T he best apparel management software solution is NetSuite ERP. The software comes with features that simplify order management, inventory control, financials and accounting, and CRM and marketing management. These features work in unison to help you improve sales performance, automate communications, engage customers, build intelligent marketing campaigns, and elevate productivity .
A note from the author, Shaun Baker, SaaS software expert:
From accounting and healthcare to marketing and retail, I have found in my 10+ years of experience as a Fintech and ERP expert that the expectations of various industries have shifted to accommodate the growing role of technology. Apparel management is one such industry that has adapted by using software-as-a-solution (SaaS) to automate order fulfillment, complete sales tasks, and even submit tax requirements. By researching both market reports and academic sources and analyzing relevant data, I have selected some of the best apparel management solutions that retail businesses can use to improve productivity, increase sales, and adapt to industry-wide expectations.
The apparel industry is a large one, especially with the dawn of online sales channels. For the apparel industry alone, 58% of US adults have bought apparel online. It is projected that the total value of the US apparel market will reach over $285 billion in 2025.
This isn’t surprising as apparel takes a 43% share of what Americans are buying from marketplaces, according to a survey conducted by BigCommerce. With this comes a heightened competition in the industry, which opens up more complexities and challenges for apparel and garment businesses.
Inventory costs take up 45% to 90% of all business expenses. Why? A poorly-managed inventory leads to a loss of sales and excess in supplies, which increases costs and minimizes revenue.
Since inventory management is one of the most important aspects of managing an apparel business, you may be interested equally interested in exploring the top 15 inventory management software solutions here.
That said, apparel management software systems do more than inventory management. It can help you manage each aspect of your operations, from core accounting to size and color matrix and pattern management of each clothing piece.
Without further ado, let’s proceed to the best apparel management software tools you should check out.
NetSuite ERP is an all-in-one, cloud-based system designed to help high-growing, mid-sized, and large apparel enterprises to simplify and optimize their business. With the software, you can manage the accounting, inventory, order, supply chain, marketing, and CRM facets of your apparel or footwear business to achieve omnichannel success.
Being a comprehensive platform, NetSuite ERP eliminates all the manual process, plus it’s uniquely positioned to facilitate sales through all channels. All sales, whether imported, manually entered, from partners, or through you ecommerce channels, are handled through one portal. The B2B web portal, for example, allows you to process quick orders, wholesale pricing, and other aspects of the sales process with ease. You can use all the features for free for a period of time to see if the software matches your needs.
Try out NetSuite ERP with their free trial
Even better, the platform is designed with the retailing needs of your omnichannel shoppers in mind. It provides modern commerce features to accelerate and streamline the transaction process, while also enabling you to deliver personalized customer experience. Moreover, the pre-configured dashboard, reports, and KPIs present the information you need to remain on top of every process. They bring data to your fingertips, allowing you to make better, data-driven decisions faster to give your business a smooth sailing.
Detailed NetSuite ERP Review
AIMS360 Fashion ERP, as the name suggests, is a technology built to cater to the latest trends and processes in the fashion industry. To support the complex ecosystem of the fashion industry that’s always moving and evolving, it gives you a tool that’s flexible while enabling you to maintain control over your entire business with complete visibility and access.
This centralized solution lets you manage your business on a single platform and gives you access to all the information you need in real-time. It ensures you won’t lose track of inventory and eliminate chargebacks. The fully-integrated, cloud-based solution is built for fashion manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, and importers to streamline their order and production processing system.
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If you think an ERP is better suited to what you need, here are the top 20 ERP software tools if you want to expand your options.
Detailed AIMS360 Review
YourFit by 3DLOOK is apparel management software that combines a precise fit and size recommendation tool with a fun and shareable virtual try-on experience. Customers create 3D models of their bodies by taking front and side photos, and they can virtually try on clothes. Customers can check out with a clear understanding of how a product will look and fit their body with a virtual try-on app, helping them find the clothing they love and keep and reducing return transactions.
Body data helps brands collect information that brings insights to design improvement, product development, inventory planning, and distribution, thus reducing product waste and overstock. Matching customers to sizes that fit their unique bodies helps businesses make more sales and reduce returns, which improves customer engagement and loyalty to the brand, not to mention promoting a more sustainable fashion industry.
Try out YourFit by 3DLOOK with their free trial
Detailed YourFit by 3DLOOK Review
Openbravo Commerce Suite offers a collection of modules streamlining the retail and POS management processes of your apparel business. This cloud and mobile-enabled technology can help you keep a real-time and accurate inventory across your whole supply chain, utilize omnichannel solutions for ecommerce, optimize customer service and simplify multiple brick-and-mortar store locations in a single platform.
It has an industry-specific solution, particularly in fashion and apparel, which offers various core apparel management features such as inventory management, catalog management, order management, purchasing, invoicing and billing, warehouse management, supply chain management, returns management, shipping management, and supplier management, among others. Among its top offerings is its omnichannel marketing strategy that prioritizes customer service with a full-featured mobile POS solution.
Detailed Openbravo Commerce Suite Review
ApparelMagic is an inventory and apparel management software specifically built for this niche. It’s an integrated solution that helps you manage styles, sales, customers, accounting, inventory, and purchases. It uses advanced technology—cloud architecture, open API, and a scalable SQL database—to welcome innovation and future-proof your workflows. With cloud technology, installation of the software is not required.
Redundant tasks are eliminated to help you maximize your workflow through the system’s open API. Some of its key features include sales management, inventory management, and integrated accounting. The system also offers CRM software features so you can use the same platform to manage post-sales processes. Additionally, its robust style management enables you to keep a detailed library of your products’ colors and sizes with precise tracking of costs of your bill of materials. It will then send catalogs with high-quality images to your customers to streamline the sales process.
Detailed ApparelMagic Review
Gerber YuniquePLM is a cloud-based apparel management software that lets teams work together seamlessly, regardless of their location, and provides real-time access to accurate data throughout the production process. It serves as a single source of truth for product information, ensuring that every team member is up-to-date without the need to manage several other documents.
This innovative software has helped thousands of companies in the retail and fashion businesses. Gerber YuniquePLM supports Artboard within the YuniquePLM Design Suite Plugin for Adobe Illustrator. It also easily integrates with ERP systems and other solutions, enabling smooth workflows between creative teams, supply chains, and production processes.
Detailed YuniquePLM Review
Cloud-based software : The software is accessible anywhere, so collaboration within teams is easy, and real-time updates are possible.
Scalability : Gerber YuniquePLM is flexible and scalable, making it suitable for businesses of various sizes and industries.
Samples management : Track requests for samples efficiently and have better visibility with all change requests in the platform.
FastReact is a software solution built for fashion supply chains in retailing, manufacturing, and sourcing companies. It offers industry-specific solutions for apparel, textile, and footwear to improve coordination, clarify priorities, and enhance visibility. The product aims to reduce costs and operational efficiency. It is also fast and quick to install, which expedites the delivery of results.
The suite of applications offers three different solutions. The first one is called Vision, which is an extended PLM solution. The next is Evolve, a tool for visual capacity planning and management. And lastly, Align is built as a modeling software solution to improve inventory levels and the order confirmation process.
Detailed Fast React Review
Various solutions. It has three applications for a complete solution meant for the needs of the fashion industry.
Multi-level planning. Short-term scheduling and long-range capacity management are supported.
Modular system. The structure comes in modules offering features for new product development, budgeting, forecasting, cash commitment reporting, and user-defined reporting, among others.
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Powersoft365 ModaPro is a custom edition of the Powersoft POS/Stock Control business software application built to simplify the hectic and complex clothing and footwear trading processes. This easy-to-setup solution provides you with quick and easy access to your trading activity’s operational data. It also minimizes the load of admin work and helps you reach more customers.
One of its most useful features is its intelligent reporting. This lets you extract data insights to monitor, benchmark, and make data-driven conclusions regarding your business development in real-time. ModaPro is used by fashion franchises, fashion chain stores, boutiques, department stores, and clothing stores.
Detailed Powersoft365 ModaPro Review
Single/Multi-Location. The solution is ideal for operating on either single- or multi-location stores.
Scalable plans. It offers plans that are scalable as your business grows.
Cross-sector features. The tools are usable for all while enabling specific requirements for cross-sectoral needs and niche markets.
If you’re up to a PLM solution built for business operating in apparel, fashion, accessories, footwear, and consumer goods, WFX PLM is a good product to consider. It offers a centralized location for connecting all product information and its whole lifecycle process on a single platform. It covers all bases—from sourcing and product development to production and approvals—to ensure efficient management of your apparel-related tasks.
As a unified solution, departments assigned to sourcing, planning, production, merchandising, and design are connected with international business hubs. As a product lifecycle management software, it maintains effective communication and collaboration, especially among vendors and internal teams, in the company.
Detailed WFX PLM Review
Holistic view. A platform built for fashion, garment, and clothing industries to manage product conceptualization and development.
Real-time sharing. The integrated solution offers real-time sharing and collaboration with internal teams, vendors, and international partners.
Collection planning. It simplifies the planning of collections as per division, brand, and product category to determine cost targets and quantities, among others.
Elastic Suite is a B2B digital solution for manufacturers, which is mostly used in the apparel, accessory, footwear, and fashion industries. The tool is online and browser-based. However, if you require offline capabilities for your workflow, it may also be installed locally. The solution is utilized by a large spectrum of internal merchandising teams, accounts, and sales reps for small, at-once reorders and large, per-season orders.
You can create a branded portal for customers to register an account. It also has a custom catalog builder with easy-to-use drag-and-drop features, custom design layout, catalog-specific closeout and in-season books, and brand and lifestyle images. It also has an on-demand print for an accurate digital workbook that reduces production time with compelling marketing material.
Detailed Elastic Review
Whiteboarding. A robust whiteboard that can be converted into an actual order through segmented sales strategies and merchandised program assortments.
Catalog replacement. Create custom catalogs with an account-specific and relevant product and content on a digital flipbook.
Seamless integration. Unified data representation for B2B and B2C services to provide an efficient client implementation process.
ShopWorks OnSite is a business management software specifically designed for companies that provide screen printing, embroidery, decorated apparel, and promotional products. It is equipped with features to run your business from end to end. This includes sales and marketing, order processing, purchasing and inventory, production management, shipping and management, finance, and accounting.
Meanwhile, its array of industry-specific features consists of size matrix, design and artwork management, price calculators, vendor pricing, production scheduling and tracking, and integration with other industry solutions. It is one of the products by the vendor Shopworx that offers business solutions for different types of companies.
Detailed ShopWorks OnSite Review
Size matrix. Enter different sizes for a single item and define your own matrix.
Production process management. Manage designs, arts, ink and thread colors, thumbnail images, and screen details, among others.
Automated calculation. Vendor pricing is no longer entered manually, and the pricing calculator uses standard pricing models based on, among others, quantity, stitch count, and the number of ink colors.
Accellar is an apparel manufacturing technology solution. The smart technology is built for apparel manufacturers and exporters who are looking for a short timescale for implementation. Its core processes include supply chain, merchandising, manufacturing, inventory, and cost accounting. It eliminates manual processes in generating reports and empowers employees through their workflows. By minimizing record redundancy, it only requires you to only perform a one-time entry of information that’s linked to all modules to deliver accurate data promptly.
Built through the years, Accellar is continuously improved and updated by apparel industry specialists, according to real-world high volume apparel production and export requirements. It is one of many solutions by Fortude that is built to deliver customer success.
Detailed Accellar Review
Increased speed-to-market. It integrates with buyer/supplier EDIs, track cycle times, and enhance core processes.
360-degree visibility. By staying on top of wastage, controls, and key decision points, you can minimize margin erosion and improve profitability.
Customer satisfaction priority. Ensure accurate and timely data by tracking and automating follow-ups.
Zedonk is an online business software solution for the fashion industry for users who are looking for an intuitive yet affordable tool. The workflow in the fashion industry is complex. Hence, Zedonk finds solutions to simplify them. For instance, it streamlines the management of your order book, provides crucial information for planning quantities, and spotting mistakes faster than spreadsheets. Some of its features include production, product stock inventory, purchase orders, and customer, supplier, and manufacturer management.
As a cloud-based solution, information is accessible anytime and anywhere. It also gives you technical support and back-up to guide you through any issue. By expediting admin tasks and reducing errors, it provides a tailored solution for small and medium-sized businesses to handle their sales and production operations efficiently in the garment industry.
Detailed Zedonk Software Review
Apparel-ready solution. Identify the styles, colors, and suppliers that are doing well. It also offers solutions for distribution and picking-and-packing operations.
SMB-friendly. A solution ideal for the size and workflows of SMBs.
Organized system. It keeps your production, orders, and invoicing organized.
AMOR Enterprise is built to catch up with the agile and dynamic characteristics of the garment and apparel retail industry. As the solution is built by a practitioner who has acquired years of experience in the field, it is ideal for compliance with government rules and department store regulations in Indonesia. With that, it serves various businesses across cities in Indonesia in the apparel retail industry.
Since it is specifically designed to meet industry needs, it eliminates the effort and complexity in customizing the system according to your needs. This solution provides features from raw materials, production, and sales and distribution to point-of-sale, payroll, and general ledger. It also includes services such as requirement study, consulting, training, implementation, system design, maintenance, and support.
Detailed AMOR Review
Global inventory visibility. Gain visibility and control over raw materials as you purchase, store, and move them around the world.
Integrated data management. Data from all functional areas and departments are centralized to allow simultaneous scheduling, manufacturing, and reporting.
Mobile report. It enables the mobility of data for stock and store performance.
Indigo8 is a fashion software developed for fast-growing brands. It automates the daily operations of modern brands in a single solution for the management of products, sales, inventory, manufacturing, websites, and retail stores. The cloud-based solution enables you to handle your entire operation using the system. In addition to its inventory capabilities, it also has an omnichannel solution for pushing products and synchronizing inventory levels across various platforms.
The solution aims to help fashion labels grow. It empowers product development in a scalable platform. It also enhances indent or stock orders, samples, costing, and invoicing. Furthermore, it enables collaboration, connection (of suppliers, agents, and the web), and business growth.
Detailed Indigo8 Review
Built-in integrations. It integrates with products such as Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, and Magento, among others.
Scalable solution. Regardless of your current business size, it has a plan and package catered to your needs and drives your growth.
Flexible platform. It is built for wholesalers, agents, e-boutiques, and brick-and-mortar stores.
i.Level is an integrated retail system built for clothing and fashion management. It offers a wide range of solutions for the industry—stock control, wholesale, concession software, custom integrations, EPOS system, B2B wholesale web store, retail webstore, mobile, and barcode scanning. By covering wholesale and retail solutions, you can ensure an end-to-end system to cover your most crucial processes.
Even if you have multiple sales channels, you can easily manage them in a unified stock control management tool. An instant reporting and automated system provide value to modern fashion businesses through an accurate and efficient operation. As a modular system, you can guarantee it as a solution that fits your current needs while supporting growth along the way.
Detailed i.LEVEL Review
Flexible tools. It provides solutions for both wholesale and retail businesses.
i.Level mobile. A mobile clothing system for order taking on a mobile phone and laptop, which is uploaded directly to the central server using Wi-Fi connection.
Sage integration. In addition to its custom integrations, you get a seamless connection with one of the leading accounts software in the UK.
axind PLM+ is a retail management system designed for fast fashion businesses. It is an apparel management software that enables businesses to manage every aspect of the process, including merchandise planning, product development, requests for quotes from suppliers, quality control, and more. It functions as a repository of all the information that one needs to source materials and produce top-quality products.
The software is designed to speed up the product development cycle, lower costs, improve communications, and enable businesses to rapidly bring products to market. The main features of axind PLM+ include product data management and workflow and business process management. Business owners can streamline their operations, increase efficiency, and reduce costs.
Detailed axind PLM+ Review
Single source of information : Have a place to consolidate all important information and avoid confusion over specifications that can result in costly mistakes.
Mobile application : Utilize axind PLM+ on mobile to be on track with all updates and changes.
Order management and shipments : axind PLM+ can help you keep track of vendor information, quote requests, and shipments.
BlueKaktus is a platform that focuses on digitizing operations in the fashion supply chain. It has products created to cater to the needs of manufacturers, sourcing companies, and brands. Its main offerings include inventory management, quality enhancement, lead time compression, and downtime reduction. This tool is useful for businesses to make sure they have the right amount of stock in their inventory. It even optimizes the process by using an accurate Postpone Strategy to improve decision making.
The apparel management software also helps users react to the fast-changing fashion trends with lead time compressor. To improve inspection and quality checks, users can facilitate the process using their mobile phone for personnel to accurately plan, schedule, and monitor each stage of the process in real-time. The software offers solutions for creating tailor-made requirements, leveraging processes with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, and acquiring more customers through a digitized enterprise.
Detailed BlueKaktus Review
Integrations. The software integrates with tools like Navision, SAP, and Tally. This capability is essential for users who are currently or planning to use these systems for a seamless connection.
Cloud-based deployment. The cloud-based platform is quick and easy to deploy, flexible for different business requirements, and scalable to support your business growth.
Specialized solutions. It has specific solutions for different businesses in the apparel industry: manufacturers, brands, and sourcing companies. Hence, users can ensure they can maximize the software’s features to their specific needs.
Impress is an apparel decorating and promotional products software solution. The system is designed to cater to the needs of the screen printing and embroidery industries. Hence, the demand can be met with efficiency. It offers eCommerce and web services, order tracking with barcode scanning, and warehouse management system.
Furthermore, it features a production and shop floor scheduling, customer web portal, and integration with third-party services. The scalable solution has a configurable base system that enables you to tailor it according to your company’s specific requirements and budget. As the company grows and its requirements changes, you can easily expand the base system with additional modules.
Detailed Impress Review
Embroidery design. Utilize auto-generated design numbers, associate image files with decorations, and track new concepts and artworks in the app.
Production scheduling. Drag-and-drop technology makes scheduling faster and easier with synchronization of updates.
Comprehensive inventory. Identify each inventory position from planning to shipping through real-time updates.
FastManager is a complete business management tool specifically built for apparel decorating businesses, particularly screen printing and embroidery companies. The tool lets you create quotations, work orders, and invoices. You can also process payments, schedule production, and track order details. The modular system fits any business size, and as you grow, you can add more modules along the way to fit your growing business needs. Its time-saving solutions are also helpful: you can reorder in just a few seconds through the “Duplicate” button, generate pricing modules, and convert quotations into work orders with just two clicks.
Credit card processing. You can directly accept and process payments from credit cards on the system.
QuickBooks integration. Improve the system’s capability by integrating it with QuickBooks for purchase orders, invoices, and customer payments.
Fast quotation. Creating professional quotations is streamlined and expedited from the app’s sales screen.
Increasing customer demands on businesses in the fashion and retail clothing industry has resulted in a need for these businesses to start using apparel management software. These systems not only offer the features of inventory management software, but also help with order fulfillment, product design, and accounting.
If you’re overwhelmed with the choices we presented, you can start with our top pick, NetSuite ERP. The system offers an extensive range of capabilities, including order management, global inventory management, accounting, CRM and marketing management, and supply chain management.
1. What is apparel management software?
Apparel management software is a specialized tool designed to help businesses in the fashion and retail industry manage various aspects of their operations, including inventory, sales, order fulfillment, production, and accounting.
2. Why is inventory management important in the apparel industry?
Inventory management is crucial in the apparel industry because it helps businesses avoid stockouts and overstock situations, which can lead to lost sales and increased costs. Effective inventory management ensures optimal stock levels, improving profitability and customer satisfaction.
3. How does apparel management software benefit businesses?
Apparel management software benefits businesses by streamlining operations, reducing manual processes, providing real-time data, improving inventory accuracy, enhancing customer relationship management, and supporting scalability as the business grows.
4. What features should I look for in apparel management software?
Key features to look for include inventory management, order fulfillment, production tracking, size and color matrix management, accounting integration, CRM capabilities, and advanced reporting and analytics.
5. Can apparel management software integrate with other business systems?
Yes, many apparel management software solutions offer integrations with other business systems such as ERP, accounting software, e-commerce platforms, and CRM tools. This allows for seamless data flow and improved operational efficiency.
6. What are some popular apparel management software products?
Popular apparel management software products include NetSuite ERP, AIMS360 Fashion ERP, YourFit by 3DLOOK, Openbravo Commerce Suite, ApparelMagic, and Gerber YuniquePLM.
7. How does virtual fitting technology like YourFit by 3DLOOK work?
Virtual fitting technology like YourFit by 3DLOOK allows customers to create 3D models of their bodies using front and side photos. This technology provides precise fit and size recommendations and a virtual try-on experience, helping customers find the right clothing size and reducing return rates.
8. How can apparel management software improve customer satisfaction?
Apparel management software can improve customer satisfaction by ensuring accurate inventory levels, providing timely order fulfillment, offering personalized customer experiences, and reducing return rates through better size and fit recommendations.
9. Is apparel management software suitable for small businesses?
Yes, there are apparel management software solutions tailored for small and medium-sized businesses. These solutions offer scalable plans and features that cater to the specific needs and budget constraints of smaller businesses.
10. How do I choose the right apparel management software for my business?
To choose the right apparel management software, consider your business’s specific needs, such as the size of your inventory, the complexity of your operations, integration requirements, and budget. Evaluate different software options based on these criteria and consider requesting demos or free trials to test their capabilities.
