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by Surefront on Dec 11, 2024 11:08:59 AM
Home > Blog > 5 Signs You’re Ready for PLM Software
Table of Contents
- You’re Relying on Outdated Tools
- Your Teams Are Overwhelmed
- Your Data is Trapped in Silos
- You Lack Transparency Across Teams
- Your Business is Scaling Rapidly
- How to Choose the Right PLM Software
- Avoiding Common Pitfalls
- Further Reading
Growth is a good problem to have - until your tools can’t keep up. For many businesses, managing Product Lifecycle processes with spreadsheets, emails, and outdated tools works for a while. But as product lines expand, team structures grow, and customer demands increase, these tools quickly become more of a burden than a solution.
So, how do you know it’s time for a change? Enter Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Software: a centralized platform designed to streamline workflows, eliminate errors, and improve collaboration.
This blog will walk you through the five clear signs that your business is ready for PLM Software, while providing a roadmap to help you confidently choose the right solution for your needs.
Sign #1: You’re Relying on Outdated Tools
If your team spends hours sifting through Excel sheets and email threads to manage product data, you’re not alone. This status quo is a hallmark of many businesses before they transition to PLM Software. Unfortunately, outdated tools often result in:
- Data Loss: Important product information gets buried in scattered files.
- Inaccuracies: Manual data entry leads to mistakes that ripple across teams.
- Missed Deadlines: Slow approval processes hinder progress.
How PLM Helps:
A modern PLM system, like Surefront, centralizes product data and automates workflows, ensuring that your team always has access to accurate, up-to-date information in one place.
Sign #2: Your Teams Are Overwhelmed
When teams are juggling hundreds or thousands of SKUs, staying organized becomes a herculean task. Whether they’re tracking historical product data, sourcing materials, or coordinating with suppliers, the manual effort required can leave employees feeling overwhelmed.
How PLM Helps:
By integrating all aspects of product management, PLM Software reduces the workload and gives teams back their time. Tools like Surefront allow you to store and retrieve historical data instantly, track product changes seamlessly, and collaborate with suppliers in real time.
Sign #3: Your Data is Trapped in Silos
Disconnected tools create silos that prevent teams from sharing information effectively. For example:
- The design team might be working on outdated specs.
- The sourcing team struggles to get accurate quotes.
- The sales team isn’t aware of production delays.
How PLM Helps:
A PLM platform eliminates silos by creating a single source of truth. Everyone, from designers to merchandisers to suppliers, works within the same system, accessing the most recent updates instantly.
Sign #4: You Lack Transparency Across Teams
When decision-makers can’t see what’s happening in the Product Lifecycle, inefficiencies creep in. Lack of transparency leads to bottlenecks, miscommunication, and repeated tasks.
How PLM Helps:
PLM Software provides clear visibility into every stage of the lifecycle. With features like visual workflows, dashboards, and activity logs, you can track progress, identify bottlenecks, and make informed decisions faster.
Sign #5: Your Business is Scaling Rapidly
Rapid growth is exciting - but it can strain existing systems to the breaking point. As you onboard more suppliers, launch new product lines, and enter new markets, manual tools simply can’t keep up.
How PLM Helps:
PLM systems are built for scalability. They grow with your business, providing customizable workflows, advanced analytics, and seamless integration with ERP and PIM systems. Tools like Surefront enable businesses to scale without compromising efficiency or accuracy.
How to Choose the Right PLM Software
Recognizing the need for PLM is just the first step. Choosing the right system requires careful evaluation. Here’s a roadmap to guide your decision:
Step 1: Define Your Needs
What are your top priorities? Whether it’s automating workflows, improving collaboration, or reducing errors, knowing your pain points will help you focus on solutions that address them.
Step 2: Craft a Detailed RFP
A Request for Proposal (RFP) ensures you evaluate vendors systematically. Include details like:
- Your business challenges and goals.
- Must-have features (e.g., centralized data, workflow automation).
- Scalability requirements.
Step 3: Evaluate Vendors Thoroughly
When reviewing RFP responses, prioritize:
- Ease of Use: Ensure the interface is intuitive and user-friendly.
- Customizability: Look for tools that adapt to your workflows.
- Comprehensive Functionality: Choose a system that covers the entire lifecycle.
Tip: Surefront provides a free RFP template to simplify this process.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
When selecting PLM Software, avoid these common mistakes:
- Ignoring Scalability (40%): Ensure the system can grow with your business.
- Overlooking Usability (35%): A difficult interface can hinder adoption.
- Skipping Training (25%): Without onboarding support, teams may struggle to use the software effectively.
Conclusion
The signs are clear: If your business is overwhelmed by outdated tools, disconnected data, and inefficient processes, it’s time to invest in PLM Software. The right system will centralize your workflows, improve team collaboration, and support your growth - setting your business up for long-term success.
Ready to get started? Download Surefront’s free RFP template and take the first step toward selecting a PLM system that fits your business like a glove.
Further Reading
PLM vs PIM: Which Do You Need?
What are Tech Packs?
The Ultimate Guide to a Perfect Line Sheet
The Complete Guide to Product Development and Merchandising
Surefront is flexible. It works seamlessly when the buyer and vendor are meeting in-person or discussing products remotely.
You don’t want your data to be siloed. Your company’s CRM, PIM and PLM solutions shouldn’t operate in a vacuum, either. Surefront is a unified product collaboration platform to power growth and ROI. Our patented PIM, CRM, and PLM solutions streamline the omni channel sales, merchandising and product development processes. By combining these essential functionalities, Surefront creates a single source of truth throughout your Product Lifecycle, sales and listing processes.
The results? Up to 150% more revenue per employee and a 40% shorter product development cycle is just the beginning. Try our 10x ROI calculator to see your company’s potential profits. Or, skip the noise and book a custom demo with one of our unified product collaboration management experts today. The retail industry evolves quickly and has a lot of moving parts. We do all of the research, so you don’t have to. Stay ahead of market fluctuations, trends and new features by subscribing to our Unified Product Collaboration Management Blog.
