PLMresearch eyes furniture industry
Brian Carroll -- Furniture Today, January 23, 2005
High Point — Seeking to simplify the complexities of global sourcing, PLMresearch is marketing to furniture makers its Web-based product development management tool already in use in the home accents industry.
"We found that the problems in the furniture industry were identical to (those in) the home accessories market," said Randy Smith, a principal of PLMresearch, a Plymouth, Mass.-based developer of product merchandising systems. "We are in conversations with a number of furniture companies."
The service, called ProductManager, promises to bring "sophisticated Web-based merchandising capabilities" to small- and mid-sized companies, according to the company. The tool is designed to help connect and coordinate product development and marketing efforts among several locations.
Tailored to match a customer's development process, the service controls documents throughout the product's life as a means of accelerating time-to-market. Using a secure Web server, it enables collaboration by providing a central document repository from which design information can be shared.
For a monthly use fee starting at $600, ProductManager facilitates the rapid exchange of sketches, CAD drawings, product specifications, pricing and vendor information between both in-house and third-party participants. Designers, manufacturers and others simultaneously can use the tool, or portal Web site, making comments or changes to information or documents they are authorized to access. E-mail confirmations are automatically generated, creating a paper trail-like record.
ProductManager evolved from applications developed to assist home accents sources Uttermost Company and Global Views, among others, said Mark Withington, founder of PLMresearch.
The service requires no capital investment or in-house information technology capability other than an Internet connection.
Founded in 2000, PLMresearch is on the Web at www.plmresearch.com.
-
Kopcke Joins RedPrairie
Sep 29, 2011 -
New enhancements available to dealers
May 25, 2009
Featured Company
-
Wright Labels
Bill and Tom Wright founded Wright of Thomasville in 1961 on the idea that printing was a creative medium and the belief that "a promise made is a promise kept." The Wright brothers focused their attention on providing exceptional printing for the... more
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
