Centric Software has released its first artificial intelligence-based PLM module, building on its strategy to develop innovations that drive retail transformation for retailers and manufacturers. Centric Software provides enterprise solutions to fashion, retail, luxury, and consumer goods companies to achieve strategic and digital transformation goals.

Centric Software began building AI-based tools a year ago in response to feedback from its customers. The result is Centric AI Image Search, Centric’s first dedicated AI capability for PLM. Humberto Roa, vice president of innovation at Centric Software, explains that Centric AI Image Search represents a bid to use AI for better decision-making in design and development.

Roa said, “Creative teams in fashion and retail collect enormous amounts of physical samples of materials, trims, colours and styles that serve both as inspiration for the future and as a record of the past. Some companies keep millions of dollars’ worth of physical samples on hand but actually using these physical samples is time-consuming and storing them in an easy-to-access format is very difficult.”

“You can scan everything, but in order to be searchable, these digital files need to be tagged with keywords and organised in a file structure or library. Companies can end up with hundreds of thousands of images in libraries. Often, it’s easier for companies to just order new samples or create new designs than for people to find what they need,” he added.

The new Centric AI Image Search solves this problem using cutting-edge image recognition tools. With Centric AI Image Search, designers can take a picture of a new fabric or trim inspiration and instantly search PLM image archives to find the closest match. If a similar item has been approved or used before, a designer can find out immediately. If there isn’t an existing match in archives, Centric AI Image Search can help find a supplier that provides a close match.

Centric partnered with the team head of material development at Triumph, one of the world’s leading lingerie companies, to compile a searchable digital library of thousands lace samples in PLM using the new Centric AI Image Search capability.

Centric AI Image Search will eventually replace physical sample libraries in multiple locations around the world, reducing the huge effort needed to keep physical and digital libraries up to date and allowing users to access the information that they already have as a visual dataset to make more effective decisions.

Roa said, “Centric AI Image Search for PLM is at the forefront of a new family of AI and machine learning applications to assist with decisions around the PLM lifecycle. This will undoubtedly be the first of many apps that will focus on decision-making and leverage information from systems such as PLM, ERP, and PIM. Other possible AI applications could promote better and faster decision-making to reduce time to market, improve quality, lower material costs, select vendors, propose products for sales channels, and ultimately make better products.” (GK)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India

Disclaimer - All News/Articles items are subject to copyright and no article either in full or part may be reproduced in any form without permission from Fibre2Fashion Pvt. Ltd.