There are very few things in life and in business that don’t benefit from more cohesion. In business, in particular, having everyone on the same page often leads to smoother operation, higher efficiency, and more profits. It is also far easier to have everyone on the same page when they are all working from the same system.
The clothing industry especially is often guilty of compartmentalizing its supply chain with different systems and software that offer significant benefits on the surface but ultimately create data silos and rifts in your operational capacity. This disconnect also makes it challenging to build that cohesion between the various departments and partners that are involved in bringing a product to market.
One of the most common pitfalls is implementing product lifecycle management systems separate from the rest of the supply chain. Parceling out your management tools can lead to significant data silos and a loss of efficiency. Here’s why you should consider tools like the Suuchi GRID that incorporate PLM functionality into the broader lens of SCM software.
1. Data Centralization vs. Data Silos
One of the most frequent causes of inefficiency in a supply chain is miscommunication—or a lack of communication—between the different links in the chain. Manufacturers not being aware that there is a delay in the supply of materials, material suppliers not knowing that an order is needed, things like this are avoidable with a centralized system that can act as a single source of facts and data. All partners will have the same information and access, so nobody will be left in the dark when it comes time to make decisions for their part.
2. Superior Forecasting
By bringing all of your data into one system, you can use clever, analytical tools to make incredibly accurate forecasts that take a wide range of data points into account. Forecasting sales of a particular style of clothing based on historical seasonal data is a relatively simple example that can be handled effectively in traditional systems. But all-in-one supply chain management (SCM) brings together other critical information. For example, are there seasonal issues with certain raw materials or labor in a particular region?
3. Reduced Cost
Centralized storage and easy access to product data, such as CAD drawings and tech packs, significantly reduces the costs of developing a new product. Avoid problems such as incorrect revisions being produced, or designers “reinventing the wheel” because they didn’t have access to existing product information.
4. Scale With Ease
Having a piecemeal supply chain management system brings with it a lot of housekeeping, not least of which is scalability. It is possible to future-proof these systems; however, that requires significant up-front investment. And if your company does not grow at the rate you expected, it could spell serious trouble. With an all-in-one service, your operation can scale without issue. The service provider—whose primary focus is providing your supply chain management system—will provide the additional capacity.
5. Increase Your Productivity
An all-in-one SCM software like ours will enable you to improve your productivity. This increase is possible thanks to the removal of zero-value-added tasks due to automation and more efficient communication. The unified and accessible information repository that systems like ours provide means teams can easily re-use existing data, whether its product information, sales reports, or any other valuable data, without having to move from one system to another to find what they need.
