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Product data management systems provide a recognized solution to managing
data in electronic format, securing access to this data, making information
more readily accessible to those who need it, cut cycle time, and reduce
storage space (see Design Automation
Requirements to Support IPD). How can you find the right solution and
assure successful implementation and use? DRM
Associates can help your company with the following six-step approach:
- Need Assessment & Justification. We use our Product
Development Assessment methodology to understand your development process
and critical success factors, identify improvement opportunities and needs,
and collect data to justify the acquisition and implementation of a PDM
system. We work to assure that management understands PDM systems, technologies,
processes and benefits through our Product
Data Management Workshop and is commited to a PDM system and to taking
the necessary actions to improve the overall development process.
- Requirements Definition and Evaluation. We work with your personnel
to jointly define your organization's requirements for a PDM system. We
use a PDM benchmarking database to quickly and cost effectively compare
your organization's requirements against product capabilities. This is
followed by getting you company personnel to further evaluate the candidate
PDM vendor or vendors resulting not only in the selection of a vendor which
best fits the company's needs with a minimum of time and cost, but your
commitment to the PDM solution.
- Process Reengineering and System Configuration. We would
assist with and guide the process reengineering that is critical to achieving
the benefits of reduced cycle time and workload. We involve users in this
process to assure the buy-in that is critical to PDM success. We would
assist in planning the necessary technical environment for the system including
servers, networks, databases, and any other required software or hardware
components. We would guide structuring data such at the organization definition,
access privileges, release levels, process steps, etc.
- Pilot Project. We recommend starting implementation with a pilot
project. This could be a new development project or a product line. We
would provide training, convert data, and guide deployment of the PDM system
to this project. We would monitor the use of PDM and take corrective action
to address any problems or issues.
- System Integration. We would provide guidance on integrating
the PDM system with other databases and enterprise systems such as MRP
II, design automation tools, work instruction systems, spares parts and
field service systems, etc. We would help create the infrastructure necessary
to support the system on an enterprise-wide basis.
- Enterprise Deployment. Once an enterprise solution is developed, we apply the
lessons learned during the pilot project to begin deploying the PDM
system and reengineered development process to the rest of the
enterprise in a phased manner.
Our team can assist with all or any of these six steps to help your organization
improve the product development process, better manage product and process
data, improve access to information, and reduce cycle time.
For further information, please contact:
Kenneth Crow
DRM Associates
2613 Via Olivera
Palos Verdes , CA 90274-2809, USA
Telephone: (310) 377-5569
Fax: (310) 377-1315
Email: kcrow@aol.com
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