CIMdata President Ed Miller Dies

By DE Editors

Ed Miller, president of CIMdata and a longtime advocate and visionary in the product lifecycle management (PLM) industry, has died. He was 61.

According to Peter Bilello, acting President of CIMdata, Miller died Sunday, June 6, after a short illness. “Ed was a valuable colleague and friend whose wit and wisdom will be sorely missed,” said Bilello.

Miller was born on April 21, 1949 in Linton, Indiana. He attended Purdue University and graduated in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He was a member of Eta Kappa Nu and Tau Beta Pi engineering honoraries. He received a master’s degree in engineering from The University of Michigan in 1973. Upon graduation, Miller went to work for the Burroughs Corporation and later joined Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc. (MDSI), an Ann Arbor firm that focused on the development and marketing of software for control of machine tools.

Miller joined CIMdata in 1985. He became a champion of the development and use of PLM to improve the abilities and methods for designing, manufacturing, and servicing products of companies in all industries. Starting with the inception of product data management (PDM), Miller worked with industrial companies around the world to help them learn the benefits that PDM, and later PLM, could deliver to their businesses. He helped them understand how to define their needs, select technologies and solutions, and implement those solutions in the most effective manner for their specific business.

He also worked with the suppliers of PLM solutions to help them recognize the needs of the industrial community and create effective solutions and marketing strategies.

As CIMdata president, Miller focused on building the company’s global brand, growing the company from a North American PDM management consulting and research firm to a globally recognized leader in the PLM market. Miller is credited with being instrumental in attracting and retaining some of the industry’s best and brightest PLM professionals.

Miller authored numerous industry articles and was a frequent keynote speaker at PLM solution supplier and industrial events around the world. His vision, say his coworkers, will continue to shape the industry for years to come.

Miller is survived by his wife Karen, his daughter Jana, his son Ryan, and his sister Barbara Reed. He will be missed by his family as well as countless colleagues and friends around the world who knew and respected him both professionally and personally.

Notes and messages of condolence and remembrance will be forwarded to Miller’s family by CIMdata. Such notes can be sent to [email protected].