Propel + Salesforce: A Scalable PLM for Modern Enterprises

Customers and products are two of the most important assets of any company. There is a constant need for integration between the two as feedback from customers is required to improve products over time. 

That is why connecting your PLM with a CRM is one of the most sought-after integration solutions. Particularly, integration with Salesforce CRM, as it is the most widely used customer relationship management platform in the world. 

However, when enterprises consider PLM options, some common themes emerge: high learning curves, disconnected data models, and lack of technical expertise. Traditional PLM tools run separately from Salesforce with their own databases, security models, and cloud environments.  

 On the other hand, Propel PLM is 100% built natively on Salesforce, and maps directly to the overall Salesforce Admin experience. It changes how teams personalize, interact and analyze product lifecycle data.  

And the best part? The same Trailhead technologies that Salesforce Admins use every day: Lightning App Builder, Quick Actions, Reports, Dashboards, and In-App Guidance are available out of the box for Propel PLM. 

In this blog, we’ll look at how this alters the PLM equation. 

Overview of Propel PLM 

Propel is a modern PLM system that is one of the top alternatives for the now aging Oracle Agile PLM. Founded in Silicon Valley, Propel PLM is built natively on Salesforce. The platform connects the dots between engineering, supply chain, sales, service, and customers. Companies get a single system of record with Propel where product data and customer data live side by side. 

Moreover, Propel inherits Salesforce’s role-based security, profiles, and permissions, so IT doesn’t need to manage two different systems. And because it’s native, Propel can utilize the AppExchange ecosystem to integrate with thousands of apps without custom coding. 

And before you ask, no, you don’t need to already have Salesforce to use Propel. Propel runs on Salesforce’s platform using what’s called an “OEM embedded” license. This means everything you need is built in. Therefore, you don’t have to have Salesforce or buy separate Salesforce licenses; Propel comes as a complete, self-contained system powered by Salesforce. 

How Propel’s integration with Salesforce changes PLM 

PLM systems used to be heavy, slow and hard to adapt. Propel changed that. Built on Salesforce, it gives every user an easy-to-use system that works. Simple pages, one-click actions, and real insights.  

It turns PLM into a driver of growth. Here’s why: 

1. Record pages that work for every user 

In traditional PLM, engineers typically get overloaded detail pages and non-technical users confusing layouts. Typically, those pages need to be configured by IT projects, or by services of the vendor. 

• With Salesforce Lightning App Builder + Dynamic Forms, Propel admins can: 
  • Customize record pages (parts, BOMs, changes and CAPAs) by dragging fields and components. 
  • Profile, application and form factor (desktop vs. mobile) based layouts. 
  • In a matter of seconds, you can add related lists (suppliers, files, deviations). 

This flexibility means that what looks like a compliance-critical field to a quality manager looks like a file and price list to a supplier manager.  

Global context: Industry stats estimate that inefficient UI and data entry actually costs enterprises 20% of engineering productivity. Propel uses Salesforce-native layouts to turn that into a competitive advantage. 

2. Custom buttons and quick actions for better productivity 

Legacy PLM workflows commonly involve multiple clicks (or even different portals) to take simple actions. Propel uses custom buttons, links and quick actions to minimize friction. 

Examples: 

• Custom Button: View on Google Maps for supplier locations 
• Quick Action: Log CAPA directly from a nonconformance record 
• Global Action: Create Campaign to link marketing and product launches in Salesforce. 

One of the things these one-click shortcuts are for field teams or executives for which they are game changers. They synchronize the PLM activities within Salesforce’s overall workflow, breaking down siloes and speeding up the decisions. 

Why this is important around the world: A 2024 CIMdata survey showed that lack of usability was the number one reason for PLM rollouts going wrong. A frequent use of this is to provide barriers to adoption by making PLM tasks a natural extension of Salesforce tasks. 

3. User engagement is built-in 

Training and adoption has always been the Achilles’ heel of PLM. Traditional platforms demand huge amounts of training or custom help overlays in the classroom. Salesforce turns this on its head with in-app guidance: 

• Onboard Engineers: Walkthroughs & Prompts help new suppliers upload compliance documents or get engineers on track to ECO approvals. 
• Docked prompts: Display step by step CAPA resolution guidance next to work. 
• Walkthrough Journeys: New hires should have their “aha” moment – either value immediately 

Using the MAP model (Message, Audience, Purpose) admins can create adoption strategies that really work. Adoption speed is a common theme in our discussions with customers, and it is a key differentiator compared with ARAS. 

Global perspective: One research shows that enterprise software adoption rates are below 60% when training is external. In-app engagement leads to adoption and drives faster ROI. 

4. Reports and dashboards that drive insight 

Ask any ARAS user for a dashboard and you’re likely to get a static export or a BI integration request: Propel uses Salesforce native Reports & Dashboards for real-time visibility. 

• Tabular Reports: All open ECOs this quarter 
• Summary Reports: “CAPAs by Priority” by business unit 
• Matrix Reports: ECOs by Month vs. Product Line -> great trend analysis. 
• Dashboards: Visualize opportunity in stages, ECO cycle time, supplier quality by NCR count. 

Dynamic dashboards mean that: 

• Engineers see their ECOs 
• Supervisors view their team’s ECOs 
• Executives view global rollups 

Why it matters: Aberdeen research finds that companies using real-time PLM dashboards decrease time-to-market by 23 percent. This is natively provided by Propel, without additional BI tools. 

5. A platform built for scale and change 

Propel isn’t just a PLM tool. It is a Salesforce-native platform, which means: 

• Seamless integration with CRM, Service, CPQ and Commerce Cloud. 
• Security, scalability, and compliance: Salesforce’s global infrastructure is inherited 
• There is no need for admins to have a different skillset – the same tools used in Sales Cloud can be used in PLM. 

In the face of shorter product lifecycles, global supply chain disruption, and regulatory change, agility is not optional. Propel makes PLM a core driver of digital transformation rather than a siloed afterthought. 

Conclusion 

Traditional PLM software create silos. Propel, combined with Salesforce, is a PLM without limits that connects your customer and product data together. It empowers companies to accelerate product innovation, ensure compliance, and engage every stakeholder, from R&D to sales to suppliers. 

Propel gives every team a system that adapts in minutes without heavy IT projects or code. Engineers get the tools they need; executives see the insights that matter, and every role works in a platform built around them. 

Xavor is an official partner of leading PLM platforms like Propel, Aras Innovator, and Oracle Agile PLM. We have 15+ years of experience in delivering PLM solutions to clients in different industries across the globe. If you are new to PLM software or are looking to migrate your existing setup by shifting to Propel, contact us at [email protected]. Our experts will get back to you within 24–48 hours.