How To Choose The Right PDM

There are many solutions out there for PDM. PDM solutions vary from simple check-in check-out to full feature automated workflows. How do you decide which one is right for you? The decision process can be tedious. We’ve compiled a couple of things that one should consider during the PDM buyer’s journey.

Criteria for choosing the right PDM can be broken down into Product and Service. These are defined as follows:

• Product: The features of the PDM that allow it to meet your needs.
• Service: The ability of the PDM vendor to help use the product.

Product

Product includes features, budget, and model. Many PDM products offer the same features, but there can be a few key differentiators. Solutions vary in pricing so determine how much you are willing to invest in a PDM. As with many applications, PDM solutions are moving to the cloud. But some companies might still want an on-premise solution. The PDM pricing and hosting model is important to consider.

Choosing the right features

Deciding which features you need can be done with a top-down or bottom-up approach.

The top-down approach looks at PDM features available then determines needs. Since many vendors have similar PDM features the key here is to identify the differences. Once you identify the differences, you can evaluate the importance of those features.

The bottom-up approach is the opposite. It starts with identifying the needs then researching which PDM features are available.

In reality, the determination of features is a cycle between both. It starts with realizing there are problems with PDM. Then analyzing the core issues as a bottom-up approach. Then researching what PDM software’s are available in the top-down approach. Repeat the cycle to discover more details each time and come to a solution.

The result should contain a needs list of the problems you are trying to solve with the PDM product. It should also contain a features comparison between available PDM products. This way you can compare which products can solve the core problems you are after.

Featureitis

PDM products have a lot of features. It can be hard to determine which features you need. Especially in larger organizations, the feature list could have exponential growth. More people want different things. You need to draw the line somewhere.

Also consider that more features most likely leads to a higher cost. As a small and medium sized business, it could be wise to start with a smaller feature set. As you grow and become comfortable with the product, increase the feature set. This also allows you to understand which problems are grounded.

Core PDM Differentiators

Most CAD vendors have a native PDM solution available. If you only use one CAD software, sticking with that CAD software’s PDM is an easier choice. If you use multiple CAD software’s or plan on having multiple CAD software’s in the future, consider a multi-CAD PDM. A multi-CAD PDM could save on implementation costs, learning costs, and improve communication.

Different companies have different budgets for a PDM product. Different PDM products come at varying costs. Determine which products match up with your budget before going down a path you can’t afford.

You should also consider which PDM model you want. The traditional enterprise software model typically includes:

• Pricing: One time licensing costs + one-time implementation cost + annual software maintenance costs.
• Hosting: Hosting is either on-premise or cloud.
• Customization: Special customization offered with a budget.
• Implementation: Longer implementation considering customization time and data import needs.
• Better suited for: Larger enterprises with specific needs.

The newer model is the Software as a Service (SAAS) model. This model typically includes:

• Pricing: Pricing comes as a monthly subscription as $/user-month.
• Hosting: Hosting is provided on the cloud.
• Customization: There is little to no customization.
• Implementation: Shorter implementation period because there is less customization and data import needs.
• Better suited for: Smaller and Medium sized companies.

Service

There are several challenges to implementing a PDM. From integration to maintenance. Integration is all about getting the PDM from the purchased phase to the used phase. People don’t like to change the way they do things. So, implementing a PDM is going to require some skills in change management. A simple model for change management is the ADKAR model.

The ADKAR model stands for:

• A – awareness of the need to change
• D – desire to support the change
• K – knowledge of how to change
• A – ability to demonstrate skills and behaviors
• R – reinforcement to make the change stick

It is important to support each of these phases for successful change management. You are responsible for successful change management. There are a few things you could consider when looking at PDM vendors to help with change management. Do they provide materials and support for the D and K phases of the ADKAR model? PDM vendors could help with implementation.

Implementation

Learning a new software can be challenging. Having resources that can help make the transition smoother is key. Consider how a PDM vendor supports the implementation of the PDM product. PDM vendors could provide tutorial videos, documentation, or training classes.

Consulting options would also help with the implementation. Implementing a PDM product most likely requires the transfer of legacy data. Consider the services of the PDM vendor to integrate for a smoother transition.

Of course, the product could have native features that help the implementation process. For example, ease of use. Ease of use could help the change management process with an easier learning process. Even with a product that has superb ease of use, there will still be some resistance at first. It will take time and investment to overcome. Having a PDM vendor that will support you in these efforts is valuable.

Customization

Does the PDM vendor provide customization? Even if you don’t need customization now, would you in the future? Do they provide the options for customization as an open interface API?

These are important questions to consider when evaluating PDM products. Every business is different and managing information is a valuable task. Having the option to customize information management should be an important consideration.

Support

At some point an issue will come up. Like the second law of thermodynamics which states that disorder will either stay the same or increase unless there is outside intervention, issues will remain and continue to develop unless someone does something about them. Consider the ability of the PDM vendor to provide support. Having support available when issues come up is important to keep business running.

How To Choose the Right PDM

The road to successful PDM product implementation is not without its challenges. A PDM product is not the occasional once a year tax software. You use a PDM every day for some of your most important files. Take time to evaluate the right PDM product. Break down the evaluation by product and service. This will help you select the best fit PDM product. Then you can realize the benefits of PDM and allow your business to unlock growth and truly make an impact.