The Best Apparel Management Software
The Top 10 Apparel Management Software Solutions
In the fast-paced world of fashion and apparel, efficient management of inventory, sales, and production processes is essential for success. Apparel management software offers a solution to streamline these operations, providing fashion businesses with the tools they need to stay organized, productive, and profitable.
The Best Apparel Management Software covers anything from managing the design and production of garments to businesses selling apparel or accessories in retail stores, to alteration, dry cleaning, and embroidery businesses.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the top 10 apparel management software solutions available on the market today.
From cloud-based inventory management systems to comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) platforms, these solutions cater to a wide range of fashion businesses, including retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors.
Join us as we delve into the features, advantages, and disadvantages of each software solution, helping you make an informed decision to find the best fit for your apparel business’s unique needs and requirements.
Who This Article is For
Is your business struggling to keep track of inventory, re-order points, sizes, colours and variations? Are order, shipping or supplier management pain points in your business? If so, apparel management software is for you.
This article is for all businesses in the apparel or fashion industry that need to stay on top of their order processing, inventory control and product planning.
What is Apparel Management Software?
Apparel management software is a specialized tool designed to help apparel businesses manage various aspects of their operations, including inventory management, sales tracking, order processing, and more. These software solutions offer features tailored to the unique needs of apparel retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and distributors.
With apparel management software, businesses can streamline their processes, improve efficiency, and gain better control over their inventory and sales data. From small boutiques to large-scale manufacturers, apparel management software caters to a wide range of businesses in the fashion industry.
Building a Custom Apparel Management Software
Choosing the right software for your apparel or fashion business is tough: just like off-the-shelf clothes, off-the-shelf solutions don’t allow for customization. Implementing software and adopting a new way of working in your business is at best only time-consuming, but at worst it can be frustrating and costly.
Contact us to learn more about custom-built apparel management software solutions. We specialize in rapidly building cost-effective software applicaton and database systems for the apparel industry.
Just like a tailor-made piece of clothing, bespoke software is made just for and your business!
Top 10 Apparel Management Software Solutions
1. Lightspeed Retail
Lightspeed Retail is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) and inventory management software solution designed for retail businesses, including apparel stores. It offers features such as inventory tracking, sales analytics, customer management, and more. The solution is designed for retail, hospitality and golf businesses, as well as restauranteurs – in short, any business with a physical shopfront that needs to manage inventory, sales, and accounting.
Advantages:
- User-friendly interface
- Easy SKU and catalog setup
- Real-time inventory management
- Integration with POS, accounting, and e-commerce platforms
Disadvantages:
- Can be costly for small businesses with a starting price of US$89.00 per month.
- Advanced features may require additional fees
Target Users:
Small to medium-sized apparel retailers, as well as retail and hospitality businesses that have a physical shopfront.
What Users Say:
Users appreciate the ease of use and robust inventory management capabilities of Lightspeed Retail. Some users have reported issues with customer support and pricing, as the basic version only contains limited features.
2. Fishbowl
Fishbowl is a comprehensive inventory management and manufacturing software solution designed for small to medium-sized businesses, including apparel manufacturers and distributors. It offers comprehensive features from production to accounting, such as inventory tracking, order management, and production scheduling.
Advantages:
- Advanced inventory tracking and reporting
- Integration with QuickBooks for accounting
- Scalable solution for growing businesses
Disadvantages:
- Complex setup and learning curve
- Complex user interface that is difficult to navigate
- Requires additional modules for certain features
Target Users:
Small to medium-sized apparel manufacturers and distributors
What Users Say:
Users praise Fishbowl for its robust inventory management features and integration capabilities with QuickBooks. Some users find the initial setup process challenging.
3. GoFrugal
GoFrugal is a cloud-based apparel Point Of Sale (POS) and retail management software solution that offers features for inventory management, sales tracking, customer relationship management, and more. It is suitable for small to medium-sized retail businesses, including retailers, restaurateurs and apparel stores.
Advantages:
- Easy-to-use interface
- Tailored to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs)
- Mobile app for on-the-go management
- Customizable reports and analytics
Disadvantages:
- Lack of advanced features compared to other solutions
- Customer support response times can vary
Target Users:
Small to medium-sized apparel retailers
What Users Say:
Users appreciate the simplicity and affordability of GoFrugal for managing their retail operations. Some users have reported limitations in terms of customization and advanced features.
4. OnSite
OnSite is a cloud-based management software solution designed for small to medium-sized apparel screen printers and embroideries, promotional product distributors and manufacturers, award companies and digital printers. It offers features such as order entry, inventory management, customer relationship management (CRM), and more.
Advantages:
- User-friendly interface
- Robust tool for companies that need to customize products
- Integration with e-commerce platforms
Disadvantages:
- Limited scalability for larger businesses
- Customer support may be limited for smaller plans
Target Users:
Small to medium-sized companies in the embellished product industry, such as apparel decorators.
What Users Say:
Users appreciate the simplicity and ease of use of OnSite for managing their design, purchasing and production capabilities. Some users have reported issues with scalability and customer support.
5. Geelus
Geelus is a comprehensive Point of Sale (POS) retail management software solution designed specifically for apparel businesses, including alterations, dry cleaning and laundry businesses. It offers features such as order management, POS functionality, customer management, and more.
Advantages:
- Customizable POS system tailored for apparel businesses in the laundry, dry cleaning or alterations industry
- Advanced order tracking and reporting
- Integration with online stores and marketplaces
Disadvantages:
- May have a learning curve for new users, as the interface could need improvement
- Customer support response times can vary
Target Users:
Small to medium-sized apparel retailers and boutiques
What Users Say:
Users praise Geelus for its specialized features and customization options for apparel and textiles businesses, tailors, and dry cleaners. Some users have reported challenges with the initial setup process and customer support.
6. FusionOperations
FusionOperations is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software solution designed for medium to large-sized apparel manufacturers and distributors. Part of American IT giant Autodesk, It offers features such as supply chain management, production planning, inventory optimization, and more.
Advantages:
- Comprehensive suite of ERP tools tailored for apparel industry
- Multiple user roles for operators, supervisors, etc.
- Real-time data processing
- Advanced production planning and scheduling capabilities
- Integration with third-party logistics (3PL) providers
Disadvantages:
- Too complex and pricy for small businesses
- Higher pricing compared to other solutions
Target Users:
Medium to large-sized apparel manufacturers and distributors
What Users Say:
Users appreciate the robust features and scalability of FusionOperations for managing their apparel manufacturing and distribution processes. Some users find the pricing higher compared to other solutions.
7. Backbone
Backbone is a cloud-based product lifecycle management (PLM) software solution designed for fashion and apparel brands that design and develop clothing or accessories. It offers features such as the creation of tech packs, line sheet libraries, multi-channel inventory tracking, billing and invoicing, cataloging, order management, warehouse management, and more.
Advantages:
- Advanced inventory tracking with real-time updates
- Integration with Adobe Illustrator to integrate designers
- Automated order fulfillment and shipping
Disadvantages:
- May require customization for specific business needs
- Higher pricing for additional features
Target Users:
Small to medium-sized fashion and apparel brands and their technical designers / product developers.
What Users Say:
Users appreciate the comprehensive features and automation capabilities of Backbone for managing their inventory and order fulfillment processes. Some users find the pricing higher compared to other solutions.
8. AIMS360
AIMS360 is an end-to-end business management software solution designed for apparel manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors. It offers features such as order processing, inventory management, production tracking, and more.
Advantages:
- Comprehensive suite of features for apparel businesses
- Advanced production tracking and reporting
- Integration with EDI and accounting software
Disadvantages:
- May be too complex for small businesses
- Higher pricing compared to other solutions
Target Users:
Medium to large-sized apparel manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors
What Users Say:
Users praise AIMS360 for its robust features and customization options tailored for the apparel industry. Some users find the learning curve steep and the pricing higher compared to other solutions.
9. PolyPM
PolyPM is a comprehensive product lifecycle management (PLM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software solution designed for apparel and textile businesses. It offers features such as product development, sourcing, production planning, inventory management, and more.
Advantages:
- End-to-end PLM solution for apparel industry
- Integration with CAD and ERP systems
- Real-time collaboration and communication tools
Disadvantages:
- May be too complex for small businesses
- Higher pricing compared to other solutions
Target Users:
Medium to large-sized apparel and textile businesses, such as textile mils or apparel manufacturers.
What Users Say:
Users appreciate the comprehensive features and integration capabilities of PolyPM for managing their product lifecycle processes. Some users find the learning curve steep and the pricing higher compared to other solutions.
10. PriceIT Software
PriceIT Software is a cloud-based pricing and inventory management software solution designed for embroideries and screen printers. It offers features such as shipping, reports, invoices, pricing, inventory optimization, demand forecasting, and more.
Advantages:
- Suitable for small apparel and fashion businesses that need to keep track of pricing, ordering and processes
- Integration with e-commerce platforms
- Real-time inventory tracking and alerts
Disadvantages:
- May not be suitable for businesses outside the fashion industry
- Customer support response times can vary
Target Users:
Fashion and apparel retailers
What Users Say:
Users appreciate the pricing optimization features and real-time inventory tracking capabilities of PriceIT Software. Some users find the software lacking in customization options and customer support.
Apparel Management Software: Picking the Right Software
Choosing the right apparel management software is essential for textile, fashion and embroidery businesses looking to streamline their operations, improve efficiency, and stay competitive in the ever-evolving industry.
With a variety of solutions available, each offering unique features and functionalities, finding the best fit for your business requires careful consideration. First up, make sure to pick a software specialized in your field: some software is made for apparel retailers, others for apparel producers, and yet others for businesses customizing textiles, for example.
Whether you prioritize inventory management, order processing, production tracking, or sales optimization, there’s an apparel management software out there to meet your specific needs. By evaluating the pros and cons of each solution and considering factors such as scalability, integration capabilities, and pricing, you can make an informed decision that will benefit your business in the long run.
Take the time to explore these top solutions and request demos or trials to see which one aligns best with your business goals and workflows. With the right apparel management software in place, you can streamline your processes, reduce manual errors, and focus on what truly matters: delivering exceptional products and experiences to your customers.
