“Fast Track to PLM” SMB program highlights latest industry research that shows PLM is key to value chain synchronization for speed and confidence

Siemens PLM Software, a division of Siemens Automation and Drives (A&D) and a provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services, has announced the expansion of its “Fast Track to PLM” SMB (small to medium-sized business) educational seminar series to help manufacturers understand how to improve their value chain synchronization.

The need for value chain synchronization is the focus of a new report issued by management consulting company Cambashi Limited: “Value Chain Synchronization for
Mid-sized Manufacturers.”  The report states that SMBs are seeing significant performance advantages – including on-time delivery, overall spending, reduction in finished goods inventory and increased communication – by employing PLM technologies within their value chain.  Cambashi explains that the value chain extends the supply chain to include design and research partners as well as the traditional operational partners.

“Value chain relationships that involve product development as well as supply offer growing business value in global markets,” said Peter Thorne, director of consulting, Cambashi Ltd.  “Both in-house and external communication must be considered.  Every group must respond to changes and new information as if they were part of a single unit.  For mid-sized manufacturers, PLM is an essential tool for maintaining and improving efficiency and speed even as products, manufacturing processes and supply structures are becoming more complex.”

“SMBs recognize that to increase their competitiveness in today’s global market they must collaborate with their partners and suppliers in a much more dynamic and effective environment,” said Dave Shirk, executive vice president, Global Marketing, Siemens PLM Software.  “Sixty percent of mid-sized manufacturers already do business in a global supply chain.  The most innovative SMBs use PLM to achieve synchronization by giving key players access and visibility into the product information they need to manage processes across the value chain.  With this in mind, our company brought PLM to the mid-market through the SIEMENS Velocity Series, the industry’s first comprehensive, preconfigured portfolio of digital product design, analysis, manufacturing and data management software for the PLM mid-market.  Siemens Velocity Series enables SMBs to get on the ‘Fast Track to PLM’ and synchronize their value chain into a global innovation network to bring the right products to market faster.”