The Potentials and Limitations of PLM Managed Services: Finding the Right Balance

In the world of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), the decision between a Managed Service Model provided by a partner like Eviden and a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) approach handled by a customer’s internal IT team is often a challenging one. Both models have their strengths and weaknesses, but the right choice depends on the organization’s priorities, scale, and strategic vision.

DIY: The Local Advantage Internal IT teams often hold a distinct advantage when it comes to intimacy with the application, processes, and organizational nuances. They know the internal workflows, the nuances of the company’s culture, and the intricacies of the business environment better than any external service provider could. This deep familiarity enables:

• Tailored responses to specific challenges.
• Rapid alignment with internal stakeholders.
• Immediate reaction to ad-hoc needs.

However, the DIY approach comes with inherent challenges, including limited scalability, skill shortages, and resource constraints.

The Power of Managed Services Managed Services, on the other hand, bring a wealth of advantages that stem from the provider’s specialization, scale, and innovation capabilities:

• Reliability: Redundant systems, multi-country support, and resource pooling ensure continuity and resilience.
• Cost Efficiency: Shared services and optimized processes help reduce operational costs while maintaining high-quality support.
• Expertise and Innovation: Access to the latest skills, tools, and methodologies accelerates performance and keeps the system at the cutting edge.

Addressing the Key Conflict: Local Intimacy vs. External Reliability A common challenge in adopting Managed Services is the natural tension between service providers and internal IT. Local IT teams often perceive providers as competitors, especially when the goal is to replace internal resources. This tension underscores the need for a balanced and collaborative approach:

1. Co-Creation of Value: Service providers must align with the customer’s goals, integrating seamlessly with internal IT to leverage their organizational knowledge.
2. Structured Knowledge Transfer: Regular workshops, shadowing, and collaboration channels ensure the provider inherits the local team’s critical insights.
3. Hybrid Models: By strategically involving internal IT for niche or highly localized tasks, organizations can achieve the best of both worlds.

Why Managed Services Often Come Out on Top Despite the natural advantages of local IT, a well-structured Managed Service model often provides superior value in the long term. The ability to scale, innovate, and drive cost-effective operations makes Managed Services a compelling choice for organizations looking to optimize their PLM environments.

At Eviden, we’ve seen this dynamic play out countless times. By focusing on partnership, transparency, and the continuous enhancement of our offerings, we aim to mitigate the natural advantages of internal IT teams while amplifying the strengths of a Managed Service approach.

What’s your take? Have you faced the local vs. Managed Service debate in your organization? How did you approach the decision? Let’s discuss!