# Page 4 | Arena PLM Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra > Page 4 - Is Arena PLM the right Manufacturing solution for you? Explore 100 verified user reviews from people in industries like yours to make a confident choice. Source: https://www.capterra.com/p/6101/Arena-PLM/reviews --- Arena PLM 4.4 (100) Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) * * * Last updated March 18th, 2026 # Page 4 - Reviews of Arena PLM ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 76-100 of 100 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use sD stev D. Pricipal Engineer Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Mr Negative" September 8, 2022 3.0 Pros Flexibility of the bom output to excel and shorting Cons The user interface is not intuitive. too many different styles of selection for commands. Review Source MT Michel T. Product development manager Consumer Electronics Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Very easy to get started and arrange Arena standard systems to match our way of working" June 28, 2017 5.0 All documentation in one place with all spec's and info attached to the BOM. Creates overview, peace of mind, reduces time to search for info, reduces confusion in the organization etc etc Pros Minimal set up, only create settings to match our need, and all files, data and info is linked to items so all info is in one place Cons Some User interface details, like the multifunction back key, top right corner is not so intuitive, i often need to explain the function. Moving from one item one level up in the BOM is not so easy, so moving between multileve partlists is not so intuitive. Editing BOM/spec can only be done when you in that level, so you have to first go into the subassy to be bale to add/remove items. There must be a way that this is not needed so you can do it anytime as long as you see the item you want to modify. Review Source JE John E. Senior Product Quality Engineer Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Arena provides a high degree of value; lots of functionality relative to the cost." June 28, 2017 5.0 We aren't using all the potential benefits at present, but are working to take advantage of them. It is a solid tool for Configuration Management; we are just starting to use some of the capabilities that go beyond classic CM. Pros This tool allows an organization with limited Configuration Management experience to do an effective job of CM. Cons Some of the user interfaces could be improved to be more intuitive for those unfamiliar with CM or databases, but this is more a user training issue. Review Source OO Olga O. Principal Quality Engineer Medical Devices Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "New user" September 6, 2022 4.0 Pros Easy to navigate and almost self-explanatory. The Cons Search criteria are not always obvious. Switched from [SAP Business One](https://www.capterra.com/p/214667/SAP-Business-One/) Change of jobs Review Source Response from Arena, a PTC Business September 27, 2022 Hi Olga, Thank you for your review. We're happy to hear you find Arena so easy to use. sL sushma L. post market surveillance specialist Medical Devices Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Very easy to use" September 12, 2022 5.0 very satisfying Pros Easy to track quality records and multi-functional access Cons May be add more features that increases the ease for users. Review Source Response from Arena, a PTC Business September 30, 2022 Hello Sushma, Thank you for your 5-star review of Arena. We appreciate your feedback! KS Kay S. Quality Engineer Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Intuitive, easy to use and flexible " June 28, 2017 4.0 Pros \- The advanced search tool I like the most. It helps me to filter what I need for change orders or part numbers regarding to any given attributes. - I also like the that you can customize attributes for ECRs, ECOs and items Cons Product revision control is a bit too manual (no auto-rev-up for parent items). Some GUI at the request level is confusing. Review Source PM Peter M. Cybersecurity Engineer Medical Devices Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Arena Software Review" September 6, 2022 5.0 Pros This software is quick for a user to find what they are looking for Cons The initial layout of information when reviewing items within Arena can be unclear at times Review Source Response from Arena, a PTC Business September 9, 2022 Hello Peter, Thank you for your review of Arena PLM. We're happy it helps you quickly find the product information you need. TE TAN E. Director , Global Mechanical Commodities Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Ease to use the software" June 29, 2017 3.0 Pros Visibility on key information that we need and ease in the set up of new account for access . Turn around time is short and approval process is easy to manage Cons No historical record on pricing and Arena pricing could only keep the price of one source , does not allow weighted cost for dual or multiple sources . Review Source ZO Zachary O. Production Support Engineer I Research Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "A Base User's Look at Arena PLM" July 8, 2023 4.0 Pros Relatively easy to take care of trainings required and review current and prior versions of documents. Cons The dashboard feels unintuitive and sometimes seems like activities are left longer than expected, leading to times I second-guess if I've completed a training. Review Source Response from Arena, a PTC Business July 14, 2023 Hi Zachary, Thank you for leaving us a review! We appreciate your feedback regarding the dashboard and will be sharing it with our team to account for in future enhancements of our product. RW Robert W. Director Q and R Medical Devices Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Very good system once you learn it, routing a bit complex for change orders. " July 11, 2017 4.0 Esig with all records and as EDMS both for Design and Production, Training records consolidated for those records, now ad hoc capability for external training records. Pros Training system now available, configurable for design and production environment. The company appears to listen and be responsive to problems when encountered in the released product. Cons Training system does not allow cloning for job specific tasks to be combined for higher level employees that perform multiple functions. Review Source KZ Karter Z. clinical holter technician Hospital & Health Care Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "it's great!" July 19, 2023 5.0 Pros Very easy to use and easy to integrate into current business programs and models. Very user friendly Cons There isn't really anything that I did not like Review Source Response from Arena, a PTC Business July 28, 2023 Hi Karter, Thank you for leaving us a review! We appreciate your time and feedback and are happy to hear you've been enjoying using Arena PLM. PS Phil S. Configuration Manager Aviation & Aerospace Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Easy to use cloud-based PLM system provides a stable and reliable source for controlled data" June 28, 2017 5.0 Reliable PLM controls Pros Mature software with many quick views and links to related information. Easy to train users, intuitive interface Cons Report writer is old and awkward and needs overhaul. Inability to provide searches/filters/reports based on stage of route for change orders. Review Source AP Anthony P. Quality Engineer Computer Software Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Recent Updates Have Improved it, but still missing bulk vendor permissions update" June 2, 2018 4.0 Pros Approval signature flow works very well. Analytics is very powerful, but of course it comes at extra cost Cons The notification emails are too frequent and can be very cryptic as one learns the system. There is not bulk permissions update, so when vendor has a new person come on board, that person has to be manually added one-by-one to every Engineering Change Order they need to view. Review Source RR Ryan R. Hardware Engineer Consumer Electronics Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Arena Review" February 20, 2020 3.0 Overall, Arena does the job it is supposed to, but the user experience could be better. Pros Arena is a good tool for managing complex Bill of Materials and supplier/sourcing relationships. Sourcing info is easy to find, and it's easy to see where a specific component is used. Cons The user interface is a bit outdated and not very visually appealing. The search functions are not always the best. Review Source SP Steve P. Software Medical Devices Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Feature rich Web 2.0 application for product lifecycle management" February 1, 2018 4.0 Product is continuously improving Pros Greate once you understand how to use it. Easy to use, reliable, cloud provisioned. Help and support are available online, training videos, too. Cons Hard to learn, difficult for users who are familiar with rich application interfaces. It's a hard sell for people used to modern applications. Review Source EM Einat M. Supply Chain Manager Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Good value for money PLM software" December 2, 2021 4.0 Pros Very intuitive, easy to use and works perfectly Cons Terminology in the SW is not always aligned with other terminologies in the market so you'll need to adjust, there's an unsolved issue with BOM compare between revisions (it's working for different PNs but not for different revisions for the same PN) Review Source Response from Arena, a PTC Business April 20, 2022 Hello Einat, Thank you for your review of Arena PLM. We're glad to hear you're happy with the solution. Please check with your customer success coach about the BOM compare issue as there may be a resolution. CL Caroline L. Sr. Document control Specialist Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Good" July 11, 2017 5.0 Pros Simple and easy to use and access. Our users easily to find information and document they looking for. Review Source VD Veena D. Program Manager Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Had a positive experience using the software, and keeps a great record of the history of changes." June 28, 2017 4.0 Pros Ties items and assemblies together to find full history of the changes, ECO's, and Deviations. The new changes included a header change to show the progress of the ECO, which helps to view the status. Cons Sometimes hard to navigate and search for requested items. The "Changes" View doesn't show a list of items, so unless you know what you're searching for specifically, it is hard to see it on the changes tab. Review Source JG Jonathan G. VPM Hospital & Health Care Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Review Arena PLM" May 18, 2017 2.0 It provided the client, Acclarent with a platform for management of documents within their product life cycle. Pros (Relative) ease of use. I am stating this based on a requirement to say at least one positive thing about SAAS. Cons Product claims that are marginal at best. Ability of the organization to maintain a validated state. Review Source SA Sam A. Test engineer Industrial Automation Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Good to can organise the project and everything involved in it." July 12, 2017 4.0 Pros Good organised, and after a while can find everything I need, good with this notification list so I can follow all emails I received from ARENA and the action point I have there. Cons Needs continuously use to can remember all functions and features, sometimes it is too many steps to go through before adding any item. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Quality Lead Internet Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "The best PLM & QMS software you can get" November 27, 2019 4.0 We use Arena for PLM activities and also as document management system. Definitely you need to try it once. Pros No learning curve, super easy to start working on the tool. Item Management: With item management you can easily switch between the current and previous revisions Cons Interface can be improved. In future, they can focus on mobile version of the software. Apart from that I think it is really a nice tool. Review Source SV Sue V. Director of Finance, HR and Corp. Compliance Medical Devices Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Software has automated the training function well however still missing certain features." July 12, 2017 3.0 Automation of document control and training. Pros Trackability. I can keep track of who has been trained, when and what is open. Can eliminate paper training records, especially since the system is managed on 2 coasts. Cons Document control, change control a bit complicated-too many steps. Not very intuitive. Have to go from one screen to another. Review Source MI Matt I. Hardware Manager Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Great support thru the initial setup process, no issues at any time with the system after. " June 28, 2017 4.0 Pros Ease of use for new users. Full customization of all fields to meet our specific needs without having to develop anything. Cons The inability to create new items in bulk. Ie. if you create this type of part you also need these 4 other parts no matter what. The ability to have a macro type option to do some of these multiple part creations would be great. Review Source TH Tara H. Coordinator Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Arena can be tricky to navigate" October 9, 2017 3.0 Pros Arena is available to store a lot of information and if used properly, should be able to house all of the documents and product data one might require. Cons The search function in Arena is difficult to use and is a little too particular, especially if the wording isn't exact. Review Source BW Brian W. Used the software for: ### "Great PLM" August 17, 2015 5.0 I used Arena for 4 years at a medical device company. We used Arena for document control (PLM) and BOM management. We did not use Arena for ERP / supplier management. Compared to the other PLM I have used, Arena is the most intuitive and easiest to use. Only thing I would update is the ability to limit particular users from accessing older revisions of documents. Review Source Response from Arena, a PTC Business August 25, 2015 Thanks for the great review and helpful input Brian! Talk to a Capterra advisor for free and get results within 15 minutes.