From Challenges to Solutions – Research the Right PLM

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After identifying the challenges slowing teams down, the next step is to research what the right PLM solution looks like. The right PLM fuels growth, agility and profitability across the value chain.

The landscape for PLM has changed dramatically within the past few years. Brands face rising tariffs, unpredictable sourcing costs, accelerated product cycles and the rapid adoption of AI-driven tools across design, merchandising and sourcing. Many legacy systems weren’t built to handle this level of volatility, complexity or speed.

Modern PLM platforms like Centric PLM™, unify data and align teams and vendors and automate manual work. With AI-driven insights and tariff modeling in real time, they turn complexity into faster, smarter decisions.

Know what to look for in a solution. Take these 5 steps into consideration:

Step 1: Define company growth objectives

The starting point is to define growth priorities. More SKUs? International expansion? Private label? Wholesale? Each path carries unique requirements, often complex and adaptive. Across priorities, growth-oriented companies demand:

Real-time visibility into product data
Automated workflows that reduce manual work
Seamless collaboration across teams and vendors
Compliance and sustainability tracking built-in
Cloud accessibility for distributed teams

Step 2: Compare legacy vs. modern PLM

When evaluating solutions, it is important to be realistic about where legacy PLM falls short:

Feature	Centric PLM	Legacy PLM
Real-time collaboration	✅ Cloud-native, always on	❌ Limited, siloed
Data integration	✅ Seamless with ERP, PIM, DAM	❌ Slow, expensive
BOM creation	✅ 50% faster with templates	❌ Manual, error-prone
Spreadsheet reliance	✅ 93% reduction	❌ Heavy reliance
Go-live success	✅ 100%	❌ Risk of failure/delays
Scalability	✅ Modules added as companies grow	❌ Rigid, costly upgrades

Reality Check: Brands relying on outdated PLM systems struggle to keep up with faster trend cycles, growing compliance standards and pressure to do more with less.

Step 3: Identify the right partner

Selecting a PLM provider goes beyond the software. The right partnership strengthens collaboration, accelerates adoption and drives long-term growth. Here’s what to look for:

Proven expertise: Centric PLM serves fashion, footwear, outdoor, home goods and more
Ease of implementation: Simple setup with minimal IT expertise required, delivering accelerated time-to-value.
Useradoption: Centric PLM consistently earns the highest satisfaction rates in the market
Continuous innovation: Multiple yearly releases ensure the platform evolves alongside company needs

Step 4: Focus on ROI

What’s the ultimate goal of any PLM implementation? A positive return on investment (ROI)? Therefore, asking potential vendors for real-time metrics is the best vetting approach (instead of relying on vague promises).

With Centric PLM, customers achieved:

$1M annual savingsthrough fewer errors and faster decisions
174% increase in styles launched with the same headcount
40% fewer spreadsheets cluttering product workflows
50% faster BOM creation through reusable templates
Up to 60% faster time to market – Read

Over 20,000+ brands bring their products to market with Centric Software Solutions with proven outcomes.

Step 5: Align technology with strategy

A modern PLM platform delivers ROI far beyond data management. Centric PLM drives measurable impact by linking technology directly to strategic goals.

Boost User Productivity: Eliminate manual work and version confusion with one digital workspace
Accelerate Speed to Market: Streamline samples, approvals and product launches to protect margins
Improve Margins: Gain early visibility into costs and sourcing for smarter decisions
Cut Operational Costs: Replace disconnected tools, reduce errors and simplify compliance
Scale with confidence: Expand product lines and markets without adding complexity

Centric PLM aligns day-to-day execution with long-term strategies by delivering tangible ROI – from higher productivity to stronger margins.

Moving Forward

The right PLM decision starts with recognizing the challenges and researching solutions. When evaluating options, remember, data alone isn’t enough. Achieving desired growth requires knowing how to use data and tools that transform information into actionable insights.

Centric PLM empowers teams to make faster product and sourcing decisions, launch on time and scale with sustainability in mind.

Take the next step – explore the ROI of PLM in the next mini guide

Understanding ROI: The Business Case for PLM