Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) has evolved away from its roots as a set of engineering oriented tools into an enterprise-level solution that is at the heart of modern business management. Without effective PLM, developments such as contract manufacturing, contract design and many e-business initiatives would be impossible.

An enterprise-wide PLM solution consists of a number of system elements that combine together to help an enterprise:

• Deal with increasing product complexity and customisation
• Innovate more quickly, improve quality and lower costs
• Provide better service to customers
• Work in virtual teams and provide 24x7 global support
• Exploit intellectual assets more effectively
• Insulate itself against the effects of frequent structural changes ranging from full mergers to temporary partnerships

The business benefits of PLM are clear, but many companies struggle to implement PLM and to achieve the highest possible return on their investment. Projects are often held back by:

• A failure to create an enterprise-wide product data blueprint which provides a focus to draw the various elements of PLM together
• Too much focus on providing tools to create data rather than access data – which is all the majority of users need to benefit from PLM
• Overemphasis on standardisation and the search for a single solution, which leaves no-one satisfied and is inflexible in the face of mergers or trends such as co-development with suppliers

Atos Origin offers a comprehensive yet pragmatic approach to introducing PLM that addresses these issues and provides business benefits quickly. Our solutions are based around a federated architecture with PLM functionality delivered to users through a web-based product data portal. Our MAPLE methodology - which spans the whole design-build-operate lifecycle - provides a consistent approach, together with common drivers, tools and techniques, to help you deliver complex PLM programmes in well-defined phases. The methodology allows you to develop a PLM solution that addresses your company’s needs and with the scope and timing of each phase tailored to suit your business. Atos Origin’s proven approach to PLM is already delivering benefits for Philips Semiconductors, Philips Lighting, Philips Consumer Electronics, Philips Medical Systems, Siemens, ITT, Lucent, Nike, Airbus, and Lockheed Martin.

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