Future trends

• More PLM vendors are striving to offer a complete end to end PLM solution for the apparel/retail sectors, i.e. broader PLM solutions which cover more apparel related processes that are currently being managed by other, separate systems, such as: trend research, 3D virtual modeling, storyboarding, advanced line planning, visual merchandising, virtual retail store planning, design, managing marketing data, visual costing, distribution, RFID and sourcing.

• Connecting the supply chain further to encompass more factories and mills. It makes sense to share information with suppliers earlier in the product development process.

• PLM will become an integral part of a companys green strategy to reduce carbon footprint.

• SaaS: SaaS solutions present tremendous opportunities for all sizes of companies, but the main users today in the apparel industry are the SME's (Small to Medium Enterprises). The bottom line is that, in these uncertain times, SaaS offers the apparel industry a low cost and accessible entry into the Product Lifecycle Management world.

• Ethical Trading: Smart companies thrive on the availability of information and, although total control of the supply chain maybe impossible, investment in PLM technology is a step in the right direction.

• Innovation in the credit crunch: more companies will focus on becoming lean and delivering up the minute FAST fashion with PLM. There is no better time than now to start improving development processes and coming up with new ways to stay competitive.

About the Company

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