The textile and apparel industry are undergoing constant transformation driven by rapidly evolving fashion trends. These dynamic trends foster the development of new styles and textile innovations, necessitating continuous gatekeeping and timely interventions. Unlike the automotive industry—where a single vehicle model can remain in production for years with minimal variation—the garment and textile sector witnesses continuous and minute-to-minute fluctuations. In such a volatile environment, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems play a critical role in enhancing efficiency and eliminating data redundancy in organisations.

ERP is a comprehensive business management tool that integrates various departmental functions and transactions within an organisation. It enables seamless interdepartmental communication and real-time data access, enhancing operational efficiency and responsiveness (Kamal, Mostafa, 2018).

ERP systems became essential as the industry sought to minimise data redundancy and operate with greater intelligence and efficiency. ERP is a unified software solution that captures and records the activities of all departments within an organisation. It comprises various modules that correspond to key departmental functions such as sales, procurement, inventory management, and order planning. Prior to the advent of ERP, these functions were managed through isolated systems, often resulting in data silos and inefficiencies. The integration provided by ERP has consolidated these formerly disparate systems into a cohesive platform, significantly streamlining operations and decision-making processes (Hui et.al, 2010)

Working of ERP Software in the apparel industry
To understand how ERP software functions, consider an example from the garment industry. When the merchandising team receives new shirt orders, they enter them directly into the ERP system. The planning department can then access the same order to organise the distribution of materials, labour, and machinery accordingly. Simultaneously, the procurement team reviews the production order, checks for material availability within the retail inventory, and, if needed, places a vendor order—all through the ERP system.

Once the materials arrive, the inventory department records their receipt in the ERP software. The production team then raises a material request, and the store department issues the required items using a store indent generated via the system. Manufacturing details such as machine allocation, operator name, and order number are also recorded within the ERP platform.

After production, the finished goods go through a quality control (QC) process, and the results are updated in the system. The dispatch team then uses the ERP software to generate a packing list and dispatch order. The products are packaged as per the packing list, and an invoice is automatically created by the ERP system. Subsequently, a delivery challan and gate pass are generated through the software. When payment is received, the funds are recorded in the accounts receivable module of the ERP system, closing the transaction loop. This example highlights the critical role of ERP software in streamlining operations across departments and ensuring seamless coordination throughout the supply chain in the garment industry.

Different ERP software used by the apparel and textile industry
ERP software captures and records every activity within an apparel company, enabling all departments to monitor order statuses in real time. This fosters a well-coordinated operational structure, reducing the risk of errors and ensuring smoother workflow management. As competition intensifies and profit margins shrink, stakeholders in the apparel and textile industries increasingly recognise the importance of cost control and optimal utilisation of enterprise resources. ERP systems directly address these challenges by streamlining processes, enhancing efficiency, and supporting strategic decision-making.

By automating routine tasks, ERP software not only helps lower operational costs but also improves employee satisfaction through seamless interdepartmental communication. Its advanced, customisable features allow businesses to tailor solutions to their specific needs, capturing both tangible cost savings and intangible benefits such as improved responsiveness and agility (Ranjan, Jha & Pal, 2016). Several ERP software solutions are currently available in the market, offering diverse functionalities to suit varying business requirements are discussed below:

Software

Function

FDM4

 

It is developed to meet the rapidly changing demands of the apparel industry and designed to ensure communication across systems from ASNs to shipping labels. It also includes EDI capabilities, inventory and purchasing applications, integrated accounting, and advanced business analytics.

INFOR Fashion

It offers complete resource management services that are tailored to the demands of the fashion sector. The system can be customised on an individual basis and covers every step of the fashion business, from product distribution and design to manufacturing, private brand wholesale, and retail.

Apparel Connect

 

The portal is specifically created by apparel producers to directly assist international buying houses. Due to its highly specific toolkit, which includes product development, marking and cut processing, order management, WIP processing, demand-based bill-of-materials processing, inventory control, purchasing, BI reporting, production planning, carton packing, CMT & outsourcing operations, task management processing, AQL, and QC, the system enables the apparel enterprise to run smoothly.

A2000

It has been a top fashion solution on the market for more than 25 years. PLM processing, sophisticated warehouse management features, order processing, financial reporting, and inventory management are all included in one completely integrated system, additionally to separate telemarketing and catalogue components. Along with being efficient at mobility, the system has the special capacity to create and distribute social network messages that are generated inside.

PolyPM

 

This system, which was created especially for the clothing sector, provides an integrated ERP and product lifecycle management (PLM) capacity. This extensive platform offers value across multiple domains, including style development, product execution, and worldwide buyer distribution. Along with the more common manufacturing procedures like BOM and PSV, it also has capabilities like cut planning, fabric inspection, CMT production, and two-dimensional size ranging. Additionally, it has a thorough order auditing capacity.

Aptean

It is designed for fashion and apparel businesses, which offers real-time insights and industry-specific functionality.

RDPL

It offers tailored solutions for the fashion industry, ensuring seamless integration, enhanced ROI and robust online presence through mobile and website development.

NOW ERP from Datatex

It is notable for its adaptability to a wide range of business procedures and its capacity to meet the requirements of the industry, such as handling a wide variety of products. Using object-oriented technology, the program facilitates the traceability and dynamic integration of business activities from the fibre stage to the finished product. For Industry 4.0 breakthroughs, it incorporates cutting-edge web technologies like Jakarta EE, web services, and XML.

WFX

 

 

It has a modern and latest technology interface which is user-friendly and easy to use. All manufacturing processes, including costing, sampling, budgeting, supplier cooperation, buying, material planning, quality control, order administration, and so forth, can be tracked and digitalised with its assistance.

Datatex ERP is widely adopted by major Indian textile and apparel companies such as Arvind, ABRFL, Vardhman, and the Bhilwara Group. Initially implemented on the AS400 platform, Datatex transitioned to a web-based system in 2004, significantly expanding its global reach. Designed to cater to small, medium, and large enterprises, Datatex offers scalable solutions across the textile value chain.

Another prominent player, World Fashion Exchange (WFX), was established in 2000. It began with an EDP/EDI solution tailored for brands and fashion agents in India. Over time, WFX evolved into a comprehensive ERP system. A notable example of successful implementation is Gokaldas Exports, which has leveraged WFX to streamline operations. Export houses like Ranger and Laguna have also reported enhanced production efficiency and seamless workflows following ERP integration (Mindya & Wickramasinghe, 2012).

Advantages of Using ERP in the Apparel and Textile Industry
Implementing an agile ERP system in the textile and apparel sector can significantly streamline operations and reduce costs. When processes are well-organised, companies can cut operational and administrative expenses by up to 15 per cent, thanks to fewer manual errors, improved time management, and increased employee satisfaction. Below are the key advantages of ERP implementation in the textile and garment industry:

1. ERP provides a unified dashboard that integrates multiple departments—Quality Control, Production, Supply Chain Planning, RCCP, Warehouse Management, Finance, HR, Sales, Marketing, and Shop Floor Operations—enabling seamless coordination and control.

2. ERP systems deliver accurate and reliable, real-time data to authorised users, allowing remote access from anywhere in the world. This improves decision-making speed, boosts productivity, and enhances collaboration with suppliers, customers, and internal teams.

3. ERP ensures the optimal mix of inventory across the organisation. Its agile and mobile warehouse management features help avoid excess inventory or shortages, promoting a systematic and cost-efficient supply chain.

4. ERP systems enable better task assignment by matching the most suitable employee to specific jobs, ensuring timely completion of purchase orders. Additionally, they minimise errors, eliminate redundant data entry, and reduce other repetitive administrative tasks thereby improving efficiency and proper time management.

5. The traditional manual methods of tracking replenishment or stock transfers are replaced by ERP’s real-time monitoring capabilities. It enables live tracking and reporting across the shop floor, warehouse, procurement, and logistics, enhancing responsiveness and operational efficiency.

Job Titles Associated with ERP
The field of ERP encompasses several job titles that often overlap, and each ERP system may have unique variations of these roles. This can make it challenging to navigate the different responsibilities and functions tied to ERP systems. However, here are some core ERP job titles:

1. There are ERP Specialists who focus on maintaining, customising, and optimising ERP software to ensure smooth operations across an organisation.

2. The Support Staff provide ongoing technical support to end-users, resolving issues related to ERP systems.

3. The ERP Consultants advise organisations on the best ERP solutions based on their needs, and assist with the implementation, integration, and customisation of ERP systems.

4. The ERP Business Analysts analyse business requirements and workflows to identify the most suitable ERP solutions. They ensure that the ERP system aligns with business processes.

5. The ERP Software Developers customise and develop ERP systems by writing code, building modules, and integrating different functions to ensure the system meets the organisation’s needs.

6. A business may also hire ERP Project Managers who oversee the implementation and deployment of ERP systems, manage resources, timelines, and ensure that projects meet business objectives.

To succeed in these roles, professionals need a blend of technical and business-oriented skills, including technical proficiency like knowledge of database management, data analysis tools, and programming languages; greater analytical abilities to assess business processes and find solutions that improve efficiency; project management skills of planning, organising, and coordinating ERP implementation and updates; problem-solving skills, and the ability to clearly communicate with both technical teams and business stakeholders; and accuracy in managing complex ERP systems and understanding of how ERP integrates with overall business operations. As the field is dynamic in nature, individuals must also stay adaptable to new software developments and tools.