Navigating Apparel and Footwear Costing Through Software Integration

The apparel and footwear industry's finished goods costing process is complex, involving various factors like materials, labor, overheads, transportation, and tariffs. The role of software like the ABS apparel erp solution in this process is increasingly crucial, as it significantly affects pricing strategies for customers, profit margins, and competitive positioning in the market. Here's how software is integral in tracking and managing these costs:

Material Costs 

Material costs are a significant component, including fabrics, threads, buttons, zippers, soles, and other raw materials. Prices of these materials vary based on quality, quantity, and market fluctuations. Costing software can track these variations, helping businesses make informed purchasing decisions and manage inventory more effectively.

Labor Costs 

Labor costs account for wages paid to workers. These costs vary based on the production facility's location. Software solutions can aid in analyzing labor costs across different locations, allowing for strategic decision-making regarding manufacturing locations and balancing considerations of cost, quality, and ethical labor practices.

Manufacturing Overheads 

Manufacturing overheads include equipment maintenance, utilities, factory rent, and supervisory staff salaries. Software plays a critical role in efficiently managing these overheads, providing insights into areas where costs can be reduced without compromising product quality.

Transportation and Logistics

Transportation and logistics are significant, especially in a globalized supply chain. Software helps manage these costs by optimizing shipping routes, choosing cost-effective shipping methods, and tracking shipments to reduce delays and additional costs.

Tariffs, Taxes, and Compliance 

Software assists in managing tariffs and taxes imposed on imported goods, ensuring compliance with trade regulations and tax structures in various countries. This is crucial in accurately determining the final cost of finished products.

Challenges and Software Solutions in Cost Management

Fluctuating Raw Material Prices

Software helps mitigate the risk of fluctuating raw material prices through features like strategic sourcing, hedging, and contract management.

Labor Cost Variability

Software solutions aid in labor cost management, offering insights into potential automation and manufacturing diversification strategies.

Overhead Reduction

Investing in technology and implementing software for lean manufacturing practices can effectively reduce overhead costs.

Global Supply Chain Complexity

Sophisticated software solutions are needed for global supply chain management, addressing compliance, transportation delays, and customs regulations.

Software-Driven Costing Methods

1. Landed Cost Method

Software solutions encompass all business costs up to the point of sale, including production, transportation, handling, and customs. This method is essential for setting retail prices and ensuring all costs are accounted for in pricing strategies.

2. Weighted Average Cost Method 

This software method determines the cost of goods sold and ending inventory value by calculating a weighted average unit cost, beneficial for businesses with large inventories.

3. Standard Costing 

Software for standard costing assigns predetermined costs to each business production unit, serving as a benchmark for actual costs and aiding in identifying variances and inefficiencies.

Leveraging Costing and More with Apparel Business Systems (ABS) Software

ABS software solutions offer a centralized and flexible platform for managing all aspects of apparel and footwear industry operations, including costing. 

Features for raw material, production, and finished goods costing provide a complete picture of product costs. This integration of web-based ABS software systems in costing processes is pivotal for apparel and footwear companies, impacting financial statements, pricing strategies, inventory management, and overall profitability and success with customers. Accurate ABS software-driven costing methods enable fashion and apparel industry brands to price their products competitively, ensuring profitability and sustainability in a competitive business market.

ABS is an industry leader in providing reliable system and support solutions designed for apparel and footwear company efficiency. Whatever costing method you develop and no matter the level of complexity of your apparel organization demands, the ABS team is here to help your company employees optimize their time and operations. Let's have a brief chat so you can discover why the future of your business should start with ABS. 

Contact us today!  info@apparelbusiness.com