This paper focuses on the design of materials supply systems in product development projects. In order to design the materials supply system in parallel with the product, product data must be available to the materials supply systems designers. The aim of this paper is to discuss the information quality of the required product data and to indicate how this information quality can be increased. Empirical data have been gathered through studies conducted within the Manufacturing Industry.

The empirical data show many deficiencies related to information quality. In order to improve the information quality, the advantages provided by PDM-systems must be utilised. It is also essential that materials supply systems designers are able to state what product data they need as well as the form of the data. In addition, the current status of the product data must be provided, i.e. information about how much the data may change.