Successful PLM Solution Implementation Transforms Home Furnishings Giant​

A $3.5+ billion specialty retailer of home furnishings in the United States and Canada faced significant challenges in managing its private label product lifecycle:​

• Minimal or no workflow and task management​
• Disjointed foundational product structure​
• Poor data integrity and visibility for product development, sourcing, and production​
• Lack of a common repository for pre-production or WIP tracking information​
• No integration of historic and projected costs into the design process​
• Inability to manage sourcing capacity and materials consumption by region or vendor​
• Limited collaboration with agents or vendors​
• Absence of logistics tracking​

In addition to needing a new product lifecycle management (PLM) system to address these challenges, the client recognized it lacked the in-house expertise required for a successful PLM solution implementation across multiple brands and categories.​

Parker Avery helped the retailer solve their product development challenges in two phases: a thorough evaluation and selection of a new PLM system followed by comprehensive PLM solution implementation services. ​

Upon completion of the PLM selection phase, Parker Avery worked closely with the client’s team on the following solution implementation activities, using a four-track, five-phase approach for each release.​

• Conducted a gap analysis of current processes vs. leading practices​
• Developed detailed future business processes ​
• Performed a stakeholder analysis and developed the change management strategy​
• Developed and executed a communication strategy and plan​
• Created and delivered role-based training materials and support​
• Led the retailer’s user acceptance testing​
• Created a production cutover plan and assisted with the transition​