The purpose of this writing is to continue the journey of how a company travels through the transformation from the world of disconnected "automation" to a digitally connected PLM Based SolutionScape that will enable it to experience Mind to Market.
This article continues the journey with the integration of 3D CAD tool(s) and a globally positioned digital Material Library.
Prior readings suggested (in order):
- Day in the Life of ...
- There's Got to be a Better Way ...
- 3D Journey: Mind to Plan ..
Author's Note - Any reference to specific commercial products referenced in this article is not intended to denote that other commercial products (or in-house developed modules) would not serve a similar role. It is merely used to represent an example of a product in market that is capable of achieving the integrated operations as noted.
Progress continues since the previous report (in [object Object] …) at Good Products, Inc.
As a result of the Team at Good Products, Inc reviewing the [object Object] article, Thomas Wilson, VP of Systems Technology engaged Digital Solution Group (DSG) to come in and conduct a survey of their use of their PLM system (FlexPLM). By reviewing its functional coverage of their product lifecycle process, DSG was able to provide them with their TOBE SolutionScape map, along with a recommendation of what should be their first phase of integrations that serve to “set the stage” for a range of other integrations as noted in the image below.
Thomas and the Team were provided a SolutionScape profile presentation that highlighted (in red) all of the 3rd party support modules (by role) that support integration to FlexPLM, and targeted the key modules (in dark blue) that will be the focus of their first phase of the SolutionScape program.
The sequencing is all part of the SolutionScape Strategic / Tactical Plan that was developed by Digital Solution Group (DSG) in conjunction with the cross-functional Team at Good Products, ensuring that each phase will incrementally build on the previous phases of execution.
Since Good Products’ Design group uses [object Object] as their apparel design tool, DSG recommended that they obtain the PTC provided integration package that enables Browzwear users to interact directly with [object Object]. Maggie Wilson (Lead Designer) and her Team are thrilled to find that instead of posting their 3D CAD design files on shared drives that are then loaded into FlexPLM manually, the PTC supported integration will enable Designers to post their CAD files into FlexPLM and associate them directly to the appropriate products.
As designs are uploaded into FlexPLM, the integration with the Assortment / Brand Planning facility [object Object] ensures that Jonathan Wilson (Merchandiser; men’s collection) and Janet Baldwin (Merchandiser; women’s collection) have immediate use of the design content. This is especially valuable to Jonathan as he continues to develop his presentation of the new rustic fashion product group that is being offered to the new in-store retailer (Retail, Inc.).
Designers will also be able to directly access the Color library and Seasonal Palette making interoperability between FlexPLM and Browzwear seamless; eliminating conflicts late in the design cycle. The Developer Team led by John Forrester is equally thrilled to know that his Team isn’t going to have to wait for updates from the Design Team that could lag hours, or even days to be posted, ensuring that they are working from the latest CAD images as they proceed to develop their technical specification (tech-packs).
In support of the 3D integration initiative, the DSG SolutionScape Strategy / Tactical Plan identified that Walt Johnson (Materials Manager) will also have operational relief in his Team’s efforts of identifying, validating, and sourcing new materials by leveraging the Global Material Library features of the [object Object].
The Material Exchange is a global material library that contains all of the materials from their current suppliers, enabling Designers, Developers, and Materials Team to “browse the lot” and only bring into FlexPLM those materials of interest. The Materials Team is also able to investigate other suppliers of potential interest to see what they offer without having to “web shop”, send emails to “maybe suppliers”, and then having to deal with the onslaught of sales and marketing emails that fill their inboxes from suppliers that are found to “not be of interest” after reviewing their offering.
The use of the Material Exchange as a global material library resource that contains all of the suppliers’ materials is highly efficient because material specifications include the scanned imagery and physical properties used in the 3D Browzwear tool. With the integration of the Material Exchange and FlexPLM, Walt’s Team doesn’t have to chase down the material specifications per its elasticity or stretch, tensile strength, etc. Instead, as materials are identified in the Material Exchange, access to all of the critical material content is immediately downloaded into the FlexPLM material library, ensuring that it will truly be the “single version of the truth”.
The efficiencies are even further extended because Walt’s Team is also assured that the material content is valid per the certifications provided by Test Laboratories such as Eurofins. This service feature of the Material Exchange will reduce the issues of materials showing up and having to go through the arduous task of testing them to ensure they “are what they say they are”. This will trim weeks off his materials management activities.
DSG ensures that by leveraging PTC’s ThingWorx Retail Connector (TRC), his team can direct the configuring of the TRC to map the data coming in from the Material Exchange so that it populates the FlexPLM material library profile correctly. With this mapping able to be done differently for each material type, his woven or knit fabrics can be mapped uniquely instead of being forced to settle for “one size” that doesn’t fit all.
This is looking like a whole new world to the Team at Good Products and it’s a welcome shift to be able to go after a new delivery channel of retailers that expands their product offering both in profile and market positioning. Bob Frank (Chief Executive Officer) is also getting good reports from his staff about the use of VibeIQ, FlexPLM, Browzwear and the Material Exchange in support of the new retailer channel initiative. Bob is so far feeling positive about his engagement of Digital Solution Group and their strategic effort to transform his business to become a more digitally enabled enterprise.
Continue on to read the next article in the Day in the Life of … series:
- 3D Journey - Mind to Digital Testing
To have a SolutionScape Assessment done (free of charge) today, either fill out the form below or contact brion@digitalsolutiongroup.net (also @ +1-603-566-5382) or mike@digitalsolutiongroup.net.