US: Siemens collaborates on new PLM software tool

A new ‘out-of-the-box’ software tool has been jointly developed by Siemens PLM Software in the US and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in India to help apparel and footwear manufacturers and retailers ensure their new lines are on time to market and reflect current trends.

Teamcenter for SH&F (softlines, hardlines and footwear) is also said to help firms reduce costs by streamlining processes and workflow management, enhancing communication and collaboration, and increasing visibility on a global scale.

“Dynamic trends, short lifecycles, and economic pressures require fast fashion companies to pay close attention to their business processes and technology infrastructure,” said Will Duncan, VP of industry services at [TC]², an association that promotes effective technology adoption in the global apparel and footwear industry.

“Responding to trends through complex global supply chains requires that today’s leaders possess software that enables secure, real-time collaboration founded upon a single product data management infrastructure.”

The new system is based on the product lifecycle management (PLM) architecture of Teamcenter software, which Siemens launched in June.

It features tools for collaborative line planning and calendar management that provide continuous visibility throughout the planning process.

While the ability to integrate specification development in a single source cuts both time and errors.

There are also robust capabilities for artwork and pitch sheet/pattern development, colour, fabric and trim management, lab dip tracking and sample management, costing/bill of materials management, reporting and forecasting, and 2D/3D markup.

And specifications can be taken digitally from the platform and distributed to the global vendor community for improved due date performance and reduced vendor-related costs.