Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Clarity

The use of Clarity PPM is not limited to specific industries. The software is used by customers in every industry. There are also no restrictions with regard to the departments at the company. Clarity PPM is used for IT projects as well as in areas such as research and development, sales, marketing, and all other business units.

Clarity PPM is the right solution for medium-sized and enterprise-class companies. Whether or not it makes sense depends on the individual case. The number of future software users and the projects that are to be mapped in the system provide some level of general guidance. Experience shows that Clarity PPM makes sense when there are more than 50 users. There is no upper limit. The largest system in use to date has more than 100,000 users.

With Clarity PPM, you get all the features that you need for your operational and strategic project and portfolio management in one software package. Thanks to its individual configuration options, it can be optimally adapted to the needs of your company. The modern user interface and interactive communication options increase the level of user acceptance and facilitate the change process. Clarity PPM is continuously being developed, and it has been a market leader for many years. This has also been confirmed by independent analysts, including Gartner, IDC, Forrester, and LeBihan.

You can buy or rent licenses for Clarity PPM. The price depends on the number of users, the types of access rights they need, and the desired operating model (SaaS or on-premise). Licensing for Clarity PPM takes place through so-called named user licenses. There are three distinct user groups: 

• Full Function Users (access to all functions)
• Restricted Users (restricted access)
• View-Only Users (read access with some write privileges)

You can purchase licenses through selected partners (Tier 1 partners) of the manufacturer Broadcom, such as itdesign. As the largest Tier 1 partner in Europe, we are at your disposal to answer any further questions you may have about licensing. In addition to purchasing, you also have the option of renting licenses.

We will provide you with a test version on request. We recommend that you join us for a short phone call beforehand to determine whether Clarity PPM suits your requirements. We would be happy to join you for your first look at the tool in a live demo.

Clarity includes a number of different features. However, you only use the modules that you really need. The nice thing is this: All modules are already included in your license. So you can start with the features that are most important to you and expand your system at a later point in time. This structure ensures the long-term success of the software at your company, because Clarity can adapt to meet your needs as your organization grows.

The time needed for the implementation stage depends on the needs of your company. With the itd Quick Start software implementation method, Clarity can be deployed within just six weeks. You get to take advantage of existing best practice packages and standard features.

You can achieve a higher degree of flexibility and cover your specific requirements when you use the itd SIM (Secure Implementation Method) implementation method. It typically takes several weeks to implement, but the actual amount of time depends heavily on your requirements. We create a realistic schedule on the basis of a joint workshop where we articulate your requirements.

The goal is that you successfully implement the software at your company and use it as efficiently as possible. Users, application managers, and administrators can be trained accordingly to make sure this happens. A train-the-trainer training course is recommended, as this will enable you to train new employees and users in the software yourself. Depending on your needs, these training courses can take place at your premises, at our premises in Tübingen, via a web session, or as a video.

We distinguish between three possible operating models:

• itdesign Clarity SaaS
• Broadcom Clarity SaaS
• On-premises

If you prefer an on-premises solution, we can install Clarity directly on your server. If you want to operate the software in the cloud, you have the option of using the application directly via itdesign (itdesign Clarity SaaS) or via the manufacturer (Broadcom Clarity SaaS) as a SaaS solution. With itdesign Clarity SaaS, you can combine the benefits of a SaaS and an on-premise solution, since we will also handle the technical support for and optimization of your software.

As part of the itdesign Clarity SaaS offer, we take over the hosting and application management of your system. You thus receive the all-round carefree package and can rely on your system functioning reliably and your data being secure at all times.

If you select itdesign Clarity SaaS, we will install your Clarity at a German data center of your choice, such as, for example, at an Amazon Web Services (AWS) facility, and you will receive support directly from itdesign. 

We would be happy to accompany you on your way to the cloud. With our Clarity SaaS offer, you get everything from a single source: hosting and application management in an all-round carefree package.

As a Broadcom Premier Support Partner, our itdesign support team can provide you with support regarding various kinds of Clarity questions and problems in either English or German. We will also ensure the smooth operation of your software and take care of maintenance. If required, we can also take care of the application management of the system.

Every quarter, the manufacturer Broadcom, publishes a new release of the software with extended features. However, you can decide for yourself whether and when you want to use a new version. We will inform you on our news blog when a new version is available and which new features can be found in the respective release.

Clarity PPM can easily handle any number of users, and it is extremely scalable. Even with 100,000 users in the system, the software continues to run at a high level of performance.

The security of your information is particularly important to us. We have even put it in writing. That is why the itdesign SaaS solution for Clarity PPM has been certified according to ISO/IEC 27001:2017 since August 2019.

In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, there is a very active user group for Clarity PPM that is independent of any service provider. Users from various industries and companies exchange best practices, experiences, and tips with one another at regular meetings.

The Clarity Community also meets at the itdesign Clarity Connect once a year for two days. This event thrives on exchanges between customers, partners, the manufacturer, and itdesign. Other than the popular evening event, the program also consists of practical lectures, workshops, and the product roadmap.

Broadcom holds various web sessions where customers can ask questions, request features, leave feedback, and download release previews. These events provide you with the opportunity to regularly and directly communicate with Clarity PPM product managers and express your wishes and suggestions.