Viktor Bespalov, Siemens PLM Software
Release Date: 2011-06-06
Viktor Bespalov, CEO of Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software (RU) LLC, has been interviewed by Russianavia.net to discuss the development of PLM concept in Russia, the achievements of Siemens PLM Software Russia, its competences in composite construction and the contribution in development of PLM systems market in Russia.Mr. Bespalov, you have great experience in implementing PLM projects in Russia. The readers of Russianavia.net would like to know the results that you have achieved over the last 1.5 years as General Director of Siemens PLM Software Russia.
This is a good question. Looking back, I should say that I’ve been involved in implementation of PLM for the last 20 years, ever since PLM came to Russia in early 1990ies when the restriction for supplies of American PLM technologies to Russia was uplifted. What we can do now goes way beyond the time when the Russian companies were just starting to deal with technologies widely used in Europe and the U.S. Of course, the projects implemented today are also quite sophisticated, at least in terms of their scale.
When we implement PLM technologies, we get to the basic processes for any industrial company – R&D and production. Obviously, changing these processes takes time, and here we are talking about changing the mentality and way of thinking of the people who start using these technologies.
My words are based on my proper experience. I used to work in the area of ERP for 8 years. In ERP, implementation of transaction systems functional modules is quicker – not more than 8–12 months – whereas PLM, in fact, changes the paradigm: PLM technologies envisage reconstructing both business processes and thinking. That is why I think that 1.5 years is not such a long period.
Nevertheless, Siemens PLM Software Russia has achieved a lot over this time…
Indeed. First of all, we have achieved good growth both in terms of volume, client portfolio and a strong increase in the number of our employees. While many of our competitor companies were reducing their staff in 2009, the first post-crisis year, we were increasing the number of employees. We continue to develop our partnerships because this is also an important part of our business in Russia. In a country with such a vast territory, we have to have sufficient resources to satisfy today’s demand on the market. One of our advantages here is that we sell both directly, as a software vendor, and indirectly - through our partners, developing both channels. Besides, Siemens PLM Software develops its own consulting practice and has hired more new consultants.
Talking about particular industrial projects today, we’re implementing a unique project at Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center at four different sites simultaneously involving a lot of experts from Siemens PLM Software and Khrunichev Center. This project, unlike similar ones, will be finished within a much quicker schedule. Besides, we are traditionally present in aviation with companies like Sukhoi and Irkut.
Another area where Siemens PLM Software projects are present is higher education. In December 2010, we have organized an event featuring more than 70 Russian universities. About half of them use our software in teaching and re-qualifying specialists.
What industries have seen implementation of Siemens PLM Software projects?
According to the website of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia that I have recently visited, there are about 30 technological platforms that will provide competitive growth of the Russian economy. I have noted that Siemens PLM Software is involved virtually in all platforms that are strategically important for Russia: machinebuilding, shipbuilding, engine manufacturing, space, aviation, energy…
Mr. Bespalov, you have mentioned that implementation of PLM technologies gets to the basic processes for any industrial company and hence conditions the changes of mentality. This can really be a problem in Russia, especially in big industries. What are the main challenges that Siemens PLM Software faces when it comes to implementing IT solutions in aerospace?
The challenges that you are talking about are common for any company that manufactures products with high added value – be it Russia, U.S., Germany, Italy, France or China. For aircraft or engine manufacturers all over the world, the main issue is reliability. Processes related to development and production are based on certain technologies, standards, procedures, documents. When we come to them, we touch the very basis – the quality system. What does a quality system mean in aviation? It means reliability, safety, deadlines, etc. That is what makes these projects so sophisticated.
When we come to Russian companies today, we offer both software and ways of its implementation according to specific algorithms and corresponding standards that a company can use after the system is launched.
How did Siemens PLM Software manage to overcome these challenges?
We have a very strong team and experience that we have gained through worldwide best practice. Besides, when it comes to a project, we connect both Russian resources and the resources of our foreign colleagues acting as a truly global company. If we need specialized knowledge, we use it in our Russian projects.
Composites are a relatively new industry for Russia. What, in your view, are the challenges that composites represent for aircraft manufacturers and how can Siemens PLM solutions help to resolve them?
This is a very specific area that concerns both fundamental science and development of composite fibers. Composites have been known in aerospace for a long time. The problem is that today composites are applied for the first time in power elements, hence the technological and managerial challenges. The main current composite project in aviation in Russia called the black wing is an equal challenge for UAC in Russia, for Comac in China, for Bombardier in Canada, for Airbus in Europe – that is why development of corresponding knowledge and experience is so important. If you learn to do quicker and better, you win.
What competences has Siemens PLM Software accumulated in composite construction?
This area is very specific for Siemens. We have partners involved in FiberSIM products, who know composite construction technologies. Our competence is mainly in integrating products, such as NX and FiberSIM by VISTAGY.
Siemens fully recognizes the importance of this topic, and recently, during IDEX 2011 air show in Bangalore, Siemens PLM Software and VISTAGY announced their agreement on strategic cooperation which is a good sign. A few large Russian aviation companies are using both NX and FiberSIM. Some of the companies are planning to start similar projects where Siemens acts as a partner and trains the staff of the customer companies.
What prospects does this agreement open for Siemens and VISTAGY?
First and foremost, it opens a big market. Today, our products interest aviation manufacturers and engine manufacturers, as well as aerospace companies and shipbuilding companies. Moreover, composite technologies are related to stealth technologies that the aviation and defense companies are so interested in.
Mr. Bespalov, you told us that Siemens PLM Software is developing its consulting practice and is increasing the number of its consultants. A lot of companies facing tasks similar to those of PLM Software recognize the importance of engineering consulting as a solution that fully optimizes the production scheme and the business procedures on top of using good software. What does Siemens PLM Software offer in consulting?
As I see it, engineering consulting mainly involves equipment suppliers or engineering companies that are related to production of something. What Siemens PLM Software offers is its own systems and their retrofitting to re-engineer the customer’s technologies and train the staff.
For instance, let’s take a company where all business processes used to be written on special technology cards. We approach this company with a model that clearly shows the assembly technology with added quality control and optimization. Today, assembly operations are often one of the most difficult parts for the Russian companies. Changing the assembly technology, we change the technological procedures.
Some new companies position themselves as solution integrators. Who introduces your solutions - Siemens PLM Software or the integrators?
The integrators complement our competences in software with wide functions and application – from development of engineering documents (such as engineering analysis and quality control) to using the corresponding equipment.
Nevertheless, there is still quite a lot of work for the integrators: development of certain technological processes, optimizing the selection of mills supplied for production of certain components. Sometimes, production of one component requires a few technological processes. Apart from supplies, the integrators mainly specialize in connecting the equipment with our software for the sake of complementarity – provided this or that integrator uses our products, of course.
The integrators have to work with different software depending on customer’s needs and the resources. This is normal. However, today Siemens is getting more and more partnership requests in spite of the fact that many of the companies requesting these partnerships used to work with our competitors.
How did Siemens PLM Software manage to achieve this?
The right global strategy and local strategy, a good product and a strong local team that promotes and implements the product - this is where our advantages come from.
Coming back to modernization that is expected in the Russian defense sector and aviation sector, growth of innovations, as well as Russia’s international cooperation – how will it contribute to the development of PLM systems market in Russia and what prospects are opening for Siemens?
There is a direct link between this phenomenon and the development of PLM systems market in Russia. Moreover, we have been involved in it for the last few years, and the most notable example is Sukhoi Superjet 100 that was developed in the frame of international cooperation. Sukhoi’s data management system and hardware units and components control system were based on our Teamcenter system that was coordinating the work of foreign partners and Russian companies. In total, 1,600 people were working on the project on a real-time basis with our software at 12 different sites.
The companies see value in using our technology, and we are also interested in developing long-term relations with our customers and developing our software taking into account the specific requirements of the Russian customers, especially in aviation, because this industry produces products with the highest added value. It gives us mutual benefit and interest.
Given the current market position of Siemens PLM Software in Russia, how do you assess its prospects for the next five years?
I see brilliant prospects and an incredible amount of tasks. In particular, we organize Siemens PLM Connection conference that is taking place next week, on April 19. We have currently received 574 registrations and expect 100 more registrations. This witnesses real interest of people to our technologies and the potential demand. Besides, we have a substantial order portfolio for software and for real projects that require highly qualified architects, developers, project managers and consultants for NX, for Teamcenter, for engineering analysis. There is really a lot of work for the next few years.
| Company: | Siemens PLM Software |
| Position: | CEO |
| Country: | 俄罗斯 |