Focus on Fashion Business
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Do you own a fashion company? Are you making the best use of the latest technology? That was the question raised by senior executives in the industry at the Imagination Gallery, London, recently.
Many organisations are preaching the gospel of integration: the implementation of a system which consists of many elements - retail, wholesale, mail order, distribution and planning - which are designed to work together. Rather than linking together disparate systems of, for example, stock control, planning and finance. Only by integrating can companies leverage the true power of IT as an operation and strategic business tool.
One of the many benefits of a truly integrated system is that management have a single view of their company, common to all users at all times. This contrasts with other approaches, where inaccuracies occur from department to department, depending on the application or system being used.
Speakers expressed their views that companies should strive to maximise the integrity of their data by opting for an enterprise-wide solution, such as Oracle. A single information source reduces or eliminates the need for software interfaces, inhouse development or costly third party tools to collate data. Today it should never be necessary to rely on spreadsheets or other such intermediate systems.
In today's highly dynamic and competitive fashion marketplace, it is essential to have a high level of control and yet be flexible. For many companies, the prospect of developing a comprehensive IT strategy remains unwelcome. The best way to reduce risk is to work with an appropriately qualified solution partner. But companies should choose carefully. It is vital that a solution partner understands the seasonal pressures facing fashion businesses and can demonstrate a proven approach to implementation. At the end of the day, the solution will need to be a long term commitment to your business and continue to deliver business benefits.
To attend future Fashion IT Forums please call Prologic 01442 876 277