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Introduction
 
With manufacturers looking to drive revenues rather than cut costs, the product is becoming the focus for more companies looking to establish dominance in their markets. PLM provides a solution to producing a better, cheaper and more compliant product. With a gradual evolution from PDM, greater functionality is being built into PLM solutions that are capable of providing significant benefits.
 

 
Scope
 
PLM software represents an approach to managing a single product from its initial concept, through design, to eventual retirement.
 
Compliance to government regulation is an issue currently being faced by many manufacturers. PLM can help manage compliance to these regulations.
 
PLM provides further opportunities to link enterprise applications with plant floor systems for greater visibility into manufacturing processes.
 
Company profile: Agile is currently considered as one of the leading PLM vendors in the software vendor market by Datamonitor.
 
Highlights
 
The market for PLM solutions is growing at a significant rate. Datamonitor predicts that by 2010 the global market for PLM software will reach $862.6 million. Companies facing regulations that have an immediate impact on the way they take a product to market are now ready to spend on PLM solutions that were not initially budgeted for.
 

 
To achieve further growth, Agile needs to break into new markets, consolidate its solution portfolio and monitor acquisition possibilities. While it has been strong on its acquistion strategy, it has been slow to enter new markets. However, its recent purchase of Cimmetry Systems could prove to be a turning point.
 

 
It is clear that PLM is becoming a highly sought after enterprise application and it appears unlikely that this situation will change in the near future. Agile is growing in response to this demand, but whether it is able to capitalize on the opportunities offered to it remains to be seen.
 

 
Reasons to Purchase
 
Learn Datamonitor's independent opinion about the demand for PLM software.
 
Discover Datamonitor's independent view on Agile's strategy for addressing the PLM software market
 
Get to know the advantages of PLM software for the manufacturing industry.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
ABOUT DATAMONITOR 2
 
AN INTRODUCTION TO PLM 6
 
From cradle to grave – PLM eases the lifecycle management issue 6
 
PLM is being driven by desire for revenues, compliance and evolutionary issues. 7
 
A shift in focus from cost cutting to revenue growth sees the product as a key competitive differentiator 7
 
Regulatory compliance requires more detailed product information to be created and stored for auditing purposes 8
 
Traditional CAD systems have been unable to cope with various data associated with manufacturing schematics as relationships become more complex 8
 
Integration with enterprise applications and manufacturing execution systems provides opportunity for enhanced functionality 8
 
Some more product centric manufacturers are selecting PLM over ERP as the core solution within their firm 9
 
SCM enables the input of suppliers early in the product design process 9
 
CRM systems provide valuable customer feedback to enhance future product designs 10
 
Linking PLM with MES allows for greater monitoring of production goals versus actual production data 10
 
A phased approach to PLM provides a more viable option for smaller manufacturers 11
 
AGILE 13
 
An introduction to Agile 13
 
Agile has always had a strong competency in high-tech and electronic, but operates in other manufacturing sub-verticals 14
 
A recent move to profitability is reflective of a generally strong financial position – but still has a lot to prove 15
 
Agile is facing competition from larger pure-play vendors and traditional enterprise application software providers 16
 
Agile brings to market two primary solutions 17
 
Agile 9 is Agile’s traditional product platform and facilitates collaboration across the extended supply chain 17
 
Agile e6 is the newer product, a result of Agile’s acquisition of Eigner and has a greater focus on PDM 19
 
Agile recently acquired Cimmetry Systems, a provider of vizualisation software 20
 
Agile plans to run Cimmetry as a separate business entity in order to obtain a customer base ripe for selling into 20
 
Agile is targetting SMBs by offering hosted solutions 21
 
Targetting SMBs is a popular way for software vendors to generate organic growth 21
 
Hosted and on-site solutions provide the needed flexibility to target all sizes of manufacturers 22
 
CONCLUSIONS 23
 
Datamonitor expects demand for PLM software to continue as manufacturers move to meet regulations and try to bring products to market faster 23
 
To grow, Agile needs to break into new markets, consolidate its solution portfolio and monitor acquisition possibilities 23
 
Agile is still being challenged by competitors such as UGS and SAP, and needs to combine its two solutions into one 25
 
APPENDIX 27
 
Future readings 27
 
SPP writing team 28
 
How to contact experts in your industry 28