Customization Versus Configuration- What Does Your Company Actually Need?

Are any tools truly 100% ready to use out of the box? Or do they all require tailoring for a company’s specific needs? And why do companies purchase tools that require tailoring for their specific needs? On today’s episode of the Digital Enterprise Society podcast, Craig Brown and Thom Singer welcome Jim Brogoitti, a fellow failed retiree who understands the demands and limitations of customization.  He shares his experience with customization, his approach that works for meeting a variety of CM2 requirements and how to effectively create a career that you just may not want to retire from.    On today’s podcast, you will learn: Are any tools truly ready to use out of the box?  In Jim’s experience, tools had to be ready to use right out of the box.  Customization was allowed but configuration was not.  The expectation was set from the beginning that customization was not an option.    The pitfalls of customization versus configuration Customization is not free, and it requires continuing support costs.  Customization is not easily measured, making it difficult to know how to quantify it.  Everything should start with requirements and those requirements should be documented and balanced against company needs.    Meeting a variety of CM2 requirements  There are set requirements addressing what a PLM system has to be able to perform as well as a set of requirements on the tool side.  Everyone tends to look at tool requirements in a slightly different way.  Once everyone understands what the requirements are, those requirements are weighted based on importance, criticality and ease of implementation.  A great solution vendor takes the time to listen to the needs of a cross industry forum and then works to meet those needs.    Solving the problem of boredom in retirement Like Craig, Jim is effectively failing at retirement.  He currently works at the Institute of Process Excellence and is aiming to build an out-of-the-box tool that is IPX compliant targeted for small businesses.  Jim is leveraging the tools available to him to make this goal a reality.  Because of the pandemic, everyone has become more comfortable with working from home and collaborating online.    Advice for a mobile and flexible career Identify your replacement so that you can leave a job behind when the next opportunity presents itself. Keep your ears open for opportunities.  Don’t be afraid to take risks.  Trust your team even when there is no training for your position available.  Listen more than you speak. Engage in a mentorship program.      Continue the conversation with us within the Digital Enterprise Society Community at www.DigitalEnterpriseSociety.org.   Digital Download: Virtual Round-Table Series