Collection development (PLM)

Collection framework plan – plan strategically and develop creatively.

When creative product development converges with strategic collection management, this interaction is structured by the collection framework plan (CFP).
You can develop and define specifications for the next collection continuously in a multi-stage process in the collection framework plan – starting with a general idea and concluding with precise specifications for each shoe design. To do this, you can use the CFP dashboard to access information on trans-seasonal products, new variations of existing models and entirely new developments, so that you can incorporate all of this into your planning.

On the basis of parts lists, work schedules and planned numbers of pairs, you can easily calculate product costs and generate projections for operating income. Additionally sales figures from the last comparable season as well as projections and forecasts will help you to make decisions about material and capacity requirements, find the most appropriate production location, plan and coordinate workloads at the same time as make initial estimates about possible delivery dates.

As a result, the initial ideas for a model are transformed step by step into well-planned shoes that you can manufacture optimally and deliver on time.

Integrate CAD applications via defined interfaces.

cpa.ShoeFactory speaks the shoe development language! And defined interfaces between external systems and cpa.ShoeFactory enable you to exchange data for your models, the parts lists, tools and materials between the CAD system and cpa.ShoeFactory with only a few mouse clicks. This data is written into the corresponding processes in cpa.ShoeFactory and is therefore immediately available for further processing. You connect two systems simply by integrating your CAD data and, in doing so, increase your process speed.

Short product cycles – cross-locational collaboration.

Information procurement is easy with cpa.ShoeFactory. You can centralise all information on your collection so that product development teams can access a uniform database regardless of location and time zone. This cuts error rates and eliminates disruptive factors in the product development process which span all departments and locations.

The product lifecycle management functions also assist you to improve process flows so that, for example, superfluous changes in prototype and sample production are a thing of the past. You can immediately see where and at which development stage the shoe is at any given time and have a clear picture of all ongoing product developments. This transparency enables you to improve and shorten the lead times of your innovation cycles.

Calculation – be aware of costs early on.

Early knowledge of which shoe can be produced at which price is a key competitive advantage. Using data from past products as an experiential value, you will be able to calculate the cost of a new shoe at an early stage of the development process. This calculation can be site-specific or non-location-specific. cpa.ShoeFactory calculates the sales price and recommends prices, calculates transfer prices for shoes and their component parts so that you always have an insight into the current value of goods being shipped within the company. In addition to this, the cost calculation ensures the generation of sales-related price lists. So as to determine production process-induced price changes, such as costs related to a production site, the parts list or work schedules, the accompanying calculation gives you an overview of the cost status and the contribution margins of your shoes at any specific time.