New IDC Manufacturing Insights MarketScape Evaluates PLM Systems Integrator & BPO Services Vendors

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.

Manufacturers universally are in the process of moving or rationalizing their global product lifecycle management (PLM) instances to a single system that unifies data and extends to other systems through 3rd Platform technologies due to product complexity and value chain expansion. As a result, PLM-skilled systems integrators are more in demand than ever. To help manufacturers evaluate the vendor landscape, IDC Manufacturing Insights published a new report, IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Manufacturing PLM Systems Integrator & BPO Services 2015 Vendor Assessment (Doc #MI259496). The new MarketScape evaluates ten vendors, including Accenture, Atos, Capgemini, Cognizant, Geometric Limited, IBM Global Services, Infosys, L&T Technology Services, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and Tech Mahindra.

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The vendors evaluated in the new report have decades of experience in both manufacturing and large, global PLM practices, and are currently investing in growing these practices. As such, the line differentiating between these vendors is close. Based on several conversations with end users, IDC found that it’s not enough to be experts in the different relevant software packages and to have the ability to integrate these across the enterprise; these capabilities are to be expected. Where service providers in the PLM market differentiate themselves for systems integration is in two key elements:

• Having the ability to work cohesively across the different functions of the global team – account management, project management, system architecture, and technical support – to present a unified front to the client.
• Executing to the letter of the service agreement and proactively making recommendations and providing potential solutions to problems.

According to Jeff Hojlo, Program Director, IDC Manufacturing Insights, “PLM service providers win based on their ability to respond flexibly and quickly to customer requests, to work independently and make decisions and recommendations that may be out of the scope of their contract, and to present a unified face to the client. Manufacturers want their service providers to function as an extension of the internal team that deeply understands their business and to be a strong cultural fit with their organization. When a relationship is established on this level, manufacturers are more confident that their service provider will be a reliable long-term partner.”

The PLM market is maturing, and changing, quickly. Many of the service providers have similar offerings, are technically very strong, and have a focus on PLM. To help end users chose the right systems integrator in the PLM market for their business, IDC offers a sampling of the key takeaways:

• Manufacturing Industry Expertise: Look for service providers that have fully integrated teams and know your industry and business nuances.
• A Road Map to the Product Innovation Platform: Identify a service provider with the ability to evolve PLM into a product innovation platform – that is, the ability to connect PLM systems, processes, and data across the enterprise and value chain, leveraging 3rd Platform technologies.
• Integration with Enterprise Quality: Quality management should be connected closely with PLM to facilitate engineering change orders and improve future products, and hence your service provider needs capability in this area.
• Proactive Expertise/ Skills Development and Retention: Find a service provider that has a track record of successfully mitigating the high attrition rate prevalent with some engineering and PLM services firms due to the competition for talent.

IDC MarketScape criteria selection, weightings, and vendor scores represent well-researched IDC judgment about the market and specific vendors. IDC analysts tailor the range of standard characteristics by which vendors are measured through structured discussions, surveys, and interviews with market leaders, participants and end users. Market weightings are based on user interviews, buyer surveys and the input of a review board of IDC experts in each market. IDC analysts base individual vendor scores, and ultimately vendor positions within the IDC MarketScape, on detailed surveys and interviews with the vendors, publicly available information and end-user experiences in an effort to provide an accurate and consistent assessment of each vendor’s characteristics, behavior and capability.

For additional information about this report or to arrange a one-on-one briefing with Jeff Hojlo, please contact Sarah Murray at 781-378-2674 or sarah@attunecommunications.com. Reports are available to qualified members of the media. For information on purchasing reports, contact insights@idc.com; reporters should email sarah@attunecommunications.com.

About IDC MarketScape
The IDC MarketScape vendor analysis model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of IT, telecommunications, or industry-specific suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor’s position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT, telecommunications, or industry-specific vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a transparent foundation to allow companies to independently compare the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors.

About IDC Manufacturing Insights
IDC Manufacturing Insights assists manufacturing businesses and IT leaders, as well as the suppliers who serve them in making more effective technology decisions by providing accurate, timely, and insightful fact-based research and consulting services. Staffed by senior analysts with decades of industry experience, our global research analyzes and advises on business and technology issues facing asset intensive, brand oriented, technology oriented, and engineering oriented manufacturing industries. International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology market. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world’s leading technology, media, research, and events company. For more information, please visit www.idc-mi.com, email info@idc-mi.com, or call 508-988-7900. Visit the IDC Manufacturing Insights Community at http://idc-community.com/manufacturing.

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IDC
Allyson Hughes, 508-935-4546
Program Director
ahughes@idc.com
or
Attune Communications
Sarah Murray, 781-378-2674
Partner
sarah@attunecommunications.com