What does a PLM do?

Product lifecycle management software provides a controlled and automated way to manage product information and processes (BOMs, engineering changes, documentation, quality...) throughout the entire product lifecycle. It brings mechanical, electrical, and software designs into one shared platform—enabling dispersed teams to collaborate on the entire design before passing the released product to downstream systems like ERP. https://www.arenasolutions.com/what-is-plm/

A PLM is the gate keeper for your intellectual property, and the avenue for your manufacturer to build the product per your specifications