As fashion brands grow, managing design, production, and supply chain operations manually becomes unsustainable. Many brands start with spreadsheets, email approvals, and scattered documents, but as collections expand and supply chains become more complex, these methods lead to delays, errors, and inefficiencies.

This is where Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems come in. They help brands centralize product data, streamline workflows, and improve operational efficiency. But when is the right time to adopt these systems?

This guide will explore the key pain points that signal the need for PLM or ERP, how each system helps, and how fashion brands can leverage them to scale operations efficiently.

The Key Signs Your Fashion Brand Needs a PLM or ERP

1. Your Tech Packs Are Disorganized and Hard to Manage

Without a PLM system:

• Tech packs are scattered across spreadsheets, emails, and PDFs, making it difficult to track updates.

• Factories receive outdated versions, leading to sample errors and production mistakes.

• Teams waste time manually editing and sharing tech packs, causing miscommunication.

How PLM helps:

• Stores all design files, fabric specs, and pattern details in one place.

• Automatically tracks changes to tech packs, ensuring factories always receive the latest version.

• Reduces sample errors and miscommunication between design and production teams.

2. Your Team Struggles with Collaboration Across Departments

Without PLM or ERP:

• Designers, merchandisers, and production teams work in silos, leading to delays.

• Critical updates get lost in emails and Slack messages.

• Teams waste time manually searching for files or confirming approvals.

How PLM and ERP help:

• PLM centralizes communication between designers, developers, and manufacturers.

• ERP streamlines interdepartmental workflows, ensuring financial, inventory, and logistics teams are aligned.

• Reduces decision-making time by automating approvals within the system.

  
  

3. Your Inventory is Out of Sync with Demand

Without ERP:

• Inventory data is scattered across spreadsheets, leading to overstock or stockouts.

• Supply chain teams lack real-time stock visibility, causing delayed restocking.

• Manual inventory tracking leads to costly errors in forecasting and production planning.

How ERP helps:

• Tracks real-time inventory levels, reducing overstock and shortages.

• Syncs inventory across warehouses, suppliers, and sales channels.

• Uses data-driven forecasting to ensure accurate stock planning.

  
  

4. You Experience Frequent Production Delays and Errors

Without PLM:

• Factories work with outdated production files, leading to errors.

• Sample approvals take weeks due to miscommunication.

• Suppliers miss deadlines because production schedules are not tracked properly.

How PLM helps:

• Provides real-time updates to factories, ensuring they always work with the latest information.

• Automates sample approval processes, eliminating back-and-forth emails.

• Tracks supplier performance and lead times, helping brands choose reliable partners.

  
  

5. Your Costing and Financials Are Unorganized

Without ERP:

• Production and material costs aren’t tracked accurately, leading to unexpected expenses.

• Finance teams struggle with invoicing and supplier payments.

• Lack of data makes it difficult to calculate profit margins on new collections.

How ERP helps:

• Tracks real-time production costs, giving brands accurate pricing insights.

• Automates supplier invoicing and payments, reducing financial errors.

• Generates reports on profit margins, material costs, and revenue trends.

PLM vs. ERP: Which One Does Your Brand Need?

For product development, tech packs, and supplier communication, a PLM system like KŌBŌ is essential.

For inventory, financials, and order fulfillment, an ERP system is required.

Brands scaling rapidly benefit from PLM + ERP integration, ensuring seamless coordination from design to fulfillment.

How KŌBŌ PLM & ERP Work Together for Fashion Brands

• KŌBŌ PLM centralizes design, material sourcing, and supplier management.

• KŌBŌ ERP tracks inventory, production costs, and financials.

• Together, they provide end-to-end visibility, reducing inefficiencies and manual work.

  
  

Conclusion

If your fashion brand is struggling with tech pack mismanagement, supplier delays, inventory confusion, or financial inefficiencies, it’s time to consider PLM and ERP solutions.

By digitizing operations and centralizing data, KŌBŌ PLM and ERP help brands:

• Eliminate production errors and speed up time-to-market.

• Improve supplier communication and track compliance.

• Optimize inventory and financial planning for profitability.