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Marks & Spencer Partners with Optitex and First Insight

Posted on by VOV

Complementary Technologies Enhance Digital Product Development Capabilities for Marks & Spencer

PITTSBURGH, PA – November 5, 2020 – First Insight, Inc., the world’s leading technology company transforming how companies make product investment, pricing and marketing decisions, and Optitex, a leading provider of digital solutions for fashion and apparel, automotive, upholstery and industrial fabrics, today announced a collaboration with Marks & Spencer, one of the UK’s largest and most iconic retailers. Marks & Spencer is now able to leverage the combination of First Insight’s industry-leading digital product testing solution and Optitex’s 3D computer-aided design (CAD) software to better understand their customer, increase speed to market, support digital workflows, create sustainable sampling processes and reduce waste.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated and expedited a shift from high-touch to low-touch across every aspect of retail, including the product development process,” said Greg Petro, CEO of First Insight. “Our partnership with Optitex allows retailers like Marks & Spencer to digitize their product development cycle, which eliminates the need to create and traffic physical samples, host showroom visits and conduct in-store product testing—all of which are crucial capabilities not only during the Coronavirus outbreak, but also for long-term sustainability and efficiency.”

Marks & Spencer partners with Optitex and First Insight

Marks & Spencer has already been leveraging First Insight’s consumer-driven predictive analytics software solution to make design, buying and pricing decisions across categories that include apparel, lingerie, footwear, accessories, food, home and beauty. The platform has enabled the British multinational retailer to test tens of thousands of products across more than 50 departments and use that information to shape collections and assortments that meet customers’ desires and to offer those items at the right prices.

The retailer achieved successful results from new product testing using the First Insight solution and Optitex 2D CAD technology. Based on that success, Marks & Spencer has begun using 3D CAD visualizations in its product testing for a number of departments. The transition to 3D imagery has resulted in increased test completion rates and boosted respondents’ comments by 50%, providing richer product feedback to the company’s product development and merchant teams. The use of 3D CAD technology has also reduced cost and lead time in Marks & Spencer’s product development process. Incorporating digital solutions can reduce lead time from 24 weeks to 3 weeks for retailers, allowing them to increase their speed-to-market and their margins.

“We’re pleased to be integrating our technology with the First Insight platform to help Marks & Spencer and other companies achieve digital transformation,” said Amit Ben-Sheffer, VP of Products at Optitex. “In the product development process, 3D CAD images provide a more realistic visualization of how a finished product will look, which means the feedback consumers provide through First Insight’s platform is more reliable and useful. It also reduces the need for physical samples and enables virtual line planning and virtual fit testing.”

Marks & Spencer partners with Optitex and First Insight

“We are excited to continue our relationship with First Insight and Optitex as we transition our strategy to a more digital product development-focused model,” said Elaine Wheeler, Head of Digital Product Development at Marks & Spencer. “Our customers are at the heart of everything we do. We’ve put customer-focused digital innovation at the heart of our business, and this partnership will allow us to bring winning products that our customers truly want to market more quickly and sustainably.”

Learn More about the First Insight – Optitex – M&S Collaboration

Download a full recording of our recent webinar in Optitex’s Fall/Winter Webinar Series: Predicting the Future with 3D & First Insight to learn more about how to quickly generate print and color variations with Optitex 3D Design Illustrator, and how M&S is using 3D assets for pre-market online testing with First Insight’s predictive analytics solution.

To learn more about how Marks & Spencer is leveraging their partnership with Optitex and First Insight, register for free to attend PI Apparel NY & Supply Chain on 9 November 2020 at 11:40am ET for the presentation “The Art of the Possible: Unleashing the Power of 3D Digital Design” with Teresa Ayling, Digital Product Development Manager at Marks & Spencer.

About First Insight, Inc.
First Insight is one of the world’s leading Experience Management (XM) platforms that empowers companies to incorporate the Voice of the Customer into the design, pricing, planning and marketing of products and service offerings. Through the use of online consumer engagement tools, the First Insight platform gathers real-time consumer data and applies predictive analytic models to create actionable insights, which drive measurable value. Customers include some of world’s leading vertically integrated brands, sporting goods companies, department stores, consumer products companies, mass merchant retailers and wholesalers. For further information, please visit www.firstinsight.com.

About Optitex
Optitex is a global software provider of integrated 2D-3D computer-aided design (CAD) solutions for fashion & apparel, automotive, upholstery and industrial fabrics. We digitally streamline design, development and production throughout the supply chain, enabling efficient workflows and quick response to market demands. Informed by over three decades of experience and a growing base of 30,000 users, our innovative solutions are highly accurate, sustainable and cost-effective. We offer brands, retailers and manufacturers a one-vendor solution for delivering high-quality products on demand and on budget. To learn more about Optitex, visit www.optitex.com.

About Marks and Spencer
Marks and Spencer (M&S) is a leading retailer in the United Kingdom and internationally, with over 1,500 stores spanning 62 countries across the world. M&S is renowned for its high quality ranges of own-label food, clothing and home products, which it sells both in its stores and online across its 44 websites globally.  

Media Contact:
Berns Communications Group
Stacy Berns/Michael McMullan
sberns@bcg-pr.com/mmcmullan@bcg-pr.com

First Insight Contact:
Gretchen Jezerc
SVP of Marketing
gretchen.jezerc@firstinsight.com

Optitex Contact:
Talia Rimon
Head of Marketing
talia.rimon@optitex.com

Optitex partners with Daz 3D

Posted on by VOV

Taking the digital collection showcase to the next level

Tel Aviv, Israel, July 1, 2020 – Optitex®, global provider of integrated end-to-end 2D & 3D CAD/CAM software solutions for the fashion and apparel industry, today announced its integration with Daz3D, a renowned 3D character and avatar software suite and digital marketplace. This partnership will provide Optitex 3D users access to Daz3D’s 5 million smart-content assets, including top-of-the-line 3D characters, enabling them to showcase and share visually appealing collections with teams, buyers, vendors, and marketers.

Daz3D’s digital marketplace offers hobbyists and professionals tens of thousands of 3D products with millions of inter-compatible 3D assets allowing users to make photo-realistic characters.

Optitex customers over the world benefit from a rich suite of DAZ3d avatars, including scanned avatars

Optitex customers over the world benefit from a rich suite of avatars, including scanned avatars. Powered by a robust avatar editor, users can customize avatars to meet their needs, easily adjusting morphs, adding accessories, and visualizing garments in various sizes and poses.

Click here to learn how it works and follow the video below.

Acknowledging the growing need for fashion and apparel companies to market and sell online, Optitex looked to expand its avatar range and creative freedom and sought after a strong avatar provider who would enable designers to showcase digital garments on advanced, high-end detailed avatars, to management, buyers, and online consumers.

Optitex partners with DAZ 3d

Recognized over the world for its cutting-edge avatars and complementary assets, Daz3D was the perfect fit. With the latest Optitex version O/19.5 released at end of March 2020, Optitex customers are able to use Daz3D avatars directly within Optitex pattern making solution. This enables them to deliver exceptional high-quality, high-precision digital garments to all stakeholders in the supply chain, strengthening their commitment to the 3D ecosystem, and further supporting sustainability by creating true-to-life models and garments.

Optitex customers over the world benefit from a rich suite of DAZ3d avatars, including scanned avatars

“We are pleased to be the solution of choice for Optitex customers, giving them the content they need to impressively exhibit their digital garment designs,” said Daz3D Chief Revenue Officer, Steve Spencer. “We believe that our 3D avatars – real-life-like models, matched with our rich library of associated content, will give Optitex customers measurable added-value, helping to make their design process fast, easy, and even more realistic.”

Amit Ben-Sheffer, VP Products at Optitex, commented, “We believe in giving our customers a real competitive edge, to help them achieve and maintain their leading positions in the fashion industry. With Daz3D avatars as part of the design process, we’re putting our customers one step ahead of the competition, so they can easily mix, match, blend and transform their designs into attractive, true-to-life garments. Daz3D has helped enhanced our solutions offering today, and we’re excited to see what the future will bring to our customers.”

About Daz3D

Daz3D is a software suite for creating your own high-resolution 3D stills and animations while building professional quality 3D scenes. Founded in 2000, Daz3D’s digital marketplace offers hobbyists and professionals tens of thousands of 3D products with over five million inter-compatible 3D assets for Daz Studio and other 3D applications. Daz 3D has created the most artist-friendly digital marketplace, paying nearly $100 million to its global network of contributing artists. With over 2.5 million downloads, Daz continues to drive efforts at the forefront of digital identity and expression. For more information on Daz3D, visit www.daz3d.com.

About Optitex

Optitex is a global software provider of integrated 2D-3D computer-aided design (CAD) solutions for fashion & apparel, automotive, upholstery and industrial fabrics. Our solutions digitally streamline design, development and production throughout the supply chain, enabling efficient workflows and quick response to market demands. Optitex offers brands, retailers and manufacturers a one-vendor solution for delivering high-quality products on demand and on budget. Backed by over three decades of experience and a growing base of 30,000 users, our innovative solutions are highly accurate, sustainable and cost-effective. To learn more about Optitex, visit www.optitex.com.

Optitex partners with DAZ 3d

Optitex partners with zipper manufacturer YKK

Posted on by VOV

The collaboration will help speed the production process and increase accuracy

Tel Aviv, Israel – 18 May 2020 – Optitex®, a leading provider of digital solutions for fashion and apparel, automotive, upholstery and industrial fabrics, today announced its collaboration with the YKK Group, one of the world’s leading zipper manufacturers. YKK® products are available to Optitex users since recent version O/19.5.

Shirt with YKK zip 3d cloth design software

Optitex customers will now be able to easily access and embed YKK 3D images from YKK’s rich library of fastening products in their 3D models and enjoy the visual standards and rendering precision of YKK products. In addition, having the zipper data embedded in their design will enable customers to track the zipper model all the way to sourcing and inventory management later in the production process. This partnership will help fashion and apparel companies to create more accurate digital models of their products, collaborate more efficiently, get to market faster, and reduce production errors.

”We are thrilled by the incorporation of our high-quality zippers into Optitex’s design process,” said Takashi Tsukumo, Vice President, YKK Corporation Global Marketing Group. “We’re proud that our partnership will deliver a sustainable and smarter workflow, saving our joint customers time and money.”

Amit Ben-Sheffer, VP Products at Optitex, said, “We are continuously striving to expand our fashion and apparel toolset. The collaboration with YKK, a leading industry vendor, enriches our users’ options and supports the level of detail and precision we are committed to delivering from design to production.”

About YKK

Since the company’s founding in Tokyo in 1934, YKK has continuously set industry standards for quality, service, value, and innovation in the production of zippers, plastic hardware, hook and loop fasteners, webbing tapes, and snap and buttons. With integrated production and supply systems in 72 countries and regions around the world, YKK is positioned to meet the needs of the textile and sewing product industries as they increasingly diversify and require shorter product cycles. Guided by the CYCLE OF GOODNESS® philosophy – no one prospers without rendering benefit to others – YKK aims to contribute to a sustainable society through its products and manufacturing operations and constantly seeks new ways to serve the changing needs of its customers while at the same time investing in its employees and giving back to its communities.

About Optitex

Optitex is a global software provider of integrated 2D-3D computer-aided design (CAD) solutions for fashion & apparel, automotive, upholstery and industrial fabrics. We digitally streamline design, development and production throughout the supply chain, enabling efficient workflows and quick response to market demands. Informed by over three decades of experience and a growing base of 30,000 users, our innovative solutions are highly accurate, sustainable and cost-effective. We offer brands, retailers and manufacturers a one-vendor solution for delivering high-quality products on demand and on budget. To learn more about Optitex, visit www.optitex.com.

Optitex Acquired by FOG Software Group, a Division of Constellation Software, Inc.

Posted on by VOV

Optitex will operate independently, benefit from long-term business continuity and stability, and continue to innovate its market-leading solutions

Tel Aviv, Israel – April 17, 2020 – Optitex®, a global provider of integrated 2D & 3D CAD/CAM software solutions for the fashion and apparel, automotive, upholstery and industrial fabrics industries, today announced its recent acquisition by FOG Software Group (“FOG”), a division of Constellation Software, Inc. [TSX:CSU].

Optitex will continue to operate as an independent company within FOG, and will revert to its historic “Optitex” name and brand, allowing the company the strategic and operational freedom to focus on the unique and specific needs of its users. Optitex will continue to innovate its products, expand its suite of software solutions and services, and directly support its customers worldwide.

With Constellation Software’s long term strategy to acquire, build and retain companies, Optitex will benefit from Constellation’s additional strategic support. Having completed over 500 acquisitions, Constellation Software brings a robust set of business best practices and investment strength to its portfolio companies to ensure their steady and continuous growth.

“This acquisition provides significant added-value to Optitex, its customers and partners. While retaining independence of business operations, we reinforce our strong commitment to innovative product development,” said Amir Lehr, CEO of Optitex. “This investment also shows a tremendous vote of confidence in both our team, and our technology, particularly in these challenging times. Optitex expects to achieve lasting business stability supported by Constellation’s long-term vision, and further benefit from Constellation’s financial support, networking opportunities and well-honed management best practices.”

“We are excited to enter the 3D digital design space and impressed with the product and market vision of the Optitex team. With our historic investment in similar companies in this market this reinforces our commitment to the segment and we are very pleased to add Optitex to the FOG family,” said Sandy Scott, FOG Software Group Portfolio Manager for Retail and Textile Technologies. “We look forward to supporting continued product innovation to create value for customers around the world.”

About FOG Software Group

Deerfield, IL-based FOG Software Group is a division of Toronto-based Vela Software and Constellation Software, Inc. [TSX:CSU]. The companies acquire, manage, and build software companies in a variety of vertical markets. By helping their acquired companies improve operations, grow through organic initiatives, and seek additional acquisitions that can strengthen their market position, their portfolio companies become clear leaders in their industries. For more information, visit www.fogsoftwaregroup.com.

About Optitex

Optitex is a global software provider of integrated 2D-3D computer-aided design (CAD) solutions for fashion & apparel, automotive, upholstery and industrial fabrics. We digitally streamline design, development and production throughout the supply chain, enabling efficient workflows and quick response to market demands. Informed by over three decades of experience and a growing base of 30,000 users, our innovative solutions are highly accurate, sustainable and cost-effective. We offer brands, retailers and manufacturers a one-vendor solution for delivering high-quality products on demand and on budget. To learn more about Optitex, visit www.optitex.com.

Rapha Gets on the Fast Track with
Optitex 3D

Posted on by VOV

Renowned cycling clothing manufacturer boosts creativity and productivity with intuitive, easy-to-use 3D digital design tools

FREMONT, Calif., March 30, 2020 – EFI™ Optitex®, Electronics For Imaging’s global provider of integrated end-to-end 2D and 3D CAD/CAM software solutions for the fashion and apparel industry, today announced its agreement with Rapha® Racing Ltd., one of the world’s top cycling clothing manufacturers. Through the agreement, Rapha purchased EFI Optitex 3D solutions to enhance its design and production workflow.

Founded in 2004, London-based Rapha’s cycling clothing collections are globally recognized for redefining comfort, performance, and style for cyclists from beginners to WorldTour professionals. Rapha’s mission is to make cycling the most popular sport in the world. The company organizes and sponsors rides and events both within its global 15,000-strong members base known as the Rapha Cycling Club, and for the general public. Rapha has been working with the world’s best athletes for many years and currently partners with the women’s UCI WorldTour team, CANYON//SRAM and the men’s WorldTour team EF Education First® Pro Cycling.

Rapha Gets on the Fast Track with EFI Optitex 3D

With Rapha’s commitment to excellence, accelerating design processes and implementing advanced digital solutions, adding EFI Optitex 3D was the next logical step in ensuring the delivery of high-quality products, on time and on budget.

EFI Optitex partnered with Rapha to boost the clothing manufacturer’s overall efficiency, enabling Rapha to gain a real competitive edge in the industry. The company first implemented EFI Optitex 2D solutions, and more recently augmented the software with EFI Optitex 3D solutions to integrate 3D digital design and prototyping into Rapha’s workflows. Rapha is currently participating in training and onboarding to implement EFI Optitex 3D Pattern Design Software (PDS) with photorealistic renderings and the 3D Design Illustrator (3DDI) plugin.

Rapha Gets on the Fast Track with EFI Optitex 3D

Today, Rapha is primed and ready to grow and embrace the power of an integrated 2D-3D workflow. With EFI Optitex 3D, Rapha will benefit from significant savings in sample production time and make quick adoption decisions. The company will be able to showcase true-to-life virtual samples within hours and work with a single digital asset, eliminating manual steps in the design-development process.

“We chose Optitex 2D as our pattern cutting solution because of its intuitive, easy-to-use tools and functionalities, and its insight into implementing EFI Optitex 3D down the road, to serve as a single solution in helping us to reduce samples through fit assessment early in the process,” said Rapha Head of Atelier Claudine Rousseau. “What’s more, investing in 3DDI will greatly help our graphics team to visualize graphic applications, and facilitate a more experimental approach. It will also minimize errors in communication with our vendors, saving time and costs.”

Rousseau added, “We are keen to work with EFI Optitex as a long-term partner to take innovative digital solutions forward, as we strive to maintain our reputation as a leading cyclewear brand.”

EFI Optitex General Manager Amir Lehr commented, “As an amateur cyclist and an avid customer of Rapha, I’ve learned to appreciate the functional fit, care for details and meticulous design Rapha provides. We share the objective of accelerating concept-to-delivery and customization while maintaining strict quality control enabled by digitizing the workflow, today, and well into the future.”

About Rapha

Rapha was established in 2004 to address a need for stylish, high performance cycling clothing. It now provides products for every cyclist and continues to push the boundaries of innovation in cycle wear. Alongside this, Rapha has cultivated a global community of passionate riders who come together as members of the Rapha Cycling Club (RCC), the largest club of its kind in the world. Rapha’s retail model and unique brand values come to life in its many rides and events and global network of Clubhouses that combine retail, cafes and cycling culture all under the same roof. For more information, visit www.rapha.cc/rd/en.

Rapha Gets on the Fast Track with EFI Optitex 3D

About EFI Optitex

EFI Optitex is a global software provider of integrated 2D-3D computer-aided design (CAD) solutions for fashion & apparel, automotive, upholstery and industrial fabrics. Our solutions digitally streamline design, development and production throughout the supply chain, enabling efficient workflows and quick response to market demands. EFI Optitex offer brands, retailers and manufacturers a one-vendor solution for delivering high-quality products on demand and on budget. Backed by over three decades of experience and a growing base of 30,000 users, our innovative solutions are highly accurate, sustainable and cost-effective. To learn more about EFI Optitex, visit www.optitex.com.

Rapha Gets on the Fast Track with EFI Optitex 3D

Fashion Enter Closes UK’s Skills Gap with Optitex 3D

Posted on by VOV

Leading fashion and textile industry training center
offers UK professionals hands-on experience with 3D digital design tools

FREMONT, Calif., February 26, 2020 – EFI™ Optitex®, Electronics For Imaging’s global provider of integrated end-to-end 2D & 3D CAD/CAM software solutions for the fashion and apparel industry, today announced its partnership with Fashion Enter Ltd., a UK training and technical skills development center for the fashion and textile industry, who implemented EFI Optitex 3D solutions into their course curriculum. 

FASHION ENTER CLOSES UK’S SKILLS GAP WITH EFI OPTITEX 3D

Established in 2006, London-based Fashion Enter Ltd. (FEL), is a veritable “all-in-one” technology hub for the fashion and textile industry, offering multiple training and technical skills development services, encompassing the entire design to production cycle. A not for profit, social enterprise, FEL also provides apprenticeships and adult learning at the ESFA and SEG approved technical centre supported by Haringey Council, Mayor’s Good Growth Fund and Asos.

FASHION ENTER CLOSES UK’S SKILLS GAP WITH EFI OPTITEX 3D

To help lay the foundation for the UK’s fashion and textile industry on its imminent journey towards digital transformation, FEL was determined to close the mounting skills gap in both industry and academia and offer UK professionals hands-on experience and exposure to 3D digital design tools. With a keen understanding of the market’s growing need for speed, flexibility and shifting demands, in September 2019, FEL selected EFI Optitex as their 3D technology partner. FEL sought after advanced 3D solutions that would enable them to implement innovative digital design courses, apprenticeships and bespoke training, including collaboration with leading fashion retailers, such as Marks & Spencer, ASOS, Next, and many others. 

FASHION ENTER CLOSES UK’S SKILLS GAP WITH EFI OPTITEX 3D

After a short but highly intensive training period FEL implemented EFI Optitex 3D into their design and production processes, including pattern design and 3D tools for design and fitting. Since its implementation only six months ago, FEL have already reaped the benefits of EFI Optitex 3D fully-digital design, from sampling and grading, through to production. During its preliminary implementation phase, EFI Optitex 3D will enable FEL to deliver a wide range of accredited 3D design courses and forge collaborations with new customers, a result of EFI Optitex 3D’s intuitive design tools, ease of use, and time and resource savings.

FASHION ENTER CLOSES UK’S SKILLS GAP WITH EFI OPTITEX 3D

“Fashion Enter strives to be a center of excellence in both quality garment manufacturing and skills training,” said FEL Founder and 35-year UK fashion industry expert, Jenny Holloway. “EFI Optitex has given us a strong and reliable 3D toolset, not only to maintain, but to strengthen our position as a leading UK training and technical skills provider.” Holloway added, “We welcome a long and mutually beneficial relationship with EFI Optitex, as we forge ahead to help bridge the digital divide in the UK’s fashion and textile industry.”

Amir Lehr, EFI Optitex General Manager, commented, “We are proud to support Fashion Enter’s objective to diminish the skills gap in our industry, and to help them consistently inspire the future of UK fashion. As an end-to-end 2D-3D technology partner, we strive to deliver quality solutions that enable our customers to embrace digital transformation. Today, with EFI Optitex, digitization is fast becoming the focal point of FEL’s training and technical skills development offering.”

About Fashion Enter Ltd.

Established in 2006, London-based Fashion Enter Ltd. (FEL) specialize in training and technical skills development for the fashion and textiles industry, in addition to providing apprenticeships and adult learning via subcontracting agreements with local academic institutions. A not for profit, social enterprise, FEL strives to be a center of excellence for sampling, grading, and production, offering an inspiring training environment where apprentices gain hands-on experience and exposure to all aspects of the design to production cycle, and where FEL graduates earn accredited quality qualifications and apprenticeships. The Fashion Technology Academy is the training academy of FEL in collaboration with Haringey Council, Mayor’s Good Growth Fund and ASOS. For more information, visit www.fashion-enter.com.

FASHION ENTER CLOSES UK’S SKILLS GAP WITH EFI OPTITEX 3D

About EFI Optitex

EFI Optitex is a global software provider of integrated 2D-3D computer-aided design (CAD) solutions for fashion & apparel, automotive, upholstery and industrial fabrics. We digitally streamline design, development and production throughout the supply chain, enabling efficient workflows and quick response to market demands. Informed by over three decades of experience and a growing base of 30,000 users, our innovative solutions are highly accurate, sustainable and cost-effective. We offer brands, retailers and manufacturers a one-vendor solution for delivering high-quality products on demand and on budget. To learn more about EFI Optitex, visit www.optitex.com.


Macron and Optitex: A Winning Partnership

Posted on by VOV

Digitising the design process boosts operational efficiency
and time savings in garment pattern creation

Fremont, California – XX January 2020 – EFI™ Optitex®, Electronics For Imaging’s global provider of integrated 2D & 3D CAD/CAM software solutions for the fashion and apparel industry, is pleased to share the results of its successful 2D CAD implementation with Macron®, a leading global sportswear manufacturer.

With headquarters in Bologna, Italy and sales throughout Europe and around the globe, Macron has four dedicated business units: Teamwear, Merchandising, Running & Fitness, and Athleisure, and over 150 monobrand retail locations, all backed by the company’s unique concept of product customization.  

In an effort to help facilitate its global expansion and deliver on-demand, on-time and on-budget products, Macron replaced its legacy CAD system with EFI Optitex 2D CAD pattern design and nesting solutions in 2018. After a short training period, Macron’s CAD team implemented EFI Optitex into its design and production process, enabling the company to expand its pattern design capabilities while also adding a new design facility in Tianjin, China.

For the last two years, Macron has enjoyed the benefits of EFI Optitex 2D CAD and fully digital design, noting significant enhancements in the company’s design and production workflow, increased speed and ease of use, and time and resource savings. Macron also reports improved communication with designers, improved data sharing with global production partners, and seamless integration with various design software and other CAD/production solutions used by third-party vendors.

“Since implementing EFI Optitex 2D CAD, we have improved our operational efficiency across the board,” said Paolo Guizzardi, Macron’s COO. “We look forward to a long-term relationship with EFI Optitex, with plans to further explore the company’s innovative solutions to meet athletes’ needs and accelerate our development process worldwide.”

EFI Optitex General Manager Amir Lehr commented, “We are proud to support Macron with strong digital solutions to deliver high-quality products and guarantee their continued growth. At EFI Optitex, enabling our customers to gain a competitive edge via digital transformation is key. The team at Macron has proven that this can be done.” 

About Macron

Founded in Bologna, Italy in 1971, Macron is a leading global sportswear manufacturer with sales throughout Europe and around the world. The company has four dedicated business units: Teamwear – sportswear and accessories for team sports, including football, rugby, basketball, volleyball, baseball, handball, futsal, and running; Merchandising – official kits, free-time products and accessories for Macron-sponsored clubs; Running & Fitness – tech apparel for individual runners and for training sessions in the gym; and Athleisure – leisure sports-inspired apparel. With over 150 monobrand retail locations, Macron attributes its success to interpreting the needs of professional athletes and sports enthusiasts, leading to the design and development of high-quality products. For more information, visit www.macron.com.

About EFI Optitex

EFI Optitex is a global software provider of integrated 2D-3D computer-aided design (CAD) solutions for fashion & apparel, automotive, upholstery and industrial fabrics. We digitally streamline design, development and production throughout the supply chain, enabling efficient workflows and quick response to market demands. Informed by over three decades of experience and a growing base of 30,000 users, our innovative solutions are highly accurate, sustainable and cost-effective. We offer brands, retailers and manufacturers a one-vendor solution for delivering high-quality products on demand and on budget. To learn more about EFI Optitex, visit www.optitex.com.


New Optitex eLearning Platform Offers an On-Demand, Unique Training Platform and Added Value Content

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FREMONT, Calif., Jan. 28, 2019 – EFI™ Optitex® continues its commitment to providing added value to its customers with the new EFI Optitex eLearning Platform, powered by Electronics For Imaging, Inc. (Nadaq:EFII).

This unique, on-demand training platform features how-to guides, videos and podcasts, as well as full eLearning courses that can be purchased individually or as part of a complete EFI Optitex training package. Users can progress through courses in an eLearning environment that provides job-specific training for patternmakers, marker makers, technical designers, 3D designers and more across 10 different Optitex technologies.

Customers are already successfully using the platform and are receiving significant value for money. The eLearning platform’s $300 annual subscription fee makes it a cost-effective, high-value solution for EFI Optitex software users across the globe.

Moreover, major players in the textile industry including apparel brands, design houses, suppliers and retailers, can improve the on-boarding process for staff, thanks to the eLearning site’s easy-to-use, detailed training platform. The new eLearning offering has far greater importance than educating current industry professionals, it is also shaping the next generation of professionals.    

“The eLearning courses are terrific,” said Margaret McWilliams, R&D at Margaret McWilliams Studio, a design business in Frederick, Maryland, that develops workflow solutions to bring tailoring back into the mainstream using accurate 3D prototyping based on 2D patterns. “EFI Optitex’s unique workflow and the courses’ on-demand availability make it worthwhile to go through all of the them. Unexpectedly useful capabilities that improve the patterns coming out of my workflow have emerged thanks to the detailed explanations eLearning has to offer.

“I see this essential tool as a turning point in my work,” she added. “Through the online courses offered on the eLearning platform I was able to manipulate the abilities of the Optitex software with very good results, which affects my entire workflow.”

The eLearning platform also provides Optitex certifications upon completion of critical stages of the training program. As a result, it not only empowers knowledge among industry professionals, it also confirms that individuals have indeed mastered the innovative tools that shape the textile industry.   

Education to facilitate the apparel industry’s CAD transformation

This newly launched eLearning content reflects EFI Optitex’s longstanding commitment to maximize value for users with coaching, training, advising and consulting. EFI Optitex products – along with the training provided – give businesses the significant advantage of being able to perfect their garments before cutting or sewing the first piece of fabric for faster cycles and products that better fit consumer needs.

Always glancing at the future, EFI Optitex will actively continue to empower knowledge and assist industry professionals in gaining new and critical skills that will contribute to the optimization of the supply chain in the most cost-effective way possible.

A brief video overview of the EFI Optitex eLearning offering is available at https://learn.optitex.com/index/.


Optitex Empowers Canada’s Next Generation of Professionals with Software Donation to Wilson School of Design

Posted on by VOV

FREMONT, Calif., Feb. 04, 2019 – Electronics For Imaging, Inc. (Nasdaq:EFII) has donated a number of Optitex® 2D/3D design software licenses for students and faculty members at the Kwantlen Polytechnic Institute’s Wilson School of Design in Richmond, British Columbia, as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to empower knowledge and help provide critical skills for the next generation work force in the fashion and apparel industry.

EFI Optitex is one of the world’s leading integrated 2D and 3D CAD/CAM apparel platform technologies. It allows users to visualize and perfect garments before cutting or sewing the first piece of fabric, offering rapid prototyping for faster time to market. The donation of this modern, intuitive software gives students the necessary skills to enter the textiles and apparel industry, and to become change ambassadors for the industry as it continues towards the digital transformation journey. Students and faculty will also have access to the Optitex eLearning site, which features user-friendly training materials, videos and webinar recordings that provide job-specific training for patternmakers, marker makers, technical designers, 3D designers and more across 10 different Optitex technologies.

“EFI Optitex is proud to work with educational institutions such as the Wilson School of Design to promote knowledge and empower industry professionals,” said EFI Optitex General Manager Amir Lehr. “Moreover, as fashion design goes increasingly digital, access to EFI Optitex software solutions, will provide students with the requisite skills to hit the ground running as they start their new careers in fashion. We are pleased to be able to provide this advanced capability to this prestigious institute, and to help ensure the right skill set for the next-generation workforce.”

The Wilson School of Design offers a wide range of programs in fashion design and marketing as well as continuing education programs for fashion professionals. Its faculty is an eclectic group of individuals who are passionate about inspiring and guiding future designers and come from a wide range of industry segments.

“We are grateful to EFI Optitex for partnering with us and providing this generous donation,” said Wilson School of Design Associate Dean Andhra Goundrey. “We are dedicated to providing our students with access to the latest tools and technology they will encounter once they graduate. This donation is an important addition to our curriculum and our ability to deliver against our educational goals.”

A brief video overview of the EFI Optitex eLearning offering is available at https://learn.optitex.com/index/.

New Optitex Release Keeps Users Ahead of Demand with its Powerful Automation Tools and Revolutionary Print & Cut Solution

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Software premiering at Texprocess gives apparel manufacturers the power to produce small mixed orders on a single roll, better address market trends and offer increased sustainability in fashion design and development

FREMONT, Calif., May 13, 2019 – Electronics For Imaging, Inc. (Nasdaq:EFII) has released the newest version of the EFI™ Optitex® 2D/3D CAD platform, creating a more powerful end-to-end digital solution. The new software version delivers key enhancements to Optitex’s industry-leading end-to-end solution capabilities for fashion, apparel and textile, including a new and innovative Print & Cut solution that enables printing of all garment patterns on a single roll. The new release also features several innovative technology breakthroughs and strengthens its position as a full and sustainable end-to-end solution that helps brands and retailers get products to market faster.

The new software version release will make its worldwide debut at Texprocess 2019, in Frankfurt, Germany, May 14-17, in hall 4, stand B41.

“In order to respond to the fast pace of fashion and changing buying behaviors today, implementing end-to-end digital workflows is no longer a nice-to-have; it is survival. With this new Optitex release, full design-to-production preparation can be automated, enabling customers to focus on creativity, to quicken execution, and allow for the customization required in today’s demanding market,” said Amir Lehr, general manager, EFI Optitex. “As on-demand manufacturing of fashion and apparel continues to gain traction around the world, this new release offers the necessary efficiencies required to meet market requirements for faster time to market, accuracy, customization and personalization, as well as profitable and timely production of small mixed orders.” 

EFI Optitex solutions support the fashion industry’s rapid development pace and consumer demand in the digital and mobile-driven “see now, buy now” era. The technology addresses retailers’ and brands’ urgent need to bring new products to market faster than ever before. It offers features such as advanced automation tools including true-to-life fabric simulation, cross-size simulation and multi-colorway-multi-angle rendering; new power tools to simplify complex stitching; improved grading; ease of design for bags & pockets; an expanded library of 150 commonly used fabrics; an all-in-one avatar solution; and an improved user interface. 

The new Optitex version’s industry-changing Print & Cut solution for complete garment printing on a single roll enables significant savings in fabric roll inventory, with typically 15%-40% greater efficiency compared to traditional methods. 

Fashion and apparel manufacturers also benefit from an improved nesting algorithm that increases fabric utilization by up to 4%.

Additional capabilities in the new Optitex release include:

  • Advanced automation tools including true-to-life fabric simulation, cross-size simulation and multi-colorway-multi-angle rendering
  • Power tools that simplify complex stitching and grading, including designs for bags and pockets
  • A gusset creation tool that simplifies definition of complex gusset shapes for bags, jackets, coats, pants and more
  • A rich library of more than 150 commonly-used fabrics and support for a new licensing mechanism for the Alvanon all-in-one avatar editor
  • Automation of routine tasks such as rendered image creation, and simulation of sized garments, avatars and poses. 

The new release also enables custom views of designs for consistent and adaptable 3D sample displays for product catalogs and design review meeting, minimizing the need for physical samples and costly photo shoots across the design and production workflow.