The garment and apparel industries, whether small or large-scale, face the challenge of adapting to changing markets and consumer trends. To meet fluctuating and rapid demands, manufacturers require a sophisticated and organized system that can provide timely solutions.

Today, producers have access to various software systems such as Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Enterprise Resource Management (ERP), and Supply Chain Management (SCM). However, these solutions have typically been limited to and procured by large-scale industries. Product Data Management (PDM) software, on the other hand, is designed with small textile companies in mind. It gives them a competitive edge and helps address bottlenecks related to product data management.

The product development process involves recording and communicating garment details to team members involved in the project. Traditional paper-based methods for data procurement are time-consuming and error-prone. Retrieving and sharing information using conventional means lacks efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This is where Product Data Management software (PDM) comes into play and simplifies the otherwise complex procedure.

PDM is a subset of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software, which is primarily used by large textile industries. PDM is specifically tailored to the needs of small-scale companies. It organizes, records, and facilitates the communication of information related to product development and pre-production. This includes garment specifications, fabric details, bills of materials, and images. This information can be shared among various departments, including merchandising, sourcing, product development, costing, and knitting, weaving, printing, and design.

PDM serves as a centralized database system that offers clarity and simplicity. It promotes the synthesis and exchange of data among authorized users. With PDM, apparel industries can effectively manage product development, operations, and maintenance. It also helps maximize the utilization of production resources, reduce raw material waste, maintain product quality, and facilitate information sharing across different departments within a textile company.

Since each department is responsible for specific tasks and functions, PDM software enables users to regularly update information related to their work and responsibilities. This updated data can then be used by others to streamline the manufacturing process. Therefore, any form of information that is recorded, created, or reused adds value and connects the system to various users, including the CAD (Computer-Aided Designing) team, production managers, and designers, who can work with the latest data to enhance efficiency and product quality.

The PDM software provides minute details of product development like requirements, supplier datasheets, test results, inspection details, and technical design specifics. The system also answers queries related to what, who, and why changes were made formerly to a particular product, and further what alternatives, or changes were taken into account. This particular feature of the software is apt for the small scale textile companies, where design related changes are made very frequently. PDM system shoves the problems, arising from data redundancy away, and is a time saving tool.


The key functions implemented by standard PDM software are as follows: electronic data library for CAD, design documentation identification and control, supplier source records, bills of materials management, lab dips, and physical part attributes records. Advanced versions of the PDM software can work with CAD software for innovative designing, grading, and marking purposes.


Moreover PDM rules out costly errors and outdated documentation, paving the way for orderly and approved data. It is estimated that with the help of PDM system, textile companies can reduce data related costs by 20%. The data handling time can be saved by 30% and it decreases the number of data changes by 40%. Since PDM focuses on engineering associated activities and more, importantly, design related functions, it is extremely useful in a fashion, apparel or clothing companies, where trends keep changing.


Though PDM is loaded with features that can be of great advantage, this software also has a few limitations. It falls weak and is not inclusive of non-technical documents, post-sales documentation, and inventory and spare product support, service, and disposal. But PDM does offer hands full of other features, that are sufficient for small companies, like information related suppliers, purchase prices, samples and production notes, washing labels, logistics details, style specifics, material compositions, and most importantly, sharing of images at each stage of the process cycle.


Hence it can be concluded that PDM is suitable for small scale industries, willing to streamline their production, and eyeing to explore the fruits of lean manufacturing, with the help of systematic data management. A simple tool to store, re-use, and share product related data can ease out the process of developing a piece of garment.


References:


1.      Cottonbangladesh.com

2.      Businesswire.com

3.      Bmsystems.com

4.      Momentis.com