Kenesto supports viewing of 2D and 3D parts files that are attached to processes. By storing product information with the process, Kenesto documents what was done and by whom. (Source: Kenesto)
That's funny, Beth. You have non-PLM process management to pick up the engineers who are dizzy from all the bells and whistles in the evolving PLM world. Reminds me of all our commenters who want cars to go back to simple electronics.
That's a good analogy, Rob. I guess with any technology, the more you add to it, the more complicated it gets, which can be a turn off for many--especially when you don't need half the functionality. In PLM's case, because it's really a process-based tool, the user interfaces and complexity of setting up the systems has been a real barrier to getting people to actually use it. If something takes too much effort, no matter what the reward, you're going to fall back on tried and true processes (can you say email), no matter how inefficient.
Beth, I like that you contrast the PLM tools with the manual processes that are typically performed today. That is a point that most people do not understand when talking about software tools in general. Typically, you are already doing whatever the software is automating. There has been a lot of talk here about PLM tools and in the software industry about ALM (Application Lifecycle Management) tools. I don't really see them getting a lot of traction, frankly.
One of the reasons is that the users need to be convinced that there will be a benefit, No matter what system you implement, there will be time and money invested. If there is not a percieved benefit, engineers will not really embrace it. The Un-PLM approach you mention for the Kenesto tool is interesting in this regard. If engineers can use a tool that does not force them into a paradigm that they are not used to, it may have a chance to succeed.
Yes, it sounds like this system is offering an alternative to advanced complicated systems, Beth Sometimes you just need a screwdriver. Is this a big part of the process management market, or is this a small counter-trend.
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