core functions

PLM reaches the midmarket

Wed, 02 May 2007 20:01:38 -0400

Product lifecycle management (PLM) software used to be thought of as an enterprise play, but not anymore. Today, the midmarket accounts for about 45 percent of PLM software sold annually. PLM, which allows companies to manage and support the information surrounding their various products and parts, includes XML or enterprise application integration; core functions like data vaults, document and content management, workflow and program management, and information authoring tools and functional applications. It is becoming more popular in companies of all sizes due to the expansion of outsourcing and contract manufacturing overseas, an increase in mergers and acquisitions, and the amount of regulatory and compliance laws. PLM offers companies the chance to enable company-wide collaboration to create whatever products are in play. Unlike ERP, which focuses on transactional business operations and manages financial or inventory data, PLM focuses on products and is designed to handle the changing, unstructured data associated with product design. But quantifying ROI can be tricky. Vendors include Omnify Software, Agile Software, Enovia MatrixOne and Arena Solutions.

Learn more about the value of PLM:
- read the article at CIO Decisions

ALSO: read this on why PLM software is close, but not perfect

CIO: Open innovation is the path to take

Thu, 16 Nov 2006 19:01:35 -0500

As one CIO sees it, today's tech leaders should be focused on establishing and developing a sourcing strategy that puts true experts on core functions and allows the tech leader to devote more time and energy to innovation. Jim Noble, CIO at Altria Group, is soon to be the new leader of the Society for Information Management. He believes that the focal point must be on information, rather than technology, and wants to push open innovation and embrace ideas and expertise from outside of the IT enterprise.

For more on making open innovation happen:
- read the Q&A at CIO Insight

Making IT-business alignment work

Thu, 04 May 2006 20:01:36 -0400

Making headway on the business front requires both strong and consistent customer service as well as a constant quest to lower costs while not degrading services. As one expert outlines, both require IT's help. For CIOs and other top tech leaders the goal is IT-business alignment, and that requires identifying the company's core functions, assessing the various competing corporate strategies and determining the top priorities on which to focus. A good approach is to ask yourself some key questions, such as what competitors boast the greatest business threat, why they're successful and whether competing with them is a primary need.

For more on making IT a competitive advantage:
- read this article at CIO