Updated Line Planning Part of NGC's Latest Release
When software-solutions provider New Generation Computing releases its new e-PLM 2010 program on June 1, it will include an updated line-plan module.
Line plans are roadmaps on how to get to market for many fashion companies, explained Mark Burstein, a vice president of the Miami-based company. They are detailed forecasts on what these businesses need to order from their vendors and what they agreed to give their retail partners. In the recent past, line plans were completed manually and often were done on Excel spreadsheets, Burstein said.
NGC offered a line-plan module for last year’s release, e-PLM 2009. However, the latest version will have better functions, Burstein said.
The updates include:
bull; An alert system. For example, if new vendor conditions arise, such as a certain mill is low on a fabric, NGC’s line plan will alert its user. The NGC line plan will be able to communicate this information because it is Web-based and can field reports from its other users. It also has the capability to send e-mails to users outside its system.
bull; Bestseller information. Companies can check which of their brands are selling at what stores using information culled from retailers’ point-of-sales programs.
bull; Fast forecasts. Fed with real-time information, the line plan can change quickly and offers users new forecasts with speed.
bull; Line plan financials. With this function, a user can create financial metrics, which can be compared against predefined targets. If needed, this part of the program can be used to make adjustments to meet the company’s financial plan.
NGC’s upcoming e-PLM program also offers users new vendor-payment automation, such as approving invoices online, Burstein said. And it also offers new functions to create custom reports.—Andrew Asch
