In this episode, the Razorleaf team continues the Digital Product Series by spotlighting Propel Software—a next-generation PLM company built on the Salesforce platform. Juliann and Jonathan sit down with Tom Shoemaker, VP of Product Marketing at Propel, to explore how the company is redefining product lifecycle management by unifying engineering, sales, marketing, and service.

Tom shares how Propel bridges the gap between product development and commercialization, enabling manufacturers to bring products to market faster through connected data, collaboration, and AI.

💡 Key Topics Discussed

• The Propel Vision
Propel helps manufacturers manage everything required to make, market, sell, and service products successfully—not just engineering data. By combining PLM, QMS, and PIM in one platform, Propel helps unify the product journey from concept to customer.

• Built on Salesforce
Propel was founded in 2015 to modernize PLM using the Salesforce platform. By leveraging Salesforce’s proven infrastructure, Propel focuses on business logic, collaboration, and innovation—allowing customers to scale faster with open, configurable systems.

• Industry Focus & Use Cases
Propel is designed for discrete manufacturers that rely on contract manufacturing and global supply chains, including:

• MedTech and medical device manufacturers
• High-tech and consumer electronics
• Industrial equipment and smart home technologies
• Consumer products with configurable or long-life products

• Success Story: Savant & GE Lighting
Savant Industries, owner of the GE Lighting brand, adopted Propel to streamline product management and accelerate commercialization. Results include:

• 📈 35% revenue growth in 2 years
• ⚡ 74% faster product introduction cycles
• 💼 50% reduction in order entry labor

Notably, after acquiring a new company, Savant ingested all product data and commercialized it the same day using Propel’s unified Salesforce-powered system.

• Product Value Management (PVM)
Tom introduces the concept of Product Value Management (PVM)—a unified approach that combines PLM, QMS, and PIM to drive both cost reduction and revenue growth, while mitigating risk across the product lifecycle.

• The Future: AI + Interoperability
Propel’s next phase centers on AI-driven automation (Propel One) and multi-CAD interoperability.

• AI is embedded with guardrails for data trust and human oversight.
• New tools will simplify CAD-to-PLM integration across mechanical, electrical, and PDM systems—reducing complexity and cost for engineering teams.

Learn more about Propel Software at propelsoftware.com.
Got questions for Tom or thoughts on this episode? Leave a comment or email [email protected].

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