FRAMINGHAM, Mass.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—November 12, 2008— Leading independent research and advisory firm Manufacturing Insights, an IDC company, today announced the release of a new study Global PLM Study: Observations and Lessons Learned, which sought to understand the most important business objectives for manufacturing companies as well as key process improvement goals and how these are reflected in their product life-cycle strategy. As a result, Manufacturing Insights found a significant disconnect between PLM providers and the buyer community with regard to the current go-to-market approach. According to survey results, the current approach employed by technology vendors is primarily based on industrial sector and company size which, the research found, is too broad for influencing buyers in a tight economy. Survey results uncovered that in order to obtain more substantial investment returns, the parameters that define the role of PLM in a company's strategy need to be more effectively associated with product value chain, industry sector, and geographic region to better align the role of PLM with market strategy.

This Manufacturing Insights study is based on a global primary research project in which over 300 manufacturing firms across multiple industries including high tech, automotive, industrial machinery, and durable consumer goods, identified the most important business objectives and key process improvement goals and how these reflect on the overall product lifecycle strategy and company objectives. According to Joe Barkai, practice director, Product Life-Cycle Strategies, and author of the report, "These results showcase how not all manufacturers view PLM the same way, and the level of PLM maturity can vary quite dramatically. While in some companies PLM is maturing from a collection of engineering and manufacturing applications to a strategic capability, others lag and still view PLM primarily as individual engineering and productivity tools. We found that while companies have similar goals: increase revenue, cut costs and improve productivity, they are not consistent in the relative importance they assign to PLM to meet these goals. Areas that are traditionally associated with PLM, but some manufacturers are slow to adopt, include innovation, commoditization, and engineering change management."

Manufacturing Insights contends that PLM vendors will benefit from developing a deeper understanding of the business and process improvement goals of manufacturers of different sizes, industries, and geographies, as well as how they use PLM tools to tie product development process to market strategies. The firm also recommends that PLM vendors develop a market segmentation approach that is based on archetypes aligned with the buyer's landscape.

For more information on this report or to set up a press briefing with Joe Barkai, contact Sarah Murray at 781-794-3214 or email Email Contact. Clients of the Manufacturing Insights research advisory service(s) may download the report. Non-subscribers are encouraged to contact Manufacturing Insights to discuss how this research fits into their own technology investments and ongoing go-to-market services. Contact Email Contact.

About Manufacturing Insights, an IDC company

Manufacturing Insights, an IDC company, provides business and information technology (IT) decision makers with fact-based research and analysis to inform and support critical business decisions. The global independent research and advisory firm closely follows processes associated with the design, development, and distribution of goods across markets, including discrete manufacturing, process manufacturing, high tech/electronics manufacturing, consumer packaged goods, and retail. Manufacturing Insights' research and analysis is critical for end users, as well as hardware and software vendors, service providers, and purveyors of IT outsourcing. Manufacturing Insights is headquartered in Framingham, MA. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research, and event company. For more information, visit http://www.manufacturing-insights.com.

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