Advance Apparels is a family-owned business specializing in boho-inspired apparel using sustainable and artisanal tie-dye techniques from India. When the company started to grow, they realized that spreadsheets and QuickBooks Desktop (and eventually, QuickBooks Online) were no longer enough on their own and it was time to explore ERP software options.
The Challenge
The team struggled with disjointed inventory systems across their B2B and B2C channels, relying on outdated software and manual updates. The lack of overall integration led to inefficiencies in data entry, inventory management, and production planning.
As a result, the company experienced stockouts, where customers would pay for products that were unavailable for shipping. For a small business, this situation was particularly challenging, as having to cancel orders meant losing both the sale and the money invested in acquiring that customer.
“The worst thing in business, especially for a small business where you value every single sale, is selling something you don’t have or not fulfilling an order for something you incorrectly believe isn’t in stock. Business is hard enough and not capturing/fulfilling sales headed your way is defeating. We’ve dramatically reduced both of these scenarios since switching to ApparelMagic.”
Akash Bajaj, President at Advance Apparels
The ApparelMagic Solution
To address these challenges, Advance Apparels implemented ApparelMagic, an end-to-end ERP solution designed specifically for the apparel industry. ApparelMagic provided the company with a consolidated platform to manage all aspects of their business operations. Key features of the solution included:
- Centralized Data Management: ApparelMagic allowed Advance Apparels to consolidate inventory management for both B2B and B2C channels into one system. This integration streamlined data entry and ensured real-time inventory accuracy across their multiple sales channels, including Shopify stores and future integrations with platforms like Walmart and Etsy.
- Production Planning and Forecasting: The software enhanced transparency into production planning and inventory allocation. By tracking materials and production status, Advance Apparels gained better control over their supply chain. Not only did this aid their ability to meet large wholesale orders more efficiently, it has also supported Advance Apparels’ commitment to sustainable fashion. Better management of materials and production processes have aligned with their eco-friendly initiatives.
- Line Sheet Creation: ApparelMagic’s line sheet feature significantly reduced the time and effort required to create and distribute product information to buyers. This feature automated the generation of line sheets, saving Advance Apparels from manually compiling product images and details, thus improving their B2B sales process.
The Results
Since adopting ApparelMagic, Advance Apparels has experienced several notable improvements:
- Increased Operational Efficiency: The centralization of inventory management and the reduction in manual data entry have led to significant time savings. This efficiency gain has allowed the team to focus more on strategic activities rather than routine tasks.
- Enhanced Inventory Accuracy: Real-time inventory updates have minimized the risk of overselling and enhanced customer satisfaction.
“With ApparelMagic, I can make decisions based on data. I will look at all the sales and quickly see which products I haven’t sold in the last three months. Those products can then be offered at a discounted price.”
Akash Bajaj, President at Advance Apparels
- Improved Supply Chain Management: The transparency and control provided by ApparelMagic’s production planning tools have improved the company’s ability to better align production with sales needs.
- Optimized B2B Sales Process: “A feature that we use daily, that saves me so much time is line sheets. Creating line sheets is so helpful. Before, when customers asked what was available, it would take at least 30 minutes to get them the information. Previously, I would have to manually save each image, put it into a Google Drive folder and send it. Now, it’s just a few boxes to check off within the line sheet creation fields and that alone, we use around five to six times a day. It’s a great feature” Bajaj said.
In summary, ApparelMagic checked off every box for Advance Apparels. “It’s easy to implement, the user interface is friendly and intuitive, the monthly updates continue to bring value to the subscription, and ApparelMagic brings increased transparency across your products, customers, and production for your entire team” Bajaj said.
About Advance Apparels
Advance Apparels has been bringing traditional and artisanal tie-dye techniques from India to the global market since 2001. With in-house manufacturing at their two factories located in New Delhi, India – Advance Apparels continues to innovate by combining vibrant and rich dyeing techniques with timeless silhouettes for the Spring/Summer seasons. Their history and experience has always been in manufacturing and wholesaling, but now they are transitioning to a DTC experience to directly reach their loyal customers who have enjoyed their products since 2001.For more information, visit www.aashopusa.com and explore their diverse range of products.
