Enterprise Administration > Windchill Export and Import > PTC Windchill PLM Connector - Creo Packages Administrator's and User's Guide > Windchill PLM Connector – Creo Packages > Getting Started with Creo Packages > Collaboration Using Creo Packages > A Product is Collaboratively Designed in More Than One PLM System
  
A Product is Collaboratively Designed in More Than One PLM System
A typical use case is where a product is collaboratively designed in more than one PLM system. One PLM system may be responsible for a top assembly, while a different PLM system may be responsible for one of the subassemblies. Read-only collaboration is established based on the assumption that only the owner PLM system makes updates to their own Creo Parametric data.
For example, a company is developing a bicycle with an external design partner who manufactures drivetrains for bicycles (the gears and gear changes etc.).
The bicycle company and the drivetrain manufacturer might follow the following process to collaborate the design project using Creo Packages:
Steps
Bicycle Company
Drivetrain Partner
Step 1—Select data for collaboration
Creates a basic bicycle assembly which could include a skeleton providing all the interface points in the bicycle and stores in their PLM system.
Creates one or more drivetrain subassemblies with basic geometry, with the key interface points and stores in their PLM system.
Step 2—Initial exchange of data to establish collaboration
Uses Creo Packages to export the drivetrain subassemblies and sends the exported package to the bicycle company.
Step 3
Uses Creo Packages to import the drivetrain subassemblies into the bicycle company PLM system.
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The imported drivetrain subassemblies are read-only in the bicycle company PLM system.
Step 4
Adds the drivetrain subassemblies to the bicycle assembly.
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The imported drivetrain subassemblies are not modified when they are added to the bicycle assembly.
Step 5
Uses Creo Packages to export the drivetrain subassemblies and the bicycle assembly with references to the imported drivetrain subassemblies and sends to drivetrain partner.
Step 6
Uses Creo Packages to import the bicycle assembly with references to the drivetrain subassemblies.
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Since the drivetrain subassemblies are already in the drivetrain partner’s PLM system, they are not imported.
Step 7—Work in process stage
Continues development of the bicycle assembly making changes and adding new subcomponents.
Continues development of the drivetrain subassemblies making changes and adding new subcomponents.
Step 8—Periodically exchange updates
Periodically sends updates (incremental packages) of the bicycle assembly.
Periodically sends updates (incremental packages) of the drivetrain subassemblies.