Verifying Metrics Early: Predictive Detailed Business Case Analysis for a Smoother PLM Process
Panel presentations and discussion with:
Ben Martin, FCS Systems Integration, General Dynamics Land Systems,
Joseph Feord, Director Sales and Marketing, Munro & Associates, Inc., and
Martin Nehls, CEO, Facton, Inc.
PLM/PDM in today’s product development environment supports centralized access and collaborative communications across all disciplines for organized process flow, accuracy and release. A common deficiency derives from a major time lag with the feedback on costs and profitability to engineering. This compares directly to pre-CAE days when engineering had to design, prototype and physically test the prototype only to discover that their designs needed more work. Since then, CAE has proven effective in reducing development costs and time to market by giving engineering real time feedback on performance before expensive prototyping and physical testing is performed.
Generally, by the time the financial side of the business runs its numbers, the engineering team has moved on and the opportunity to redesign for greater profitability has been lost. If costs are found to be unacceptable, more time and money is wasted going back over countless decisions and work. A system whereby engineering can efficiently verify cost and profitability earlier in the process helps to avoid this scenario. This virtual business case analysis allows for better decisions, based on a holistic view of the product lifecycle. It establishes parity for financial considerations with traditional design criteria such as functionality, performance and packaging.
General Dynamics Land Systems will show how they are implementing Munro & Associates’ Wall Process™ and Design Profit® to bring more detailed financial total cost metrics to engineering with better communication and contributions from traditional downstream functions to accomplish this mission. This predictive business case analysis, applied early in the development process, feeds a smoother and lower risk PLM/PDM release, contributing to higher profitability and improved customer satisfaction.
Ben Martin, Future Force Systems Integration, General Dynamics Land Systems
Ben Martin benefits from 12 years experience in design engineering, systems engineering and engineering management within the Foundry, Automotive and Defense Industries. With 7 years experience as a systems engineering integrator in the defense industry, he has proven his capabilities as a ground combat vehicle physical architect, systems engineering process innovator and integration strategist on R&D, concept development, production support and retro-fit programs. As an architectural process visionary for GDLS, Ben has put into motion multiple best practices for virtual design verification throughout the product lifecycle. Martin currently performs as the Future Force Systems Integration Section Manager responsible for integration of FCS Manned Ground Vehicles and he is the liaison for the Munro & Associates’ Wall Process™ and Design Profit® endeavors.
Joseph Feord, Director Sales and Marketing, Munro & Associates, Inc.
Joseph Feord benefits from 23 years of business experience in engineering, aviation, sales and management. With 15 years as a systems engineer, Joe has broad and deep experience in system level design and validation as well as program management. At MSC and Mechanical Dynamics, he developed a thorough understanding of the application of FEA and Multi-body Dynamics covering many industries, including automotive, aerospace and defense. Following his passion for aviation, as First Officer and Captain in the airlines Joseph flew the Embraer Brasilia, Beech 1900D and the Canadair Regional Jet. As Director of Sales and Marketing at Munro & Associates, Inc., Joseph has led programs for the next generation aircraft development, homeland security applications, and defense technology.
Martin Nehls, CEO, Facton, Inc.
Martin Nehls benefits from almost 20 years of cost process optimization experience. Before founding FACTON in 1998 with his brother Thoralf, he held positions in Finance at DaimlerChrysler AG and was CFO of I-BN GmbH. Martin brings his deep expertise in product cost management to FACTON and is responsible for launching the company in the North American market.