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- Welcome
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* Welcome *
Welcome to 2PLM, an e-zine distributed about every two weeks. This issue includes :
- PLM Project Preparation Problems
- Part Numbering Systems
- European PLM Summit 2008
- PLM News
* PLM Project Preparation Problems *
A few weeks ago we spent 2 days with a company that
had decided to look for a new PLM solution as its
PDM application didn't work well. They wanted
confirmation, or otherwise, from an external consultant.
After 2 days it was clear that there was little wrong with
their PDM application. And it was clear that they didn't need
to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a new PDM system.
It was also clear that the company hadn't always taken the
most appropriate decisions during implementation and
use of the PDM application.
This kind of situation isn't unusual. Successfully defining a
PLM solution, selecting, implementing and using PLM applications
is far from easy. The failure rate is about 50%. Problems can occur:
- While preparing for a
PLM project
- While defining, in a PLM project,
the future overall PLM solution
- While detailing the PLM solution
- During implementation of
PLM applications
- During everyday PLM activities
after the PLM project
Preparing for a PLM Project
While preparing for a PLM project, problems can arise from:
Lack of Involvement
- Lack of top management /
executive involvement and support
- Lack of cross-functional
involvement
Lack of Knowledge and Experience
- Lack of understanding of
the way the company currently works
- Lack of experience and
understanding of PLM
- Insufficient PLM education
and training
- Not involving an external
consultant with knowledge and experience of PLM
Starting in the Wrong Direction
- Mistaking PLM for an IS project.
IS is just one part of PLM. Other parts include: business processes;
product management; company organization.
- Overemphasis on IS applications.
Organizational issues are usually much more important in a PLM project
than application issues. They make take ten times longer to solve
than selecting an IS application.
- Focus on the past, for example,
focus on problems with existing CAD applications rather than looking
to the future potential benefits of PLM
- Focus on the scope suggested
by the company's ERP or CAD application vendor
Project Definition
- Not setting up
the PLM project correctly
- Not selecting
a good project leader
- Not planning
sufficiently far forward
- Reducing the
scope of the project too soon
To help overcome problems like these:
* Part Numbering Systems *
Phil Robinson
Current best practice, when using a computer planning system,
is for the part number to be non-significant (not descriptive),
all numeric and as short as possible to accommodate the largest number
of parts envisaged. I have listed below 12 good reasons for this approach.
- The part number is
entered many times daily. A descriptive part
number is re-entering the description which is already held
by the system so is double entry and a waste of time and effort.
- Descriptive part
numbers frequently contain alpha (letters) as
well as numeric characters which are in different parts of the
keyboard so cause a disproportionate increase in entry time. If
alpha characters are case sensitive the entry time (and aggravation)
increases again.
- Long part numbers
often have to have spacing characters such as
hyphens and slashes to make them readable which add
to the entry cost.
- The more characters that
are entered the greater the chance of
errors. People can remember up to 6 characters easily (e.g.
a telephone number) after that errors increase.
- People can guess
descriptive part numbers but, because they
are close, errors are harder to spot. An error in a non-significant
part number is more obvious.
- The increasing use of
bar codes is another incentive for a short
part number. Short bar codes are easier to read and the equipment
is cheaper and smaller. Alpha numeric bar codes are over twice
the length of numeric bar codes.
- All new employees need
training in a significant part numbering
system. In practice it is rare that everyone really understand
the part numbering systems eliminating any advantage. If "wrong"
part numbers are created, parts change their use, have multiple
use or are inherited from other sites or companies, descriptive
part numbers just add to the confusion. Incorrect significance in
part numbers is expensive double trouble.
- Most systems have part
type, classification or codes which are
quicker and easier to use to find a type of part and for reports
than a descriptive part number. In addition, if there are strict
rules for the layout of the description field (see note below),
it is more flexible and efficient to find a part using the
description field than by using a description coded into
the part number.
- Even significant part
numbers still have to be unique which
means adding a non-significant element or adding extensions
to the part numbers as and when new product variations are
introduced. If the part numbering system is updated, do you
update all the old part numbers or allow them to be incorrect?
- New significant part
numbers have to be created manually whilst
non-significant part numbers can be allocated by the system
which saves time and administration costs.
- If absolutely necessary,
sales catalogues can carry on using
the old part numbering system. Systems can convert the short,
numeric "internal" part number to a sales number for invoicing
etc. New products should adopt the new codes from the start
(your customers are more interested in your description
and specification than your part number). It is also possible
to convert supplier's part numbers to the internal number.
- Finally, for the dinosaurs who
will not change (people do get
very attached to their antiquated but familiar part numbering
systems) the old part number can be stored in an "external" field
for them to use. In practice people very soon get used
to the new part numbers.
Some people advocate the use of check digits after the part number.
In practice, most planning systems will display the description
after a part number has been entered and the vast majority of
people will check the description before proceeding. Check digits
do not therefore justify the extra digit in planning applications.
For more information, please visit
http://www.bpic.co.uk
or contact Phil Robinson at BPIC (the business performance
improvement consultancy),
phil@bpic.co.uk.
* European PLM Summit 2008 *
Enhance your PLM processes with the Airbus factory
tour in Toulouse this June!
Airbus are
officially opening the doors
to their fantastic Toulouse facility as part of the
European PLM Summit 2008.
This gives you the unique opportunity to learn and experience
first hand how the latest product design, development and
production technologies combine to help maximise the
output of the world's leading aircraft manufacturer
for the new Airbus A380. The tour takes place from 1PM
on the 23rd June and you will be able to:
- Hear a presentation of the full A380
programme and gain a deeper insight into some of the key factors
considered during the development of the new aircraft
- Take a bus around the outside
of the main building, giving a true understanding of the scale of
the operation and an appreciation of the site layout and design
- Get a real time view of some
of the key dynamics in the A380 testing process and see how every
new carrier is put through its paces
- See how the new A380 comes
together, the importance of 'Joined-up design' in manufacturing
excellence and how the assembly line is optimised to maximise
carrier output
Book your place now
quoting JSPLM2
for the special early bird price
of £1695 before 31st March 2008 and your package
will entitle you to:
- Full access and tour of the
Airbus manufacturing facility on 23rd June 2008 (this includes transfers
from Toulouse airport to the Airbus plant and transfers back
to your hotel at the end of the tour)
- Access to all conference sessions
including streams and workshops on 24th - 25th June 2008 (this includes
transfers to and from your hotel to the conference venue)
- Pre-arranged meetings with leading
PLM solution providers
- All networking activities
including drinks reception
- Lunch and refreshments on
both days
- On-line Summit catalogue with
detailed information on all attendees
- Conference notes on-line for
future reference and knowledge sharing
For all enquiries, please contact
Laurence Allen
on +44 (0) 207 202 7560.
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