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Research Details
PTC: Launching an Entirely New Product Platform
Abstract
The case presents a $1+billion technology company seeking new growth through the introduction of a radically new product platform. During its first ten years, PTC Corporation grew faster than Microsoft did during the similar period of its evolution. By the late 1990s PTC was faced with intensified competition and saturation in its core markets. To maintain growth, the company introduced a completely new product platform. While PTC focused in developing and selling the product, it failed to recognize that this new product was so different from its traditional offerings that it required a new organizational structure, sales capabilities, support processes, and market strategy. The case traces the company's evolution from development and launch of Windchill through the four-year period post-launch, during which its founding CEO was forced out and the company transformed. Ultimately, Windchill became a top seller for PTC, but not until after significant internal change. The PTC case illustrates what it means to build a new business within the context of an existing, successful firm. It can also be used to explore what it takes to accomplish a successful new product launch for a substantially new product platform. Sales and channel strategy also figures prominently in the case.
Type
Case
Author(s)
Date Published
01/01/2007
Discipline
Entrepreneurship;Management;Strategy;Technology
Key Concepts
New product launch, new product launches in technology/enterprise markets, sales strategy, channel strategy, corporate entrepreneurship, organic growth, platform strategy
Citations
Wolcott, Robert. PTC: Launching an Entirely New Product Platform. Case 5-405-752 (KEL316).
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