In the fast-paced fashion industry, speed-to-market is everything. Consumers expect new trends to be available quickly, and delays in production can mean lost sales and increased costs. Brands that rely on manual processes, spreadsheets, and disconnected teams often struggle with miscommunication, errors, and inefficiencies that slow down development.

A Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system like KOBO centralizes all product data, streamlines workflow collaboration, and reduces time-to-market by eliminating bottlenecks in design, sourcing, and production. This guide will explore how PLM technology improves efficiency, reduces costs, and accelerates product launches, with real-world examples of brands that have successfully adopted PLM to stay competitive in an on-demand market.

Why Time-to-Market Matters in Fashion

Fashion operates on tight seasonal calendars, and missing deadlines can result in:

• Lost revenue – Late product launches mean missing key shopping seasons.

• Increased production costs – Rush orders and expedited shipping drive up expenses.

• Stock imbalances – Late arrivals disrupt inventory planning, leading to overstock or sellouts.

• Competitive disadvantage – Brands that launch quickly gain an edge over slower competitors.

  
  

How a PLM System Accelerates Time-to-Market

A PLM system integrates design, sourcing, production, and supply chain teams into a single digital platform, reducing delays caused by miscommunication and manual tracking.

1. Centralized Data Management

Without PLM:

• Design teams store sketches in Illustrator, tech packs in PDFs, and material lists in spreadsheets.

• Factories receive incomplete or outdated information, causing errors in sampling and production.

  
  

With PLM:

• All product data is stored in one place, ensuring that teams work with real-time, accurate information.

• Tech packs, fabric specs, and production timelines are linked and automatically updated across departments.

  
  

Example:

A mid-sized streetwear brand reduced its sampling errors by 40% after adopting KOBO PLM, ensuring that manufacturers always worked with the latest approved designs.

2. Faster Sample Development & Approval

Sampling delays can extend lead times by weeks or even months if multiple revisions are needed. PLM simplifies the process by:

• Tracking sample status in real time – Teams can monitor fabric approval, fit comments, and adjustments in one system.

• Automating approval workflows – Stakeholders can approve changes digitally, eliminating back-and-forth emails.

• Comparing sample iterations side by side – Ensures previous errors are not repeated.

  
  

Example:

A luxury womenswear brand reduced its sample-to-production timeline by 30% by implementing KOBO PLM, which allowed design teams to collaborate instantly with suppliers, leading to faster approval cycles.

3. Improved Supplier Communication & Sourcing Efficiency

Traditional sourcing relies on emails and spreadsheets, leading to lost information and version control issues. PLM streamlines supplier interactions by:

• Allowing vendors to upload material swatches, costs, and lead times directly into the system.

• Automating purchase order tracking to ensure raw materials arrive on schedule.

• Providing instant visibility on material availability, avoiding last-minute substitutions.

  
  

Example:

A sustainable fashion startup cut sourcing time by 35% by using KOBO PLM’s supplier portal, where vendors directly updated material lead times, reducing the risk of unexpected delays.

4. Reduced Production Errors & Delays

Production setbacks often stem from miscommunication, outdated files, and incomplete tech packs. PLM minimizes these risks by:

• Ensuring factories have real-time access to accurate tech packs and construction details.

• Tracking real-time production progress to identify delays early.

• Integrating quality control checklists to standardize inspections and prevent defects.

  
  

Example:

An athleisure brand reduced factory defects by 25% after adopting KOBO PLM’s quality control tracking, which provided standardized measurement charts and inspection reports to all manufacturers.

5. Automated Task & Calendar Management

Managing a production timeline manually is error-prone and inefficient. PLM automates workflow tracking by:

• Assigning tasks to specific teams with due dates and notifications.

• Automating reminders for fabric orders, sample deadlines, and production start dates.

• Providing real-time Gantt charts to visualize timelines and dependencies.

  
  

Example:

A contemporary fashion label reduced production lead time by 20% after using KOBO PLM’s automated workflow tools, ensuring that no critical deadlines were missed.

Real-World Impact: How PLM Transformed Brands’ Production Workflows

Challenge Before PLM After PLM Sampling Delays 3+ sample rounds due to miscommunication 30% faster approval cycle with digital sample tracking Material Sourcing Emails and spreadsheets led to lost supplier data Centralized supplier tracking reduced sourcing time by 35% Production Errors Factories worked with outdated tech packs Real-time PLM access ensured accurate specifications, reducing defects by 25% Time-to-Market Average 8-month cycle Reduced to 5-6 months with automated task tracking

How KOBO PLM Helps Fashion Brands Stay Competitive

A PLM system like KOBO is essential for brands looking to optimize production and reduce time-to-market. Key benefits include:

• End-to-end workflow integration – Connects design, sourcing, production, and quality control in one platform.

• Real-time collaboration – Eliminates email chains by providing one centralized system for approvals and updates.

• Scalability – Supports growing brands by adapting to increased production needs without workflow breakdowns.

Why Fashion Brands Choose KOBO PLM

• Reduces lead times by up to 30%

• Cuts production errors by 25%

• Optimizes material sourcing, reducing procurement time by 35%

• Speeds up sample approvals, eliminating delays caused by manual tracking

Conclusion

In today’s fast-moving fashion landscape, a slow production process can put your brand at a disadvantage. By implementing a PLM system like KOBO, brands can accelerate product development, improve supplier coordination, and reduce costly errors—all leading to a faster time-to-market.

Next Steps:

• Book a demo of KOBO PLM to see how it streamlines your production workflow.

• Download our Time-to-Market Optimization Checklist.

• Learn how top fashion brands are using PLM to scale efficiently.