We spent some time with CoLab to get an update on their solution and their progress. We’ve been following CoLab and their goal to become the “system of engagement” for engineering. I’ve referred to them as the potential second half of the PLM promise because they go beyond data and process management to provide a collaborative workspace that facilitates and captures problem solving and decision making, which usually happens outside of PLM (and enterprise systems in general) and goes unmanaged. Their view is pretty clear from the image on this post, they use it to describe the need for a design engagement system.
CoLab is not a replacement to PLM, it’s a complementary solution, and they’ve invested in easy integration to / from major PLM systems primarily including PTC Windchill and Siemens Teamcenter. Some of the primary examples of processes that customers have adopted CoLab to support are formal design reviews, supplier collaboration, and cost reduction / value engineering.
They’ve seen good traction with major manufacturers including Ford, Komatsu, and Polaris. Another positive sign of their progress is that existing customers are expanding their use of the tool, for example to new departments, placopnts, suppliers, and business units. Thank you Adam Keating and MJ Peters for the update!
Image Source: CoLab