01Market intelligence
ThreadMoat
Structured intelligence on the companies reshaping engineering software and Industrial AI.
Explore the intelligenceIndependent analyst · Advisor · Host
The product lifecycle is being rewritten.
I make sense of the companies, technologies, and decisions changing how physical products are designed, simulated, manufactured, and sustained.
35+years inside engineering software
30K+followers on LinkedIn
Experience forged inside
- IBM
- HP
- PTC
- Dassault Systèmes
My territory01 — 05
AI across the
product lifecycle.
The most consequential AI story is not a single copilot. It is the rewiring of the decisions, data, and feedback loops that turn an idea into a physical product.
I follow that transformation across the complete lifecycle—and separate the durable signal from the industrial hype.
- 01Design
- 02Simulate
- 03Make
- 04Operate
- 05Learn
One perspective. Four ways into the work.
Current work
Research, data, and conversations for the people building, buying, and investing in the future of engineering.
02Independent publication
DemystifyingPLM
Deep research on the history, strategy, architecture, and AI-driven future of PLM.
Read the research03Interview series
AI Across the Product Lifecycle
Candid conversations with the founders and operators putting AI to work across engineering and manufacturing.
Listen to the series04Industry roundtable
The Future of PLM
Unscripted debates with the people redefining PLM, product data, and the digital thread.
Watch on YouTubePoint of viewEvidence over theater
“AI is not replacing PLM. It is exposing every place where PLM was held together with Excel and goodwill.”
01Data before systems.
02Context before automation.
03Evidence before hype.
Independent since 2022
About Michael
Industry history,
translated for what comes next.
Michael Finocchiaro is an independent industry analyst, consultant, and advisor with more than 35 years inside engineering software. His career spans IBM, Hewlett-Packard, PTC, and Dassault Systèmes.
Today he works across the startup, investor, software-vendor, and manufacturing communities—connecting market history with the emerging reality of Industrial AI.
Strategy · Speaking · Briefings
Better Call Fino.
Looking for an independent read on an engineering-software market, startup, product strategy, or the impact of AI across the lifecycle?