions **Description:** Let planners ask which assemblies use a part or what changed between two BOM revisions, answered from PLM and ERP data with the query shown. ### Draft change summaries **Description:** Draft an engineering change summary from the revision differences for the approver to edit. Nothing is written back without human approval. ## Alternatives - If you only use one CAD tool and a small parts list, a vault plus a controlled spreadsheet import into the ERP may be enough. - Use the CAD vendor's own PDM, such as the native data management in your CAD suite, if you do not need Infor PLM Discrete as the master. - A flat-file or API import of BOMs into the ERP can work for low-change products without a full CAD connector. ## Faq ### Which CAD tools does XPLM support for Infor PLM Discrete? **Answer:** The XPLM page lists Siemens NX and Solid Edge for MCAD, and Altium, OrCAD, EPLAN, PADS and Xpedition for ECAD. CATIA V5 is offered only as a customer-specific project. Confirm your exact versions with XPLM before committing. ### Does the connector write directly to the ERP? **Answer:** No. It connects CAD to Infor PLM Discrete. Released items and BOMs then reach the ERP through your existing PLM-to-ERP integration, so plan mapping for both hops. ### Can this run fully on-prem? **Answer:** Infor PLM Discrete is commonly deployed on-prem, and the connectors work with the CAD client and your PLM server. Check deployment details with XPLM and Infor for your version. ### Where does AI fit without exposing designs? **Answer:** A private model served on your own GPUs can read PLM metadata and item attributes to flag gaps and duplicates. CAD files can stay in the vault, and writes always need human approval. ## Source https://xplm.com/solutions/plm-pdm-integrations/infor-plm-discrete/ ## Search terms xplm infor plm discrete nx integration, infor plm discrete cad integration, solid edge infor plm, altium infor plm discrete, cad to plm connector, eplan plm integration --- Talk to an engineer: https://netray.co/contact?intent=erp_ai | Machine catalog: https://netray.co/agent/catalog.json