Today is the last day of 2023. I find myself reflecting on the major themes and milestones that shaped Beyond PLM this year. This final blog article of the year not only a summary of 2023 but also sets the stage for an exciting 2024. So, let’s dive into the main themes that dominated beyond PLM discussions in the world of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM).
15 Years of Beyond PLM:
Back in 2008, I came with the idea to share daily thoughts and ideas about product lifecycle management (PLM), product data management and product development process online using a blog. Back in that time, it was a way for me to open a communication channel and share knowledge about product lifecycle, business processes, PLM software, document management and, in general, about everything that called engineering and manufacturing software. I called it “Beyond PLM” because I didn’t want limit myself on a specific topic and definitions. Therefore I covered a broad scope of topics related to designing and building products, process management and project lifecycle management. It doesn’t cover a specific software, but expand to all business systems including an entire lifecycle, looking into engineering challenges and verticals such as supply chain management, manufacturing process and building of modern PLM systems. For me, this blog has been a platform to connect with colleagues, share knowledge, and foster innovation within the PLM community for all these 15 years. The journey of Beyond PLM has been a proof to the power of digital communication in driving industry-wide discussion and collaboration. I’d like to thank you everyone for that experience.
The Focus on Education:
Education emerged as a significant theme throughout the year. I introduced a concept of the PLM playbook and focused on its potential to guide manufacturing companies in their digital transformation journeys. Check more here – PLM Playbook: Mastering Strategy and Tactics for Successful PLM Implementations. Education became the cornerstone for achieving transformational goals, as it empowered organizations to leverage PLM effectively.
Structuring Digital Transformation:
Digital transformation continued to be a hot topic in 2023. The emphasis shifted towards process optimization and restructuring, recognizing that successful digital transformation requires a solid foundation of data management and collaboration technology. Check the article – Structure and Models of Product Data for Connected PLM Processes.I explored the complexities of this transformation and offered insights into navigating the challenges.
The Rise of AI in PLM:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) took center stage in 2023. The year saw the early integration of AI technologies, including contextualization techniques similar to those used in ChatGPT, into PLM. These AI solutions held the promise of helping manufacturing businesses develop products that are better, cheaper, and faster than ever before. More about it in my article – ChatGPT Enterprise: Will we see PLM AI any time soon?
Product Knowledge Graph and Digital Thread:
I also explored the concept of the Product Knowledge Graph and how it could revolutionize product development processes. This innovative approach aimed to build a new generation of PLM platforms that seamlessly integrated the Digital Thread. This vision became a foundational principle for OpenBOM, laying the groundwork for future developments. A couple of articles to mention here- How to build a product model for digital thread and Excel Exodus and Empowering Enterprise with Knowledge Graphs and Model AI-enabled PLM services using data.
Let me say thank you and share more hopes:
As the year draws to a close, I take a moment to express my gratitude to the readers and commenters who have been a part of the Beyond PLM community. I extend my best wishes for a happier 2024 and encourage us all to focus on love and empathy. In a world where negativity can often overshadow positivity, I remind us that love is the driving force behind creativity and innovation.
Looking Ahead to 2024:
With anticipation and excitement, I look forward to the discussions and collaborations that await in 2024. As the digital PLM landscape continues to evolve, I envision a future where collective efforts lead to a better engineering and manufacturing world.
What is my conclusion?
As Beyond PLM wraps up 2023, it leaves me with a sense of accomplishment and a vision for the future. Although I didn’t accomplish everything I planned, I found myself focusing on the important topics in PLM community. The year was marked by education, digital transformation, AI integration, and technologies like knowledge graph and modern data management. All together, with the goal to build innovative PLM solutions for the future and help companies to transform the way they do work. I wish we focus on love and empathy. Although hate is louder, love is always more creative. I hope it will be a reminder that, together, we can create a brighter future in 2024 and beyond. Just my thoughts…
Happy New Year to all, and let’s continue building a better future together!
Best, Oleg
Disclaimer: I’m co-founder and CEO of OpenBOM developing a digital-thread platform with cloud-native PDM & PLM capabilities to manage product data lifecycle and connect manufacturers, construction companies, and their supply chain networks. My opinion can be unintentionally biased.
