PLM in the USA, BPM Project or Program?
2PLM NewsletterJohn Stark Associates August 30, 2010 - Vol13 #11 |
|
Welcome to the 2PLM e-zine This issue includes :
|
 |
| PLM In The USA by Roger Tempest |
|
| This is a short article about how well PLM is applied in the world's leading economy. It describes everything that is commonly known about the success stories, the best practices, and what the USA can show the rest of the world.
Well, that was it. With the exception of a handful of case histories, a few presentations at trade shows, and general interaction at vendor events (which are, by definition, closed to the outside world), that is what we all know. In the July 05 issue Denis Senpere suggested that the strategic nature of PLM is more developed in Europe. Since then others have disagreed, but nobody knows for sure. The massive implementation track record within the United States is hidden from view. Small wonder then that many thousands of business people do not really understand what PLM is. How would they know? It's one of the world's best-kept secrets. Even in companies that are implementing PLM there is more progress to be made. Comments to the PLMIG from American respondents range from the high level:- "We have grown from acquisitions but, while we have not integrated our people or processes, we (management) seem to think we can have a design-anywhere, build-anywhere mentality. I don't see how that can work with 6 PLM approaches - we need one, not six." to the detailed:- "The list of topics [we would like to know more about] is pretty broad, from business and technical strategies for integrating design, manufacturing, and marketing capability segments; PLM vs ERP; bridging legacy solutions and next generation PLM solutions; product classification strategies, lifecycle and ECO controls; supporting early design cycles and ideation, etc." |
America is well known for having a huge internal market, but Europe may have an advantage. Europe has natural subdivisions, and it is comparatively easy for German or Dutch companies (for example) to set up PLM-related associations within their own country. America is large enough to be fragmented into four or five "regions" which all believe they belong together but which are separated by the practicalities of travel.
The PLM industry in the USA does not have a voice, and it would be better for everyone if it did. It would enable American companies to learn from each other, and show the rest of the world where it can improve. The voice needs a home, and it needs a structure to talk around so that the conversation moves forward rather than in circles. The PLMIG is an international industry body and has a standards and reference model framework on which to base comparisons of progress. As part of the drive to get PLM in the Popular Press the PLMIG will run a PLM in the USA feature over the next couple of months to show the general picture of the current state of the art.
It well be that PLM development in North America can show the rest of the world the way forward. If so, it's time that we all knew.
Roger Tempest is co-founder of the PLMIG. You can send your views of PLM in the USA to him (or request more information) via plmusa@plmig.com |
 |
|
|
| Small Ad Section | |
|
|
 |
|
|
Top
To unsubscribe, please visit My account, - Newsletters- "manage my subscription" and untick the appropriate box.
Subscription is free to registered users. Register now
Post to Twitter