The last post turned the corner from giving guidance on how to approach, justify, and define your path to PLM and started the conversation on how to choose a vendor. Today, we'll talk about some homework you need to do before bringing the vendors in (don't worry, I am sure they are ready when you are).

Take Inventory

All companies are not created equal. I am assuming that if you are still reading, you have a strategy in place and know what you want to achieve with PLM. But you have different capabilities, different problems, and different opportunities than other companies. Take the time to understand these before you talk to vendors. It can be a good strategy to take advantage of vendors' willingness to educate you, but make sure you have done your own homework first. Think through some of what your company can pull off. Don't rely on wishful thinking in this assessment, take a look at past experiences in implementing new solutions and changing the way people do their jobs. Some important considerations for your business (hint, these will also help you choose a vendor):

• Do you have enough business expertise in house to guide an implementation?
• Do you have the technical skills (configuration, programming, integration) skills in house to implement a solution?
• What current applications are in place (enterprise applications, design tools, etc.)
• Do you plan to integrate your PLM with enterprise and design applications
• What are your company's technology preferences (IBM Websphere, Microsoft, etc.)
• Will you support this through corporate IT or Engineering IT (if you have these)?
• Will you do the training yourself?

You should also consider some aspects of your business (in addition to your goals and objectives, which should be in place before looking for a vendor)

• How complex are your products? Your design chain? Your supply chain?
• Do any of your partners have an existing PLM system you will be integrating with?
• Do any of your partners have requirements for your PLM system?
• Are there any regulations that you need to comply with?

Depending on what you are trying to accomplish (and how much you are willing and able to do on your own) you may need a more complete, mature PLM suite like those of the "big PLM players" Dassault, PTC, or Siemens PLM (formerly UGS). Or, you may want to rely on your ERP vendor to provide your PLM solution. SAP has defined a significant roadmap to enhance its PLM capabilities, and Oracle has acquired PLM power in the form of Agile Software. You may want to look towards some of the major service companies like Accenture, Atos Consulting, Cambridge Solutions, Deloitte, IBM, Infotech, TCS, or others to help guide you down the path. Alternatively, you may find a smaller firm with the same caliber of resources such as Kalypso or Linx/AS might be a better fit. The important thing is to find a company that fits your business, and can add the capabilities you don't have internally.


Next week we'll start discussing the vendor landscape, it should be a lot of fun.

I look forward to your comments. Feel free to share your experience in selecting a vendor, your suggestions might save someone a lot of headaches...