MANUFACTURING

07 Dec 2015

Proliferation of connected products drives demand for product lifecycle management skilled service providers

FRAMINGHAM, Mass., December 7, 2015 – Manufacturers need product lifecycle management (PLM)-skilled service providers now more than ever before. Products with an increased amount of software within them (i.e. "connected" products) are proliferating at a steady rate (30 billion by 2020, according to IDC's Internet of Things Survey, 2014 ), and an enormous amount of product-related data is being produced which need to be managed and analyzed. To help manufacturers develop a short list of preferred service providers, IDC Manufacturing Insights announced today the availability of a new IDC MarketScape, Worldwide Manufacturing PLM Strategic Consulting 2015 Vendor Assessment (Doc #US40637915). The new report evaluates ten key providers participating in the worldwide manufacturing PLM strategic consulting market based on a comprehensive framework and a set of parameters that assesses providers relative to one another and to those factors expected to be most conducive to success in a given market during both the short term and the long term. Vendors evaluated include: Accenture, Atos, Capgemini, Cognizant, Geometric Limited, IBM Global Services, Infosys, L&T Technology Services, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and Tech Mahindra.

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Manufacturers universally are in the process of moving or planning to rationalize their global PLM instances to a single one that unifies data and extends to other systems due to product complexity, value chain expansion, and 3rd Platform technologies. Strategic consulting plays a particularly important role in this age of transformation because of the level of process, organizational, and value chain complexity inherent to designing, engineering, and manufacturing of complex, configured, and customized products. The vendors evaluated in this new IDC MarketScape all have decades of experience in manufacturing, large, global PLM practices, and are investing in growing these practices (some more than others). However, the differentiating line between these vendors is close.

According to Jeff Hojlo , Program Director, IDC Manufacturing Insights, "Where service providers in the PLM market differentiate themselves is in having the ability to work cohesively across the different functions of the global team to present a unified front to the client — account management, project management, system architecture, and technical support — and in not only executing to the letter of the service agreement but also proactively making recommendations and providing potential solutions to problems."

The PLM market is maturing, and changing, quickly. Many of the service providers have similar offerings, are technically very strong, and have a focus on PLM. IDC Manufacturing Insights offers the following key takeaways for end users when choosing and working with a strategic consultant in the PLM market.

• Manufacturing Industry Expertise : Industry expertise is a differentiating factor among service providers; Look for service providers that have solution architects, project managers, and consultants who work well as a team and know your industry and business nuances.

• A Road Map to the Product Innovation Platform : Ability to evolve PLM into a product innovation platform is a key capability for service providers – not only connecting PLM systems, processes, and data across the enterprise and value chain, leveraging 3rd Platform technologies, but also in concert with complementary business process and organizational consulting as well.

• Clear Communication of Capabilities : Find a service provider that is clear on what they can and can't do in support of your consulting needs, what their future roadmap is for service, and how their consulting and systems integration teams will work together.

• Connecting Project Price with Outcomes : Explore profit sharing or risk sharing models with your service provider: this may not be appropriate for every project, but your service provider should have the flexibility to offer the model that meets your business needs.

• Proactive Expertise/ Skills Development and Retention : Find a service provider that has a track record of successfully mitigating the high attrition rate prevalent with some engineering and PLM services firms, due to the competition for talent.

IDC MarketScape criteria selection, weightings, and vendor scores represent well-researched IDC judgment about the market and specific vendors. IDC analysts tailor the range of standard characteristics by which vendors are measured through structured discussions, surveys, and interviews with market leaders, participants and end users. Market weightings are based on user interviews, buyer surveys and the input of a review board of IDC experts in each market. IDC analysts base individual vendor scores, and ultimately vendor positions within the IDC MarketScape, on detailed surveys and interviews with the vendors, publicly available information, and end-user experiences in an effort to provide an accurate and consistent assessment of each vendor's characteristics, behavior, and capability.

About IDC MarketScape

IDC MarketScape vendor analysis model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of IT, telecommunications, or industry-specific suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor’s position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT, telecommunications, or industry-specific vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a transparent foundation to allow companies to independently compare the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors.

About IDC Manufacturing Insights

IDC Manufacturing Insights assists manufacturing businesses and IT leaders, as well as the suppliers who serve them in making more effective technology decisions by providing accurate, timely, and insightful fact-based research and consulting services. Staffed by senior analysts with decades of industry experience, our global research analyzes and advises on business and technology issues facing asset intensive, brand oriented, technology oriented, and engineering oriented manufacturing industries. International Data Corporation (IDC ) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology market. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG , the world's leading technology, media, research, and events company. For more information, please visit www.idc-mi.com , email info@idc-mi.com , or call 508-988-7900. Visit the IDC Manufacturing Insights Community at http://idc-community.com/manufacturing .