PTC & IBM Partner to Bring PLM Solutions to the SMB Market

The challenge to optimize product development for SMBs is significant and real, but PTC offers a remedy. With PLM (product lifecycle management) offerings specifically built for SMBs, PTC offers a flexible array of highly capable, affordable, low-risk solutions.

"With IBM advanced service technology, PTC now offers a flexible and easy-to-afford delivery model that removes the technology barriers that can inhibit SMBs from successfully competing with larger companies that have more technology resources," said James Heppelmann, executive vice president and chief product officer, PTC. "The service can be deployed in just a few days and will safeguard the SMB's investment as their business grows and their technology needs expand."

"Because the service has a low startup cost, a setup measured in days, and advanced enterprise-level PLM capabilities, PTC PLM On Demand offers SMB customers all the benefits of PLM without the traditional hurdles," adds Jay Muelhoefer, general manager, PLM On Demand Business, PTC. "Windchill now benefits from IBM's On Demand service center capabilities. This allows PTC to offer SMB manufacturers a market-leading PLM solution with mission-critical security, performance, and scalability in a delivery model they can afford."

WHY GO ON DEMAND?

Innovative approaches to building an On Demand Business can directly improve operational performance by enhancing employee productivity, reducing cycle time or elevating customer retention rates. These operational performance improvements can yield significant improvements in financial performance across multiple dimensions including earnings growth, cost reduction and asset leverage.

To stay competitive, your business needs to perform faster, leaner and more productively than ever before - to meet demands and dodge obstacles that barely existed five years ago. On demand strategies and IT-enabled solutions allow businesses of any size to rise to these challenges.

Increase Productivity
In an environment of slower economic growth, you need to do more with less. On demand business strategies can drive productivity by helping to: . Increase the speed at which your company can sense and respond to market changes. . Increase your organization's flexibility so you can better take advantage of new opportunities. . Incorporate the latest technology in a way that's driven by business considerations.

Shorten Time to Value
Long-term benefits are no longer enough. On demand business allows you to implement IT solutions that can speed ROI while still providing long-term cost savings.

Experience Economies of Scale
Do what you're good at and let someone else do the rest. On demand business lets you take advantage of these new opportunities.

Deliver Operational Excellence
In an era where your customers expect flawless service 24 hours a day, operational excellence is a necessity. All businesses will compete around it. Consumers will demand it. Your company's survival will depend on it.

Your customers are demanding new levels of service. Your competitors are fighting harder for market share. And everyone is eyeing the bottom line. The good news is that you can begin this transformation on as large or small of a scale as you wish-you customize this journey according to your needs. Start small, but start now. Get results and use the proceeds to widen your scope. Build ROI upon ROI.

In terms of profitability, the median difference in the growth of earnings (EBIT) of companies with more advanced capabilities for On Demand Business relative to industry peers was 15 percentage points. In other words, if a sector grew earnings by 20 percent, then companies with the most advanced capabilities for On Demand Business on average grew earnings by 35 percent.

PTC PLM ON DEMAND

PTC PLM On Demand - Standard
PLM Benefits Without The Hurdles
Designed to eliminate the hurdles of upfront investment, IT resources and longer deployments, PTC PLM On Demand Standard, delivered as a service and hosted by IBM, is your easy-to-use, comprehensive solution for small-and-medium sized businesses. Go live in days, access from anywhere and enjoy the security, performance, and scalability of IBM hosting. Enjoy all the benefits and capabilities of PLM - without all the hurdles.

PTC PLM On Demand - Dedicated
PLM Customized For You, Hosted By IBM
For larger companies, pursing PLM often requires both significant technology and process transformation. PTC and IBM e-business services have combined to deliver PTC PLM On Demand Dedicated - a holistic PLM and On Demand offering for companies that need industry-leading PLM technology, process consulting, and customized On Demand infrastructure. The result is flexibility for companies as their needs fluctuate.

PTC's PLM solutions have resulted with inclusion in Start magazine's "Hottest Companies of the Year Awards" listing. Start's Hottest Companies award recognizes technology vendors that have developed important innovations that benefit the manufacturing industry. Criteria for the award include evaluation of each nominated company's value proposition, growth record, and differentiation.

"PTC has demonstrated its resilience with its return to profitability in a challenging environment," says Peggy Smedley, editorial director, Start magazine. "Its innovative PLM On Demand Service enables SMB manufacturers to experience the benefits of a complete PLM solution and demonstrates PTC's thought leadership in addressing the needs of a broad customer base."