In the tech-driven world that we live in, it’s no secret that software is one of the most important tools that you can have in your repertoire as a business. Apparel and fashion are so complex as an industry that software provides critical support for the success of your business. There are different programs that can help manage all of the moving parts of your business that are specially designed for apparel companies because of the unique challenges of the industry as a whole.
Historically, businesses have relied on a variety of tools to keep everything organized. This system can work but it’s less than ideal. When you have all of your tools and information in one place, your business can be so much more streamlined, organized, and will use fewer resources so you can devote your time and your capital to the things that move your business forward. Thanks to the incredible innovations in technology, there are now complete software programs that are going to have all of the tools you need in one place.
These are called all-in-one apparel software. Programs like Stitch Labs, RLM Apparel Software, and ApparelMagic contain all of the different software tools that you will need to run your apparel business. In this guide, you will learn about all of the common features of these all-in-one software suites and how ApparelMagic can provide your business with the ultimate solution for end-to-end management to drive you towards success.
What Is Apparel Management Software?
Apparel Management Software is industry-specific business software that provides apparel companies with the tools that they need to manage their business and their data all in one place. There are only three criteria that must be met for something to be considered apparel management software and those are:
- Aid with the management of an apparel business including manufacturing and supply chain management.
- Provide ERP features specific to apparel companies.
- Provide tools for managing orders, sales floor management, and customization.
Even though those are the key defining features of this type of program, many of them have a lot more to offer. There are also multiple types of apparel management software. The most common is ERP software, which is what most apparel companies still rely on today. There are also programs that fall into the category of apparel business management software as well as CRM, PLM, and inventory management software. Each of these types of programs are considered apparel management software and each of them brings a different set of tools and features to the table.
In the broadest sense, the features that are usually included in apparel management software include accounting, administration, allocation of resources, EDI, forecasting, inventory management, order processing, production, reporting, sales, shipping, supply chain management, and warehousing.
In the past, it has been common to use multiple programs in conjunction with one another to meet the diverse needs that you experience as an apparel company and fulfill all of the roles listed above. Using multiple tools has been the norm but choosing an all-in-one type of program can help you bridge the gaps in between the different types of software and organize everything into one place.
In the next chapter, we’re going to explore what each type of software does to help you manage your apparel business.
