Because today?‚?’s products rely on tightly integrated hardware and software components, system and software engineers, and project and product managers need to have an understanding of both product data management (PDM) and software configuration management (SCM). This groundbreaking book offers you that essential knowledge, pointing out the similarities and differences of these two processes, and showing you how they can be combined to ensure effective and efficient product and system development, production and maintenance. The book provides comprehensive coverage of the immense range of PDM/SCM tools in the marketplace. You learn how to leverage the synergy created by combining PDM and SCM. Organizations using this integrated approach can benefit for years to come by being able to quickly and efficiently develop new products and efficiently maintain and update existing products. A thorough treatment of PDM and SCM principles ensures mastery of these development processes before embarking on an integration program. In-depth case studies provide practical knowledge for successful PDM and SCM use and integration.