Behind the Scenes: Development of APEXFiz Design Software Promoting DX in the Fashion Industry!

Written by wearware | Jan 14, 2025 3:48:23 AM

Since COVID, the fashion industry has been ramping up its online strategies, especially through e-commerce. Amid this shift, the SDS^®-ONE APEX4 design system, known for its versatility in apparel design, virtual sampling, production, and e-commerce integration, saw a new addition to its lineup: APEXFiz^®. A subscription-based version. APEXFiz^® was developed so you can install and use it on a personal computer, to be used anytime, anywhere, meeting the growing demand for flexible solutions. Today, we take a behind-the-scenes look at its development.

Table of Contents

What is APEXFiz^®?
The Development Story of APEXFiz^®
・APEXFiz^® Eliminates Wasted Time and Costs
・A Product Designed to Support Diverse Work Styles
・Benefits of the Subscription Service
・APEXFiz^®'s Unique Appeal Compared to Other Design Software
・Aiming to Accelerate DX (Digital Transformation)
Visit the Official APEXFiz^® Website!

What is APEXFiz^®?

APEXFiz^® is a software version of the SDS^®-ONE APEX4, a design system used by major apparel and knitwear manufacturers around the world. The standout feature is the realism of fabric simulations for knits and woven fabrics. It’s a one-of-a-kind software that allows you to create virtual samples using actual yarn, offering a truly unique experience.

If you’re curious about more details, check out our previous feature on wearware!

From Planning to Production and Even E-Commerce: Why APEXFiz^® Design Software is Considered the Ultimate in Realistic Virtual Sampling

When planning fashion and apparel products, what software do you use? From CLO3D, Browzwear and Optitex to the familiar Adobe suite, there are certainly many options out there. Today we introduce APEXFiz^®, a design software that is extremely useful for everything from planning and production to e-commerce.

The Development Story of APEXFiz^®

The development and sales of APEXFiz^® are handled by Shima Seiki Manufacturing, a knitting machine manufacturer based in Wakayama Prefecture. We’ve got the inside scoop on the development story behind this design software! In this section, we’ll share an interview with Ms. S and Mr. O, who were closely involved in the development process.

APEXFiz^® Eliminates Wasted Time and Costs

Q：Could you tell us more about APEXFiz^®?

Ms. S : APEXFiz^® is a subscription-based software service that allows product planning, design, and virtual sampling for various industries, including apparel. It offers simulations for knits and woven fabrics, along with 3D virtual sampling. This means you can review designs and make decisions without creating physical samples, drastically reducing lead times.

For more details on virtual sampling, click here.

Virtual Samples: The Savior of the Apparel and Fashion Industry?

Today, let's dive into the game-changing world of "virtual samples," which is key to making our industry more sustainable by cutting down on sampling time and costs.

Q：What inspired you to start offering a subscription service for the design software?

Ms. S : The biggest driver was customer demand. Previously, the software was bundled with hardware, so it could only be used in the office, and it had to be shared with others, which created a lot of limitations. Also, because it was an all-in-one system, the entry barrier was high, and it wasn’t easy to try it out. There had always been requests to have the software on personal laptops, so people could take it on the go.

Mr. O : Then, with the impact of COVID-19, teleworking became much more common. As more people started working from home, the demand for subscription services increased, and we were ready just in time. With society becoming more accepting of different ways of working, the APEXFiz^® service, which allows you to work even while traveling, has really improved convenience for our customers.

Benefits of the Subscription Service

Q : Previously, you sold the design system as an all-in-one system with bundled hardware and software. How does the introduction of APEXFiz^® change things for customers?

Ms. S : The entry barrier has been drastically lowered. Customers can now purchase only the services they need, making it easier to try it out with lower initial costs. Also, for those who were previously sharing a system, by purchasing one license per person, they’re now freed from the stress of not being able to use the software when they wanted to.　

Mr. O : And while the all-in-one system solution remains unchanged, each customer now uses only the necessary features based on their division of work. But when you look at the overall solution, the entire process from planning to production is still seamlessly connected, just like with the traditional SDS^®-ONE APEX4.

Comparison of the traditional SDS^®-ONE APEX4 and APEXFiz^®

APEXFiz^®'s Unique Appeal Compared to Other Design Software

Q : What makes APEXFiz^® stand out when compared to other design software?

Ms. S : First and foremost, the quality of the simulations. You can simulate a range of fabrics, including flat knitting, circular knitting, woven fabrics, towels, prints, and embroidery. The simulations are so realistic that they’re almost indistinguishable from physical samples, and I’d really love for you to see them for yourself.

Mr. O : Plus, since Shima Seiki is a machinery manufacturer, a big advantage is the direct connection to production.

Ms. S : That’s right. There are many simulation software tools out there, but APEXFiz^® is probably the only one that can provide end-to-end support in the manufacturing supply chain, all the way through to production. There’s an online yarn service called yarnbank^®, which lets you simulate with real yarns available for purchase. And when programming knits, you can move forward with the manufacturing process based on the virtual data you’ve designed.

If you're curious about the actual interface of APEXFiz^®, you can sign up and view a demo video right away on the page below.

APEXFiz^® Demo Video Request

You can view a demo video of APEXFiz^® in operation. By filling out the form, a URL to the demo video will be sent to your email address. <Free access>
View the page

Aiming to Accelerate DX (Digital Transformation)

Q : What kind of development would you like to pursue in the future? Please share your vision for APEXFiz^® moving forward.

Mr. O : Our goal is to have all the content, including knitting machines and design systems, merge into one platform. We want the entire solution, from planning and design to production, to be more closely integrated. That’s the ideal scenario for us.

Ms. S : We’re driven by the desire to accelerate the industry’s digital transformation (DX). The fashion industry is undergoing a major transformation right now, shifting towards sustainable fashion that doesn’t waste resources. APEXFiz^® can play a part in this change. We want to solve the problems that many of our customers are facing, and continue creating initiatives that bring energy and excitement back to the fashion industry. I want people to feel like fashion is fun again.

Mr. O : Exactly. The apparel industry has been hit hard by the impact of COVID-19 and is currently lacking energy. That’s why we want to help create new challenges and bring excitement to our customers. The "Fiz" in APEXFiz^® also means "Sparkle" and we hope to energize the industry and bring it back to life!

A big thank you for this insightful conversation. Lastly, a final word from S-san: “APEXFiz^® aims to become the new standard in fashion design in the digital age, driving transformation in the fashion industry. Please, give APEXFiz^® a try!”

Visit the Official APEXFiz^® Website!

We’ve shared the inside story behind the development of APEXFiz^®. Don’t forget to check out the official APEXFiz^® website!

APEXFiz^® – Make Fashion Sparkle

Subscription service for design software that overhauls the supply chain from planning and design to virtual sampling, link to production and even E-Commerce. Make your fashion sparkle, anytime, anywhere!
View the site

Behind the Scenes: Development of APEXFiz Design Software Promoting DX in the Fashion Industry!

What is APEXFiz®?

The Development Story of APEXFiz®

APEXFiz® Eliminates Wasted Time and Costs

Q：Could you tell us more about APEXFiz®?

A Product Designed to Support Diverse Work Styles

Q：What inspired you to start offering a subscription service for the design software?

Benefits of the Subscription Service

Q : Previously, you sold the design system as an all-in-one system with bundled hardware and software. How does the introduction of APEXFiz® change things for customers?

APEXFiz®'s Unique Appeal Compared to Other Design Software

Q : What makes APEXFiz® stand out when compared to other design software?