What is a Fashion PLM Software?
Fashion PLM, or Product Lifecycle Management PLM software, is the key to successfully managing product design and development. It is more than just an inventory management system; it provides a comprehensive suite of tools that make the transition from concept creation to product launch efficient and streamlined for fashion retailers.
It’s an information hub for fashion that stores product data, allows users to trace changes in its lifecycle from inception to launch, and provides access to resources only available with this management software.
Fashion PLM Software is the lifeblood of anyone who likes to stay ahead of fashion trends. Whether you are a designer, stylist, merchandiser, or buyer, it can help you make better decisions faster. A Fashion Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) System helps streamline processes and foster team collaboration.
Why is fashion PLM important?
Fashion PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) is an essential part of the fashion industry, helping to organize and streamline the entire manufacturing process from concept creation all the way through to marketing the final product.
Concept creation & planning
With practical PLM, fashion brands can avoid development and production delays, supply chain bottlenecks, and missed sales. By leveraging a PLM system, creative teams can stay organized while brainstorming ideas and planning collections.
Testing
Testing processes are also streamlined, allowing feedback from consumers and QA teams to produce garments that customers will love.
Manufacturing
The production manufacturing process, in particular, requires high levels of the organization; thorough task tracking helps keep factories on schedule so that fashion products will be on real time for delivery to retail stores or other outlets.
Marketing
Finally, successful marketing of fashion items relies heavily on keeping track of publishing timelines for catalogs, websites, and other campaign materials.
No matter where you are in the fashion lifecycle, from idea creation to shipment off the factory floor, PLM keeps it organized so teams can move quickly without missing a step. This efficiency is critical—and essential—for staying ahead in this particular industry.
6 reasons why even small fashion teams should now embrace cloud PLM
Cloud PLM offers small fashion teams the opportunity to be discerning. Here are 6 reasons and how you can benefit from them.
- First, cloud PLMs can now work like regular applications, so usual workflows are not hindered by legacy code or broken infrastructure. The processed product data does not have to be stored on the local PC either – all information can be safely stored in the cloud and viewed via a web browser!
- Second, this guarantees that the correct numbers are listed to commit to production, procurement, and supply chain contracts – this helps avoid causing problems and issues for no reason – you just don’t make mistakes.
- Third, using cloud plm for fashion lays the groundwork for future growth at some level – so don’t worry about too much fragmentation, even if the currently closed fashion requirements are expensive or complex.
- Fourth, because cloud plm for fashion is a SaaS subscription service, integration and usage are available to everyone on the team without requiring significant capital, development, or IT manpower coverage to function correctly.
- Fifth, the more minor team has an advantage in quickly implementing the power of straightness into a piece of cloth!
- Finally, but most certainly not least, fashion is about speed- to market, collections, and teams are constantly demanded to bring ideas faster! And that is where cloud plm for fashion can be of use. It automates the product data entry part making it quicker for teams to monitor fashion products and stay on top of progress.
All in all, cloud PLM is definitely one of the most competitive assistants in the fashion department in this era!
The challenges of adopting a PLM in the fashion business
Let’s take a look at the biggest challenges that come with adopting a new PLM.
Integration challenges
Firstly, integration can be tricky to navigate as a variety of systems have different functions and serve other users. To ensure maximum efficiency from the outset, you must carefully integrate all those systems.
Manufacturing challenges
Despite what some might think, manufacturing is still outdated in the fashion industry, and for businesses wanting to scale up production, this presents yet another set of challenges when installing a new PLM.
Complexity
The complexity of setting up such a management system can also be daunting, worrying if current solutions are fit for purpose and if they are robust enough to support digital consumer demands?
User interface issues
The user interface can often be overwhelming, mainly when figuring out how best to use new features or complex tools such as advanced analytics or automated workflows.
The learning curve and investment
And then there is the dreaded learning curve – investing real time, energy, and resources into mastering new management software doesn’t always look appealing on paper… but once achieved, it rocks!
Adopting a PLM might seem like an uphill battle at first, but over time all these initial obstacles will dissipate and ultimately become second nature in every area of your business – which will prove invaluable in taking your business forward into the future.
7 factors to consider when choosing the right fashion PLM system
Choosing the proper fashion PLM systems is no walk in the park and requires researching various factors to ensure that your management system matches your organizational needs. When searching for the perfect fashion-specialty PLM system, some key elements include ease of use, implementation cost, tech packs, reportings, manufacturer’s onboarding, and automation and integration. Each of these criteria can determine the efficiency and efficacy of your organization, whether you are an independent designer or an established label.
- Ease of use
The first factor in evaluating a fashion PLM is overall ease of use. Only some people’s tech-savvy and complex UI only adds to stress levels for those unfamiliar with technology. It’s essential to find something intuitively designed so that even the most technophobic among us can feel safe navigating their way around it.
- Implementation cost
The implementation cost is another critical factor when selecting a sound PLM system; this will determine how much you will invest in getting your new management software up and running. The price should fall within budget but also reflect a solid quality product – focus on researching options that have both economic feasibilities yet provide excellent functionality so it can benefit your business from day one.
- Tech packs
Tech packs are also essential for finding a good PLM, as many brands prefer high-quality digital files for shipping garments (rather than physical ones). Look for fashion products specializing in tech packs, as these can be hugely beneficial due to their cost-effectiveness and accuracy down the line.
- Reportings
Additionally, pay close attention to any reportings the plm platform offers; these detailed accounts come in handy during the development process so check if their reporting capabilities align with company standards.
- Manufacturer’s onboarding.
Manufacturer onboarding is another necessary step since fashion retailers involve multiple third parties, such as factories/distributors, who need efficient access to production plans & timelines and the style & specification info they require before managing orders and shipments. An effective onboarding manufacturing process allows team members at different parties (brand/names) to work simultaneously without worrying about security issues associated with product data exchange & sharing between multiple users/organizations throughout its life cycle.
- Automation and integration
There are platforms out there that have adopted specific regulations, such as Brand Gate Keeper or Vendor Management gateway, that offer efficient collaboration between suppliers, manufacturers & other 3rd party organizations via automation processes without any manual entry errors bringing considerable back-end savings in terms of time-based investments & resources.
- Security
However, ensuring secure product data transfers across global boundaries implies paying particular attention to information security processes like Data encryption, etc.; in short, look for a robust built-in security feature centered around user authentication & authorization procedures to help keep information safe from hackers!
Although research might take up quite some time initially, investing reasonable effort in researching the comprehensive list mentioned earlier could prove very beneficial once you select the best tool tailored perfectly according to your brand requirements keeping future functionality & scalability growth patterns in mind!
Best PLM software for fashion in 2023
There are many options if you need a PLM solution for the fashion industry. We’ve listed three different software systems with various features and price points to help you choose.
Teamcenter
Business owners who want to stay ahead love this PLM software from Siemens. It’s versatile and interactive, effortlessly connecting multiple processes and people across departments and organizations. As a result, the final product is error-free and unbeatable compared to its competitors’ versions. Additionally, the software can adapt quickly if changes become necessary due to ever-changing conditions.
BlueCherry
Many fashions, lifestyle, and accessories companies rely on CGS Inc’s software to manage their product lifecycles because it is considered one of the best options available. This inclusive software has everything businesses need to start and succeed in the industry.
Yunique
This Gerber Technology product is beneficial for companies communicating with suppliers early in the product lifecycle. With this, suppliers can know the creative direction and more easily find buyers earlier. By using this technology, there is a higher chance of profits as well as setting fashion trends.
Windchill
The software supports product development by seamlessly integrating processes, people, and systems. It also includes the organization’s product information repository, ensuring that ideas are shared – making it a PTC product.
Propel
Built into the sales force plm platform, this software is known for its responsiveness and is highly regarded by the fashion industry. One of its trusted customers, Crowdfunded Peak Design, appreciates its good product information and lifecycle management portfolio. The quality management solution dramatically reduces the time to market from concept to customer level.
NGC Software
Vogue has touted this PLM as the top PLM platform for cloud-based solutions since 1982. Its digital supply chain capabilities improve communication between retailers/brands and suppliers, in addition to unifying a variety of factories, agents, suppliers, and logistics support providers on one convenient plm platform–beneficial for all users!
Autodesk
The software offers multiple functions that connect people and processes together so that the final product gets to consumers faster.
OpenBOM
OpenBOM is a secure, cloud-based PLM that connects manufacturers and their supply chains. It allows for real-time collaboration and data management.
Exenta
The software, formerly Simparel PLM, has changed the fashion industry by streamlining the product lifecycle. Repetitive tasks have been automated, saving time to market. With improved customer service and global collaboration made easier, designers can focus on innovation.
RLM PLM
This software is not only efficient but also small and stylish. It unifies the entire team and enables everyone to make more informed decisions promptly. All product necessities, including technical packages and cost information, are managed from one secure location.
Lectra Fashion PLM
Our PLM team provides comprehensive support to our customers, so they can find ways to streamline their product manufacturing and marketing processes. Using our cost-effective and easy-to-implement software, customers can save time and money while progressing toward their goals.
Infor’s fashion PLM
Infor’s PLM software allows fashion companies to plan lines and source supplies and channels critical components of the fashion value chain into business processes. Not to mention, it shortens time to market! The software additionally links with enterprise resource planning ERP systems to deliver real-time, precise data that optimizes every stage of the product lifecycle.
SAP PLM
This software is famous for rapid deployment and streamlining the product lifecycle. Cloud storage is an add-on to this software that enables companies to secure their product profits early in the lifecycle. Ensuring team visibility helps find the best costing solution for innovative product planning and customer-specific changes in the shortest possible time.
7 Steps To a Successful PLM Implementation Of Your New Fashion PLM System
The success of PLM implementations in the fashion and retail industry depends on several parameters, but none more important than understanding the basics. When looking to upgrade your existing New Fashion PLM System, here are a few things that can get you started on the right foot:
- Kick things off with thorough system analysis and industry-specific research. Analyzing what you have now, what your competitors are doing, and learning about market trends will help form the foundation for implementation plans.
- Create clear goals that everyone in your organization can understand and operate around. Identifying the objectives of the implementation at this early stage helps ensure that everyone is working with the same vision and understanding throughout the project’s life cycle.
- Make sure that all stakeholders are effectively engaged during the planning and execution stages–everyone from IT teams to sales reps should be included to ensure project success.
- Considering any technological gaps or limitations that should come next, focus on solutions and strategies that bridge those gaps as needed. Selecting an experienced team of technology professionals to oversee everything related to implementing a new system is essential – they can help avoid pitfall scenarios while ensuring everything is done within budget constraints as well as timeline considerations
- With integration being a critical factor in successful implementations, be sure it’s incorporated into every step of your process– beginning with how it fits into your current systems and digital infrastructure, working with external partners, taking into account user behavior (all kinds) cross-device compatibility, etc. Continuing to monitor for integration issues even after launch is critical for long-term success too!
- And lastly, don’t forget about post-deployment support– this considerably reduces stress levels if any issue arises down the line from the wrong data input/configuration errors, etc.
As with any significant venture, it pays to go out fully prepared – so if you’re looking for a reliable PLM solution, following these steps can help make your New Fashion PLM System Implementation a winner!
Wrapping up
Professional garment manufacturing supplier – Lezhou Garment has over 10 years of experience in custom clothing and can help streamline your fashion brand’s PLM processes from design to marketing. Contact us today for more information.