Get Started with Kepware+

For new customers looking to purchase and deploy Kepware+:

To implement Kepware+, you will need a variety of contributors, and the size and composition of your team will depend on the scope and complexity of your use case. Having team members with experience implementing Kepware is a significant advantage, as existing expertise can play an important role alongside any organizational changes or software management standards that may impact process changes. Some typical roles and skills are essential for any Kepware+ implementation. These include:

• A project manager/analyst who will oversee the initiative from start to finish, coordinate the team, communicate with stakeholders, and manage the budget and timeline
• A project sponsor who will provide the vision and direction for the implementation, secure the necessary resources and support, and approve the deliverables. For example, a value seeker such as a VP of IT or CIO.
• A Kepware expert with the technical knowledge and experience to configure and troubleshoot the Kepware+ software and integrate it with other systems and applications
• A process authority with domain expertise and authority to define the business requirements, validate the functionality, and ensure the alignment of the Kepware+ solution with the operational processes. For example, an IT/OT Admin (Control Engineer, Machine Operator, IT Leader, Automation Director). This may be a mix of multiple individuals with varying areas of responsibility.
• A key user who will be the primary user of the Kepware+ solution, provide feedback and suggestions, and train other users

For existing Kepware customers looking to adopt Kepware+ within their enterprise:

All individuals impacted by the Kepware+ upgrade and process authorities should participate in the initiative, including critical users and those heavily reliant on the solution post-upgrade, to provide input on operation alignment with Kepware+ usage. Early engagement with all participants is crucial to clarify duties and scope.

Find out if your organization employs people with the above skill sets to upgrade your existing Kepware server to the enterprise environment. If so, ask the employees if they can contribute to the upgrade initiative. If you need to get their manager's approval, make sure to do so. While you can do most of the work remotely, team members must be on-site to gather requirements for going live and promoting the upgrade to the production environment.

Typically, organizations hire contractors or consultants to bridge skill gaps and achieve their overall goals. Employ outside resources if internal employees with the required skill sets are non-existent or unavailable. Verify that the individuals you hire have the Kepware experience to meet your goals.

External resources are extremely valuable for ensuring uniform and consistent integration with other systems.

PTC, experienced partners, or systems integrators can often fill skill sets and expertise gaps and provide valuable recommendations for preferred topologies and other best practices. Depending on the initiative, these providers can be a PTC partner or PTC itself. PTC has a partner search tool available so that customers can filter by geographical region, product, and type. You may have an existing partner relationship; however, ensuring they meet the solution needs and are the type of partner your business requires is essential. If there are any questions or concerns about this process or who would be the right fit, contact PTC for help.

PTC’s Customer Success teams can help you plan, implement, and measure your Kepware+ initiative. A PTC Customer Success Manager ensures you have the right mix of resources on your team. In addition, they will help ensure each contributor has extensive experience with the Kepware platform and is well-suited for the role.

Create a core team of internal users to learn and train others about how Kepware+ functions. They will serve as a resource for end users for training and adoption. Consider the following:

• Who will develop customer-specific training materials aside from PTC’s standard offerings?
• Who will help distribute training within the organization? For example, is this the same role as a Super Admin (one who has the ultimate administrative functions)?
• Who will manage the team's documentation, such as training guides, standards guides, and SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures)?

Depending on its size, consult a partner or work with your PTC Account Manager to create those references.