Retail, Engineering & Manufacturing
Requirements Handling, Evaluation and Implementation of PLM/PDM System
IKEA, a global leader in home furnishings, is known for its innovative approach to product development and supply chain management. The company continuously seeks to enhance its product lifecycle management (PLM) capabilities to support its vast and complex product portfolio.
IKEA of Sweden
Älmhult, Sweden
Challenge
Defining Requirements
IKEA faced the challenge of defining and collecting requirements for multiple capabilities within it’s product development ecosystem. The company had a home-built Product Data Management (PDM) system and a PLM system in place but needed to evaluate alternative PLM solutions that could better support their evolving needs.
The project involved advanced requirements handling for a wide range of IKEA products, including children’s toys, sofas, components, and more. A key aspect was evaluating various PLM system suppliers to determine the best fit for IKEA’s long-term strategy.
Solution
Architecture in PTC Windchill
As one of the lead Business Analyst, we worked closely with business users and IT architects to gather and analyze complex requirements. Our structured approach included:
Comprehensive Requirements Collection: Engaging with stakeholders to understand IKEA’s specific needs across multiple domains, including PDM, PLM material register, colour register, and product & supplier documentation.
Supplier Evaluation: Assessing leading PLM vendors, including Oracle, Siemens, Enovia, and Windchill, based on defined criteria.
Gap Analysis: Identifying discrepancies between existing systems and desired functionalities.
Solution Design & Iteration: Collaborating with shortlisted suppliers to design a high-impact solution, refining it through multiple iterations to achieve the best possible outcome.
Implementation & Execution
Worked extensively with PTC Windchill to tailor the solution for IKEA’s needs.
Defined an optimal solution architecture that balanced existing PDM infrastructure with new PLM capabilities.
Ensured a seamless transition by designing implementation roadmaps and validating system functionalities against IKEA’s stringent business requirements.
Result
PLM Solution
Successfully defined and implemented a robust PLM solution with Windchill, while retaining the home-built PDM system.
Enhanced requirements handling processes for IKEA’s diverse product range with multiple Applicability dimensions such as Material, Area of Use, Sales Country, Production Country that triggered automatically requirements.
Improved supplier collaboration and documentation management, leading to increased operational efficiency.
Improved supplier collaboration and documentation management, leading to increased operational efficiency.
"Multiply was instrumental in devising a detailed and structured approach to handle our requirements, participated actively in evaluating suppliers, and getting the optimum solutions from the chosen suppliers. They were really good at keeping things together and getting things done"
Jan-Peter Stråhle
Solution Owner at IKEA
Future Outlook
Future-ready PLM Solution
With Windchill established as IKEA’s PLM system, while still maintaining its home-built PDM system, the company has found the best of both worlds. As IKEA now moves into the realm of AI applications, the robust PLM foundation will play a pivotal role in driving future innovation and efficiency.
This project underscores the impact of a well-defined requirements evaluation and supplier selection process, leading to a scalable and future-ready PLM solution for a global industry leader like IKEA.
Shanky Gopinath
CEO at Multiply