This article discusses the future of software that links engineering and manufacturing. Companies are seeking a natural link between engineering and manufacturing, even if some aspects of it may be restricted. According to experts, giving manufacturers direct access to that design information would help them isolate potential manufacturing problems earlier in the cycle, cut product development time by stepping up design-manufacturing communication, and ensure that products will comply with government regulations. The article also describes that by allowing for quick communication and updates to an already existing computer-aided design model, product lifecycle management (PLM) can help speed these products to market. Engineers are putting efforts to bring PLM information to the factory floor to cut production time. Though the day of easy integration has yet to arrive, many companies are using PLM to reduce cycle time. Pushing PLM to the factory floor would help, according to an engineer. However, that's not an option for many until integration software comes to the fore.