An Enterprise Resourcing Planning (ERP) platform integrates processes needed to run a company into a single system. These core processes include finance, HR, manufacturing, supply chain, services, procurement, and many others. In the mid-’90s, ERP systems were mainly straight-ahead industrial manufacturing tools, primarily oriented to the indexing and databasing of singular resource elements such as raw materials, individual products, or the management of people. Fast-forward 25 years and ERP systems are now using the latest technologies like machine learning and AI to provide intelligence, visibility, and efficiency across every aspect of a fashion business.
What is ERP and How Does it Work?
An ERP system consists of different enterprise resource planning applications with different modules specific to industries. When it comes to the fashion industry’s diverse and dynamic business systems, ERP offers numerous benefits to modern-day businesses. One of the main advantages is the ability to provide companies the opportunity to purchase systems that work for them while keeping them organized, streamlined, and ready to compete.
Several benefits come with integrating an ERP system into an apparel business. Not only are companies able to track the sustainability of their business, but they will also gain higher productivity that allows companies to streamline and automate their core business processes. Also, fashion businesses have access to better insights that help answer critical business questions that could help enhance their performance in real-time. Other advantages worth mentioning include business visibility and control, predict and prevent risk, and the simplification of your IT.
If you are a small startup business wondering whether you need ERP software, there are a few signs that will let you know that you have outgrown your standalone tools. Does it take a long time to manage critical activities? Do you lack access to metrics and KPIs? Are you able to quickly restructure to accommodate growth or change? Also, ask yourself, are you spending too much time on systems reporting and therefore missing out on fast-moving opportunities?
ERP Systems, Not One-Size-Fits-All
There are three main types of ERP implementations- cloud, on-premise, and hybrid. The cloud ERP solutions use intelligent technologies that encourage innovation and growth. On-premise offers maximum flexibility and control, and hybrid, also known as a two-tier model, is a combination of core on-premises ERP capabilities. So which fashion-based ERP platform type will work best for you? Here are five apparel ERP system examples. They are platforms that provide a centralized database of all your business processes and goings-on.
Suuchi
The Succhi GRID incorporates aspects of ERP software. The end-to-end supply chain management system has been designed to serve as a single solution. According to the NJ based startup, the GRID unifies bespoke methods into a single source of truth. The GRID can either delay the purchase of an ERP or fashion businesses can integrate ERP with the GRID to drive connectivity across their entire company. “By integrating ERP with the GRID, you drive forward the commitment to drive forward your business through actionable insights based on real-time data,” stated Suuchi in a blog post titled ‘Integrating The Suuchi GRID With A PLM OR ERP‘.
A2000
A2000 is a fashion ERP solution that has been around for 15 years. A2000 keeps the fashion ecosystem in mind, which makes it a solution for apparel, footwear, and accessory businesses. Built on an Oracle database, the fully-integrated ERP system provides real-time access to critical data across your entire enterprise. Offering convenience, the A2000 will keep your business data in one place.
PolyPM ERP
Web-enabled PolyPM ERP not only integrates production into a single process, but it has also been designed to “fit the way your business operates.” Offering robust functions and flexibility, PolyPM ERP is a solution that pledges to improve profitability by providing a faster return on your investment. It is also worth noting that PolyPM ERP has built a reputation of solely providing solutions to the fashion industry.
FDM4
Promising to take your company to the next level, FDM4 offers a fully-integrated system that uses modern technology that allows apparel businesses to work smarter, faster, and more efficiently across the global market. Explicitly designed by fashion users, the system meets the rapidly-changing demands of the apparel industry. It’s a comprehensive matrix of processes that allows companies to handle purchasing, inventory, customer orders, sales fulfillment, billing, and financial reporting.
Apparel Connect
Developed by garment manufacturers, Apparel Connect ERP is a solution that distinguishes itself as a “complete garment manufacturing system.” The platform, described as an “an effective tool” by Ravi Chunilal, Capital World Trading, offers the fashion and textile industry on-time production and on-time deliveries every time. The Bangkok based software development company also brings to the table a Smart T&A tool that tracks all stages of the quotation, prototype development, and merchandising processes.
