Understanding PLM requirements drives growth

It's easy to see why the product life-cycle management (PLM) market has grown so rapidly, says Jay Fulcher, CEO of Agile Software. "Having already wrung excess cost out of business, manufacturers realize it's imperative to focus on getting innovative product to market quicker."

Recent developments at Agile include more vertical industry-specific solutions, an expanded product line, and a growing geographic presence, Fulcher says.

Agile is working with industry leaders to define business requirements and tailor its solutions to create the vertical solutions set, targeting automotive, aerospace & defense, consumer products, electronics, high-tech, industrial products, and life sciences. Each solution supports global enterprises—as well as small and midsize companies—in managing all phases of the product life cycle.

"Our product line is getting broader and deeper via the introduction of both our next-generation PLM solution, Agile 9, and the Agile Advantage 2006 PLM solution suite for small and midsize manufacturers," Fulcher says. "We're also working to more tightly integrate with partners. The result is that while we offer solutions ourselves, we're also an enabler that knits other solutions together with the Agile PLM platform to meet customer requirements."

Agile also continues to broaden its geographic coverage. As more products are designed and built in the Far East, it's been vital for Agile to expand its presence there, Fulcher says. "Our business in China and Taiwan has grown two or three times over in recent years."