Digital Transformation in Apparel Manufacturing: Insights From Our Expert Roundtable

Very few industries move faster than fashion. Constantly changing customer trends and complex channel strategies make staying competitive a continuous challenge. So how do fashion companies keep pace in an “always on” environment?

Recent Aptean research revealed software investment plays a pivotal role in helping fashion companies to navigate operational challenges and drive growth.

To understand more about the importance of digital transformation in apparel manufacturing, we gathered four Aptean experts for an in-depth discussion.

Here's a sneak preview of their viewpoints. For the full roundtable, download our ebook: Automation’s Impact on Apparel Manufacturing.

Technology Choices Can Define Customer Relationships

Speed, accuracy and real-time visibility are the top priorities for apparel manufacturers. Retailers expect their suppliers to provide rapid service and on-demand access to data. Yet, legacy systems pose a significant barrier to meeting these expectations.

Aptean expert John Robinson notes that many systems can’t keep pace with today’s requirements. “If you're not able to provide visibility and fulfil demands, retailers will find another vendor who can," he warns.

Damien Kodner, another of our experts, says many retailers will have set criteria for the software they want their vendors to use. "If a large customer dictates you must adopt their latest system and your backend can't integrate, you risk losing that entire revenue stream,” she advises.

Cutting-Edge Software Attracts and Retains Top Talent

Workforce dynamics are also driving digital transformation. New employees entering apparel manufacturing expect access to modern, user-friendly technologies.

"If you're a manufacturer using archaic systems, the younger generation coming into the industry today won't understand them," Aptean expert Anthony Mele points out.

We've used automation as the buzzword here and in this section heading, but then neither of the quotes talk about automation, they both just discuss software. Feels like we're bait and switching our readers.

Our experts also agree that technology has become a critical tool for attracting and retaining top talent. "You want to keep your best talent and you want to be able to recruit new talent," John Robinson emphasizes. "That talent wants to know what ERP system or shop floor control software you're using."

The Power of Industry-Specific Apparel Solutions

When it comes to driving growth, our roundtable supports industry-specific software. Generic ERP systems can't accommodate the challenges and complexities of apparel manufacturing.

"The world of fashion has different distribution channels, each with their own guidelines and regulations, and fast turns because of multiple seasons, which is a lot for general software to deal with," Anthony Mele explains.

John Robinson highlights the importance of analyzing inventory data at different levels of granularity; something that's much more difficult with generic technology.

"If you have a non-specific solution in place, you have to deal with an SKU for every size and every color of each style. That means thousands more SKUs to look through and report on," he shares.

Fashion’s Cloud Technology Imperative

Another hot topic at our expert roundtable was the adoption of cloud-based solutions in the apparel industry. With retailers concerned about data security, moving to the cloud has become a top priority.

"You need a tremendous amount of internal resource to securely manage on-premise software, but that concern is mitigated when you move to the cloud," John Robinson notes.

For smaller companies, the cloud provides access to market-leading technology with minimal infrastructure. "Cloud enables companies to get the benefits of an apparel ERP system or other core solution without the headache that comes with managing a full infrastructure," explains Aptean apparel expert, Kent Johnson.

An Industry Expert Partner Can Drive Apparel Manufacturing Growth

Ultimately, our experts agree that the key to driving growth through technology investment lies in partnering with a vendor who deeply understands the apparel industry.

"You need someone who understands the ins and outs, from design and development all the way through to accounting," Kent concludes.

A strong vendor partnership can also help mitigate the risks and uncertainties that come with new software investments. "Working with an industry-specific vendor can remove the fear and risk that comes with new software investment," Anthony adds.

The combined insights from our expert roundtable make one thing clear: apparel manufacturers must embrace digital transformation to stay competitive in today's market.

But with so many solutions available, how can you ensure you're making the right technology investments for your business?

Download your copy of Automation’s Impact on Apparel Manufacturing for deeper insights into:

• What’s driving other fashion and apparel manufacturers to invest in digital transformation

• Why customer demands could highlight issues with your technology stack

• How to take a long-term view of technology investments

• The importance of a good partnership with your software vendor

Ready to rejuvenate your technology stack? Visit our fashion and apparel industry software page to learn more about Aptean’s industry-specific solutions.