Fast track to PLM services aimed at manufacturing SMEs

PLM (product lifecycle management) software developer UGS is launching web-based seminars and a business centre aimed at showing mid-size manufacturers how to harness the technology to improve all important engineering innovation without spending a fortune. Dubbed ‘The Fast Track to PLM’, it follows publication of engineering analyst Cambashi’s report, Product Lifecycle Management for Mid-sized Companies, which highlights the importance for SMEs of PLM tools as larger corporates push development responsibility down to them. “The new priority is innovation, and the tools that encourage and support it have become the tools for survival,” says Peter Thorne, consulting director at Cambashi. “Preconfigured applications and affordable pricing are increasing the availability of PLM tools to mid-size companies and improving their ability to succeed in this environment.” Cambashi’s report insists that using pre-configured PLM systems based on industry best practices is the way to go for SMEs – to get up and running fast. And a study on the subject by analyst Aberdeen Group (The PLM for Small to Medium-Size Manufacturers Benchmark Report) also shows that SMEs that have done so have achieved benefits equivalent to those of much larger companies, despite SMEs’ limited resources. UGS’ seminar series reflects that, focusing on what it sees as the four priority initiatives. First is new product development, which UGS sees as integrating people and processes to link customer requirements with project management and execution – meaning design, simulation, validation and manufacture. Second is what it terms value chain synchronisation: optimising the exchange of knowledge and information from idea to product for better responsiveness. Third is enterprise data management: organising and providing secure access to product and process information throughout the product lifecycle for re-use and efficiency. And fourth is ‘commonisation’ – again about maximising the re-use of parts, assemblies, equipment and processes as well as best practices across different programmes. “The need to drive innovation applies to every participant in the value chain, and mid-size companies need PLM to be an effective player in the process,” says Bruce Boes, vice president of UGS.” Where PLM was once the domain of only large enterprises, now it is accessible to companies of all sizes and resource levels. “The Fast Track to PLM programme helps companies understand how PLM helps transform the process of innovation and how UGS can help companies to get up and running in minimum time.” Go to http://www.ugs.com/smb for more information.