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Implementation of a PLM tool for a ready-to-wear retailer
Presentation 👋
The company we worked with, a major fashion brand, emblematic of the luxury industry, found itself in a context of strong growth, particularly in its ready-to-wear segment. Faced with this expansion, the brand needed to optimize its product development and collection management processes. In response, the group to which it belongs chose to implement PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) software from Centric. We were asked to support the business teams in structuring their specific needs and to accompany the brand in the deployment of this PLM software.
The challenge to solve 🤔
- Secure the PLM project and meeting critical deadlines: we had to ensure that each phase of the project was aligned with rigorous collection schedules, while ensuring that PLM was fully functional before peaks in activity, which fashion companies are particularly prone to.
- Make this strategic project a success despite the heavy business demands: the teams were already very busy with collections in progress, so it was crucial not to compromise the quality of the deliverables, while integrating a new tool into their day-to-day work.
- Getting teams up and running on the tool: we had to ensure that the various departments (Merchandising Collection, Materials, Product Development, Purchasing and Production) could quickly familiarize themselves with the tool and use it seamlessly to improve their inter-departmental collaboration.
Expertise 💡
- Change Management
- PLM
- Project management
- Technical production
- Training
- Workshop facilitation
The response
Our objectives 🎯
We made sure that the configuration of the PLM software not only met technical requirements, but above all was perfectly aligned with business processes. The aim was to obtain a simple solution that would meet the constraints of fast-paced, sustained collections. We had to ensure that the teams would buy into this change, and that they would make the tool their own and use it as a lever for day-to-day efficiency.
Our actions 💥
- Identifying business challenges: We conducted a series of interviews with stakeholders in each department to map out specific business challenges. This phase enabled us to identify irritants in current processes and to provide concrete solutions via the PLM tool.
- Strategic point of contact: We acted as a relay between the PLM publisher Centric and the group. Our role was to ensure smooth, transparent communication, while defending the customer’s specific business interests to ensure that the tool perfectly met their expectations.
- Process optimization and formalization: Working closely with the business and IT teams, we redefined the target processes to ensure that they were optimized, eliminating redundancies and streamlining data entry. We then formalized these processes to ensure clarity and efficiency.
- Close collaboration with IT and the Group: We worked hand-in-hand with the customer’s IT teams and the Group’s technical teams to ensure smooth integration of the PLM software.
- Participation in project governance: We actively contributed to project management committees to ensure that customer priorities were met and milestones achieved. These committees also enabled us to share project progress with the company’s management and formalize decisions taken.
- Team training and support: We have set up a tailor-made customized training program for each team affected, with specific support for key users. The aim was to make the teams totally autonomous, while ensuring ongoing post-deployment support.
The benefits ✅
- Our intervention freed up precious time for the business teams, who were particularly busy managing collections, by taking charge of coordinating the various stages of the project.
- Thanks to our close collaboration with the group and the publisher, we were able to adjust the PLM configuration to meet the fashion house’s specific needs, taking into account its corporate culture, processes and requirements.
- By streamlining the target development processes, we reduced redundant tasks and re-keying, and increased team efficiency. Thanks to personalized support and ongoing training, the teams quickly took ownership of the tool and increased their skills, enabling greater internal collaboration from the very first collections in Centric PLM.
What people say about us
Christophe T.
CP AMOA Offer
Jean-Côme L.
PLM Application Manager
“The Fit team’s integration into our environment. Users contact them without difficulty & responsiveness is spot on.”
Carine B.
ISD
“Knowledge of the Centric solution and the industry. Flexibility. Communication in general.”
Virginie M.
Design department manager
“I really appreciated the methodological input. Tools to measure the appropriation of the tools. The contribution of having an external eye via the consultant We help them to take a step back”.
Iva T.
IT Production Services Manager
“Good functional and technical expertise from some of the people involved, a trusting business relationship. Ease of communication on both administrative and service-related issues.”
Tan V.
Project Manager
“The autonomy of the consultants, their high level of knowledge of the C8 tool, the communication between the consultants and their relationship with the customer.”
