International Journal of Engineering & Technology IJET-IJENS Vol:12 No:04 51
1215604-0303-IJET-IJENS © August 2012 IJENS
I J E N S
Product Development and Organizational
Management with Digital Tools in Textile
Industries
Lefayet Sultan Lipol and Jahirul Haq
University of Borås
Abstract-- The report illustrates about the digital tools those
are used for product development and organizational
management (apparel sector) based on Lectra Sverige AB,
Systeam DTS AB at Borås. The article illustrates about Lectra
Fashion PLM, PISA PDM, and ERP Garp system (CRM, SRM,
and MRM). For Lectra, the report focused on general idea about
this software, its different divisions, its working procedure, its
advantage to use, its possibility to use for every company. On
the other hand, we concentrated on almost similar way of
Lectra for PDM, PLM, ERP (CRM, SRM, and MRM). Lectra
has different divisions, namely- Kaledo, Modaris, Diamino,
Optiplan are using for various purposes, like - design, pattern
making, marker making, spreading and cutting. In addition, if
companies implement PDM, PLM and ERP system, those can
assist to manage the whole business chain very easily for
instance- product development, order, purchase,
manufacturing, stock/distribution, economy and logistics
etcetera. It is expensive to buy those software’s and require
special skill to operate so it is not prolific for all company.
Abbreviations
CAD-Computer Aided Design
CAM-Computer Aided Manufacturing
PDM-Product Data Management
PLM-Product Life Cycle Management
ERP-Enterprise Resource Planning
CRM-Customer Relationship Management
SRM-Supplier Relationship Management
MRM-Manufacturer Relationship Management.
I. INTRODUCTION
Major brands, manufacturers and retailers in the Fashion and
Apparel business are working in a competitive situation
where everybody focusing on quality and price. The
fulfillment of customer demand is the key role of company
by deliver the product at right place at right time. So the
designer, merchandiser, suppliers in the fashion world have
to be innovative, efficient, quick-reacting and productive. At
the same time business is being global but no matter to look
at distance and time. Companies are deliberate their energy
to build brand, running with current market trend, new and
diversity of product assortment, cost minimization, quick
time-to-market. Towards this ends, companies are
developing next-generation digital design initiative to reduce
costs, improve product quality and speed time to market, digital
design technologies and techniques can help design engineers fully
exploit investments in knowledge assets and integrate key suppliers
into the product development process-essential in today‟s hyper-
competitive marketplace. In order to boost up product development
and product quality, it is crucial for the company to implement
digital product development tools and use skilled manpower. To
manage entire supply chain properly, it is also essential to maintain
good collaboration within the retailer and supplier or manufacturer
like retailer have to send or share present and update data to the
manufacturer and on the other side retailer have to know the current
status of production. By extending access to the product data
management environment, firm can share design and cost
information across business unit, and collaborate with strategic
suppliers to accelerate design and sourcing processes across and
beyond the enterprise.
II. RESEARCH COMPANY (Lectra Sverige AB)
2.1 About Company
o The production plant of Lectra is at Bordeaux, France.
Lectra‟s head office is situated in France.
o It earned €198 million revenues in 2008.
o The 89% of these revenues was generated from outside of
France.
o It has 2300 customers in more than 100 countries.
o It has 1500 employees that include 220 engineers who are
working with R&D.
o It has 31 subsidiaries with sales and service teams,
generating 92% of revenues directly.
o It is working with several renowned brands all over the
world. Namely: Corneliani, Ashley Furniture, H&M,
BMW, Century Furniture, Marks & Spencer, Mango, Park
etc.
o Lectra is earning most of its revenues from Europe. For
example: Europe- 60%, Americas- 17%, Asia-Pacific-
17%, other countries- 6%.
o It is working mainly with fashion industries. For instance:
Fashion (Apparel, accessories, Footwear)- 60%,
Automotive 17%, Furniture 17%, other 6%.
o It has several activities in the business mainly software and
CAD/CAM equipment. For instance- Software- 30%,
CAD/CAM equipment- 28%, spare parts and
consumables-18%, Services (training, consulting,
hardware, online services): 24%.
o Target market: