I recently read this blog entry, "Is Open Source Product Development the Next Big Thing?"
At Aras, we know all about open source software, but what is open source product development? According the author, in a few years...
"...the reality could be a garage-based engineer accessing publicly available frameworks, and rapidly prototyping with a desktop 3-D printer, pushing high-end product design towards the lean movement by an order of magnitude."
Sounds cool. Would likely save money. But how do you get there from here?
To prepare for a future that may include open source product development, companies should start now by embracing a more open strategy and choosing their product development partners purposefully.
We know that a big aspect of modern product development is the way product information is managed. Making sure it is organized, accessible and actionable is critical, and a PLM system can help you do that.
While open source PLM software is not the only way to create a more open product development strategy, it's certainly a viable beginning. So we provide a cloud-ready open architecture that features an open data model and open interfaces, and we are committed to open Web standards in our technology implementations.
But being open means so much more than software and technology. At Aras we are committed to openness in all we do and are a signatory member of the Codex of PLM Openness. For us, open means having an transparent business model. It means being easily adaptable to fit individual business needs. It means allowing our users to control their own destiny by controlling their own data and processes. Being open to us means enabling true interoperability.
What does being open mean to you? And how do you see the growth of open source product development? Let me know and leave a comment below.