7.4 Summary

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This chapter described the final step to be taken before beginning to use PDM or SCM, or both tools together, in an organization—the deployment process. The deployment process is not just the installation of the tool, but also includes a thorough evaluation of the tools available to permit the selection of the most appropriate to use.

Much of the procedures for PDM and SCM deployment are the same as that for any other complex tool. The evaluation and deployment process is divided into several phases, each analyzed in detail. One important observation is that the analysis of tool functionality is only a (small) part of the entire evaluation. Examples of equally important factors are the total cost of the deployment and use of the tool, the return on investment, the vision and strategy of the vendor, and its competitive advantages and financial situation. Figure 7.3 and Figure 7.4 are examples of the graphic presentation of evaluation results, depicting the estimated investments and return on investment and the functional distribution of requirements fulfillment respectively.

The deployment process for both PDM and SCM is analyzed in great detail. We found that the execution of a pilot project is a good practice; the pilot team tests the new tool, identifies any need for adjustment that might be required, and often makes such adjustments before the tool is released for use in production by the organization. Such a pilot project has many advantages. Typically, the members of the project team are interested in experimenting with new tools and are engaged and enthusiastic. As a result of their usually successful work, they generate positive feedback to the organization, which results in faster acceptance of the tool in the company environment, making the full-scale deployment more likely to succeed.

In addition to general principles, more specific aspects of the integration of PDM and SCM are presented. Because both domains are to a degree of an administrative nature, the engagement and motivation of the users can be of vital importance.

Finally, the deployment of an integration of PDM and SCM is discussed. Technically, the implementation of a loosely coupled integration means that most users can continue to work comfortably with the tool to which they have become accustomed while gradually becoming familiar with the new tool in the integration as a whole. However, due to human nature, it is often difficult to integrate persons from the two different domains. They must be given increased knowledge and understanding of the requirements and needs of the other domain to be able to collaborate and reconcile the different demands of the integration.

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