For retail businesses, good PLM (product lifecycle management) software can make all the difference. This tool can have many uses that enable companies to manage products from conception to sale. For this software to be as successful as possible for your company, proper implementation is essential. Follow the steps below to start using PLM software in your business.
Set Goals
It’s not enough to purchase PLM software and see what it can do for your company. You need to set manageable goals that you want to meet with the software. Understand what you want the software to do for your business in both the short and long term. Determining your goals will inform the whole implementation process.
Assemble Your Team
Next, set up a well-rounded PLM implementation team. You will need a project manager to develop the project and keep everyone on track. You’ll also need an IT manager to be a liaison between your company and the software vendor. The team should also include designers, developers, buyers, vendor management, merchandisers and procurement personnel to test the software.
Choose the Software Company
There are many different PLM software companies around so it’s vital to choose the right one to do business with. Select a company that offers software tailored to your industry. Be sure to research their reliability and experience as well. You also want to look for a vendor who is regularly improving and updating their products and staying up to date with the latest changes.
Create a Training Plan
To maintain your timeline and ensure the implementation is successful, you will need a solid training plan. When creating your plan, keep the following in mind:
- Timing is essential. If you train the staff too early, they may forget what they’ve learned. If you train them too late, PLM adoption will be delayed.
- Different people have different learning styles. Some learn better by reading, whereas others learn better watching demonstrations. Be sure to keep this in mind when creating your plan so you can offer a variety of training approaches.
Test and Launch
Now, all that’s left to do is test the software and officially launch it. Be sure to run a few different simulations before going live so you can be sure that every feature is working as it should.