Roundtable on Socio-Mobile Business Apps at Siemens PLM Connection 2012

What are your thoughts on the role of social media and mobile apps in the business of manufacturing? Do they have a role to play? Or should they be banned altogether to prevent your business from unnecessary exposure?

Very few traditional administrators will advocate using Facebook or Twitter for collaboration, especially in projects involving sensitive intellectual properties (IP). But the reality is, some startups are creating their own PLM systems (though they may not call it that) by cobbling together a Dropbox account, a private Facebook group, and a password-protected Flickr album to manage and tract design ideas. These are the familiar tools the next generation is using to manage personal relationships and share ideas, from recipes for a blueberry pie to tips on where to stay in Paris. It's only natural that they'll attempt to bring those habits into their workplace; they may even demand that the internal project portal be more like a Facebook page.

What about their tendency to unshackle themselves from the cubicles? Five years from now, probably 30% of your workforce may be doing most of their jobs from a Starbucks near them. Does that notion make your cringe?

I don't claim to have answers, but I plan to raise these questions in the round table talk I'm hosting at Siemens PLM Connection (Las Vegas, Nevada). If you are at the show, please join me and my copresenters for the discussion. See you in Session 654, at 3:25 PM on Thursday May 10.

If you cannot be there in person, you may also use Facebook or Twitter to submit your questions, thoughts, or comments. I'll be monitoring them.

You can leave your comments here. You can also leave them on PLM Connection's Facebook page or DE's Facebook page. You can also send in your thoughts via Twitter at #PLMCONX (please mention Session 654).