Abstract: To solve the problems, such as decentralized R&D data management, lack of effective R&D process control and management, insufficient coordination between R&D and manufacture, etc, a PDM-based cigarette product R&D management system was designed by introducing of PDM (Product Data Management) concept. With the architecture based on B/S system and adopting object-oriented technology, the designed system established a product data model by taking product composition as an object, and established a R&D process model by taking the key business unit, activity and role of R&D as objects. The system implemented close integration with MES (Manufacturing Execution System) and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) via the unified product data model. The results of application showed that the system consolidated the resource, process and data of R&D, realized the effective management and control of R&D data and process, and enhanced the collaboration between R&D and manufacture.