Blog – SolidPartners

5 Aug 2017

Why don’t you host the server yourself – or use a private cloud vs. someone else’s computer?

A lot of companies we talk to, both large and small, are still a bit skeptical about the PLM potentialities on the cloud. Servers for Product Lifecycle Management software are some of the key repositories of Intellectual Property (IP) for any given company, and if these fall into the wrong hands the results can be very damaging. Your company IP is worth way more than any server and perhaps you’re the best one to know how to protect it.

We know of one green energy company who went out of business over a dozen years ago, and their IT equipment was backed up and sold to the highest bidder at auction. …

16 Jul 2017

Solving the PLM Puzzle with 4G:PLM

4G:PLM, Bill of Materials, BOM, News, PDM, PLM, SolidWorks ePDM 0

Product Lifecycle Management systems are overly complex… but they don’t need to be. If the cure is worse than the ailment most people won’t want it. And that’s the problem with PLM – it is a puzzle. Many companies spend huge budgets on tools and consultants. Once deployed the tools are loathed by users…

How can you figure out a better way when you’re constrained by the tools?
How do you get users to use the tool? You’d like them to want to ‘add books to the library’ of product knowledge, but if it is too complex for the casual user, what can you change? The greatest product librarian tools aren’t any good if you don’t have any “books in the library”!

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11 Jun 2017

Affordable PDM without the Drama

4G:PLM, Activault, Bill of Materials, PLM 0

We’re on the eve of another NBA finals game. The nation is focused on these two teams (Cleveland and Golden State) and the drama is unfolding. People actually enjoy the drama – watching two superstars jawing at each other. Who’s going to win? Who’s favoring which team? Even our staff at SolidPartners is evenly split – they can’t agree on the favorite, although I know mine…

What drama! What suspense… and fans love it!

The only thing which isn’t suspenseful is the cost of the tickets – they are sky high! The nosebleed seats are over $1,000! See the vivid seats page below just for an idea of the cost. You’d have to be a die hard fan to want to spend that kind of money for one evening of entertainment.…

4 Mar 2017

What is the Affordable PLM Act?

Automation, Bill of Materials, BOM, News, PLM, Process Re-Engineering 0

You’ve all heard of the Affordable Care Act – at least those of you following modern politics in the USA. With our newly elected president there’s a lot of hoopin’ and hollerin’ going on about this legislation across the country. Perhaps it will be repealed, and/or replaced, but it will take a real act of congress to move on this initiative.

Strange how this closely aligns with starting a new company-wide initiative for PLM (Product Lifecycle Management). To get a new system into the company, or to ‘repeal’ the current system, you’ll need to move a mountain of politics and get all parties to ‘buy in’ to the change. Do not despair – there is now HOPE with 4G:PLM! The three keys to making this work:

Education – get everyone trained on what’s really going on today, how it can be better and how you can eventually get 100% coverage on your systems and processes.

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21 Jul 2016

How to Get the Most Out of an Affordable PLM Solution

News 0

Many small and medium sized businesses need the efficiency and functionality of a premier product lifecycle management (PLM) product, but their budget has them searching for an affordable PLM solution.

How can your business get the most out of an affordable PLM solution?

This guide will walk you through how to generate strong ROI from your PLM budget.

Develop a PLM Roll out Plan

One of the best ways to get the most out of a new PLM system is by going in with a plan. Here are a few elements you should make sure are included as part of your PLM plan.

Get Executive and Organizational Buy In – Depending on your company’s size and organization, who needs to be on board will vary.

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21 Jul 2016

3 Ways PLM Benefits Manufacturers of All Sizes

4G:PLM 0

Will a product lifecycle management (PLM) system benefit your small to medium sized manufacturing company?

Absolutely.

An affordable PLM system brings the many tasks, and departments involved with bringing your product to the marketplace into one integrated product.

Let’s look at the benefits of a PLM system to manufacturers.

Save Time with an Effective PLM

Modern manufacturing companies use a host of technology products, such as spreadsheets, emails, and shared documents. But using each of these individual products require manually moving data between programs, long email chains, and even long interdepartmental meetings.

PLM software brings the many discrete processes from design through marketing under one software umbrella. This improves coordination and improves efficiency at every step of your manufacturing process.…

18 Mar 2016

How Much Should PLM Software Cost?

4G:PLM 0

PLM Software can be pricey; however, successfully using a PLM system saves companies money in long run by increasing efficiency and time to market turnaround. But just how much does it cost, and how can you know whether you’re getting a fair deal? Understanding the components of how PLM system cost is made up can help you decide what you’re willing to pay for PLM.…

11 Mar 2016

Is PLM Software Worth the Cost?

4G:PLM, PLM 0

Some still see Product Lifecycle Management software as an unnecessary engineering tool and overlook its ability to easily manage complex business operations. Others recognize the benefits of PLM but struggle to justify the initial costs of software, implementation, and training associated with PLM products. SolidPartners saw the need for a more affordable yet highly effective PLM system so all companies could have the opportunity to increase their efficiency, saving time and money on a daily basis. …

27 Feb 2016

Getting a Positive ROI with PLM Software

4G:PLM, Business Tips 0

In terms of cost, usability, and workflow, choosing a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solution for your manufacturing business is a big investment. It’s important to get a positive ROI with PLM software as quickly as possible. Here are some ways successful manufacturing businesses have deployed new PLM solutions.

19 Jun 2014

4G:PLM – Simple, Powerful and Affordable

4G:PLM, Bill of Materials, BOM, Design, PDM, PLM, SolidWorks ePDM 4G:PLM, PLM 0

SolidPartners, Inc. has an exciting new product to accompany their Activault® system, used by SolidWorks designers worldwide over the past decade. 4G:PLM is a new compact Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solution specifically developed for small to medium-sized (SMB) manufacturing companies. It is a Master Data Management tool to manage Product Structure (BOM), Approved Manufacturer Lists (AML) and the change process (ECO/ECN). It is a state-of-the-art, enterprise-level PLM solution at a price point within the reach of companies of all sizes.

It is an evolutionary product, developed with a singular focus on addressing user’s needs for managing product data. We say evolutionary, because we’ve tried to learn from the mistakes and missteps of other PDM/PLM vendors. It was built from the ground up from a ‘clean piece of paper’ to enable rapid product development.…