PLM implementations – why to simplify first?

In life, the simple things are often the best ones. That’s probably something we all agree with. But how does simplicity translate into PLM implementations? It’s simple – introducing automation in your most complicated business processes will most likely lead to a computerized mess. That’s why the general rule of thumb is to simplify certain aspects of your business before introducing a PLM solution into the mix. Otherwise, you might find automation to be contra-productive. With simplified processes, you will experience minimized business errors, so it’s really a win-win situation no matter how you look at it.

At Frontech Solutions EU, we are more than aware of what it takes for our PLM software to work in your favor. Feel free to schedule a consultation with our team of professionals and we will give you an overview of all the benefits a tailored PLM solution will have on your businesses, as well as answer all of your questions about the process.

Why should you simplify your business processes before implementing PLM?

Instead of focusing on simple processes, we will for a moment focus on what complicated ones bring. Complicatedness inside a business can be defined as the increase in the number of developmental structures, business processes, metrics, procedures, etc. Companies impose committees in an attempt to control and organize the rising number of complex business processes. In reality, companies are just worsening the problem.

Let’s imagine you are trying to remedy the problem of declining product quality. To combat the problem, you decide to dedicate a unit that will monitor the production in your plant facility. By introducing more rules, meetings and governance mechanisms, you are just taking the complicatedness to a whole new level. And that’s not the most fertile ground for PLM for plant facility solutions implementation.

Now, bear in mind that an increase in business processes is most likely a good thing. It means you are doing something right and upgrading your business. However, if you want to profit from PLM implementation, you will have to ensure that some of your business components are as simple as possible. And that brings us to another important point.

The things to simplify before introducing PLM implementations

You might be reading this text so far and wondering what are the things in your business that you could simplify. After all, as far as you know, there aren’t any aspects your business struggles with. However, there are always some things you can improve – both in the business world and in our daily lives. No matter if you are running a plant facility or a fashion company. So before paying a lot of money for a PLM for apparel and footwear solution, we suggest you first take a look at the following items. 

Data organization

The process of collecting data can be a messy one. You could have tons of different Excel sheets and could use multiple programs for data storage. What PLM should do once in place is organize that data so that it is stored in one location. That location would then be available to all the departments and team members, making other business processes a much easier endeavor.

But before you can harvest all the value of PLM and its benefits when it comes to data storage, you first need to organize your existing records. Bonus points if you manage to get rid of or isolate historical data that you need only for reporting. 

Plan for the change for easier PLM implementations

Have you finished with data organization and simplified the way you store it? Great! You are ready to move on to the next step that leads to implementing a PLM system – making a plan for the necessary changes. As a business owner, you should be familiar with all the departments in your company. From design to manufacturing, all of these processes need to be planned and simplified. If you have to define only one goal, we suggest it be creating a fault-free system with minimum dependencies. When departments depend on each other, it creates a much more complicated process, and we have already established that we are aiming for simplification.

Data availability

As previously mentioned, in order to have a smooth-operating business, you need to ensure that all of your employees can access data from one source. Do you know why we often see individuals in an organization creating their own Excel datasheets? It’s because people don’t trust the system and are afraid to depend on others for any type of information that is closely tied with their livelihood.

So, to simplify the extraction of data, you need to plan to have one source where all of the data will be stored. You will see how a change this small will create a huge impact on your overall business. So imagine how much impact the change of implementing PLM will have!

You know your business best

We gave you a couple of ideas on how you can simplify some of your business processes. And create a fertile ground for a PLM system. But bear in mind that, as a business owner, only you know what’s best for your business. With a complete insight into your business procedures, you will most likely be able to estimate well. Which aspects could be simplified and which ones have to remain slightly more complicated?

And once you finish your part of the job, feel free to get in touch with our team and schedule your consultation. We don’t shy away from providing you with the most reliable pieces of information related to our tailored PLM systems. Believe it or not, with the right team on your side, automation can be a very simple process. Considering our top-rated status on the European ground. Frontech Solutions EU is more than the right team to turn to when in need of PLM implementations.