Once the decision has been made to implement a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) program, how do you go about integrating it into your business? Do you have to completely overhaul all your operations or can a PLM system be implemented in increments? Most industry experts agree that completely overhauling your business is never a good proposition and any changes should be made in a careful, well-thought-out manner, although this can depend on the type of system you choose.
According to Eric Larkin at Arena, "Manufacturers should look for a service-based PLM solution which they can join and start using incrementally with as little risk as possible, and which then seamlessly scales as the company becomes more familiar with it and its needs evolve." He suggests that manufacturers look for PLM software that can be:
• purchased in increments vs. requiring and "all-in" upfront investment,
• deployed quickly, with subsequent additions offering easy deployment,
• seamlessly integrated, has a common UI and architecture for a holistic PLM system.
When considering a PLM system, it is better to focus on a specific business issue, rather than try to address a number of issues at once. "A practical approach to PLM deployment is to select a specific process that will have a significant and positive impact on both the bottom line and overall ability to compete," says Marc Lind at Aras. Flexibility is also very important for a PLM program, and allows a manufacturer to meet changes without costly reprogramming.
"The ability to easily change a PLM system should be a primary consideration and carries particular importance in an environment of continuous improvement or dynamic conditions," Lind says. "The more ...