Image Development Ltd

5 . Decision

Image Development Ltd had identified the main issues affecting their current business model. The first step was to tackle the issues of relaying specific instructions to both their offshore and (limited) Irish suppliers and maintaining a high level of quality control over this process. IDL identified specific software, capable of performing these tasks:

• Pattern Development software – Lectra - an off the shelf CAD (Computer Aided Design) package enabling the control and consistency of sizes and designs across factories with the ability to digitise existing patterns and create new designs. This software enabled the company to produce comprehensive patterns, grade them to individual sizes and mark them out on fabric markers, reducing wastage.
• Product Development Management (PDM) software – Style Manager – an off the shelf product detailing the manufacturing process including, bills of materials, costings, production logs and sizes.

The electronic file outputs from these two systems would be available to send directly to the manufacturer. In order to communicate with offshore plants IDL wanted to tie the two systems together with a web site allowing fast, secure and efficient communication.

To remain competitive and fulfil the requirement to improve communications with their customers, IDL decided to build a site allowing their customers secure access to their own private areas. This facility would enable information such as tailored reports known as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), detailing stock levels, size availability and back order listings to be instantly available online.

The next step was to look into the costings of this proposed solution. As an SME, the company had limited resources and in-house skills. IDL approached Enterprise Ireland in 2000 and applied for a grant from their eBusiness Acceleration Fund. With the promise of financial assistance the company decided to go ahead with the project.