In this podcast, we will be talking with  Oleg Shilovitsky about cloud PLM, OpenBOM, and user training.

Oleg Shilovitsky

Oleg is the co-founder and CEO at OpenBOM. OpenBOM is a cloud-based real-time collaboration and data management software for managing parts, catalogs, bill of materials, inventories, and purchase orders. The software is used in all stages of engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain environments.

Oleg has been in the PLM trenches for over 25 years, building software products for data management, engineering and manufacturing. He has worked for many companies such as SmarTeam (acquired by Dassault Systemes), Dassault Systemes ENOVIA, Inforbix (acquired by Autodesk) and Autodesk. His passion for manufacturing industry and new technologies led him to start working on OpenBOM. Oleg is an author of Beyond PLM (http://beyondplm.com), a leading source of information and comments about engineering and manufacturing software for the last 10 years. He is also a consultant and advisor to a number of startups and industrial companies.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS

• The core foundation of OpenBOM is the idea of a network, which can be called multi-tenant or System-as-a-Service (SaaS). Unlike traditional PLM that are developed for a specific company, OpenBOM focuses on the network of a company. 
• COVID 19 crisis hasn’t changed the trajectory of the rise of cloud PLM adoption we have seen in the last 10 years, however, it has been a huge acceleration factor. This crisis is pushing everyone in this direction as more companies are starting to allow their employees to work remotely. 
• Implementation of OpenBOM is quick and seamless: you can open an account directly on the platform, with no need for lengthy and costly set-up. The system works out-of-the-box immediately. 
• The biggest challenge for companies when implementing a PLM is education and decision making on what will go into the software. OpenBOM has a bottom-up approach: get the people in a standard PLM the sooner as possible, and by using and interacting with it, users will progressively realize what their problems and needs are, and customize the system accordingly to those. 
• Cloud PLM was initially criticized for its lack of flexibility and customization. However, nowadays, this is not true anymore. OpenBOM was created with flexibility in mind: all the data model is completely customizable. You can change the column name, add features, and much more.  
• Security in cloud PLM is not a problem, it’s a red herring. People are less secure than the cloud. The biggest scandals in the security world are not caused by technology, but rather by people.
• OpenBOM has invested a lot in providing online information. People like to figure out by themselves. If they can’t find the information and support online, users will get demotivated and abandoned. 
• OpenBOM created an online library. It is the focal point for users to learn. They realized that solely providing help with ‘’click here’’, nobody was interested. If a process requires some creativity or an understanding of the problem of the company, it requires more context. So the library provides information, not only on the steps but also the context around it. 
• Oleg’s biggest advice for any manufacturing company is to use virtual mirrors. They need to look at themselves and understand what they want. He always starts asking his client: what do you have and what do you want. And then technology will come.

SHOW LINKS

To get in touch with Oleg, check www.openbom.com. You can create a free account for 14 days trial. 

If you want to learn more on cloud PLM and PLM in general, check also Oleg’s blog: www.beyondplm.com