A blog by Oleg Shilovitsky
Information & Comments about Engineering and Manufacturing Software

Key Success of SharePoint – What Should PLM Learn?

Key Success of SharePoint – What Should PLM Learn?
olegshilovitsky
olegshilovitsky
6 January, 2010 | 1 min for reading

I’ve been thinking about Microsoft SharePoint success in enterprise organizations. For the last few years Microsoft leapfrog in their ability to provide SharePoint-based solutions. I will put below few points that in my view are the foundation of this SharePoint success.

1. Basic solution for share files and portal availability.
2. Initial licenses embedded in Windows Server.
3. It doesn’t require huge upfront implementation and service efforts.

What I can conclude is that most of SharePoint deals were down without huge IT involvement and, of course, CIO approvals. I’m sure that many CIOs even don’t know how many SharePoint instances they have in their organization. The conclusion – no CIO involvement can simplify your solution path to the organization.

Now, I’m thinking back about PLM. For the last half decade, the most important message from businesses and sales I heard about – we need to sell PLM to C-Level. This is so called ERP lesson. This is the way ERP was sold to many organizations. My question today – is it something that PLM need to continue pushing forward? No, I don’t think so. Don’t take me wrong, I don’t see any problem in selling enterprise solutions to CIO in the big organization. However, when you think about mainstream adoption, ability to expand the solution in the organization, to get some end user commitment will be very beneficial.

So, what is my conclusion today?. PLM needs to learn how to play Trojan Horse in the organization and start flying below CIO radars. This is what SharePoint did, and, I think, it was successful. Of course, after implementing such strategy you will be invited to CIO too. However, your position will be different.

Just my thoughts. YMMV.

Best, Oleg

Recent Posts

Also on BeyondPLM

4 6
14 August, 2012

One of the most profound ideas in the history of PLM is the idea of PLM database that contains all...

22 May, 2021

My last article PLM vs ERP Tug of War generated a great number of comments. Thanks, everyone for sharing your...

5 January, 2015

Products are getting more complex these days. There are multiple reasons for that. Adding of connectivity and software is one...

31 August, 2018

I attended Solid Edge University Boston event earlier this week. Magnificent Boston Marriott Long Wharf hotel with meeting room exposed...

27 August, 2014

We love and hate email at the same time. Since early beginning (back in 1962) email remains one of the...

3 May, 2011

The ability to use PLM in downstream applications was always a challenge. There are multiple reasons for that – complexity...

14 May, 2010

I think cloud / SaaS option for PLM can become a reality earlier than expected. Listening to customers, vendors as...

18 September, 2023

Digital transformation has unfurled a new chapter for the world of manufacturing and product lifecycle management (PLM). This seismic shift,...

3 February, 2025

Have you ever tried to eat an apple but only managed to finish half? It’s still better than not having...

Blogroll

To the top