PLM Solutions Must be Collaborative

CoLab-PTC partnership promises collaboration, let’s elaborate on the concept.

Broadly speaking, systems of engagement aim to drive better human-to-human interactions, whereas systems of record are said to focus on data-to-human synergies. In other words, better engagement is about real-time interactions, including sharing both structured and unstructured data, tracking decisions and change implications.

People, teams, internal and external functions collaborate as they work together to create or achieve the same things, engineering shared objectives and combined deliverables. (Image: Bigstock.)

Driving better human interactions goes beyond tracking issues, risks, decisions, 3D and document annotations and other structured data sets. These data sets are traditionally authored in multiple systems of records across the enterprise ecosystem, from PLM to ERP, CRM, LIMS and other technology platforms. So, to improve collaboration, enterprises need to produce data threads across successive conversations and decisions, while also linking to associated evidence from continuous iterations and operational governance from design reviews to gateway approvals, supplier deliverable sign-off and more.

In July 2023, CoLab Software announced a new partnership with PTC through their Partner Advantage Program which aims to address this need. The press release read: “By digitizing […] conversations, which often happen outside of PLM, CoLab provides an avenue to incorporate that data back into PTC Windchill and contribute to a stronger digital thread ecosystem.”

Existing customer feedback shows that this endeavor has been successful in the past. The release explains that “PTC customers using CoLab for complex review have accelerated design cycles 2x, achieved 8-figure cost reduction targets and tapped into more supplier design expertise.”

In this post, I elaborate on business benefit opportunities from integrated systems of engagement, discussing the untapped value from unstructured data underpinning collaboration. I will dive into the forefront of collaborative innovation, where traditional boundaries crumble and global teams unite seamlessly, all thanks to the prowess of modern collaborative tools. In short, these tools are orchestrating a revolution in teamwork, erasing geographical divides and transcending conventional communication barriers.

In his 2011 whitepaper titled “Systems of Engagement and the Future of Enterprise IT: A Sea Change in Enterprise IT,” Geoffrey Moore, then managing director at TCG Advisors, initially coined the term “systems of engagement” when referring to the need to “overlay and complement our deep investments in systems of record. Systems of engagement begin with a focus on communications. […] Now we are going to incorporate a third generation of communications, based on 1) connecting people in real time; 2) smart and geographically aware mobile devices; and 3) ubiquitous and cheap bandwidth.”

Furthermore, Moore refers to multiple applicable uses of new technology to lead “a consumerization of enterprise IT effort that is focused specifically on empowering knowledge workers and middle managers to negotiate the complexity of global supply and delivery chains in real time.”

Bringing this back to PLM, it typically includes concurrent engineering, design to print or build to specification manufacturing. However, it lacks the ability to track purposeful conversations and other impactful human interactions underpinning team performance:

• Communication to share feedback, provide context, answer questions, offer guidance and support: driving things forwards through formal governance and informal meetings, presentations, conversations and more.
• Coordination to foster teamwork and learning within a single team and across teams: enabling knowledge sharing, awareness of changes, decisions, issues, strategic directions and similar.
• Collaboration and networking within a given channel and across channels: driving cross-functional engagements per the principles of open innovation and early supply chain integration.

Enabling collaboration goes beyond data and human interactions; it implies a combination of open and closed networks and partnerships, flat and hierarchical governance and a flexible approach to decision-making and data management strategy.

Driving Better Flexibility with Data Threads

In a previous post, I referred to “data continuity” or “data threads” when “joining the dots across authoring sources and consuming platforms—not only breaking functional silos but also overcoming technical barriers.” The merger of structured and unstructured data isn’t solely about information—it’s about empowerment and flexibility.

Sharing information and translating knowledge into action goes beyond data and processes; it implies continuous feedback loops and interactions. This is sometimes referred to as “human-in-the-loop” when trying to put people back at the center of technology solutions—from simple decision-making to training AI or ML models.

The ability to expand interactions and data threads across platforms and functional silos is what brings value to organizations. The fact is that nobody or no organization can truly be technology-agnostic as data and processes are ultimately applied and managed through given platforms. There is a lot of information and unstructured data that falls off the scope of enterprise systems of record as they mostly focus on output and deliverables—rather than the required human interactions to get there.

Visualize this: instant messages traverse continents, critical documents materialize at a keystroke and complex projects unfold with the synchronized participation of experts spanning various domains. It is enabled by a realm of cloud and SaaS solutions that not just foster teamwork but preserve the vital essence of flexibility. Now imagine the outcome of when these tools seamlessly meld structured data hailing from PLM, ERP, CRM, LIMS and their counterparts with the untamed realm of unstructured data like emails and documents. They become magnificent tapestry of intertwined information threads, a unified repository that’s as dynamic as it is comprehensive.

Effective product development and introduction is typically centered across three business goals:

1. Return on innovation,
2. Time to market acceleration, and
3. portfolio performance optimization.

These are all powered by deep collaboration and learning. So, tools that merge industry data, like PLM, and collaboration, like instant messaging, are not just about data convergence. Collaboration is the foundation of agility, a trait that molds an organization’s core to swiftly adapt to market shifts and evolving customer desires.

Picture PLM data intricately woven with design insights, casting light on the intricate journey of product evolution. Envision customer feedback seamlessly intertwining with CRM data, an amalgamation refining marketing strategies and elevating the bar for customer satisfaction. Consider ERP data building the backbone of operational insights, entwined with production metrics and supply chain logistics. Visualize LIMS data integrating with research findings, propelling scientific discovery and regulatory compliance. The whole picture is driven by human interactions and decisions.

In an era where collaboration propels progress, these tools emerge as the linchpins of connectivity. They bridge divides, they synchronize diverse data and they empower organizations with the magic of malleability. This is the dawn of the collaboration evolution, where information threads weave a tapestry of innovation and where teams unite not solely to accomplish tasks, but to engineer marvels and drive more effective innovation.