Infor to offer Aras PLM as cloud service

The takeaway

The primary distinguishing feature in PLM continues: either you choose design-centric data management from a CAD vendor, or business operations-centric data management from an ERP vendor. For companies yet to invest in PLM, the decision is as much about internal politics as it is about available technology.

Our opinion

Word of mouth and an open source sales program has taken Aras quite far; this deal with Infor will be like moving from cars to airplanes. It also gives Infor what it craves, a customer checklist that more completely matches item for item with Oracle and SAP. Oracle bought Agile PLM several years ago, and SAP has assembled a PLM system from a variety of small purchases and in-house projects.

The details

Leading non-CAD aligned PLM vendor Aras has struck a licensing deal with business software specialist Infor in which Infor will offer a rebranded version of the Aras Innovator PLM Suite. Infor will offer Innovator as a cloud-based service, extending the capabilities of its Infor 10x platform.

Infor is rebranding Aras Innovator as “Infor PLM Innovator – powered by Aras.” (Source: Aras)

Infor was founded in 2002 as an alternative to the business operations duopoly of Oracle and SAP. It is now a $2 billion business. Former Oracle president Charles Phillips is CEO of the privately held firm.

Infor says the addition of Aras Innovator to its line will create a system that goes beyond standalone PLM products, by capturing Infor enterprise resource planning (ERP) data flow as well as design and manufacturing information.