PLMIG

Investments in PLM are expected to rank alongside, or even exceed, those for ERP, SCM and CRM. In future years, many major investments will be made in PLM around the world, in both time and money, by both manufacturing companies and vendors of PLM technologies.

• the definition of PLM
• its exact scope and value
• how it will develop
• how it should be implemented and used

In addition, before creation of the PLMIG, there was:-

• no global focal point for PLM
• no entity that allowed PLM players from different organisations to collaboratively work together for the common good of manufacturing companies and technology developers
• no forum that enabled all of the interested parties to meet and discuss future progress
• no industry-agreed language, framework or approach for PLM
• no common way to learn from the experience of PLM pioneers

As a result, PLM development, implementation and use were not as efficient or effective as possible:-

• vendors were faced with long sales cycles
• users couldn't benefit from industry-agreed best practices for implementation and use
• academics were not sure if the PLM courses they offered and the research they carried out corresponded to industry needs

The independent, neutral, international PLM Interest Group was created to help overcome these and similar problems, and to promote widespread, effective use of PLM.