Apparel Software
Tips & Advice to help you make your decision on Apparel Software
If you own or operate a company that manufactures or sells clothing, then you might need to learn about the different types of software that can help you reach your business goals. Apparel software can include a variety of features. The specific program that you choose will likely depend on the features that will help your business excel.
Some apparel software can help your design team create exciting new styles. Imaging software makes it easier for them to explore new designs and concepts before they use physical resources to create the clothing. That way, they can test their ideas and choose the ones that will prove most successful. Other types of software will help your company receive and fulfill apparel orders. If, for instance, your company sells apparel directly to consumers, then you will need software that allows you to make sure that every order is filled accurately. Software is also useful for companies that sell to retail stores and wholesale distributors.
With Business.com, you can learn more about the software features that are most important to your company. Research the software that makes sense for you by visiting the links posted at left. That way, you can make an informed choice that will benefit your business.
Apparel Software Key Terms
Wrap your brain around terms used in apparel softwareBy Donna Gisolo Christenberry Apparel software key terms deal with many levels of the apparel business. Some terms deal with the shelf product, such as Stock Keeping Units (SKU). Some terms deal with the creation of apparel, such as nesting, cut order, and draping of fabrics. Other terms deal with the entire process, such as Product Lifecycle Management. For a sampling of terminology in the industry, learn about some apparel software key terms below.
Prepack
Prepacking is the term for packing individual Stock Keeping Units of apparel into larger cases so that they flow more easily through the supply chain. For example, in clothing, the software can prepack items by automatically grouping certain sizes together according to customer request.
Try:
Apparel Information Management Systems (AIMS) gives an example of prepacking.
Draping
In some software programs, a drape module allows the designer to hang fabric over an on-screen model, changing colors as needed. This program allows the client to view the apparel and give approval before the manufacturer spends time and effort on a sample article of clothing.
Try:
Aria Systems provides a drape module in its software.
Nesting
Nesting involves allocating space efficiently on the fabric roll to prevent wasting of material. Pieces of fabric are nested against each other for the cutting process. Sophisticated algorithms in apparel software make better use of the fabric roll and save time on manual nesting preparation.
Try:
Techexchange.com has an article on the OptiTex Nesting software program which describes how it nests material.
Cut order
Planning for the cut order in fabric means determining the best order in which to cut the fabric for use once nesting has been determined. Algorithms in apparel software optimize cutting order and save money and material.
Try:
Cutplan discusses cut order and ways to optimize it.
Advanced shipping notice (ASN)
An advanced shipping notice (ASN) is a notice sometimes requested by the purchaser or trading partner. Usually the seller sends the ASN once workers have prepared the orders and invoices.
Try:
AS/AP describes how to prepare an advanced shipping notice.
Product lifecycle management (PLM)
Product lifecycle management (PLM) refers to the entire lifecycle of apparel, from the design process, to development and manufacture, to distributors, to transportation, to retail.
Try:
Business Management Systems (BMS) discusses the concept of PLM for the fashion industry.
Apparel,Furnishings,Footwear,etc. PDM,Production,EDI,Warehouse,GL
Most Flexible ERP for Fashion Brands, Manufacturers & Importers
Apparel Point of Sale Software Schedule a free demo today!
AIMS - The Most Secure Cloud Based Apparel ERP System. Free Demo!
Meet All Your Life Sciences Needs Get Free Life Science White Paper.
