Join an interactive discussion between Tech-Clarity’s Jim Brown and Autodesk’s Ron Locklin moderated by Advantage Business Media Editor in Chief Janine Mooney as they discuss the history, challenges, benefits, and future of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM). The event will be available on Product Design & Development, Manufacturing.net, and Manufacturing Business Technology. Watch the event live, October 31 at…
- It's Time for a Cloud Strategy
- Understanding the Options *
- Comparing Your Options *
- Assessing Company Readiness *
- Sample Cloud Decision Tree *
- Reviewing Vendor Cloud Maturity *
- Special Cloud Opportunities for Product Innovation and Engineering *
- Weighing the Options, Looking at Timing *
- Next Steps
It’s Time for a Cloud Strategy
The shift toward cloud computing is undeniable. An increasing number of companies are transitioning to cloud solutions in order to take advantage of significant advantages, including:- Cost reduction
- Reduced IT resource needs
- Scalability
- Agility
- Rapid deployment
- Shifting capital investments to expenses

- Cloud delivery models
- Software capabilities and scope
- Timing and transition
Next Steps
The time is right to take advantage of the cloud, but it’s not a trivial decision or transition for product innovation, product development, and engineering software. The reality of the market maturity requires companies to develop a strategy that jointly considers vendor cloud maturity, company readiness, and the availability of needed capabilities.



Welcome to the IIoT
Supporting the Industrial Internet is now an important part of the Engineering domain. For some, it’s because their customers are operating their products in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). For others, it’s because their company is using the IIoT to monitor and control equipment and devices in their own facilities. For many, both are happening at the same time. The IIoT movement changes the game for companies, their customers, and their Engineering department.
The potential value of the IIoT is immense, and companies are responding. Potential benefits range from productivity and cost savings to fundamentally resetting the value proposition and relationship between companies and their business partners, including suppliers, service partners, and customers. Whether a company is pursuing an IoT or IIoT initiative to support customers, improve their own business, or make sure to keep up with the competition, it will have an impact on Engineering.
Adapting Engineering to the IIoT
What do engineers need to do in order to survive and thrive in this brave new world? One thing that’s clear is that the IIoT drives new product design requirements. Beyond products, it also drives significant infrastructure requirements, as discussed in Ten Build-Buy Factors for IoT Platforms. Engineers play a key role in unlocking the IoT and the IIoT value in both areas. This introduction shares some of the ways engineers need to think differently to support company-wide IIoT initiatives. But Engineering can also gain their own value from these initiatives. This introduction highlights the potential benefits Engineering can receive directly from participating in the IIoT, and highlights specific areas in the ten build-buy factors that are the most important for engineers to consider. Let’s get started.Engineer’s Role Supporting the IIoT – Design
Engineers can play multiple roles supporting IIoT initiatives....... *This summary is an abbreviated version of the post. Please see the full Top Five Factors for a Successful Industrial IoT Implementation post on the Autodesk website (free of charge, no registration required). If you have difficulty obtaining a copy of the report, please contact the author at jim.brown@tech-clarity.com or by clicking our Contact button. [post_title] => Top Five Factors for a Successful IIoT Implementation (guest post) [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => iiot-intro [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2022-11-14 22:25:32 [post_modified_gmt] => 2022-11-15 03:25:32 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://tech-clarity.com/?p=5737 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [6] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5717 [post_author] => 2572 [post_date] => 2016-09-27 13:37:22 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-09-27 17:37:22 [post_content] =>
What’s Happening with Systems Development?
Research from Tech-Clarity’s Developing Software-Intensive Products finds that 53% of companies report significant increases to the amount of software in their products. Further, 75% say that over the next 5 years, they will be adding even more software to their products. This growth makes sense as software offers lots of opportunity. However, it also introduces challenges. Ignoring these challenges will hurt company profitability, while companies who address them will be far more successful, win new customers, and beat their competition.Key Takeaways
With the increasing amount of embedded software and the need to stand out from the competition, Product Line Engineering across systems and software can be a helpful way to enable platform design. With the right software solution, companies can avoid some of the challenges of systems engineering. Qualities to consider in a PLE solution include facilitating collaboration across engineering discipline, managing complexity, and supporting design automation. *This summary is an abbreviated version of the report and does not contain the full content. Use this link to download the full report. If you have difficulty obtaining a copy of the report, please contact us using the "Contact" link below. [post_title] => How Product Line Engineering (PLE) Creates a Competitive Advantage [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => product_line_engineering_ple [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2022-11-14 22:27:51 [post_modified_gmt] => 2022-11-15 03:27:51 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://tech-clarity.com/?p=5717 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [7] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5702 [post_author] => 2 [post_date] => 2016-09-26 10:19:39 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-09-26 14:19:39 [post_content] => This short Tech-Clarity TV animation explains how manufacturers can get started with Product Data Management. The video offers findings from The Business Value of Product Data Management that finds that manufacturers can get off to a fast start with preconfigured solutions but still leave themselves room to grow on a foundation that provides more advanced capabilities. https://youtu.be/RN5996fXgXo This episode is sponsored by Siemens PLM. Learn more about Siemens PLM and their Teamcenter Rapid Start Program. [post_title] => Getting Started with PDM (animation) [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => plm-start [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2022-12-02 15:06:52 [post_modified_gmt] => 2022-12-02 20:06:52 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://tech-clarity.com/?p=5702 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 1 [filter] => raw ) [8] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5684 [post_author] => 2572 [post_date] => 2016-09-20 09:16:36 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-09-20 13:16:36 [post_content] =>
- The top improvement areas you should focus on to get even more value from simulation
- Best practices followed by Top Performing companies to overcome simulation bottlenecks
- Selection criteria to help you identify the right simulation solution for your company












Executive Overview
Today’s products are growing in complexity and new materials are a significant source of that complexity. Composites, in particular, are getting a lot of attention. In fact, the use of composites is growing and is expected to increase over the next 15 years. With this growth, the number of engineers working with composites should also increase by 15% over the next five years. Complicating this, even engineers currently working with composites rate their knowledge of composites as average. The combination of complexity, growth in composite use, and increase in the number of engineers using composites means companies will need better ways to supplement their engineering knowledge of composites. Composites have been key for helping many companies differentiate their products by reducing weight, improving performance, and lowering the cost of ownership. However, with the expense of composite material, companies must find ways to make better decisions to optimize the amount of composite material used to achieve performance requirements, without over-engineering and maintaining profitability. To understand best approaches, Tech-Clarity surveyed 244 companies to identify their goals for composites, best practices, and top selection criteria for technology. Further analysis identified how Top Performing companies address the top challenges of designing and producing composite parts. Top Performing companies are those who are more successful than their competitors. Compared to competitors, they are more efficient, faster, produce higher quality products, and do a better job meeting cost targets. When compared to peers, some of the things Top Performers do to achieve this success includes:- 2.2 times more likely to optimize the part design to improve consistency during production
- 59% more likely to use tools that automatically link design and analysis data
- 2.5 times more likely to use tools that automatically update the composite definition as changes are implemented
Table of Contents
- Executive Overview
- Identify the Meaning of Complexity
- Prepare for Growth in Composites
- Realize Opportunities with Composites
- Address Challenges
- Identifying Top Performers
- Understand Production Requirements
- Support Design Decisions
- Select the Right Technology
- Conclusion
- Recommendations
- About the Research
- About the Author







IoT Competence Transforming Competitive Landscape

Don't Go it Alone!
Few companies, if any, should develop IoT infrastructure on their own. The transition to an IoT-enabled business is a valuable, but challenging journey. It’s important to recognize that it’s a business transformation and partner with the right advisors and technology providers. Most companies’ IoT initiatives will demand a wider selection of more advanced IT skills than they can afford. Even those with advanced skills will likely benefit by focusing internal efforts on use cases and changing relationship with customers and focus on core competencies and the big picture.



All Results for "All"
Moving Production Innovation and Engineering to the Cloud (guest blog post)
Jim Brown contributed insights from his recent research on cloud options for product innovation, product development, and engineering software in a guest post titled Moving Production Innovation and Engineering to the Cloud, What’s Your Strategy? on the Siemens PLM Community. The post references findings our recent Exploring Cloud Options for Product Innovation and Development eBook. For more information on…
Successful Products Start and End with Your Customer (infographic)
Tech-Clarity’s Infographic, Successful Products Start and End with Your Customer provides guidance to CPG companies. By embedding your customer in the middle of your product life cycle, your products will be more successful. The infographic, shows that by capturing insights obtained during the shopping experience, you can drive a move successful approach to product development. To be…
Cloud Options for Product Innovation and Development (eBook)
The Exploring Cloud Options for Product Innovation and Development eBook shares our thoughts about the cloud software choices available for product innovation, product development, and engineering software including PLM, PDM, CAD, CAE, and more. The eBook details the different software models available and provides considerations for each. It also helps put the various options into context with a…
New Possibilities with IoT – Contribution to PTC eBook
To help manufacturers prepare for the future of product design, PTC has released a new eBook, 10 Expert Insights : The Future of Product Design in the Age of Smart & Connected Devices. Michelle Boucher’s contribution, New Possibilities with IoT, shares her thoughts on the future of product design. In this section, she explains how the Internet of Things will empower product…
Top Five Factors for a Successful IIoT Implementation (guest post)
Jim Brown contributed a post to the Autodesk Fusion Connect site sharing the Top Five Factors for a Successful Industrial IoT Implementation. The post provides an introduction to our Ten Build-Buy Factors for IoT Platforms eBook tailored to Engineers so they can understand not only how to support their company’s IoT initiative, but also how to gain…
How Product Line Engineering (PLE) Creates a Competitive Advantage
How Product Line Engineering (PLE) Creates a Competitive Advantage: Removing Time, Cost, and Complexity from the Systems Lifecycle discusses the growing importance of embedded software in today’s products and the resulting complexity. The report highlights the negative impacts of not managing this complexity. Despite these impacts, there are benefits of using the right software. Those using the right…
Getting Started with PDM (animation)
This short Tech-Clarity TV animation explains how manufacturers can get started with Product Data Management. The video offers findings from The Business Value of Product Data Management that finds that manufacturers can get off to a fast start with preconfigured solutions but still leave themselves room to grow on a foundation that provides more advanced capabilities. This episode is sponsored by Siemens PLM. Learn…
Addressing Bottlenecks in Simulation (webcast)
Hear Michelle Boucher share her recent research on Simulation Bottlenecks during a this webinar. Digital Engineering’s Kenneth Wong will moderate this webinar sponsored by Siemens Femap. This webinar will reveal: The top improvement areas you should focus on to get even more value from simulation Best practices followed by Top Performing companies to overcome simulation bottlenecks Selection criteria to help…
Top Five Five Factors for a Successful IIoT Implementation (webcast replay)
Jim Brown presented his recent research on building versus buying IIoT infrastructure in the upcoming Top 5 Factors for a Successful Industrial IoT Implementation webcast on Engineering.com (sponsored by Autodesk). The webcast also featured Autodesk’s Head of IoT, Bryan Kester, sharing how IIoT can help improve product service, close the loop on engineering designs, and…
How A&D Companies Get More Value from Simulation – Guest Post on Siemens Blog
How Aerospace and Defense (A&D) Companies Get More Value from Simulation is a new Siemens guest post. In this post, Michelle Boucher explores how A&D companies use simulation. The post highlights challenges faced by A&D companies and then shares survey results revealing some of the top ways A&D solve them. Read the post on the…
Avoid Product Launch Failure by Aligning Quality and Engineering (webcast replay)
Tech-Clarity’s Jim Brown joined Arena Solutions’ Ann McGuire on a TechBriefs webcast about avoiding product launch failures. Jim and Ann discussed why products fail and what companies are doing to improve product development success across the product lifecycle. The webcast, Avoid Product Launch Failure: Best Practices for Aligning Your Engineering and Quality Teams, is sponsored by Arena…
Integrating Dassault Systemes’ 3DEXPERIENCE Platform with SAP ERP (guest post)
Jim Brown contributed his views on integrating Product Innovation Platforms / PLM to ERP in a recent guest post for Cideon Software. The post pays specific attention to how to integrate the 3DEXPERIENCE platform with SAP. The post shares the increasing importance of integration, the need for a repeatable approach, and some key considerations about finding a partner…
What Is an Optimized Product Design? – Guest Post on Siemens Blog
In a new Siemens guest post, What Is an Optimized Product Design? Michelle Boucher discusses how companies use simulation to optimize their products. However, the term optimization came be a bit vague as it means different things to different people. To clarify the term, this post shares additional data from our recent study, Addressing the Bottlenecks of FEA…
How Should You Use Simulation? – Guest Post on Siemens Blog
Michelle Boucher shares additional findings from our recent study, Addressing the Bottlenecks of FEA Simulation in this Siemens guest post, How Should You Use Simulation. This guest post discusses some of the the top ways Top Performing companies apply simulation during product development. The post shares additional survey data on the benefits Top Performers report as a result of using simulation….
Composite State of the Market (Survey Findings)
Tech-Clarity’s research report, Composites State of the Market: Using Composites as a Competitive Advantage, examines survey findings on material trends and composites. Over 240 companies participated in the survey. The research finds that new materials are a significant source of product complexity. The research also finds that of new materials, composites in particular, will see a…
How Simulation Solves Some of Today’s Top Product Development Challenges – Guest Post on Siemens Blog
In this Siemens guest post, How Simulation Solves Some of Today’s Top Product Development Challenges Michelle Boucher shares additional findings from our recent study, Addressing the Bottlenecks of FEA Simulation. This guest post shares some of the top development challenges companies struggle with and then shares some of the ways Top Performing companies address these challenges. Simulation is…
Announcing New Research on FEA Simulation Bottlenecks – Guest Post on Siemens Blog
Michelle Boucher shares new research on simulation in this Siemens guest post, Announcing New Research on FEA Simulation Bottlenecks. Simulation can be a powerful tool to help guide design decisions. Consequently, the more it used, the more value companies tend to get from it. Unfortunately, companies do not get as much value as they could because bottlenecks…
3 Ways Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) Will Help You – Guest Post on PTC Blog
Michelle Boucher describes 3 ways model-based systems engineering (MBSE) can help product development teams in this PTC guest post. While developing today’s complex systems can be extremely challenging, model-based systems engineering (MBSE) can make it easier. MBSE uses a system model as a visual reference to support the development process. This guest post explains how a system model improves…
Ten Build-Buy Factors for IoT Platforms
The Ten Build-Buy Factors for IoT Platforms ebook shares ten things companies should consider when deciding whether to build or buy the infrastructure required to support their Internet of Things (IoT) initiatives. The research shares practical experiences from several manufacturers ranging in size and IoT maturity. The eBook reports the complexities and lessons learned from their real…