In discrete manufacturing globalization is recognized for its strategic value in spurring efforts that constitute powerful drivers of business growth across the board. As a result of this realized value, today’s manufacturers seek to leverage global networks of employees, partners and suppliers across the design chain in ways that will:

• enhance product development collaboration
• improve distributed team management
• streamline business operations
• increase profitability
• ease entry into new markets
• identify creative engineering talent, and
• ensure intellectual property (IP) protection

And although definitions of this manufacturing revolution may vary, this dynamic initiative is commonly referred to as Global Product Development (GPD).

This paper discusses common GPD challenges and corresponding solution methodologies in the context of PTC technology-enabled best practices derived from numerous customer engagements worldwide. With this information, business leaders will have the foundation they need to make intelligent, informed decisions regarding their own organization’s initiatives toward global product development.