50% Global Top Apparel and Footwear Brands Participating at 2010 Prime Source Forum Utilizing Dassault Systèmes' PLM Solutions

HONG KONG - Dassault Systèmes continues to dominate the market for apparel PLM solutions with 50 percent of the global top apparel and footwear brands participating at the 2010 Prime Source Forum (PSF) utilizing the company’s software to meet the production demands of today’s apparel industry. As a major sponsor of one of world’s largest AFA (Apparel, Footwear, Accessories) exhibitions, Dassault Systèmes will showcase its world leading PLM solutions and share best practices adopted by some of the leading global brands.

“With years of experience working closely with major apparel and footwear brands around the world, we have built a deep understanding of what our customers need,” said Susan Olivier, Director of Industry Market Development, Retail, Footwear and Apparel, Dassault Systèmes ENOVIA. “Our apparel industry solution is dedicated to enabling the fastest track from concept to rack for our customers around the world. Our goal is to help apparel and footwear companies create consumer-centric products in better, faster and smarter ways to combat fierce competition, tackle profit pressures and address changing consumer preferences.”

More and more progressive companies in the fashion industry are relying on PLM solutions to effectively manage thrusts coming from the market in order to have higher chances of market success. According to AMR Research’s latest report regarding top technology trends in the apparel market, 68% of the apparel companies surveyed plan to introduce new products or categories to support future growth goals, while 42% are seeking international expansion. The report indicated that apparel and footwear companies need to consider integrated PLM applications that can “improve precision and efficiency in planning new product offerings with a broader and more diverse supplier base,” as well as “assortment management offerings that can incorporate visualizations and analytics.”*

Dassault Systèmes ENOVIA technology provides the core of the DS V6 platform, a single platform with industry specific solution for retail, footwear and apparel manufacturers and their supply chains. ENOVIA V6 enables online communities to collaborate on a “single version of the truth” in managing apparel development and related business processes globally. Major apparel and footwear brands that have adopted Dassault Systèmes’ PLM solutions include Gucci, Guess, adidas, GAP, REI, Pacific Brands, New Balance and Under Armour. These global fashion leaders are using DS solutions to enhance competitiveness in the global apparel market. Dassault Systèmes’ offer includes the ENOVIA Apparel Accelerator™ for Design and Development and the ENOVIA Apparel Accelerator™ for Sourcing and Production for a unique end to end offer. These accelerators enable companies to rapidly deploy a state-of-the-art, scalable enterprise solution for apparel design and development to take products from trend to design, sourcing, manufacturing and to the customer.

Prime Source Forum is an international platform for senior management from across the globe to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the production and sale of the AFA industry.

*Source: Top Technology Trends in the Apparel Market: The Third Annual Apparel Research Study and Analysis, by David Aquino, Janet Suleski, and Janet Sherlock, April 2009, AMR Research