PLM Standardization Effort Limited But Still Useful
Written by Evan SchumanMarch 11th, 2009
Last Monday (March 2), Tradestone Software announced that it was "working with the largest retailers in the world to form the first PLM for Retail Standards Committee." And that was true. But the group consisted solely of the vendor's own customers. Funny thing, but the vendor's statement announcing the committee forgot to mention that detail. It's a lot easier to work out a standard if everyone is using the same software.
Having gotten that off our product lifecycle management chest, the Tradestone effort does have quite a few things going for it. First, it's A Team list of retailers—including Macy's, Kohl's, Lowe's, Urban Outfitters and Pacific Sunwear--forces it to be taken seriously. Secondly, there has been so little truly accomplished with PLM standardization that practically any effort should be applauded.
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Our Comment SPAM system is getting very aggressive these days and has been blocking legitimate comments. If you post a comment and don't see it appear within 2 hours or so, can you please send a heads-up to customer-service@storefrontbacktalk.com? Ideally, please include the time you posted the comment. That will allow us to try and hunt for it. Thanks! P.S. We're working on fixing the system, but we don't want to lose any valuable comments in the meantime.
-Christine
March 19th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
I agree with both you and Paula Rosenblum that safety and quality must come first when defining PLM standards. Indeed, they were the driving initiatives when TradeStone and the world’s largest and most prestigious retailers formed the PLM for Retail Standards Committee. It is why retailers from the US, UK, France, Canada, Germany and South Africa were willing to work together to ensure that safety and quality control regulations, standards and requirements are embedded into the technology that supports the design and product development process. There is an old adage that says you can’t inspect quality into a product, you must build it in. TradeStone and our customers believe it must start even earlier – it must be a part of the very inspiration and design of the products, merchandise, collections and projects that retailers deliver to consumers.
The charter of the PLM for Retail Standards Committee is to facilitate the communication among retailers, suppliers, and testing organizations within the business process as a natural extension of the design and product development work flow. Specifically, when government or other safety standards organizations issue standards or regulatory requirements the PRSC will work to define, codify and embed the requirement within the PLM technology to ensure adherence and compliance among retailers and suppliers. Where supporting codes, standards and process do not exist the committee will work to establish them.
Also, although you were right to point out this first meeting consisted solely of TradeStone customers, we do fully welcome and have extended invitations to other retailers, suppliers, systems integrators, consultants, and standards setting organizations to make this a community effort that is not run by TradeStone, but by the retail community. Anyone interested in joining this effort is welcome to email us at PLMforRetail@TradestoneSoftware.com.