Best PLM Software for Fashion in 2024: How to Choose and Implement
September 18, 2024.8 Mins read
Introduction
Companies and manufacturers that need to design, source, manufacture, and
distribute fashion products all over the world want a single source to manage all
their data and procedures. To handle this, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
software has emerged as the one-stop source of truth for managing all aspects of
a product, from early concept development to its retirement.
Before jumping into the nitty gritty of how you can find the best PLM software for
fashion in 2024, let’s take a brief look at what PLM software is and what it can do
for the fashion industry. PLM not only simplifies the process of generating new
product ideas and tracking product development, but it also enables faster, more
sustainable, and collaborative product creation.
With a unified view of essential data—like materials, design changes, workflows,
and compliance requirements—PLM systems allow teams to collaborate
seamlessly from anywhere in the world. This ensures everyone is working with
the most up-to-date information, reducing errors and speeding up time-to-
market.
More than 100,000 businesses globally are using PLM software in 2024 to
manage their operations. In this post, we’ll explore some of the top options
available to help your fashion business thrive.
Advantages of Fashion PLM for Fashion Brands
The capacity to access and exchange information from a single central platform
is the most important feature of PLM software. This enables the consolidation of
procedures and smooth tracking, which contributes to the benefits outlined in
this section.
Integration of Product Data
With product data being used by nearly every department in a company, it can
quickly become outdated. If data is not stored and maintained in a central
repository, departments may end up working with outdated information. A PLM
system ensures that everyone operates from the same, up-to-date source of
truth.
Reduce Development Cycles
The end-to-end integration of product data makes it easier for design,
development, sourcing and other teams to cooperate more easily during the
development stage. A product can be virtually created, reviewed, assessed, and
manufactured while also leveraging other manufacturing technologies. This can
help shorten development cycles.
Cost Reduction
Companies using a PLM platform develop a central repository for their design
and material data. This means that when developing a new product, some of the
work may already be completed. Lessons learned from previous projects can be
applied to avoid costly mistakes, reducing overall expenses.
Higher Product Quality
When the entire organization has access to the PLM platform, design and
development teams can gather valuable information from Sales, Marketing, and
Customer Service departments. A central repository allows teams to access real-
time data and correlate it with planned or suggested product developments,
which is particularly beneficial for the fashion industry.
Enhanced Productivity
PLM helps businesses improve operational efficiency by eliminating non-value-
adding activities and streamlining workflows wherever possible. With tech pack
templates and automation, users can quickly generate product information
without switching between systems and starting the workflow manually.
The Best Fashion PLM Software in 2024
PLM boosts fashion product development by facilitating collaboration, optimizing
workflows, and delivering tools for effective project management across
departments and lifecycle stages. Below, we’ve listed the top PLM software
options for your reference:
1. WFX – World Fashion Exchange
WFX PLM stands out as a 100% cloud-based platform designed specifically for
the fashion industry. Its built-in integration with popular design tools, ERP
systems, and sales platforms means seamless management of all your processes
from idea to sale. WFX delivers an end-to-end solution that is scalable, versatile,
and built to handle the complexity of fashion businesses.
Where most PLMs struggle to offer true flexibility across industries, WFX is
tailored exclusively for fashion. It addresses the unique needs of garment
companies and adjacent sectors like accessories, home goods, and footwear.
With a user-friendly interface, WFX is accessible to businesses of all sizes,
whether you’re scaling up a global brand or managing a smaller operation. It
emphasizes real-time collaboration across global teams, ensuring nothing gets
lost in translation.
Key Modules:
Line Planning
Buying Plan
Design Inspiration
Artwork
Adobe Connector
Product & Material Library
Tech Pack
RFQs
Costing
Sample Feedback and Approvals
Vendor Compliance
Purchase Order and Production
Final Inspection
Shipments
Vendor Portals
Customers: SKIMS, Everlane, Gorjana, Forever New, Cult Gaia, Showpo, Mexx,
Belstaff, Benetton India
Pricing: WFX runs on a flexible pricing model where you only pay for the
modules you use. Reach out to the WFX team here for a quote.
2. Uphance
Uphance is a cloud-hosted, hybrid, and on-premises apparel management
software designed for small and medium-sized fashion firms who want to
manage their operations more smoothly. Uphance places a greater focus on
operations (e.g., inventory and billing) and less on the design and development
aspects of the business.
If managing inventory, orders, and invoicing is your primary concern, Uphance
offers solid tools, but it might fall short in offering advanced PLM features for
growing fashion brands that need more robust design and collaboration tools.
Key Modules:
Order Management
Inventory Management
Billing & Invoicing
Cataloging
Materials Management
Product Management
Production Management
Purchasing & Receiving
Returns Management
Shipping Management
Supplier Management
Supply Chain Management
Warehouse Management
Pricing: Starts at $199/month
Customers: Louenhide, Frances Valentine, Rejina Pyo
3. Centric PLM
Centric PLM is a more traditional choice, offering on-premises and cloud-based
PLM options. It’s designed primarily with large, multinational companies in mind
that need support for complex supply chains. While it excels at speeding up
time-to-market, Centric’s focus on enterprise-level solutions may feel overbuilt
for smaller companies or those prioritizing modern, easy-to-use interfaces.
If you’re a massive enterprise juggling multiple product lines across various
regions, Centric may fit. However, its complexity can be overwhelming and
unnecessary for most new-age fashion businesses.
Key Modules:
Change Management & Cost Tracking
Design Management
Product Data Management
Compliance Management
Supplier Management
Pricing: Not publicly available
Customers: Decathlon, Sephora, Asics
4. Tech Packer
Tech Packer is a niche solution designed to help create detailed tech packs
quickly, but it lacks the all-encompassing features that a PLM might offer you. It
works flawlessly with Adobe Illustrator, making it simple to swiftly produce Tech
Packs with flawless pixels. It offers cloud-hosted, hybrid, and on-premises
applications.
Tech Packer is best for small design teams or freelancers focused on perfecting
the technical details of their fashion products. If you need a quick, design-centric
tool without comprehensive PLM features, this works.
Key Modules:
Data Import/Export
Fashion Illustrations
Pattern Layout
Print/Cut and Storage of Patterns, Colors, and Artwork
CAD Tools
Pattern Grading
Pricing: Starts at $39/month
Customers: Molecule, Woox, Lovevery
5. Backbone PLM
Now a part of Bamboo Rose, Backbone PLM offers a great SaaS solution for
managing product development and sourcing, but it’s not built specifically for the
fashion industry. This lack of specialization can be a challenge for fashion
companies needing more tailored workflows.
Backbone PLM is a solid fit for companies outside the fashion space or those who
don’t require highly specialized tools. Fashion companies may find it lacking in
industry-specific capabilities, but it could work for firms looking for a generalized,
cloud-based collaboration platform.
Key Modules:
Creative Design
Material Management
Product Development
Global Sourcing
Pricing: Starts at $199/month
Customers: Eagle Creek, Johnny Was, Movado
6. BlueCherry PLM
BlueCherry PLM targets high-growth companies in the retail and lifestyle product
sectors, offering strong supply chain management tools. However, its hybrid
approach (cloud and on-premises) and focus on operational management could
make it feel less agile for modern fashion brands seeking flexibility and fast-
paced collaboration.
BlueCherry PLM works for fast-growing consumer goods or lifestyle brands with a
focus on high-volume production and distribution. If you’re more concerned with
managing logistics than design, BlueCherry could be an option, though it might
not be the best fit for fashion companies looking for fashion-first solutions.
Key Modules:
Order Management
Inventory Management
Billing & Invoicing
Financial Management
Accounting
Supply Chain Management
Customers: General Sportwear, Tommie Copper, Adrianna Papell
Pricing: Not publicly available
7. Gerber Yunique PLM
Gerber YuniquePLM offers both cloud and on-premises options and focuses on
managing product development through time and action calendars. While it
provides basic PLM tools for fashion, its design is often seen as outdated
compared to more modern, agile platforms like WFX. It’s a decent choice for
small to medium-sized companies, but it lacks cutting-edge flexibility and global
collaboration tools.
Gerber YuniquePLM works for small to mid-sized fashion companies that prefer
traditional, calendar-based product tracking and development. However, if you’re
looking for a more advanced cloud-based system that can handle fast-paced,
global fashion production, WFX offers a far superior solution.
Key Modules:
Product Management
Production Management
Shipping Management
Supplier Management
Pricing: Starts at $150/month
Customers: Filson, French Connection, Houdini Sportswear
How to Select the Ideal Fashion PLM Software
Choosing the right Fashion PLM software is crucial for streamlining your
operations, enhancing collaboration, and accelerating product development—but
with so many options, how do you determine which one will truly fit your brand’s
unique needs?
Here are some key tips to guide you on your PLM journey:
Start by listing the PLM solution providers that offer the most
relevant tools for your industry. Consider how these tools will
support your organization’s future growth. A well-chosen PLM can
unlock significant gains in efficiency, addressing everything from
highly specialized processes to broader, more complex aspects of
product development.
Assess your current processes and rank them according to
which “pain areas” cause the most friction and where you expect
the biggest improvements post-implementation. This analysis will
help you set realistic goals for your supply chain—from design to
delivery—and map out how your processes should evolve once the
PLM is fully implemented.
Create a request for information (RFI) that clearly outlines your
functional and IT requirements. Functional needs may include
capabilities like dynamic approvals for design changes, while IT
needs could involve support for cloud, on-premises, or hybrid
deployments. Ensure the PLM integrates smoothly with existing
systems like ERP, PIM (Product Information Management), and CRM
to maintain a seamless flow of data across your organization.
Focus on user experience when evaluating PLM software. A user-
friendly interface makes it easier for teams—especially creative
teams—to adopt the system and quickly access the information
they need. A simple, intuitive design minimizes training time and
increases overall productivity.
Prioritize PLM that enables real-time collaboration. Features
such as chat, video conferencing, comment threads, and
notifications can facilitate better communication with vendors and
suppliers, reducing production delays. These collaboration tools
foster transparency, trust, and ensure critical information doesn’t
fall through the cracks.
Finally, view the PLM provider as a long-term partner.
Choosing the right software is only half the journey—successful
implementation is crucial, and the provider’s support will play a
major role in your business’s ongoing success. Ensure that they
provide the skills and guidance required for a smooth transition and
long-term value.
Conclusion
Implementing product lifecycle management (PLM) software is a strategic move
that can help your business meet its goals faster and with greater efficiency. PLM
offers a comprehensive, automated approach to managing products through
every stage of development, simplifying complex processes and driving better
outcomes. The key is to choose a PLM system that not only optimizes your
internal workflows but also enhances customer satisfaction and keeps you
competitive in an evolving market.
If this process feels overwhelming or too time-consuming, you can always turn to
WFX’s PLM. Connect with our digital transformation consultants or download
the WFX PLM Buyer Guide to simplify your decision-making process and find
the perfect solution for your business needs.
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