How the modular software of PMWeb improved transparency of property management at Carl Zeiss

Carl Zeiss was operating in a fragmented project management environment, relying on different tools and systems for project and asset management. This disjointed approach led to collaboration issues, inconsistencies in data, and inefficiencies across teams. Without a centralised solution, Zeiss faced limited visibility into its portfolio and delays in critical decision-making.

The company needed a single, integrated Project Portfolio Management solution that could bring structure and consistency to its Corporate Real Estate Management (CREM) processes. The chosen tool had to support essential capabilities, including document and collaboration management, data control, portfolio and cost management, maintenance and investment planning, demand management, and project management.

The goal was to create a harmonised brand experience across all real estate initiatives, with full transparency around needs, costs, effort, space, and services. Zeiss also wanted to enable faster, data-driven decision-making through clearly defined gates within its matrix organisation. At the same time, they aimed to optimise the cost and performance of real estate operations.

After careful consideration, Zeiss selected PMWeb as the tool that best addressed its needs. PMWeb had a strong track record with leading companies across multiple sectors. It offered an all-in-one solution that could support the full Plan, Build, Operate cycle. The software includes built-in document management, visual workflow engines, reporting tools, and the flexibility to adapt to industry-specific requirements. It is also known for being highly user-friendly in terms of daily use, configuration for specific roles, and system management.

Zeiss partnered with Primaned, PMWeb’s implementation partner in Europe, based on their strong expertise in project controls and their experience with configuring PMWeb for complex organisational environments. The implementation began in August 2019, and the system went live in January 2020.

A test and pilot phase was essential to align PMWeb with the reality of Zeiss’s projects. Under a formal test plan developed by Primaned, SIS stakeholders were invited to explore the system, test the proposed workflows, and provide structured feedback. This collaborative approach allowed the platform to be adjusted to actual business processes and paved the way for successful adoption across the organisation.

The implementation replaced multiple legacy tools, introducing a single environment where the project, portfolio, and asset management modules were brought together. Reports and dashboards were developed to give Zeiss real-time insights into current statuses, data gaps, and project performance. All operational processes were integrated into PMWeb workflows, with clearly defined stage gates to guide governance and approval steps.

The solution also included customised templates for Zeiss’s global real estate projects, allowing for consistent execution and reporting regardless of location.