In today’s data-heavy environment, organizations increasingly face challenges storing and accessing large files including documents, zip files, CAD files, project directories, archives, etc.) within their Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems. For enterprises using Oracle Fusion PLM, integrating Oracle WebCenter Content (WCC) provides an efficient solution for managing files, especially when document sizes exceed the system limits, such as the 2GB threshold. Fishbowl Solutions has developed a robust architecture and process to simplify this integration, offering seamless access and storage for files exceeding 2GB. Below, we outline our approach and how our tools enable a smooth transition for large document storage.
Challenges of Storing Large Documents in Fusion PLM
Fusion PLM excels at handling documents smaller than 2GB, but organizations need specialized workflows and solutions for files above this threshold. Documents such as CAD files, extensive project reports, and compliance documents often surpass this size, creating a need for a secure, scalable storage solution. Manually managing these documents can introduce risk, inefficiency, and challenges in maintaining metadata consistency between systems.
Integrating WebCenter Content with Fusion PLM: The Fishbowl Approach
Fishbowl Solutions addresses these challenges by leveraging Oracle WebCenter Content’s capabilities as a high-capacity, scalable content repository. Our integration process, implemented on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), utilizes WebCenter Content as a backend repository for files exceeding 2GB, integrating seamlessly with Fusion PLM through Oracle Integration Cloud (OIC) and custom-built Visual Builder (VB) applications.
Key Features of the Integration
- Efficient Storage and Retrieval: WebCenter Content supports larger files and maintains performance, unlike typical PLM systems. Files exceeding 2GB are stored in WCC, where they are accessible through direct URLs in Fusion PLM, allowing users to retrieve or view files without directly handling large data within PLM.
- Automated Metadata Mapping: Our Enterprise Batch Loader (EBL) ensures efficient metadata mapping and synchronization across systems. Metadata is pushed from WebCenter Content to Fusion PLM, guaranteeing that document properties, identifiers, and version histories remain consistent across platforms.
- Streamlined Upload with Visual Builder: The integration includes a Visual Builder app that simplifies uploading documents. Users initiate uploads from Fusion PLM, and the VB app transfers files directly to WebCenter, automatically generating metadata and a viewable link accessible in Fusion PLM.
- Seamless Batch and Manual Uploads: Fishbowl’s solution supports both batch and manual uploads. Documents can be batch-uploaded to WebCenter Content via the EBL for large-scale migrations, and our Visual Builder app facilitates individual uploads for real-time, on-demand needs.
- Enhanced Security and Access Control: Using OCI’s identity and security controls, our solution ensures secure, role-based access to documents stored in WebCenter Content. Fusion PLM users can access relevant files through single sign-on (SSO) authentication, maintaining compliance and confidentiality standards.
Technical Architecture
Our architecture comprises several layers, each dedicated to ensuring performance, reliability, and data integrity:
- OCI as the Core Infrastructure: Hosting WebCenter Content on OCI provides the necessary scalability and security for high-volume data storage.
- WebCenter Content and Fusion PLM Connectivity: Using FastConnect or IPsec VPN tunnels, WebCenter Content connects securely to Fusion PLM if across multiple tenancies. Used for on premise connectivity for ingesting migrating files.
- Enterprise Batch Loader and OIC Integration: The Enterprise Batch Loader facilitates document uploads and metadata synchronization, while OIC manages the data flow, ensuring real-time updates between WebCenter and Fusion PLM.
Benefits of the Fishbowl Solution
By integrating WebCenter Content with Fusion PLM, enterprises can realize the following benefits:
- Reduced Storage Constraints: Offloading large files to WebCenter reduces load on Fusion PLM, optimizing both storage and retrieval times.
- Improved Document Management: Our integration ensures that all documents are cataloged with consistent metadata, creating a more organized and accessible repository.
- Enhanced User Experience: Users benefit from seamless access, allowing them to view or retrieve documents directly within Fusion PLM without size-related limitations.
Future-Proofing Document Management
Fishbowl Solutions’ integration between Fusion PLM and WebCenter Content empowers organizations to manage their documents effectively, regardless of size. With OCI’s scalability and WebCenter’s capacity, enterprises can store extensive files, maintain metadata integrity, and ensure secure access. For businesses aiming to future-proof their document management, this solution provides a solid foundation for scalability, security, and efficiency.
Are you ready to elevate your PLM document management? Contact Fishbowl Solutions today to learn more about our Fusion PLM and WebCenter Content integration services.
