UI
UX
Case Study
Inventory Fabric management solutions designed for garment companies
Leading them to systematically classify messy fabrics, bringing unprecedented efficiency and cost savings.
Duration
UI/UX
9-10 Weeks
User Group
Targeting garment companies suffering problems with management of fabric for long time
My Role
Concept
Research
Interface
Prototyping
Interaction
Reason For Buisness
"WeaveWare" is an innovative digital solution tailored for the fashion design industry. It aims to enhance inventory management by providing clear fabric categorization and real-time inventory updates. This will help to eliminate over-purchasing and wastage of resources, bringing an unprecedented level of efficiency and cost savings to fashion companies.
My Vision
"WeaveWare" will offer its services to garment companies through a subscription model. Customers will have the option to choose from various subscription levels, from basic inventory management to advanced data analysis and predictive features. Additionally, the platform will offer tailor-made services, such as fabric procurement advice and inventory optimization, as an extra source of revenue.
Operational Priorities
1.
Data Integration
2.
Clear Product Information Instructions
3.
Reduction of Excessive Waste
4.
Record and Description of Goods
Design Workflow
Empathize
Define
Ideation
Prototype
Test
Why
we Started?
The garment industry often struggles with inventory due to disorganized classification and outdated data, causing cost spikes and resource waste. We would like to develop an innovative platform that promises to cut expenses, streamline inventory, and expedite production for clothing companies.
Our analysis revealed that:
78% of retailers experience delayed inventory information updates, leading to at least a 15% loss in sales for 60% of these businesses due to not meeting customer demand accurately.
83% of garment manufacturers face difficulties with improperly categorized inventory, resulting in an average of 22% of their management time being inefficiently used.
inadequate data support affects 92% of businesses, leading to suboptimal decision-making and an estimated 30% of inventory investment wasted on unnecessary stock each yeaar.
Conduct
The Research
Facing the challenge of inventory management in the fashion industry, we conducted a research survey aimed at revealing the actual impact of issues such as inventory chaos and information lag, and seeking strategies for improvement.
Research survey One
Inventory Classification Efficiency Study Background
A study surveying 100 medium to large-sized garment manufacturers showed that 83% of companies reported their inventory classification systems were insufficient for effectively managing different types of fabrics and materials. This resulted in an average of 22% of inventory management time wasted on searching for and reclassifying fabrics.
Key Findings
Research survey Two
Inventory Information Update and Accuracy Background
A survey involving 150 garment retailers found that 78% of them faced problems with timely inventory information updates. This led to at least a 15% sales loss for 60% of retailers because they could not provide the inventory information needed by customers.
Key Findings
Research survey Three
Impact of Inventory Management on Decision Support Background
Through a survey of 200 garment companies of various sizes, it was found that 92% of management believed their inventory decision-making was impacted by insufficient data support, leading to lower decision-making efficiency. Specifically, an average of about 30% of inventory investment was wasted annually on unnecessary stock.
Key Findings
User
Research Survey
After the research data highlighted certain pain points, we conducted a user research survey. By carrying out in-depth interviews and studies with four companies of varying sizes, this will help us better understand the challenges faced by the industry.
Green Field Fashion Ltd.
Background
A mid-size retail chain specializing in sustainable and eco-friendly fashion products, offering everything from casual wear to formal office attire.
Pain Point
GreenField Fashion Ltd. struggles to track sustainable material inventory from multiple suppliers. The lack of an effective inventory management system makes it difficult to trace which products used certified eco-friendly materials, leading to damage to the brand image and decreased customer trust.Z
Starlight Fashion Design Studio
Background
A small high-end fashion design studio known for custom clothing designs and quality handcrafted work.
Pain Point
Starlight Fashion Design Studio faces challenges in managing inventory of high-value fabrics and limited edition adornments. Inefficient inventory management leads to high fabric waste and cost control issues, affecting the studio's profitability.
Vintage Heritage Fashion Boutique
Background
A boutique specializing in vintage and second-hand high-end fashion items. They curate classic clothing from history and offer repair and customization services.
Pain Point
Vintage Heritage Fashion Boutique faces unique inventory management challenges due to the highly personalized and irregular nature of their products. Without an effective tracking and management system, they struggle to accurately assess inventory value and to effectively plan purchasing and sales strategies.
Affinity Map
After studying the reports and conducting real user surveys, we categorized the issues for checking the complexity of inventory management comes from multiple perspectives and incorporated HMW thinking to help us consider the basic functions and strategies when developing "WeaveWare" next step.
Supply Chain Collaboration
How might we prevent over-purchasing and repetitive procurement?
How might we improve the turnover rate of inventory?
05
Information Update and Accuracy
How might we ensure inventory data is updated in real-time?
How might we reduce sales losses due to delayed information?
02
Product Diversity and Inventory Control
How might we effectively manage inventory in the face of product diversity?
How might we balance inventory variety with management difficulty?
08
Data Support and Decision-Making Efficiency
How might we reduce sales losses due to delayed information?
How might we ensure inventory data is updated in real-time?
04
Cost Control and Profitability
How might we improve profitability through effective inventory management?
How might we reduce extra expenses related to inventory?
06
Inventory Classification and Management
How might we precisely categorize fabrics?
How might we enhance the applicability of the inventory management system?
01
Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility
How might we improve profitability through effective inventory management?
How might we improve profitability through effective inventory management?
10
Customer Satisfaction and Market Response
How might we speed up our response to market changes?
How might we ensure inventory status meets customer needs?
07
Resource Optimization and Waste Reduction
How might we prevent over-purchasing and repetitive procurement?
How might we improve the turnover rate of inventory?
03
Technology Integration and System Upgrades
How might we prevent over-purchasing and repetitive procurement?
How might we prevent over-purchasing and repetitive procurement?
09
Insight
After insights from affinity mapping and HMW thinking, we identified four key insights as core solutions to key pain points going forward.
Insight #1
Inventory Classification and Management
Effective classification is lacking for different
types of fabrics, leading to disorganized
management.
Insight #2
Information Update and Accuracy
Inventory data is not updated in a timely
manner, failing to accurately reflect the
current stock status.
Insight #3
Resource Optimization and Waste Reduction
Poor management leads to repeated and
excessive fabric purchases.
Insight #4
Customer Satisfaction and Market Response
A lack of effective data support results in
inefficient inventory decision-making.
Competitive
Analysis
Based on our findings of key issues and decision-making difficulties, we have researched three existing inventory management systems for reference in our subsequent design:
Netstock
Strengths
Focuses on small to medium-sized businesses, implying it's tailored for ease of use and scalability.
Provides robust supply and demand planning, which could help with the precise inventory control and efficient resource management that your insights point towards.
Weaknesses
May not have the depth of features required for very large enterprises with extremely complex supply chains.
Smaller businesses with limited resources might find it challenging to maximize the tool’s full potential without adequate training.
Odoo
Strengths
Offers a comprehensive suite of business applications, suggesting strong integrations between inventory management and other business operations.
Scalability of the system means it could be useful for a business as it grows.
Weaknesses
The broad scope of the tool might make it complex and overwhelming for users primarily focused on inventory management.
Might require a significant investment in terms of setup and customization.
Cin7 Orderhive
Strengths
It’s a multi-channel solution, emphasizing the importance of unified inventory management across various selling platforms.
The centralized real-time tracking system can address the insight regarding the need for updated and accurate inventory information.
Weaknesses
May be overkill for businesses that do not operate on multiple sales channels.
Could be more expensive compared to simpler systems, which might be a barrier for smaller businesses.
Definitive
Solution
Based on an analysis of our competitors and the development focus points identified from our insights, we have devised solutions for four specific issues:
Inventory Classification Management
After taking a photo of the fabric, the classification system will automatically categorize it based on the fabric's color, organizing the inventory by type, color, supplier, and other attributes.
Information Update and Accuracy
This is a notification platform that will alert when fabric has not been updated or archived for over a month, informing users about how much fabric is outdated.
Resource Optimization and Waste Reduction
This feature will include an inventory trend analysis table displaying the most commonly used 10 types of fabrics recently, monthly inventory notifications, and newly added fabrics within the month.
Customer Satisfaction and Market Response Record
Every piece of fabric will have a usage record after use. This record is to inform designers about the market reaction to the fabric and customer satisfaction.
Information
Architecture
After analyzing the competitors above, I started thinking about what my design would look like and what functionality it would need. So I started settingthe architecture information
low-fidelity
With the Architecture information set up, I started creating my low-fidelity prototype about a version of the
website and phone
Website
IOS App
Design
system
After setting up the wireframe, I started designing. Through careful planning of color, design layout, and interactive elements, these designs will be used in subsequent high-fidelity graphics.
Usability
Testing
After the Low-Fi design was completed, I started drawing my Hi-Fi, and I started conducting my first version of user available testing. We found three results from usability test and made modifications.
Change 1
Layout Modification
The app's layout adjustment greatly improves users' ability to browse through various products quickly. These adjustments significantly enhance visual appeal and user accessibility within the app
Users found it unattractive and confusing. New layout enhances appeal, improves navigation, and boosts user satisfaction.
Before
The new layout is intuitive, convenient, and visually appealing, providing an engaging user experience.
After
Change 2
Layout changing
The layout adjustment makes it easier for users to browse various products quickly. And such adjustments significantly improve visual appeal and user availability
The website's layout was simple and lacked visual depth, with elements arranged in a basic structure.
Before
Following the layout overhaul, the feeds of available buyers now boast a dynamic and engaging design, facilitating easier navigation and enhancing user interaction.
After
Change 3
Upgrade Navigation with Bottom Bar
Prior to the modification, the bottom bar lacked appeal to users. However, post-change, it became visually appealing and garnered positive user feedback.
The bottom bar lacked visual appeal and failed to attract users' attention, resulting in suboptimal engagement and usability.
Before
After enhancing its aesthetics, the bottom bar became more convenient and appealing for users.
After
Propose
Solution
Based on an analysis of our competitors and the development focus points identified from our insights, we have devised
solutions for four specific issues:
Solution #1
Inventory Classification Management
After taking a photo of the fabric, the classification system will automatically categorize it based on the fabric's color, organizing the inventory by type, color, supplier, and other attributes.
Solution #2
Information Update and Accuracy
This is a notification platform that will alert when fabric has not been updated or archived for over a month, informing users about how much fabric is outdated.
Solution #3
Resource Optimization and Waste Reduction
This feature will include an inventory trend analysis table displaying the most commonly used 10 types of fabrics recently, monthly inventory notifications, and newly added fabrics within the month.
Solution #4
Customer Satisfaction and Market Response Record
Every piece of fabric will have a usage record after use. This record is to inform designers about the market reaction to the fabric and customer satisfaction.