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PLM: Understanding, Justifying and Realizing PLM Web Seminar presented by John Stark John Stark Associates, together with SofTech, Inc. (OTCBB: SOFT), announced a live Web-based seminar series on the subject of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) to begin Tuesday, November 29, 2005. This three-part live PLM Web seminar series, entitled PLM: Understanding, Justifying and Realizing, features John Stark of John Stark Associates, well-known authority, consultant, and published author on PLM. The event is being sponsored by SofTech, Inc., a proven provider of PLM solutions. This Webinar series is designed for all types of product manufacturers, whether they already have some element of PLM implemented or not, or are just looking to expand their knowledge of PLM. Interest in PLM has increased rapidly in 2005, as PLM and Product Innovation have appeared on the corporate agenda complementing ERP, SCM, CRM and Lean Manufacturing. But for many, PLM remains unclear. The series will help educate manufacturers on PLM, providing information about setting up and implementing or expanding a successful PLM initiative and overcoming roadblocks. The sessions are designed to help companies get a deep understanding of PLM and lay out a clear, concise PLM Vision, Strategy and Plan. The series will help them take an existing PLM initiative to the next level, or get a PLM initiative off the ground and headed to a successful implementation, delivering benefits that will improve their bottom line. In addition to John Stark's presentations, each live Web session will be complemented with presentations by guest speakers from leading international manufacturers that have launched PLM initiatives, implemented PLM, and achieved the corresponding benefits. Like these companies, almost every company is faced with pressures to improve innovation, reduce product development cycle times, raise quality and increase product revenues. PLM can deliver these benefits, if correctly planned and executed. Interested companies can register at www.softech.com/webseries or by calling 1-978-640-6222 Ext. 222 or 215. There is no cost to attend. Each session will be approximately one hour. The schedule and detailed program description are as follows: PLM: Understanding, Justifying and Realizing Web Series Program Schedule: Introduction to PLM Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 11:00 AM EST / 8:00 AM PST This first session is a must for companies contemplating a PLM strategy or looking to expand an existing one. John Stark introduces PLM; explaining what it is, why it's becoming so important and how it relates to the product lifecycle. He'll help decipher the alphabet soup of product-related acronyms (PDM, PLM, PPM, CAD, CPD, etc.). He'll cover the risks of not managing products across the lifecycle, the benefits of getting it right, why PLM can't be avoided, and how to begin developing your PLM strategy. His presentation will be complemented by those of guest speakers from manufacturing companies that have "been there and done it." Overcoming the PLM Dilemma Tuesday, December 6, 2005 - 11:00 AM EST / 8:00 AM PST Implementing PLM may look like a daunting task and there are all sorts of reasons why it may be difficult to get a PLM project started - lack of resources, lack of executive attention, conflicting views of PLM, overlap with existing projects, etc. This session gives companies the tools and knowledge to elevate their PLM project from a "someday" or a "want to, but can't because" to a reality. John Stark describes how to overcome the roadblocks to PLM success. He discusses ways to handle common PLM dilemmas such as lack of staff, vision and executive attention. He describes the benefits and success metrics achievable with PLM, and addresses the different approaches to getting started with PLM, and typical initial steps on the road to PLM. Guest speakers will describe how they initiated their PLM implementation, with focus on the early phases of the product lifecycle. PLM: Vision & Strategy to Implementation & Use Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 11:00 AM EST / 8:00 AM PST This session is where the rubber meets the road, helping companies rein in their high level PLM vision with succinct suggestions for developing a practical PLM initiative. John Stark will help companies set clear business-related targets, prioritized for early benefits, addressing step by step what each person from CEO to PLM Initiative Manager needs to know and do to make their PLM initiative successful. Stark will give suggestions on how to approach a PLM strategy and lay out a clear, concise plan, adjusted to a company's reality to get people onboard and the PLM initiative off the ground. Guest speaker presentations will highlight their PLM reality, with a focus on the later phases of the lifecycle. About the Host and Presenter, Dr. John Stark Dr. John Stark, president of John Stark Associates (www.johnstark.com), is an internationally recognized thought- leader and writer on the topic of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM). In 2004, he published Product Lifecycle Management: Paradigm for 21st Century Product Realisation. This book is first to describe a new 'cradle to grave' holistic paradigm of PLM, with the primary objective being to increase product revenues and the value of the product portfolio. Previous thinking had been departmental, atomistic and unconnected, with efforts to develop new products and to increase innovation even being seen in some companies as waste, a profit-reducing cost to be cut or eliminated. In this new PLM paradigm described by John Stark, PLM is seen as an essential value-adding investment. Without it, there would soon be no products to offer customers, and no products for which to provide services. John Stark is an independent management and technology consultant. Prior to launching John Stark Associates in 1991, he worked with developers and providers of systems and consulting services for product development, engineering management, CAD, PDM, process definition, JIT and process control. In his consulting career, he has worked with many companies including ABB, BMW, Braun, Coca-Cola, Eaton, Ford Motor Company, HP, IBM, Kodak, Legrand, Nestle, PSA, Renault, Saab, Schindler, Sikorsky, Valeo and Xerox. He currently works with manufacturing companies on the practical implementation of the PLM paradigm and its further development. About the Sponsor, SofTech, Inc. SofTech, Inc. (OTCBB: SOFT) is a proven provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) solutions with its flagship ProductCenter PLM solution, and its computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) products, including CADRA and Prospector. SofTech's solutions accelerate products and profitability by fostering innovation, extended enterprise collaboration, product quality improvements, and compressed time-to-market cycles. SofTech excels in its sensible approach to delivering enterprise PLM solutions, with comprehensive out-of-the-box capabilities, to meet the needs of manufacturers of all sizes quickly and cost-effectively. Over 100,000 users benefit from SofTech solutions, including General Electric Company, Goodrich, Honeywell, Siemens, Sikorsky Aircraft, U.S. Army, and Whirlpool Corporation. Headquartered in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, SofTech (www.softech.com), has locations and distribution partners throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. SofTech, CADRA, ProductCenter and Prospector are trademarks of SofTech, Inc. All other products or company references are the property of their respective holders. SOFTECH COMPANY CONTACT: Crissy Bardani Director of Marketing SofTech, Inc. cbardani@softech.com |