Industry Perspectives on PLM, Digital Transformation & Industry 5.0
Speaking on the challenges and opportunities shaping engineering, manufacturing and industrial transformation.
Uthayan Elangovan speaks at industry conferences, corporate sessions and academic programmes on PLM, IIoT, AI, digital engineering and Industry 5.0, connecting technology with industrial practice and business value.
Explore speaking topics, selected engagements and session formats below.
Connecting Industrial Experience with the Future of Engineering and Manufacturing
How can organizations turn advances in PLM, AI, IIoT and digital engineering into meaningful industrial outcomes? How should engineers and manufacturing leaders prepare for the changes ahead? And what does Industry 5.0 mean for the way organizations develop products, manage information and create value?
These are the questions that shape my speaking engagements.
With more than 22 years of industrial experience, advisory work across PLM and digital transformation, and five published books, I bring an industry-oriented perspective to conversations about technology, engineering, manufacturing and the future of industrial work.
My sessions are designed for audiences who want to understand not just what is changing, but why it matters to organizations, professionals and the next generation of engineers.
Speaking Topics
Each session can be tailored to the event theme, audience and objectives. The following topics reflect my areas of expertise and professional work.
Topics can be adapted to suit the event, audience experience, session duration and intended outcomes. Related topics can also be developed in consultation with the organizer.
1. Industry 5.0: From Digital Engineering to Intelligent Product Development
Digital engineering is changing how products are developed, information is managed and decisions are made. Industry 5.0 adds a wider perspective: human capability, sustainability and resilience must remain part of industrial progress. This session explores the relationship between PLM, digital continuity, AI, intelligent quality and product development, and how organizations can connect these capabilities to create value.
Relevant audiences: Industry conferences, engineering leadership forums, manufacturing associations and academic events.
2. The Future of PLM with AI and Digitalisation
PLM is not simply about managing CAD files and engineering documents. Its broader purpose is to connect product information, processes, people and decisions throughout the product lifecycle. This session examines the evolving role of PLM, the potential contribution of AI, and the importance of information quality, process alignment and organisational adoption.
Relevant audiences: PLM conferences, product development teams, engineering leaders, digital transformation forums and corporate knowledge sessions.
3. IIoT and Smart Manufacturing: Connecting Engineering with Operations
Manufacturing organizations generate increasing amounts of machine, process, quality and operational data. The challenge is to connect that information with decisions that matter. This session explores the role of IIoT and digital technologies in smart manufacturing, including the relationship between engineering information, shop-floor operations and operational intelligence.
Relevant audiences: Manufacturing and automation conferences, operations leaders, Industry 4.0/5.0 events and industrial technology forums.
4. Industry 5.0: Human Capability, Sustainability and Industrial Resilience
Industrial progress cannot be measured by automation and productivity alone. Workforce capability, environmental responsibility and the ability to adapt to disruption also matter. This session explores the three central dimensions of Industry 5.0, human-centricity, sustainability and resilience, and their implications for technology adoption, industrial strategy and the future of work.
Relevant audiences: Leadership forums, business conferences, manufacturing associations, management programmes and academic institutions.
5. Reimagining Business in the Age of AI
AI is changing how organizations work across functions, analyse information and make decisions. Yet adopting a new technology does not automatically create value. Drawing on an industrial and digital transformation perspective, this session examines changing business boundaries, the relationship between technology and human judgement, and the importance of directing innovation towards meaningful outcomes.
Relevant audiences: Business and management conferences, leadership programmes, professional associations and cross-disciplinary events.
6. Bridging Engineering Education and Industrial Practice
Preparing future engineers requires more than introducing emerging technologies into the curriculum. Students also need to understand how engineering decisions connect with product development, manufacturing processes and business priorities. This session brings an industrial perspective to engineering education, emerging technologies, professional readiness and the capabilities required in a changing industrial environment.
Relevant audiences: Engineering colleges, universities, faculty development programmes, student forums and industry-academia initiatives.
Selected Speaking Engagements
My engagements span industry, manufacturing, professional learning and academia. These selected examples illustrate the range of subjects and audiences addressed.
LEOS–ISRO | Zero Defect Program
Delivered an expert session on Industry 5.0: From Digital Engineering to Intelligent Product Development.
The session explored the role of digital engineering, PLM, IIoT, intelligent quality and related technologies in product development, alongside the wider implications of Industry 5.0.
Vestas | PLM Operations Team, Chennai
Delivered a session on Future of PLM with AI and Digitalization, addressing the changing role of PLM and the implications of emerging technologies for product lifecycle management.
PSGR Krishnammal College for Women, Coimbatore | Business Beyond Boundaries 2026
Delivered the inaugural address, Reimagining Business in the Age of AI: What Happens When the Boundaries Disappear?, at Business Beyond Boundaries 2026, a national conference held on 11 September 2026.
Also participated in the From Shop Floor to Cloud panel, contributing a PLM and digital transformation perspective, and evaluated student paper presentations.
‘Technology adoption is not transformation. Value creation is transformation.’”
Additional Industry and Academic Engagements
Other engagements have included guest lectures, expert sessions, workshops, faculty development programmes and industry interactions with institutions such as:
- Vasanth Products
- BITS Pilani
- Concordia University, Canada
- CQUniversity, Australia
- PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore
- PSG Institute of Technology and Applied Research
- SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai
- SRM Ramapuram, Chennai
- Nandha Engineering College
- Kumaraguru College of Technology, Coimbatore
- Dr. Mahalingam College of Engineering and Technology
- Sri Shakthi Institute of Engineering and Technology
- GNA University, Punjab
- KIT, Coimbatore
Subjects have included PLM, Industry 4.0, Industry 5.0, IIoT, smart manufacturing, robotics and automation, IoT applications, green energy and emerging industrial capabilities.
Explore Clients & Engagements and Accomplishments for additional information.
Related Publications
In addition to speaking engagements, Uthayan Elangovan has authored five published books on PLM, IIoT, and Industry 5.0, providing deep theoretical and practical frameworks that underpin these sessions.
Handbook of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
Fundamentals, Components, and Implementation Best Practices.
Industry 5.0: The Future of the Industrial Economy
Second Edition — Exploring human-centricity, sustainability, and industrial resilience.
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM): A Digital Journey Using IIoT
Recipient of the 2020 Taylor & Francis Outstanding Professional Book Award.
Speaking Formats
The format and depth of each engagement depend on the event objectives and audience. Sessions can be delivered in person or virtually, depending on the event requirements and schedule.
Keynotes & Inaugural Addresses
Broader perspectives on industrial transformation, Industry 5.0, AI and the future of engineering and manufacturing.
Expert Talks & Guest Lectures
Focused sessions for industry professionals, engineering teams, students, researchers and management audiences.
Panel Discussions
Contributions on PLM, digital transformation, manufacturing, emerging technologies and workforce capability.
Corporate Knowledge Sessions
Topic-focused discussions tailored for engineering, PLM, manufacturing and digital transformation teams.
Workshops & Faculty Programs
Structured sessions exploring technology concepts, industrial applications and implications for professional practice and education.
Speaker Profile
Uthayan Elangovan is an an industry speaker, Independent PLM Strategy & Digital Transformation Advisor and founder of Neel SMARTEC Consulting, with more than 22 years of industrial experience.
His work spans PLM, IIoT, digital engineering, smart manufacturing and Industry 5.0. He is the author of five published books covering these subjects, including:
- Handbook of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) — covering PLM concepts, practices and the evolution of product lifecycle management.
- Industry 5.0: The Future of the Industrial Economy — Second Edition — exploring Industry 5.0 and its implications for industry.
His book PLM: A Digital Journey Using IIoT received the 2020 Taylor & Francis Outstanding Professional Book Award.
His speaking perspective connects industrial experience, technology and business outcomes, helping audiences examine what digital transformation means in practice.
Speaking Engagement Enquiries
For industry conferences, corporate knowledge sessions, leadership forums, professional associations and academic programmes, enquiries are welcome on topics related to PLM, digital transformation, IIoT, smart manufacturing and Industry 5.0.
To discuss a potential engagement, please email with the event name, audience, proposed topic, preferred date and session format.
Suggested email subject: Speaking Engagement Enquiry