This IDC study provides a competitive analysis of worldwide product life-cycle management (PLM) applications providers. Revenue data for 2005–2007 and market share information provide an overview of 78 PLM players and their respective clout in this maturing market. Vendors included in this study are those that provide software applications for product data management, project management for new product introduction and development, enterprise asset management (EAM), and mechanical CAD/CAE/CAM. There is no doubt that competition in PLM is heating up as the economy is weakening. IDC's research shows, in particular, that success for PLM vendors is driven by the level to which they can support the globalization of the manufacturing industry with increasing collaboration among business partner networks. However, opportunities will also grow for PLM vendors that provide products specifically targeted at small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Yet, the market will weaken as the current economic downturn expands globally.

Michael Fauscette, GVP of IDC's Software Business Solutions, says, "IDC is confident that PLM vendors will benefit from global manufacturers' demand for integrated collaborative software solutions that will enable them to achieve higher quality, better cost control, and faster time to market for innovative products."