CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive

24 March 2009

Product News

Software Helps Apparel Companies Streamline the Production Process

Patternworks, Inc. announced the release of StyleFile, its affordable answer to product lifecycle management (PLM) for the apparel industry. StyleFile PLM is an organizational software system that documents, tracks and stores product details.

StyleFile was developed in a production environment with the input of actual users such as designers, pattern makers, technical designers and production personnel. An in-house programming team has developed 30 different reports - from the initial concept through all phases of production - and a variety of tools such as imagine voice technology and report customization.

"In this economic climate," said Patternworks Chief Financial Officer Humberto Ortiz, "it is more important than ever for apparel companies to streamline the development through production process, thus reducing costly errors.

"As one of the leading pattern services on the West Coast, we have seen companies spend up to double the amount necessary due to lack of organization," said Ortiz. "Everyone knows the importance of PLM software, but most are apprehensive to purchase the software due to cost. Although our package price is very affordable, we are also offering financing and subscription options in hopes of reaching out to companies of any size, whether domestic producers or those with overseas sourcing."

"We are the only PLM software on the market today," said Ortiz, "that allows you to enter information using voice-recognition technology."

Planned upgrades include an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) module to include all facets of the apparel business, including planning, manufacturing, sales and marketing. Also planned are integrated CAD-style drawing tools to create complete graphics within StyleFile.

StyleFile is competitively priced; a full license, including 90 days of free updates and 30 days of technical phone support, is $2,395. A full license to use StyleFile on a monthly basis with unlimited updates runs $179/month. Financing is available from Patternworks on a 24-month term at 17.99 percent, which comes to $119.56/month.

A web access add-on module enables outside users to check style tracking reports, enter garment measurements, check work in progress, and download authorized reports. A purchase license costs $995, and subscriptions are available for $79/month.

For more information, visit http://www.pwstylefile.com.

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