Technology

What You Need to Know When Considering PLM Software

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Without knowing what goes into their manufacture, it’s easy to take many everyday objects for granted. Take clothes, for example. Even a plain t-shirt has multiple touchpoints around the world and across many different disciplines and industries. From sourcing the fabric to the final finished product that we purchase from stores, there are a surprising number of steps and complex processes involved in between. As mentioned by TextileSchool, apparel manufacturing includes:

  • Receiving fabrics: Apparel companies receive fabrics from textile manufacturers. 
  • Fabric relaxing: It is a step when the fabric is let to relax before it goes into the actual manufacturing process.
  • Laying: The first step in the manufacturing of apparel is laying where patterns are arranged on the fabric. 
  • Marking: The fabric is marked for patterns. This could be done manually or automatically with computers.
  • Cutting: This is the most critical step in any apparel manufacturing. Once the fabric is cut and any defect occurs, there is very little scope to rectify it.
  • Embroidery or screen printing: These two processes are optional and are done when specified by the client. 
  • Sewing: As the title suggests, the cut pieces are stitched to give shape to the apparel. 
  • Checking: The final products are checked, and the ones that don’t go by the standards are rejected. 
  • Cleaning and laundry: The finished products are cleaned and ironed. 
  • Packaging and shipping: The final products are packed and shipped to its destination. 

How Has Apparel Manufacturing Grown in Complexity?

As Textile Today mentions, the apparel supply chain is one of the most complex supply chains among all industries. Hence, it is important for apparel manufacturers, especially those who are starting up and wish to grow their business, need a more systematic approach for better coordination and execution. It’s almost needless to say that such a system also helps a company be cost-effective and time-efficient. 

What is Product Lifecycle Management Software?

Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software is an information management system that integrates different data, business processes, systems, and people so that an organization can manage all the information and data needed and generated at each step (like the ones above) in one place throughout the lifecycle of the product. As a result, every step of your product development happens much faster, better coordinated, and in a more cost-effective manner. 

Is Your Company Ready for PLM Software?

Businesses are seeing huge benefits from utilizing apparel manufacturing PLM. From global sourcing to managing consumer demand to managing a multi-channel distribution network, PLM software can help ease your process to a great extent. Let’s see how PLM software impacts every step of apparel manufacturing.  

  • Receiving fabrics: Since you can have all your material and fabrics library in one place, sourcing fabrics becomes easier. 
  • Laying, marking, sewing, and cutting: Your prototype and measurements stay all together in one place. Which means only one prototype is valid throughout the manufacturing process. Hence the risk of deviation lowers.
  • Packaging and shipping: All the activities can be monitored in real-time irrespective of your location. Hence, you would be in a better position to let your supply chain instruct for quick changes if needed. 

PLM software—The Way Forward for Your Business Growth

Gone are the days when apparel business owners used to do everything on pen and paper or even Excel sheets. Many apparel companies are now realizing the benefits and investing in sophisticated PLM software. If you too wish to join the bandwagon, then this is the time.

 

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