10 Ways a PLM System Benefits Apparel Businesses
Adopting a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system for your business can help you push products faster to market, putting your business ahead of the curve.
But when you factor in the cost and the challenges of implementing and running it, you might begin to wonder if it’s worth it in the first place.
The truth is, no matter how you look at it, a PLM system can benefit your garment manufacturing business in more ways than you can imagine. In this post, we will explore the top 10 benefits and also share insights to help you implement a PLM solution correctly.
What is a PLM System?
At its core, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) is a system that manages all the data, processes, and decisions involved in a product’s journey—from the initial concept to design, development, sourcing, production, and even end-of-life.
Think of it as the digital command center for product development.
What Is an Apparel PLM Used For?
An apparel PLM system is designed to handle the following tasks:
Design iteration and concept development
Bill of materials (BOM) management
Tech pack creation and sharing
Sample tracking and vendor collaboration
Fit comments and revisions
Sustainability metrics
Material libraries and color palettes
Design faster and collaborate easier with manufacturers using Uphance PLM
10 Ways a PLM System Benefits Your Fashion Business
Here are ten powerful ways a PLM system can transform your operations and set you up for success.
1. Centralized Data Management
PLM systems centralize all product-related data—from design files to technical specifications—in one platform. This eliminates data silos, reduces errors, and ensures everyone is working with the most up-to-date information.
2. Accelerated Product Development
By streamlining workflows and improving visibility, PLM software helps you bring products to market faster. Teams can track progress in real time, identify bottlenecks early, and cut down on unnecessary delays.
3. Enhanced Collaboration Across Teams
Designers, developers, merchandisers, and sourcing teams can seamlessly collaborate on a shared platform. This is especially beneficial for businesses with global or remote teams, ensuring everyone stays aligned throughout the product lifecycle.
4. Improved Sample Management
Managing samples can be a logistical nightmare. PLM simplifies the process with tools to track samples, record feedback, and manage revisions—all in one place. This reduces rounds of sampling and accelerates approvals.
5. Streamlined Tech Pack Creation
Creating tech packs manually is time-consuming and prone to errors. PLM systems offer templates and automation that allow for faster, more accurate creation and easy sharing with suppliers.
6. Better Supply Chain Visibility
PLM enhances supply chain transparency by offering real-time updates on product development, production stages, and shipping. This leads to stronger vendor relationships and quicker issue resolution.
7. Cost Optimization
From materials planning to product iterations, PLM helps you spot cost-saving opportunities early. Better forecasting and budgeting prevent overproduction and minimize waste.
8. Improved Compliance and Quality Control
Ensure your products meet regulatory, safety, and quality standards with built-in compliance tracking. You can document audits, certifications, and testing results efficiently.
9. Sustainability Tracking
Modern PLM systems help track environmental impact by managing sustainable materials, tracking carbon footprint, and integrating with CSR initiatives—making sustainability more than just a buzzword.
10. Data-Driven Decision Making
With advanced reporting tools, PLM systems offer insights into performance, cost, time-to-market, and supplier efficiency. Data becomes your ally in making smarter, faster business decisions.
Challenges You Will Likely Encounter When Implementing a PLM System and Their Solutions
Porting to a new PLM system isn’t always easy, as it’s riddled with numerous challenges. Knowing these potential challenges and preparing ahead for them can give you an edge.
That being said, here are the likely hurdles you will encounter and how to deal with them.
1. Resistance to Change
If your team members are used to legacy systems or manual processes, they may be reluctant to embrace a new, digital workflow.
Solution: Prioritize user buy-in early. Engage team members in the decision-making process, offer comprehensive training, and highlight how PLM will make their day-to-day work easier.
2. High Initial Investment
PLM systems can require a significant upfront cost in terms of software, implementation, training, and integration.
Solution: Focus on the long-term gains in efficiency, accuracy, and reduced errors. Consider cloud-based PLM solutions, which often offer more flexible pricing and lower infrastructure costs.
3. Data Migration Complexities
Moving product data, BOMs, tech packs, and supplier info from existing systems (or spreadsheets) into a new platform can be time-consuming and prone to errors.
Solution: Allocate time and resources for thorough data auditing and cleanup before migration. Work with vendors that offer robust support and migration tools.
4. Underestimating Training Needs
Even the most intuitive PLM systems require time for users to learn and adopt.
Solution: Build a strong onboarding and training plan. Offer ongoing support, refreshers, and a knowledge base to ensure teams stay confident and productive.
Tips for Implementing a PLM System Successfully in Your Fashion Business
1. Choose a Fashion-Specific PLM Solution
General-purpose PLM systems may lack the features fashion businesses need, like tech pack creation, BOM management, and sample tracking.
So, be sure to select a PLM solution designed with the fashion industry in mind. Look for tools that support design, sourcing, and production workflows natively.
2. Involve Cross-Functional Teams Early
PLM impacts nearly every facet of your business, from design, development to sourcing, merchandising, and even marketing.
To this end, engage stakeholders from all relevant departments early in the process. Their input ensures the system meets real-world needs and encourages buy-in.
3. Clean and Prepare Your Data
Poor data migration can cause serious disruptions, slowing down implementation and causing loss of revenue.
To avoid this, audit and clean up your existing data before migration. Eliminate duplicates, standardize formats, and ensure data accuracy to set a solid foundation.
4. Start with a Pilot Rollout
Trying to launch the PLM system company-wide in one go increases risk and complexity.
Begin with a smaller pilot involving a few products or teams. Use feedback to fine-tune configurations before scaling up.
5. Don’t Over-Customize Too Soon
Excessive customization early on can lead to delays, added costs, and long-term maintenance issues. Start with standard features and processes. Evaluate customization needs after you’ve gained real usage insights.
Conclusion
There you have it: 10 solid reasons to implement a PLM solution for your business and how to do so successfully.
Still searching for the best PLM system for your business? Contact our sales team to see if Uphance is a good fit for you.
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