Theme for PDT Europe 2011 -Collaborate to Compete – using PLM standards to architect the extended and virtual enterprise.
Today’s business organizations have to operate as part of multiple business networks. Supply Chains are becoming Supply Networks and involving design, risk sharing and support through life as well as manufacture and delivery. Operating within such networks requires agility – hard wiring businesses together is very costly in the long run. PLM standards are a key enabler for architectures that are the foundation of agile business.
No single PLM or ERP vendor is able to deliver all IS/IT to an industry – even if some may claim they can. The agile business model lets an organization use best of breed business processes and IT systems. Such companies can shift focus between products and services and it can operate with different business models in different geographic regions and business areas.
The selection of partners and joint ventures is entirely based on business opportunities where IS/IT is an opportunity and not a risk. Mergers and acquisitions as well as spin-off activities are simplified. PDT Europe 2011 will look into some success stories enabled by PLM standards. It will also examine what is needed to become a “best partner”.
PDT Europe 2011 is about the strategic importance of PLM standards for organizations, industries and regions, thus is relevant at a very strategic and high level. It will also deliver practical advice at the detailed level.
To “collaborate to compete” requires both a top-down and a bottom-up approach. No longer just relevant to specific company needs, PDT is important for industries as well as for regions.