Guess, Gap, Others to Discuss PLM at La Costa
West Coast retailers and manufacturers will have a rare opportunity to learn about emerging PLM technology from leading executives during a daylong conference set for April 17 at the La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, Calif.
PLM (product lifecycle management) software systems have been singled out as one of the key tools of doing business in the new economy, where diversified offshore sourcing and speed-to-market are the chief drivers.
PLM systems allow retailers and importers to use the Internet and other databases to manage inconsistencies in the production pipeline, offering one vision throughout the supply chain. The La Costa event, titled “PLM: The Fabric of Innovation,” is sponsored by Enovia MatrixOne and Walter Wilhelm Associates (WWA) and will take place from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Technology executives from Guess? Inc., Gap Inc., REI, Westford, Mass.–based software developer Enovia MatrixOne and Salt Lake City–based industry consultant Walter Wilhelm Associates are scheduled to speak.
Guess Chief Information Officer Michael Relich will discuss how the Los Angeles apparel company transitioned from a PDM (product data management) system to PLM. Wesley Reinsch of Gap will lead a discussion on how to smooth the road to implementing PLM, and MatrixOne’s Dale Kort will discuss what the PLM provider’s vision is for the apparel industry.
REI’s director of research and development, Kevin Myett, will explain how the outdoor retailer is expanding the use of PLM beyond traditional functions, and to cap the day’s events, Derek Jones of WWA will lead a panel discussion on the state of the industry.
The event is free to the trade. Interested parties can register at www.matrixone.com/fabric or call (978) 589-4000.
Lectra Hires Sales VP
Software and equipment provider Lectra Americas has named Paula Levy as vice president of sales for fashion. Levy will be responsible for overseeing sales and growth strategies within the fashion sector. She is based in New York and reports to President David Rode.
Levy most recently was the senior director of sales and marketing for Atlanta-based Retaligent Solutions Inc. She has also held senior positions at CRS Retail Systems, Velocity Outsourcing, USinternetworking and Lawson Software.
“Paula has extensive enterprise software sales experience combined with expertise in marketing, business development and alliances,” said Rode. “She has a proven track record of creating strategic vision and executing programs that increase revenue and market share. We are confident that Paula will play a major role in growing our PLM business.”
Tukatech Signs New CAD Users
Los Angeles–based technology company Tukatech Inc. has added retailers Casual Male of Canton, Mass., and Steve & Barry’s of Port Washington, N.Y., to the list of clients using its TukaCAD 2007 design system.
The retailers will use the system to develop patterns and master blocks for their private-label products.
Tukatech has also released a new version that is compatible with Microsoft’s new Windows Vista operating system. The new release is intended to add speed, security, flexibility, and multi-screen and multi-tasking functionality.
Functions within the new TukaCAD 2007–Vista system include pattern-making, grading, marker-making, spec/tech, pack generation and 3-D e-fit sample making with a built-in motion simulator.
“TUKAcad 2007–Vista is enhanced for efficient pattern development, management and sharing of CAD data with non-CAD users,” said company Chief Executive Officer Ram Sareen.
Goody’s Teams With NGC for Sourcing, PLM
Knoxville, Tenn.–based retailer Goody’s Family Clothing has expanded its information-technology infrastructure to include product-development and sourcing-management software from Miami Lakes, Fla.–based New Generation Computing.
Goody’s has signed on to use the e-PLM and e-SPS applications. The systems will allow the retailer to track the complete lifecycle of its private-label apparel merchandise. Because the retailer relies heavily on promotions and advertising, executives said they needed to improve delivery in order to ensure that advertised goods are available on time and in the right quantity.
“We were impressed with the maturity and features of e- SPS and e-PLM, and we found that NGC’s PLM component was very strong,” said Joe Geist, director of informationtechnology systems for Goody’s. “We will be able to streamline our processes and improve coordination between our offices and overseas vendors with complete visibility of a style through the product lifecycle.”
Goody’s operates 383 stores in 21 states. For more information, visit www.ngcsoftware.com.
