PTC adds AI tech pack generation to FlexPLM
Jan 7, 2026 - Industry News
PTC announced new AI capabilities for FlexPLM that automate tech pack creation, a step that usually eats time and invites errors. The update will debut at NRF Retail's Big Show in New York City, Jan. 11-13, with demos at Booth #3346.
Turning design sketches into production specs often means handoffs, re-entry of data, and slipups. With AI-driven tech pack generation in FlexPLM, teams can extract details from design drawings and use them to populate BOMs, measurements, construction notes, attributes, and colorways.
PTC says this supports its Intelligent Product Lifecycle approach: combining structured product data with AI to improve workflow efficiency and decision-making across the lifecycle. For product development teams, that translates to less manual admin, faster iteration, and cleaner handoffs to sourcing and production.
What product teams can expect at NRF
- Hands-on demos of AI tech pack generation inside FlexPLM
- Features for product development, supply chain visibility, and sustainability/regulatory needs
- Dates and location: Jan. 11-13, New York City - Booth #3346
Practical takeaways for product development leaders
- Standardize sketch annotations and naming conventions so AI extraction is consistent.
- Clean up material libraries, size charts, and attribute dictionaries to reduce rework.
- Start with a focused pilot (e.g., one category or region) to measure cycle-time and error-rate improvements.
- Define human-in-the-loop checkpoints for BOMs, measurements, and construction details before release.
- Map integrations with CAD/PDM/ERP to keep a single source of truth across teams.
- Track KPIs: tech pack creation time, revision count, sample rework, and supplier queries.
If you're attending
- Bring a sample sketch and your current tech pack template to pressure-test the workflow.
- Ask how the model handles variants, colorways, and late-stage design changes.
- Clarify version control, audit trails, and data privacy for design files.
Learn more at ptc.com or check the event details at the NRF Big Show site.
If you're upskilling your team on practical AI for product development workflows, explore role-based resources at Complete AI Training.
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