Supplier Collaboration Built Into Your Product Lifecycle
Collaborate with suppliers, share product information, manage documents, and connect external stakeholders directly to your product lifecycle process, all in one controlled environment.
Supplier Workspace
Move Beyond Disconnected Tools
Nora IPLM lets teams collaborate with suppliers directly inside the platform, maintaining full visibility and control. Using the External Collaborator (ECO) license, suppliers securely access relevant product information without requiring full platform access.
Grant suppliers access to technical documents, drawings, specifications, and supplier files with download and upload permissions you control.
VIEW · DOWNLOAD · UPLOADShare relevant part data and item records directly with suppliers so they always have accurate, up-to-date product information.
VIEW · REFERENCEAssign projects and tasks to external collaborators. Track progress and deliverables without leaving the platform.
TRACK · ASSIGN · UPDATEControl which BOMs and product structures suppliers can view, ensuring the right information reaches the right partners.
VIEW · NAVIGATEA Workspace Designed for External Teams
Give suppliers a dedicated, centralized workspace for every collaboration activity. Internal and external stakeholders work from the exact same source of information.
- Track assigned projects and tasks in real time
- Access shared product information and related data
- Review documents and upload deliverables
- Monitor collaboration activity and updates
- Interact via Details, Structure, Table, and Viewer widgets
Traceable File Exchange
Replace scattered email attachments with a connected document process. Supplier deliverables are organized, traceable, and linked directly to items, projects, and product structures.
- Technical documents and drawings
- CAD files
- Quality documents and supporting files
- Specifications and supporting files
- Connected to items, projects, and BOMs
One Platform, Every Stakeholder
Bring internal engineering teams, project owners, suppliers, and external collaborators into one governed product lifecycle environment without losing control over access, visibility, or traceability.
Centralized Communication
Bring supplier communication and activities into one organized workspace without hunting through inboxes.
Full Visibility
Track internal and external activity with real-time updates and role-based access controls.
Faster Review Cycles
Keep supplier deliverables connected to the right product information for faster review and approval.
Connected Product Data
Link supplier information directly to items, BOMs, and product structures for complete traceability.
Eliminate Disconnected Tools
Reduce dependency on email threads, shared drives, and separate file tools that create version confusion.
Single Source of Truth
Keep engineers, managers, and suppliers aligned around the same live product data.
What Is PLM Supplier Management?
Learn how PLM supports supplier collaboration by connecting external partners to documents, parts, product structures, workflows, and controlled lifecycle processes without losing visibility or traceability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the External Collaborator (ECO) license?
The External Collaborator (ECO) license allows suppliers and external stakeholders to participate directly in your product lifecycle processes with controlled access. Organizations can invite suppliers into Nora IPLM and provide access only to the information relevant to their work.
Will external collaborators access the same Nora IPLM platform interface?
Yes. External collaborators use the same Nora IPLM platform interface and experience as internal users. However, they only have access to the specific data, objects, projects, documents, and widgets shared with them through workspace permissions and role-based access controls.
What can suppliers access inside Nora IPLM?
Depending on their permissions, suppliers can access documents, items and parts, projects, tasks, product structures and BOMs, as well as shared dashboards and workspaces.
Can suppliers upload files directly into Nora IPLM?
Yes. Suppliers can upload documents and deliverables directly through their External Collaborator access and connect them to projects, items, and related product information.
Can suppliers access product structures and BOMs?
Yes. Suppliers can be given access to product structures and BOMs depending on their assigned permissions.
How is supplier access managed?
Supplier access is controlled through workspace permissions and role-based access management.
Will internal users receive updates when suppliers upload files?
Yes. Nora IPLM automatically sends notifications for supplier activities such as document uploads, downloads, project updates, and collaboration actions.
Can suppliers collaborate on projects and tasks?
Yes. Suppliers can participate in projects and tasks based on their access permissions.
Is supplier activity traceable?
Yes. Supplier actions such as uploads, downloads, updates, and collaboration activities can be tracked inside Nora IPLM.
Can suppliers access CAD files and technical documents?
Yes. Suppliers can access CAD files, drawings, specifications, and other technical documentation when permissions allow.