FBI Uses the Power of Microsoft to Grow Fashion Businesses
The Los Angeles–based trade organization Fashion Business Inc. has long been an advocate of employing technology within the fashion industry. That relationship is beginning to pay off, as its newly forged partnership with software giant Microsoft Corp. is helping the organization grow and continue its mission of helping start-ups and displaced apparel-industry workers get the education and other training they need to stay competitive.
Microsoft executives have taken note of FBI’s efforts and recently highlighted the nonprofit during a five-minute video profile as well as a cast study paper as part of the company’s Voices for Innovation program(www.voicesforinnovation.org).
By teaming with local technology partners such as AIMS, Focal Technology Inc., PAD System Technologies and Gerber Technology, FBI can offer ongoing certified training programs in the areas of computerized order processing, CAD/ CAM, production software, graphic arts and more. As part of the training offerings, FBI uses state of California ETP grants to offer free or low-cost training to eligible participants.
The video profile is viewable online at YouTube (www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfbsIc-92G4) and will soon belinked to the FBI Web site (www.fashionbizinc.org). FBI is using the feature as a marketing tool to introduce companies and individuals to the organization.
Microsoft’s Voices for Innovation program is a global community that works to ensure the awareness and participation of local entrepreneurs and innovators in important policy discussions around the world. The objective is to engage those influenced by the growth and progress of the industry and to brief policy makers on the importance of intellectual-property protection, investment in research and development, innovation and growth, and consumer welfare.
As part of the program, FBI may be eligible for a $50,000 cash grant as well as a $400,000 technology endowment. FBI is currently going through the application process.
“We wanted to show how our partners get involved in their communities,” explained Stephen J. Cracknell, senior marketing manager for Microsoft’s U.S. partner group. “FBI is doing some great work. It’s engineering a solution for helping employees get training and developing great partnerships with the government and keeping jobs in the U.S.”
Microsoft’s alliance with FBI came about through partners such as AIMS/ Focal, which is a Microsoftcertified gold partner. For the past two years, Microsoft has brought its mobile technology station via an RV to The New Mart parking lot in downtown Los Angeles to highlight Microsoft and AIMS/Focal products. The ongoing relationship eventually led to other endeavors.
“This also may help us get more grants,” said Henry Cherner, a partner in AIMS and an FBI board member.
Added Shahin Kohan of Focal: “For Microsoft, this shows the types of organizations it supports. This is how they are partnering with our industry.”
FBI Executive Director Frances Harder said the grants will help to continue extending training and recurring training programs to the industry. Many apparel companies are requiring certificates, which FBI provides to participants who successfully complete training programs. Harder added that it may also lead to new programs to get more inner-city kids into the fashion industry.
“We are thinking of apprenticeship-like programs, where they start in areas like sales and marketing and go up from there. Regardless, it’s dealing with something that’s real,” she said.
NGC Forges Marketing Alliance With Sunrise Tech
Miami Lakes, Fla.–based software developer New Generation Computing has teamed with Winston Salem, N.C.–based Sunrise Technologies to sell each other’s products within their appropriate sales channels.
NGC markets sourcing, production and warehousing software systems to the apparel industry. Sunrise distributes Microsoft Dynamics AX, an enterprise resource planning application covering sales, accounting and order-processing steps.
The agreement will allow each company to offer end-to-end systems, which cover concept to delivery.
Under the terms of the agreement, Sunrise Technologies will offer NGC’s e-PLM for product lifecycle management and e-SPS for global sourcing along with Microsoft Dynamics.
Both NGC and Sunrise Technologies are Microsoft Gold Partners, representing the highest level of competency and expertise with Microsoft technologies. For more information, visit www.ngcsoftware.com or www.sunriseconsult.com.
