Google Cloud Storage - Centric Integration and Automation

Common Integration Use Cases Between Google Cloud Storage and Centric

1. Centralized storage for product design assets and technical files

Data flow: Centric ? Google Cloud Storage

Centric users can store large supporting files such as CAD exports, 3D renders, specification sheets, packaging artwork, and prototype images in Google Cloud Storage while keeping the product record in Centric as the system of reference. This reduces load on the PLM environment and provides scalable, durable storage for high-volume design content.

• Improves access to large files without impacting PLM performance
• Supports versioned storage for design iterations and approvals
• Helps teams in design, sourcing, and quality access the latest assets consistently

2. Automated archival of obsolete product documentation

Data flow: Centric ? Google Cloud Storage

When products move from active development to end-of-life, Centric can archive historical product records, approved artwork, compliance documents, and development artifacts into Google Cloud Storage for long-term retention. This supports audit readiness, regulatory compliance, and lower-cost storage for inactive content.

• Reduces operational cost by moving inactive files to lower-cost storage classes
• Preserves historical product evidence for audits and legal review
• Supports retention policies and lifecycle management

3. Shared repository for digital asset distribution to downstream teams

Data flow: Centric ? Google Cloud Storage ? downstream systems and users

Centric can publish approved product images, packaging files, and launch assets to Google Cloud Storage for consumption by marketing, e-commerce, regional teams, and external agencies. Google Cloud Storage acts as a scalable distribution layer for files that need to be accessed outside the PLM workflow.

• Speeds up product launch coordination across departments
• Provides controlled access to approved assets for external partners
• Reduces manual file sharing and version confusion

4. Backup and disaster recovery for critical product data exports

Data flow: Centric ? Google Cloud Storage

Centric can export critical product data sets, such as bills of materials, specification packages, and approval histories, into Google Cloud Storage as part of a backup or disaster recovery strategy. This creates a secure off-platform copy of essential business data for recovery and continuity planning.

• Supports business continuity for product development operations
• Provides an independent backup repository for recovery scenarios
• Helps protect against accidental deletion or system outages

5. Product content staging for PIM and DAM synchronization

Data flow: Centric ? Google Cloud Storage ? PIM and DAM platforms

Centric can publish approved product content and media files to Google Cloud Storage as a staging layer before synchronization to PIM and DAM systems. This is useful when product teams need a controlled handoff from development to commercial content operations.

• Creates a clean approval checkpoint before downstream publishing
• Improves consistency between product data, marketing content, and digital assets
• Reduces rework caused by incomplete or unapproved files

6. Collaboration on large media files during product development

Data flow: Bi-directional

Design and merchandising teams can upload large image sets, videos, and render files to Google Cloud Storage while Centric references those assets in product development workflows. Updates made in Centric, such as approval status or metadata changes, can be reflected back to the storage-linked asset records to keep teams aligned.

• Enables efficient collaboration on large files that are difficult to manage in traditional PLM workflows
• Supports faster review cycles for packaging, labeling, and presentation assets
• Keeps product metadata and file storage aligned across teams

7. Compliance evidence repository for regulated product categories

Data flow: Centric ? Google Cloud Storage

For industries with strict compliance requirements, Centric can send test reports, certifications, supplier declarations, and approval documents to Google Cloud Storage for secure retention and retrieval. This gives compliance, legal, and quality teams a reliable archive of evidence tied to each product lifecycle stage.

• Improves traceability of regulated product documentation
• Supports fast retrieval during audits and inspections
• Reduces risk of missing or fragmented compliance records

8. Global access to launch-ready product files for distributed teams

Data flow: Centric ? Google Cloud Storage

Once a product is approved for launch, Centric can push finalized files to Google Cloud Storage so regional offices, factories, and commercial teams can access the same approved content globally. This is especially useful for organizations operating across multiple geographies and time zones.

• Ensures all regions use the same approved product materials
• Improves launch coordination across manufacturing and commercial teams
• Provides scalable access to large files without overloading the PLM system