The Paris-based company has purchased Centric's Product Specification, Sourcing and Calendar Management modules. Longchamp will use the Centric 8 system to improve collaboration and productivity throughout its product development process, and maintain its high quality standards.

"With Centric 8, our teams can share key product and design information more rapidly, easily and accurately than ever," explains Sophie Delafontaine, Artistic Director at Longchamp. The improved data visibility for marketing, design, purchasing, quality and manufacturing will enable step-by-step tracking and follow up on product designs, components and samples throughout the entire product development process, "steps that are absolutely critical to delivering the quality products on which Longchamp's customers have come to depend."

Selection Process

Longchamp chose Centric after careful research and evaluation, according to Delafontaine. She notes Centric's specialization in and understanding of the fashion market. "Longchamp valued a PLM system that is designed specifically for companies in the fashion and consumer goods industries," she explains. "With multiple seasons each year, and several operating groups simultaneously working on product development in tight timeframes, we needed a solution that centralizes all design information. Centric meets all those needs."

Centric's web-based system is exceptionally easy to learn and use and will integrate to Longchamp's ERP system, Delafontaine adds. Another factor in the Longchamp decision was the thorough understanding of fashion industry business processes displayed by the Centric team. "We know exactly with whom we'll be working at Centric," stresses Delafontaine, "and we know that each member of the team is committed to Longchamp's success."

"With Centric 8, Longchamp's team can concentrate more on the creative processes that enable them to deliver desirable, high quality products to their markets, and less on administrative tasks," says Chris Groves, president and CEO of Centric Software. "Longchamp realized that not all PLM systems are designed to meet the specific needs of the fashion industry," states Groves. "An easy-to-use, rapidly implemented PLM system like Centric's will speed product lines to market, help reduce costs, and improve the effectiveness of valuable product managers and other personnel. We're pleased to welcome Longchamp as a Centric customer and are confident of the success we will share together."

Longchamp was founded in Paris in 1948 by Jean Cassegrain, and the company is still owned and run by the Cassegrain family. Diversified into luggage, handbags and accessories, Longchamp has asserted its fashion credentials with high-profile advertising campaigns, the creation of internationally desirable It-bags and the launch of a complete ready-to-wear collection.