--- title: How can OEMs unify Engineering and Aftersales? description: The process of buying spare parts from an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) has been unchanged for years, causing challenges for end users and dealers. image: https://partful.io/hubfs/Pains%20of%20aftersales%20customers%20%20.png --- [![Client Logo](https://partful.io/hubfs/ptf-01/Typography/Client%20Logo.svg)](https://partful.io/) - Products - [3D Exploded Parts Catalog](https://partful.io/partful-3d-parts-catalogue) - [3D Work Instructions](https://partful.io/3d-digital-work-instructions) - Who We Help - By Job Role - By Industry - [OEMs](https://partful.io/solutions/oem-spare-parts-software) - [Engineers For CAD teams and product engineers building and maintaining accurate parts data](https://partful.io/solutions/engineering-parts-catalog-software) - [Aftersales For customer support and service teams who need faster fixes and fewer errors](https://partful.io/solutions/aftersales-software) - [Operations For operations managers driving efficiency, uptime, and self-service across teams](https://partful.io/solutions/operations-manager-parts-software) - 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[3D Work Instructions](https://partful.io/3d-digital-work-instructions) - Who We Help - Who We Help - By Job Role - By Job Role - [Engineers For CAD teams and product engineers building and maintaining accurate parts data](https://partful.io/solutions/engineering-parts-catalog-software) - [Aftersales For customer support and service teams who need faster fixes and fewer errors](https://partful.io/solutions/aftersales-software) - [Operations For operations managers driving efficiency, uptime, and self-service across teams](https://partful.io/solutions/operations-manager-parts-software) - [C-Suite & Directors For decision-makers focused on growth, operational efficiency, and delivering a best-in-class service.](https://partful.io/solutions/c-suite-aftersales-automation) - By Industry - By Industry - [Agriculture For tractors, sprayers, balers and combines](https://partful.io/solutions/agriculture-parts-catalog) - [E-Mobility For electric bikes, scooters and motorcycles](https://partful.io/solutions/e-mobility-parts-catalog) - [Lawn Care For cylinder mowers, ride-ons and turf groomers](https://partful.io/solutions/lawn-care-parts-catalog) - [Refrigeration For walk-in freezers, chillers and cold rooms](https://partful.io/solutions/refrigeration-parts-catalog) - [Energy For solar panels, wind turbines and power systems](https://partful.io/solutions/energy-parts-catalog) - [Hospitality & Food Service For commercial kitchens, catering equipment and beverage dispensers](https://partful.io/solutions/hospitality-and-food-service-parts-catalog) - [OEMs](https://partful.io/solutions/oem-spare-parts-software) - Content Hub - Content Hub - [Demo Center Experience our product with interactive demos without signing up for anything.](https://partful.io/demo-center) - [Resources Discover case studies, reports, ebooks, and more to help you improve productivity and profitability.](https://partful.io/resources) - [Blog Latest opinion articles, industry news and predictions as well as useful resources for OEM aftersales transformation](https://partful.io/blog) - [Podcast We talk to key opinion leaders about the most pressing topics in manufacturing and more](https://partful.io/resources?types=Podcasts) - [Product Knowledge Base Help articles, onboarding resources and instructions for Partful users](https://partful.io/knowledge) - About - About - [Our Story](https://partful.io/our-story) - [Our Team Our culture, our team and more](https://partful.io/team) - [Join our team We're always hiring!](https://partful.io/careers-at-partful) [Book a demo](https://partful.io/book-a-free-demo) # How can OEMs unify Engineering and Aftersales? 8 October 2024 Parts Identification In this article: [The data problem](https://partful.io/blog/how-can-oems-unify-engineering-and-aftersales#the-data-problem) [Bridging the Engineering-Aftersales divide](https://partful.io/blog/how-can-oems-unify-engineering-and-aftersales#bridging-the-engineering) [A technological evolution](https://partful.io/blog/how-can-oems-unify-engineering-and-aftersales#a-technological) [The future of OEM data integration](https://partful.io/blog/how-can-oems-unify-engineering-and-aftersales#the-future-of) [A strategy for OEMs](https://partful.io/blog/how-can-oems-unify-engineering-and-aftersales#a-strategy) [Listen to the podcast](https://partful.io/blog/how-can-oems-unify-engineering-and-aftersales#listen-to) [Book a demo](https://partful.io/book-a-free-demo) Now more than ever, it's incredibly important for engineering and aftersales teams to work closely together for manufacturers to thrive. The collaboration of these departments ensures that products are not only designed with the highest standards of innovation and quality, but also get the continued support they need after they're sold. Embracing this approach can boost customer satisfaction and keep loyalty strong for the long haul. But, how can OEMs further optimize the coordination between these two critical departments to enhance product lifecycle management and customer experience?   ---   ## The data problem OEMs heavily rely on all kinds of data to streamline their operations, with some of the most critical data sets being native CAD files and Sales Bills of Materials (SBOMs).  CAD files are particularly valuable to engineers for constructing detailed product models, while SBOMs provide crucial details like part names, descriptions, and pricing. ![Parts vs. Unit (2)](https://partful.io/hs-fs/hubfs/Parts%20vs.%20Unit%20(2).png?width=2000&height=1414&name=Parts%20vs.%20Unit%20(2).png) This information is *key* in the sale of spare parts.  However, a big challenge arises from the differences in how parts are named across various departments, leading to a disjointed ecosystem between CAD files and SBOMs.    --- ---   ## Bridging the Engineering-Aftersales divide When CAD data moves from engineering to the aftersales teams, it often highlights the very basic disconnect between the departments. Engineers, who are passionate about design and performance, might sometimes miss the everyday challenges of supporting products once they're with customers. This can often present itself as a product named '*ABC123'* in the engineer's department, and the same part being named *'XYZ987' * in the aftersale's department.  This oversight can become even more noticeable when aftersales teams work to solve customer frustrations related to product issues. Fortunately, technology is beginning to bridge this gap. Tools such as Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are enhancing the flow of information within organizations. Even with all newer advancements, there's still a gap to bridge. It's important to have a more connected approach for sharing documents and better understanding each other across different teams. The ultimate aim is to excel in design while keeping an eye on the real-world needs of product support to keep customers happy and satisfied!    ---   ## A technological evolution   The traditional engineering approach sometimes pushes teams to quickly design and get products into production, which can mean aftersales needs might not get all the attention they deserve. This can lead to some hiccups as aftersales teams work hard to catch up. But, with the arrival of new technologies, [OEMs](https://partful.io/solutions/oem-spare-parts-software) have a fantastic opportunity to revisit and enhance support structures right from the start. By leveraging immersive 3D technologies instead of relying solely on traditional PDFs, there’s a significant opportunity not just to enhance revenue opportunities but also to ensure products are designed with supportability and lifecycle management in mind. This positive shift in focus opens the door to a more connected and efficient way of designing and supporting products.   --- ---   ## The future of OEM data integration The journey toward smoother integration is all about warmly welcoming third-party support systems into the fold. These handy tools are fantastic at tackling the challenges of old-fashioned ways and juggling mountains of legacy of information efficiently. There's a critical need for a system that provides the right individuals with the right information, at the moment it's needed. Consider a CAD engineer who creates a detailed design for a wing mirror, the parts might include: - Glass - Plastic frame - Indicator light - Heating pack - Wiring loom This design often needs to be simplified when transferred to the aftersales team, who then sell the frame as one complete unit instead of separate components. Companies like [Partful](https://partful.io/partful-3d-parts-catalogue) are leading the way in managing this process by maintaining the original CAD's precision intact while ensuring that aftersales teams can easily interpret and sell parts efficiently.  This approach is setting the stage for a much easier parts identification process, signalling a big and positive change in the OEM world!   ---   ## A strategy for OEMs OEMs are presented with a prime opportunity to craft and maintain their digital thread. More than just a buzzword; this is a strategic tool that supports critical decisions around which parts are sellable, which aren't, and how to ensure everything is maintainable and reliable. For aftersales teams, the most invaluable documents are the SBOMs, while engineers rely heavily on the CAD files. There's a clear gap—we need a well-organized single file that makes it easier to identify parts and smooths out processes across departments. Tackling these challenges and encouraging teamwork not only solves immediate problems but also opens up exciting revenue possibilities and boosts the entire product ecosystem. For OEMs, embracing this path means stepping into a future where the digital thread seamlessly runs through their operations, making everything stronger, more connected, and more efficient.     ---   *Episode 3 of our podcast series, "The Data Elephant," dives deep into the complexities and opportunities that lie within managing aftersales data to bolster OEM efficiency and productivity. Listen now!*       ![Partful](https://partful.io/hs-fs/hubfs/__full-colour%20copy.jpg?width=80&height=80&name=__full-colour%20copy.jpg) Partful ### Related news [Explore content hub](https://partful.io/resources) [![Why Speed to Service Is the New Competitive Advantage](https://partful.io/hs-fs/hubfs/freepik__smart-precision-agriculture-landscape-farmers-stan__39470.png?width=480&height=344&name=freepik__smart-precision-agriculture-landscape-farmers-stan__39470.png) Why Speed to Service Is the New Competitive Advantage](https://partful.io/blog/why-t-to-service-is-the-new-competitive-advantage) [![5 Capabilities Modern Aftersales Teams Need](https://partful.io/hs-fs/hubfs/freepik__smart-precision-agriculture-landscape-farmers-stan__39470.png?width=480&height=344&name=freepik__smart-precision-agriculture-landscape-farmers-stan__39470.png) 5 Capabilities Modern Aftersales Teams Need](https://partful.io/blog/5-capabilities-modern-aftersales-teams-need) [![What Is OEE? 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