Earlier today, I attended CIMdata PLM Industry and Market forum in Ann Arbor, MI. The theme of the event this year was Digitalization. Earlier this year, I shared some of my thoughts about Digital Transformation and Digitalization – 3 Steps towards digital transformation, The role of digital PLM In real-time inventory management, How full digital supply chain impact PLM. Digital everything is an interesting trend. In my view, it is critical process to create holistic organization processes and streamline data handout between silos.
According to CIMdata, PLM is moving into the next evolutionary step – end-to-end connectivity and digitalization is a driver to make it happen. Look at the following diagram.
End-to-end connectivity is fascinating. Because it is focusing on one of the biggest pains in modern manufacturing organization – siloed information. Each department and organization is living in a silo of processes, databases, people – connectivity between organization is inefficient, slow and requires lot of data synchronization. Therefore my favorite example in CIMdata’s presentation was the following slide demonstration how single source of truth (well-known PLM paradigm) is going to transform into end-to-end Digital Thread.
The example of connected bill of materials is really make sense to me. It made me think again about presentation I’ve made last year in Munich during PI Congress. Check my blog here for additional information – Single BOM strategy. Single BOM is not a product. It is a vision and maturity model that enables to create a consistent way to create, update and share Bill of Materials in manufacturing organization. It is an integrated approach.
What is my conclusion? PLM is moving from siloed approach to integrated data-driven processes connected information and eliminating inefficiency. Collaboration, communication and data sharing technology will become a key enablers of future digital end-to-end connected environment. Just my thoughts…
Best, Oleg
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Disclaimer: I’m co-founder and CEO of openBoM developing cloud based bill of materials and inventory management tool for manufacturing companies, hardware startups and supply chain. My opinion can be unintentionally biased.
