🔍 Episode Overview

In this episode, the Razorleaf team unpacks insights from the Global Product Data Interoperability Summit (GPDIS) in Phoenix — one of the industry’s most collaborative events where aerospace and manufacturing leaders come together to solve shared challenges around data, digital engineering, and interoperability.

From AI skepticism to digital thread strategy, Juliann, Jonathan, Tony, and François discuss what’s changing fast, what’s still a struggle, and why cooperation between competitors like Boeing, Airbus, and Lockheed Martin is key to advancing the industry.

💡 Key Topics Discussed

• Event Overview & Collaboration
GPDIS brings together major OEMs, suppliers, and vendors from across aerospace, defense, and manufacturing to discuss digital transformation challenges. Despite being competitors, attendees openly shared lessons and standards to advance interoperability across systems and companies.

• AI in Aerospace
Artificial intelligence dominated conversations—but with healthy skepticism. Attendees debated AI’s limits, data accuracy, and the future role of AI in engineering workflows.

• Digital Thread Maturity
The “digital thread” remained the central theme. While most companies are still building point-to-point integrations, speakers emphasized the need for hub-and-spoke models and long-term data strategies to achieve true interoperability.

• MBSE on the Factory Floor
A strong focus on model-based systems engineering (MBSE) emerged, highlighting how manufacturing itself should be viewed as a system that benefits from model-based practices.

• Emerging Standards: DDP, TDP & CASCADE
Jonathan shared updates on evolving data standards like Digital Data Packages (DDP) and Technical Data Packages (TDP)—and how new frameworks such as CASCADE aim to improve how organizations link and share digital data.

• Legacy Systems & Integration Challenges
Many manufacturers are still running decade-old PLM and ERP systems, which complicates integration and modernization efforts. François noted that upgrading legacy systems is often the biggest barrier to achieving a seamless digital thread.

• Governance & Co-Creation
Tony and François emphasized that successful digital transformation requires joint ownership between engineering and IT—not siloed efforts. Strong governance and “co-creation” across teams are critical to managing PLM evolution and integration projects.

🧭 Key Takeaways

• Collaboration > Competition: True interoperability demands industry-wide cooperation and shared standards.
  
  
• AI Is Not a Silver Bullet: It’s a powerful tool, but human oversight remains essential—especially in safety-critical industries.
  
  
• Legacy Systems Hold Back Progress: Companies must modernize infrastructure before pursuing advanced digital thread initiatives.
  
  
• Governance Matters: Structured decision frameworks and cross-functional collaboration are essential for scaling PLM and MBSE efforts.
  
  
• Digital Thread Is a Journey: Most organizations are still early in building connected, intelligent ecosystems across engineering, manufacturing, and supply chains.
  
  

🗣️ Memorable Quote

“Everybody raise your hand—who wants to fly in a plane built entirely by AI?”

🔗 Connect with Razorleaf

Visit Razorleaf.com for insights, solutions, and resources on PLM, digital thread, and systems integration.

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