How does Selerant’s CPG PLM solution DevEx fit into TraceOne’s broader manufacturing and retail PLM strategy? Jim Brown shares two key takeaways from the Selerant (now Trace One Inc.) user conference.
Trace One Displays CPG & Retail PLM Synergy at User Conference
I was excited to speak at the 2023 Trace One user conference and attend the event to learn from Selerant, Trace One, and their customers. I’ve followed Selerant for years and have a lot of respect for their company and their solutions. This was my first opportunity to join a customer conference and hear directly from their customers. It was also an opportunity to get to know Traceone, a retail PLM software company that I’m keen to learn more about. Here are some key takeaways from the conference.
Breadth and Depth from Industry Focus
I spoke on the business value of PLM including how benefits expand as you extend PLM beyond the core product definition and the R&D department. Selerant’s customers shared a number of case studies amplifying that point, sharing how they go beyond using DevEx to manage recipes to manage aspects like packaging and product compliance. I was reminded of how valuable a focused, best of breed solution can be to meet specific industry needs. Their customers shared how they use deep capabilities that address the nuances of how formulators and other product developers work in the CPG, food, beverage, cosmetics, flavorings, pigments, and other batch process industries. While other PLM vendors may offer recipe management capabilities, DevEx helps users develop formulas optimized to meet market claims, compliance mandates, nutritional targets, and cost guidelines. It’s refreshing to see what a focused vendor can do when they listen and learn from their customers. There were several conversations about customers that compared this type of deep value with using solutions from larger vendors, like ERP providers, and why some very prominent brands choose to work with an industry specialist instead of a larger vendor.
Synergy – Selerant is now Trace One
The other key takeaway is that now, 18 months after the merger, Selerant will be known as Trace One. This is important as they take advantage of synergies across the DevEx PLM system, which will retain its branding, and Trace One solutions. The combination gives Trace One the capability to help retail, CPG, and supply chain customers develop and promote compliant products faster, while maintaining full traceability. Trace One describes the solutions as Manufacturing PLM (DevEx) and Retail PLM (Trace One), as the image shows. We believe that expanding the scope of PLM beyond the product and manufacturer to better plan and manage the product in the context of the CPG / retail relationship is a valuable proposition.
Outlook
Selerant appears to be doing quite well as a part of Trace One. I met and heard from quite a few new customers at the conference, in addition to some that are in their selection process. It was good to see the success of a company that has long focused on a core, best of breed offering and has developed significant solution breadth. I also find it a good sign when vendors are confident enough to invite their prospective customers to meet and interact with existing customers at their user conference.
We look forward to learning more about Trace One and watching progress as they bring the combined offerings to market. Thank you Hollie Farrahi, Sunil Thomas, Marianna Fowles, and Saida Ait for including me in your conference. It was also nice to see (and meet) a number of key Trace One and Selerant leaders including Christophe Vanackère, Jacapo Colombo, Carlo Colombo, Claire Bui, Jobi Varghese, Antoine Daviet, Mike Frankel, and others.