Happy New Year!
As I reflect on the past year, 2024 was a pivotal time for Beyond PLM and sharing my knowledge about product lifecycle management, PLM software, product development process, and specific (more narrow) topics related to PLM systems, product data, business processes, knowledge sharing, change management.
The topics about design and engineering phase of development, modern PLM software, supplier collaboration, data modeling technologies, data sharing, and broad topic related to PLM solutions, supply chain, service lifecycle management, production process, and many others were introduced and I enjoyed the conversations and idea exchange. I’m going to summarize top 10 discussions topics on Beyond PLM during 2024 and share with everyone (stay tuned in the next few days).
It was a year of different experimentation – adjusting article frequencies, refining topics, and finding a voice that resonates in an era increasingly shaped by technology and artificial intelligence (AI). Looking ahead to 2025, I’m excited to build on these lessons and embrace new opportunities for growth and innovation in my blogging journey.
For the entirety of 2024, I explored how AI could complement my creative process. While every blog post remains deeply personal – crafted and written by me – AI tools have emerged as indispensable companions. They’ve helped me articulate complex ideas, discover nuances in topics, and sharpen my analysis. From identifying trends, making analysis, quick summary and framing questions, AI has enhanced our ability to deliver content that is both insightful and actionable. As we enter 2025, I’m planning to use multiple AI tools to help me to be more specific and improve my way to communicate. The goal is to improve the value Beyond PLM brings to you as readers, .
Here are five major changes and improvements I’m introducing to Beyond PLM in 2025:
Continue Deeper Transformative Discussions
In 2024, longer-form, analytical posts proved to be highly engaging, sparking meaningful discussions among my readers. These articles allowed me to dive into transformative topics – like the transformation from documents to data, graph data models, change management paradigm shifts and the evolution of the digital thread.
In 2025, I plan to continuing to publish one to two such in-depth articles per week. My goal in these posts will offer detailed perspectives, supported by additional analysis. The goal is to continue addressing the big questions that are reshaping the PLM landscape, fostering a dialogue that challenges traditional approaches and inspires innovation.
The Return of Daily Blogging
Daily blogging has always been a cornerstone of my approach to sharing ideas. In 2025, I’m bringing it back with a renewed purpose. These shorter, more frequent posts will allow me to share a wide range of thoughts, insights, and observations.
The beauty of daily blogging lies in its diversity. One day, I might dive into the intricacies of graph databases in PLM; the next, I could reflect on broader industry trends or share spontaneous ideas. This rhythm will not only keep the content dynamic but also help me connect with readers on a more personal and immediate level. They key here will be a short form – I’m not planning long articles, but short publications.
Revitalized Blogging Platform and Email Subscription
While LinkedIn has been an invaluable platform for distribution and engagement, I’m returning focus to the traditional Beyond PLM blog. A major redesign is underway, aimed at creating a cleaner, more user-friendly experience.
Restoring Email Subscriptions: Many readers have expressed how much they miss receiving Beyond PLM updates directly in their inbox. I’m thrilled to bring back this feature, ensuring that my content reaches readers in the way they prefer.
This shift reflects my commitment to owning the narrative and maintaining a space dedicated entirely to the ideas and discussions that define Beyond PLM.
Reintroducing Video Content
After a significant hiatus, I’m planning to experiment with video content again in 2025. Videos provide a unique way to connect with the audience—offering a more dynamic and engaging medium for sharing ideas. It is still not clear to me what form it will take – a quick updates, podcasts, webinars, or commentary on industry trends, video will complement the written content, bringing Beyond PLM to life in new ways.
Exploring the Transformation of Technology and People
One of the most pressing challenges I see in the PLM space – and beyond – is the need to align technological advancements with the evolution of people and processes. In 2025, I’m introducing a dedicated theme on this topic.
These posts will explore how the intersection of technology and human transformation can drive better results. From adopting AI and cloud technologies to fostering collaboration and cultural shifts within organizations, this theme will highlight the strategies needed to navigate today’s complex digital landscape.
Bonus Topic: PLM AI Art
Over the past year, I’ve been experimenting with using AI to create images—an experiment that I found both entertaining and attention triggering. While I can’t pinpoint exactly why I’m drawn to it, this exploration of PLM AI Art has become an unexpected outlet for creativity. Whether it’s visualizing abstract concepts in PLM or simply playing with ideas, I find these experiments enjoyable, and I plan to continue them in 2025. Who knows? Perhaps these visual creations will spark new ways of thinking about PLM and its possibilities.
What is Conclusion?
Looking Back and Moving Forward: 16 Years of Beyond PLM. As I mark 16 years of blogging, I’m reminded of how much the world—and the PLM industry—has changed since I started Beyond PLM. In the early days, the conversations revolved around product data management and future of the cloud PLM solutions. Today, we’re tackling the challenges of digital threads, composable architectures, and AI-driven insights.
What hasn’t changed is my commitment to this blog as a space for exploration and dialogue. The rapid emergence of AI has been a catalyst for transformation, not only in PLM but also in how I approach blogging. It’s pushed me to rethink my methods, experiment with new formats, and embrace tools that enhance my ability to share knowledge.
In 2025, I’m excited to continue evolving Beyond PLM—not just as a blog but as a platform for ideas, insights, and community. From in-depth weekly discussions to spontaneous daily posts, from email updates to video experiments, I’m looking forward to creating content that resonates with the needs and aspirations of my readers.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Stay tuned for what’s next—because the best is yet to come.
Best,
Oleg
Disclaimer: I’m the co-founder and CEO of OpenBOM, a digital-thread platform providing cloud-native PDM, PLM, and ERP capabilities. With extensive experience in federated CAD-PDM and PLM architecture, I’m advocates for agile, open product models and cloud technologies in manufacturing. My opinion can be unintentionally biased.
