We have another scoop! Where we launched the first ERP-integrated Traceability solution for fashion brands early this summer, we are now introducing our own Digital Product Passport (DPP) that seamlessly complements this. The DPP module, which provides insight into the sustainability of products in a user-friendly way, will be available from December.
Stefan Methorst, CEO at Itsperfect, is proud of the journey ahead: “Our strength is all fashion solutions together in one system. We have been building on this for the past ten years and we keep taking it a step further, with modules that work together and provide overview, including in the area of sustainability. With our innovative DPP module you will soon be able to provide insight into your entire supply chain and present your brand to the consumer.
From turmoil to overview
The DPP, which will take effect in the European market from 2027, is one of the most complex pieces of legislation on the horizon. It requires brands to provide previously optional information about production and sustainability. Itsperfect, partner for more than 450 fashion companies worldwide, feels the unease among brands. Methorst: “There is still little clear about the passports, and yet brands are already being pressured to determine how they will comply with the new requirements. Itsperfect’s DPP tooling is designed to unburden those fashion companies so they can stay focused on their core business in the tangle of legislation and present the product journey to consumers with the right branding.
The module is easy to use on both mobile and desktop. With one click in the purchase order system you generate a unique QR code for on the label or hangtag. When consumers scan it, they are taken to the digital product passport with information such as the origin of materials, techniques used like embroidery or weaving, environmental impact, and the amount of recycled material. With sleek infographics and interactive icons all along the product journey. For example, you can click on the spinning section and see at a glance where this took place, what the fiber composition is, and whether sustainability certifications have been added.
Brands can specify how much product information they provide. Another important aspect of the tool, Methorst explains, is that it is built so that the styling can be tailored to the brand’s corporate identity, with a fashionable look and feel. “We make sure the design and look and feel are completely in line with the brand identity.
All in one
The market for DPP solutions is growing, but many third parties work manually and inefficiently – outside of brands’ existing software systems. According to Methorst, there is actually no time for that. After all, by 2027, every garment should already have a QR code or RFID and matching digital passport. ‘External parties work with time-consuming and costly ERP connections,’ he states. ‘The strength of what we do is one integrated software solution. As a result, we handle data much more efficiently.’
Underlying Itsperfect’s new DPP is the recently launched Traceability module. This is seamlessly integrated with the ERP system, which already contains much of the data required for the DPP. Methorst explains the advantage: ‘Because we already have the data, we can complete the links in the production process a lot faster than external parties.’ Input takes place at the material level, from brands and suppliers. ‘If you use a certain fabric for several articles, you only have to enter it once. We automatically feed the data into the other articles.’ You see the entire supply chain appear the moment you create a purchase order. With Itsperfect’s new DPP, that data will soon be easy to communicate to consumers.
Modular solution
Since 2013, Itsperfect has been developing its solutions according to the philosophy: everything in one system. Or as Methorst explains it: ultimately, all modules connect to each other. ‘You start with a PDM module in which you design items and record composition. Then you use Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) to keep track of the progress of your items and make sure that everything has been purchased properly and the right photos have been taken. The Sustainability module helps keep track of certifications. The Traceability module makes sure you know where materials come from and who processed them. And with the vendor portal, the supplier can not only download all item details, but now also fill in part of the supply chain. Ultimately, all this information is converted into a DPP that is available via a QR code on the product.’
Of course, it remains the brand’s responsibility to ensure that data is entered and maintained correctly in the system, but a software partner who thinks along with them can significantly speed up and simplify the process. ‘With our modular solutions, you chop up a big problem into pieces and process each step separately. That way you can manage data effectively, without having to start from scratch each time.’
The Digital Product Passport will be available in December, only in combination with Itsperfect’s ERP. Want to know more? Please feel free to contact our sales team on 0031 85 016 017 5.