Rolls-Royce is undertaking one of its most ambitious digital transformation programs to modernize the engineering and manufacturing systems that support its global operations. The company is replacing decades of highly customized software with standardized product lifecycle management (PLM) tools from Siemens, supported by cloud technologies and low-code development platforms. The goal is to reduce technical debt, improve collaboration, and make engineering data more accessible for artificial intelligence applications across the business, tells Develop 3D.
The scale of the challenge is enormous. Rolls-Royce manages approximately 1.4 million parts used in complex aerospace and power systems, many of which remain in service for more than 50 years. Its engineering ecosystem includes more than 13,500 Teamcenter users, 4,150 Designcenter users, and 12,500 Opcenter users worldwide. Over time, thousands of custom applications and specialized tools created isolated data silos that made software upgrades difficult and limited the ability to share engineering knowledge across teams.
To address these issues, Rolls-Royce is building a modern digital environment using Siemens’ Teamcenter, Designcenter, Opcenter, and Intelligence Center X, together with Microsoft cloud technologies. Rather than continuing to customize core software, the company is emphasizing out-of-the-box capabilities and low code development through Mendix and Ply. This strategy allows engineers to create workflows and extract insights without relying heavily on custom programming or external software consultants.
The transformation also lays the foundation for broader AI adoption. By connecting enterprise systems with internal data lakes, Databricks, and Rolls-Royce’s AI platforms, including Air Factory and Air Foundry, the company aims to create a unified data fabric that supports advanced analytics and intelligent decision-making. Engineers will be able to discover patterns, identify performance improvements, and access information more efficiently throughout the product lifecycle.
Beyond the technology itself, the initiative represents a cultural shift. Rolls-Royce is encouraging its workforce to embrace frequent software updates, standardized processes, and shared digital tools. By reducing customization and improving data accessibility, the company expects to strengthen its digital thread, accelerate innovation, and position its engineering organization to take full advantage of AI throughout design, manufacturing, and long-term product support.