Komatsu enhances product information delivery

Komatsu, a manufacturer whose products include tractors, dump trucks, hydraulic excavators and a computer-based mine management system, wanted to improve the automation of its technical publication processes. Its internal publishing and training department supports the production and delivery of such technical information as operating instructions, shop manuals, parts books and training presentations.

Because of increasing content complexity and global opportunities, Komatsu wanted to ensure the delivery of high-quality, multi-language product and service information, and chose a solution involving PTC’s Windchill product lifecycle management (PLM) software and its Arbortext information delivery software.

Sean Smither, Komatsu service material manager, says, “Komatsu America chose to work with PTC because its integral PLM architecture and broad set of dynamic publishing capabilities fit well with our corporate strategy for improving how we create and deliver product information.”

According to a press release from PTC, its solution will help Komatsu establish a dynamic publishing system in which it can repurpose engineering source data to create technical publications and automate the delivery of product information to the field. Komatsu estimates it can save $900,000 annually in the process, PTC reports.