Portrait of a PDM Professional
Vladimir Silberman, Sr. IT Specialist and Aton Administrator, Steris Finn-Aqua
Steris Finn-Aqua develops and manufactures multiple-effect water stills, pure steam generators, autoclaves and water purification equipment. Steris’ customers include big pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, scientific research institutes, and other industries. Steris Finn-Aqua is part of the global Steris Corporation and has delivered over 5,000 pieces of equipment around the world. Annually, the company manufactures around 150–200 pieces of equipment, half of which are delivered to Europe.
When and how did you come to Steris?
I came to Steris in 2012, so I’ve been working here for a little over five years now. I came across the job opportunity incidentally when browsing open jobs, and an acquaintance of mine also recommended Steris as a company. I started as IT support person, but now I’m responsible for all IT and also for the company’s Aton project. We also took on a new IT support person, so my time was freed up to take care of Aton. So now we actually have two administrators, but the main responsibility for Aton has been assigned to me.
What is your typical work day like?
Sometimes it’s quiet, sometimes really hectic. I check that everything is working properly, and sometimes I also do development work. I have close contacts with our headquarters in the US, as well as with our offices in France and in England. Primarily, we meet remotely, but I’ve also visited our US office a couple of times for trainings and to get to know the infrastructure of our company better, as we have a shared system. The international nature of our company is sometimes challenging due to time differences.
What are your favorite tasks?
Investigating and solving problems and challenges, and project management.
Do you have any hobbies?
Cycling, sometimes tennis. Last summer I also started to play golf.
What comes to mind when you hear the word “product information”?
Information about a product.
What advice would you give to a company planning a PDM project?
You should reserve enough resources, that is, people, to ensure that the project can progress efficiently, as it takes quite a lot of testing and tailoring before deployment. So it’s best to do as little tailoring as possible and wait if the needed functionalities are going to be in the upcoming releases of the PDM software. Without individual modifications, you can progress more quickly and more efficiently; otherwise there will be more things to test and fix before deployment.
What was your childhood dream job?
I didn’t really have a dream job when I was a child. Now, my goal is to take part in more projects of different kinds, especially in the role of project manager. I like challenges; quiet times are less fun.
Antero Rantanen, Efore Oy – Aton PDM administrator
Efore is an international innovator company with over 40 years’ experience in the design and manufacture of technologically advanced, high efficiency power supplies and power systems. Established in 1975, the company has its headquarters in Espoo, Finland, and production plants in China and Tunisia. The company’s sales and marketing operations are located in Europe, the USA and China.
Who are you?
I’m Antero Rantanen, Efore’s Aton PDM administrator and Design Support team leader. My team is responsible for documentation, circuit board design and component engineering.
How did you end up in your current job?
This fall will mark my 29th anniversary at Efore. I was involved in the Aton implementation project at Efore and later moved into the administrator role.
What are your hobbies?
I spend much of my spare time in the woods; I like hunting, forestry and woodworking.
What are the biggest benefits of product data management?
The fact that all important information is in one place.
What advice would you give for those planning a PDM project?
It pays off to really invest in the definitions, as you will have to live with them from then on. And remember to keep it simple. It’s easier to work when there aren’t too many customizations.
Tomi Laakso, Temet Oy – Aton, SolidPDM and Solidworks administrator
Temet offers their clients extensive in-house expertise on protection technologies to facilitate the design and building of shelters, with the aim of creating ever more practical and cost-effective protective solutions. Temet’s experts support their clients in the designing and building of protective solutions and in fulfilling the requirements throughout the entire lifecycle of the products. Temet’s globally unique expertise on protective technology is the result of long-term, determined and continuous dynamic research and development work.
Tomi, what does your job description entail?
In addition to the Aton, SolidPDM and Solidworks administrator duties, my responsibilities include everything related to electricity and automation, as well as the testing of new products.
How did you end up in this job?
In 2004, I found an interesting job advertisement of Temet online, and I’m still on that path.
Do you have any hobbies?
Martial arts and self-defense, such as karate and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). In summer time, I also do fishing.
In your opinion, what are the key benefits of product management?
You can keep everything organized, and information is easier to find. Change management is easier.
What advice would you give to a company planning a PDM project?
First put your processes in order and after that think what you want to do and how the software lends itself to that purpose. The project also needs the support of the company’s management.
Kristian Katilainen, AAVI Technologies Oy, Aton administrator
AAVI Technologies Ltd. is a clean air provider both for indoors and industrial emission control. AAVI is a high-technology Finnish R&D company, today owned by Chinese environment technology concern SNETS Ltd. The devices are designed and manufactured in Finland. The patented AAVI® technology is filter-free and combines gas adsorption and particle removal with ion emission.
When and how did you first come to the company?
I came in January 2017 to do my diploma work on production line layout design, after which I started working properly for AAVI in May. Since then, I’ve been working in slightly varying tasks: at first, I was in production planning, but when PDM implementation became relevant for AAVI, I moved over to PDM. That way, I also ended up as our PDM administrator.
What is your typical workday like?
It varies a lot. Sometimes I might spend half of the day working with Aton and the other half doing something else, depending on the deadlines set for different tasks and on product-related needs. I have the main responsibility for the productization of our Aavi Tuuli product, as well as for the management and development of the PDM system. Some work is also caused by the planning of our new factory, which will eventually become my main duty.
What are your personal strengths?
The use of different systems and the ability to see the big picture. In the future, I’d like to advance to a manager position or expert tasks.
What comes to mind when you hear the word “product information”?
I think of what a certain product includes, what kind of relationships it has and what it consists of.
What advice would you give to a company that is about to embark on a PDM project?
If you can learn something from our project, then I would definitely invest in preliminary preparations to ensure that the system can be implemented as quickly and painlessly as possible. The longer it takes with the implementation, the more expensive it will get for everyone. You also need patience, as you will have to go through a lot of documents during the project. You also need to arrange personal training for the administrator.
Have you always wanted to work in this field?
Yes and no. I have drifted into this filed, which I think probably has something to do with my family; it has unconsciously drawn me in this direction. As such, I do enjoy the work and the fruits of my work; it’s quite nice. There was a time when planned to go into economics and business, but it might not have been a better path.
Do you have time for any hobbies?
Nowadays I do. I won’t sacrifice sports due to lack of time anymore! I play ice hockey in an amateur league; we have trainings and matches. We’ll see what I’ll do with ice hockey next year. As a new hobby, I have TFW (Training for Warriors), and the aim is to be in top shape by next fall.
What else would you like to say?
Personally, I’ve liked our cooperation, even if there had been problems sometimes. That comes with the territory, the ups and downs. I’ve got a good impression of the cooperation with Roima.
Jouko Uotinen, Mechanical Engineer and SolidPDM Administrator at SAKSU
Savon Konesuunnittelu Oy (SAKSU) is an engineering office with long engineering experience going back to the year 1989. SAKSU offers mechanical engineering services for plants, machines and steel structures in the materials handling industry, and strength calculations of steel structures and machine components.
I first started at Savon Konesuunnittelu in 2004. I came to the house as Mechanical Engineer, and in the course of the years, I’ve also been responsible for the company’s IT. For the last 1½ years, I’ve worked as the PDM responsible of Roxon Oy.
What does your job description entail?
I support engineers in the use of SolidPDM, Aton and Solidworks. In addition to PDM work, I do mechanical engineering and strength calculations for transport systems.
Sports or spectator sports?
Well, neither really. Usually, I only end up following sports when Finland plays at ice hockey World Championships, but otherwise I don’t really watch or do sports.
Do you have any hobbies?
Around three years ago, we purchased a steel boat with a sauna. It is over 11 meters long and weighs 10 tons, and has a riveted hull. The keel of the boat touched water for the first time already in 1893, so the boat has now reached the respectful age of 125 years. The boat is my hobby all year round; in winter, I spend time taking care of it and fixing it, and I have really learned a lot doing that. In summer, the boat serves as our summer cottage with a sauna and a varying lake view. We tend to go around the Soisalo island (1,638 square meters) with the boat every year.
What comes to mind when you hear the word “product information”?
Product information is an opportunity. Or problems.
If you didn’t do what you do know, what would you do for a living?
I could be a technical support person / system fairy…
Juha Sarvi, ICT Manager and Aton Administrator at Kesla Oyj
Kesla Oyj is a Finnish multi-talent in forest technology. For over 55 years, it has had a strong grasp in the entire wood harvesting chain – from the stump to mill. Kesla products are carefully designed to serve the customers’ needs year after year, even in the hardest circumstances. Kesla’s operations are based on strong client-oriented product development and long-lasting cooperation with business partners. Through their comprehensive sales and service network, Kesla is able to reach and serve their customers with quality both in Finland and abroad around the clock.
Juha, when did you first came to KESLA?
I moved away from Imatra and came to work at Kesla’s Kesälahti factory in 1981, as Kesla was looking for a machinery professional. In 1985, I moved over to the company’s IT department, and after that, I’ve actually been studying further about every ten years. At the university of applied sciences, I specialized in programming and communications engineering. As my most recent endeavor, I completed Master studies in competence and strategic management. Kesla has given me the opportunity to study alongside work, which I’m very thankful for – although I must admit that I’m sometimes terribly busy. It has also required self-discipline to work and study simultaneously.
What is your typical workday like?
I first began to use Aton in 2004. Four years later, in 2008, Aton became Kesla’s item and structure master, and that’s when I took the responsibility for the administrative duties. My duties include taking care of the mother company’s ICT together with our strategic cooperation partners, such as Roima. Kesla has a long-term ICT strategy, and in accordance with that, I perform my duties very independently. Organizational and other changes cause a lot of work from time to time, as does the maintenance of devices, etc. In addition, the orientation of new employees and Aton user training also keep me kinda busy sometimes.
What are your favorite duties?
Most of all, I like to design new things, such as processes, and implement them.
Do you have any hobbies?
Dance is close to my heart; it’s a nice and social physical hobby that keeps your mind active. My hobby with mopeds started in 1995 and has now extended to building both big and small motorbikes. The summer before the last, I made a summer holiday trip with a classic old moped (1,800 km in 8 days).
What comes to mind when you hear the word product information?
Aton and information management. The fact is that information has to be managed in some way. In 2004, I participated in planning a product information management solution for Kesla together with our product development team. It is clear that 24,000 product documents cannot be managed without a proper system – without Aton, our engineers would be in big trouble!
What advice would you give to a company that is about to embark on a PDM project?
Master Data must be available and organized in a single place where it can be further distributed to relevant places. The users must be properly trained in using the system, and everyone must use it. Kesla’s all ICT documents are in Aton; otherwise it would be impossible to manage the big whole.
What was your dream job as a kid?
When I was a kid, we used to live in the country side. We had a small saw and we used to make our own toys of wood; I made many of myself as well. My grandpa was a blacksmith, and I think it must be due to the family background that I’ve always been building something.
Jukka Viitala, System Engineer and Aton Administrator at Patria Aviation Oy
Patria Aviation is manufacturing tactical data links, underwater surveillance systems, battle management systems, fire management systems and communications systems, among others. Patria Aviation Oy also offers service and maintenance as the contractor of the Finnish Defense Forces.
How did you end up working at Patria Aviation Oy?
I came here through a summer job; the company had suitable positions open. In addition, the company’s office was conveniently located halfway between my home and my place of study.
What does your job description entail?
I work as a “software-oriented” System Engineer in projects and as the Aton administrator of our business unit.
Do you have any hobbies?
Badminton and training at the gym, as well as all kinds of repairs and renovation (old house, old summer cottage and old yards).
What comes to your mind of when you hear the term ‘product information’?
At first, item management and change management at least. But now that I really think of it, document management, too.
If you would not work in this field, what would you do?
Well… When I was young, I could have drifted into sheet metal working or carpentry, as that runs in the family.
Jarmo Manninen, Development Manager and Aton Administrator at NTcab Oy
NTcab Oy is a Finnish company located in the town of Nivala in the Northern Ostrobothnia region in Finland. Employing around 50 people, the company designs and manufactures operator cabins for various types of working machines. NTcab’s customers include leading manufacturers of cranes and special working machines in earth-moving, mining, logistics and forestry businesses. The company’s ready-to-install cabs are manufactured in relatively small numbers on turnkey basis.
What does your job description entail?
My tasks include the management, maintenance and development of the ICT systems of our company. In addition, my responsibilities include manufacturing execution management and production planning.
Do you have any hobbies?
When I was younger I played ice hockey myself, but currently, I coach the ice hockey team of my sons.
What comes to your mind of when you hear the term ‘product information’?
Hmm… manageability.
If you would not work in this field, what would you do?
I like forestry and feel quite at home in the woods, so I could be a logger, for example. I enjoy working with my hands.
Juho Jurvakainen, Technology- and Development Manager and Aton administrator at Profile Vehicles Oy
Profile Vehicles Oy, the parent company of Profile Group , is located in Iisalmi, Eastern Finland. We develop and design special vehicles manufactured in the parent company and its subsidiaries. Our product offering includes ambulances, command cars and official cars.
I started at Profile Vehicles in February 2014 as a diploma thesis worker; the topic of my thesis was production development through product modularity.
What does your job description entail?
Product structure management, PDM administrator duties and design work , as well as some project management duties. The system administrator training gave me some good ideas for future PDM administration.
Do you have any hobbies?
Home maintenance and lounging in front of my computer at home, sometimes hiking.
What comes to your mind of when you hear the term ‘product information’?
Problems and the difficulty of management. Getting the PDM and ERP systems to work together in harmony might also turn out to be a challenge. In product information management, establishing and following common rules is essential to ensure that the data stays up to date.
What advice would you give to a company that is about to embark on a PDM project?
It is worthwhile to carefully consider in advance how you want to divide user rights in your company for example between different item groups or document groups. It is also important to be prepared for situations where updates interrupt production.
If you would not work in this field, what would you do?
I think it would have something to do with cars. I’ve been interested in them since I was a little kid.
Mika Aalto, IT Manager and PDM administrator at T-Drill Oy.
My first contact with T-Drill was already in 1999 when I got a summer job here. After that summer, I became more familiar with T-Drill during my years of study, and now I have been working here as a permanent employee for 10 years.
My work history is thus starting to look rather long. Up until recently, there were three of us working in IT Management at T-Drill, but since our colleague retired at the turn of the year, we are now a team of two.
T-Drill employs a total of 80 professionals in Finland and about a dozen in Atlanta, GA, USA. Each machine that we manufacture is made to customer’s order. The deliveries involve some amount of product development, so the PDM system is of critical importance to us. We manufacture durable machines, which is why we also need to preserve the data of each machine for at least 20–30 years after manufacturing it.
What does your typical working day include?
I manage the servers and network and take care of system-related maintenance. The tools I use include SOLIDWORKS, SolidPDM, Aton, ERP, an email system and a payroll system – the lot. I usually always have some project going on. We just finished a CRM project, and now at the start of this year, we’ll carry out a project to implement electrical CAD software.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I sometimes play floorball and football. At home, I can enjoy the programme organized by my two under 2-year-old children, a boy and a girl. I’m happy that I was able to take child-care leave and stay at home with them for 8 months.
What comes to your mind of when you hear the term ‘product information’?
I think of SOLIDWORKS and models.
If you would not work in your current job, what else would you be interested in?
Programming interests me, I used to do that a bit as a teenager. My true calling is to work in IT, and game industry could be interesting as well.