The typical implementation process for GSDCost software involves several structured phases designed to ensure a smooth transition and successful adoption. The process is tailored to meet the specific needs of garment manufacturers and includes comprehensive training and practical application. Here is an overview of the implementation process and its duration:
Training includes both theoretical analysis and practical visualization exercises to help participants understand the system's codes and applications.
This step involves detailed instruction on creating method standards, applying motion codes, and using the software for accurate Standard Minute Value (SMV) calculations.
Teams work under guidance to integrate the software into their production processes, ensuring alignment with international time benchmarks.
The software is integrated into existing workflows and systems, enabling seamless use across departments.
The implementation process for GSDCost is designed to be fast and efficient:
Coats Digital highlights that GSDCost delivers a return on investment (ROI) in less than 12 months due to its intuitive design and measurable benefits.
Enhanced transparency in costing processes, supporting fair wages and sustainability goals.
This structured approach ensures that manufacturers can quickly adopt GSDCost while maximizing its value in optimizing processes, improving efficiency, and driving sustainable growth.
GSDCost software can be customized to fit specific business needs. Here are the key points that highlight its customization capabilities:
GSDCost allows managers to customize reporting features, enabling businesses to analyze labor, materials, and overhead costs in ways that align with their unique operational requirements.
The software offers API functionality, which enables integration with other systems or tools that businesses may already be using. This flexibility allows companies to adapt GSDCost to their existing workflows.
GSDCost uses 39 predetermined motion codes as building blocks to create thousands of operations and features. This modular approach allows businesses to define unlimited product styles and tailor the software to their specific production processes.
The software includes advanced tools for creating and comparing Cost-to-Make submissions from multiple vendors. This functionality can be adapted by brands to evaluate vendors based on specific criteria such as machinery capabilities, sustainability practices, or ethical compliance.
GSDCost provides tailored training programs during implementation, ensuring that the software is configured to meet the unique needs of each business.
The additional costs associated with GSDCost software, such as setup fees, maintenance, and support charges, are summarized below:
GSDCost does not have any entry-level setup fees, making it more accessible for businesses to adopt without incurring upfront installation costs.
Support options include phone and live support, which may be included in the subscription or available as an additional service.
GSDCost offers integration capabilities with other systems (e.g., ERP systems) and customization options. These may incur additional costs depending on the complexity of the integrations or customizations required by the business.
Implementation includes tailored training programs for users to learn the system and apply it effectively. While training is part of the implementation process, additional training sessions or advanced modules might incur extra charges.
GSDCost offers comprehensive training and support programs to ensure new users can effectively adopt and utilize the software. Below are the key aspects of the training and support provided:
Training includes theoretical analysis, practical visualization exercises, and hands-on application of GSDCost codes to real-world scenarios.
Training covers creating method standards, applying motion codes, and calculating Standard Minute Values (SMVs) for accurate costing.
This phase helps users integrate the software into their workflows while gaining confidence in its use.
GSDCost offers certification programs for practitioners to ensure they are proficient in using the system. For example, companies like Nobland International have completed multi-phase certification training programs.
Training sessions are customized to meet the specific needs of businesses, ensuring that users can quickly adopt the software and apply it effectively to their unique production environments.
GSDCost provides ongoing support through email and phone to address user queries and technical issues.
Real-time support is available to assist users with troubleshooting or guidance during critical operations.
Comprehensive documentation, including user manuals and guides, is provided to help users understand and maximize the software’s capabilities.
During implementation, Coats Digital offers end-to-end support to ensure a seamless transition to GSDCost. This includes guidance on integrating the software with existing systems and workflows.
GSDCost, developed by Coats Digital, incorporates robust security measures to protect user data and ensure compliance with global standards. Here are the key security features in place:
Customer data is processed with enterprise-level security and integrity.
High scalability and robust disaster recovery options.
All sensitive data handled by GSDCost is encrypted during transmission and storage to prevent unauthorized access.
The system employs secure firewalls and antivirus software to protect against external threats such as malware or hacking attempts.
GSDCost performs regular data backups to ensure business continuity in case of unexpected events such as system failures or cyberattacks.
The platform has a documented Incident Response Plan to address potential breaches swiftly, minimizing impact and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), among others.
Coats Digital conducts ongoing evaluations of its systems via penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and audits to ensure its security measures remain up-to-date against evolving cyber threats.
GSDCost releases updates periodically to enhance its functionality, improve user experience, and address emerging industry needs. Here is how updates are generally managed:
Major updates are often announced publicly when they introduce significant new functionalities or address key customer feedback, such as the recent addition of the "Create, Collaborate, and Compare" elements for vendor collaboration.
Users automatically receive updates as part of their subscription, ensuring they always have access to the latest version of the software.
Updates may also be accompanied by training materials or webinars to help users understand and leverage new features effectively.
Updates are often driven by customer feedback and industry trends. For example, recent enhancements like the globalized Fair Wage Tool and advanced costing functionalities were developed in response to customer challenges in vendor collaboration and sustainability.
Before release, updates undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet quality standards and do not disrupt existing workflows.
Coats Digital provides support during transitions to updated versions, including documentation, training sessions, and live assistance if needed.
GSDCost, as part of Coats Digital's software solutions, adheres to clear policies on data ownership and portability, ensuring compliance with data protection laws and providing transparency to its customers. Below is an analysis of its policies:
According to Coats Digital's End User Licensing Agreement (EULA), customers retain ownership of all their data, including any data uploaded, stored, or generated using the GSDCost software. This is referred to as "Customer Data" and explicitly includes text, images, sound, video files, and other materials uploaded by the customer.
Coats Digital is granted a non-exclusive license to process customer data only to the extent necessary for providing the software services (e.g., hosting, analysis, or improvement of the software). This ensures that the data is used solely for operational purposes and not for unauthorized activities.
The platform complies with global data protection laws such as GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and other applicable regional laws. Customers are responsible for ensuring their data complies with these regulations before uploading it to the system.
Coats Digital treats customer data as confidential and implements security measures to protect it from unauthorized access or misuse. However, customers must ensure their own compliance with privacy laws when using the software.
Customers have the right to access their data and request its transfer in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format. This aligns with GDPR's principles of data portability, allowing users to move or copy their data without hindrance.
While specific export formats are not detailed in the EULA, compliance with GDPR suggests that standard formats like CSV, XML, or JSON are likely supported for ease of portability.
Coats Digital provides automatic backups for hosted services. Full backups are taken weekly, differential backups daily, and these are stored in geo-redundant locations for disaster recovery purposes. Customers can request restoration of their data within a 35-day retention period.
Upon termination of the agreement or resolution of a support case, Coats Digital commits to removing or deleting customer data within a reasonable timeframe, provided it is technically feasible.
Security Measures: The platform employs technological safeguards such as encryption and secure transmission protocols to protect customer data during storage and transfer.
Third-Party Access: Any third-party service providers involved (e.g., hosting providers) are granted limited rights strictly for operational purposes under Coats Digital's supervision.
GSDCost offers flexible terms for scaling up or down to accommodate changing organizational needs, leveraging its SaaS (Software as a Service) model. Here are the key aspects of how scaling is managed:
GSDCost operates on a cloud-based SaaS platform, hosted on Microsoft Azure, which allows businesses to scale their usage seamlessly. This model enables organizations to adjust the number of users, features, or modules based on their operational requirements without significant infrastructure investments.
Conversely, they can reduce licenses if operations scale down, ensuring cost-effectiveness.
GSDCost integrates easily with other enterprise solutions like ERP or PLM systems. This adaptability ensures that scaling up does not disrupt existing workflows and allows businesses to expand their digital ecosystem incrementally.
As businesses scale, GSDCost ensures that all historical data remains accessible and usable. This is particularly important for maintaining consistency in benchmarks and performance metrics across multiple facilities or regions.
The software’s multilingual support (e.g., English, Spanish, Korean, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese) and ability to create standardized benchmarks make it ideal for businesses expanding into new markets or consolidating global operations.
Reducing subscription costs when scaling down.
For organizations with fluctuating supply chain needs, GSDCost’s vendor collaboration tools allow for dynamic adjustments in sourcing and costing processes. This ensures that scaling decisions align with both internal capacity and external partnerships.
Coats Digital provides dedicated customer support during scaling transitions, including training for new users or assistance in reconfiguring the software to meet revised business goals.
The terms and conditions for contract renewal and cancellation for GSDCost are outlined in Coats Digital's End User Licensing Agreement (EULA) and related policies. Below are the key points:
GSDCost operates on a subscription-based SaaS model, where contracts are typically set to auto-renew at the end of the agreed subscription term (e.g., quarterly, half-yearly, or annually) unless explicitly canceled by the customer before the renewal date.
Customers must agree to any fee adjustments; otherwise, they can opt to terminate the contract before renewal.
Coats Digital is expected to notify customers of upcoming renewals and any associated changes, giving them time to decide whether to continue or cancel their subscription.
Customers are required to provide notice before the renewal date if they wish to cancel their subscription. The exact notice period is not explicitly mentioned in the sources but is likely aligned with standard SaaS practices (e.g., 30–90 days).
If customers wish to cancel mid-term (before the subscription period ends), they may still be liable for the remaining fees for that term unless otherwise agreed upon in the contract.
Refunds for cancellations are typically not provided unless required by consumer protection laws or specific terms outlined in the agreement. For example, if services were not used or delivered as agreed, customers may be eligible for partial refunds.
Coats Digital reserves the right to terminate contracts if customers breach terms (e.g., non-payment) or if termination is necessary due to legal, technical, or operational reasons.
Upon cancellation, customers retain access to their data for a limited period to facilitate data portability. After this period, Coats Digital may delete customer data from its systems unless otherwise agreed.
Contracts can be scaled up or down based on organizational needs during renewal periods, allowing businesses to adjust user licenses or features without penalties.
Coats Digital emphasizes transparency by providing clear terms upfront and notifying customers about renewals or changes in fees well in advance.
GSDCost software complies with several globally recognized standards and practices to ensure transparency, sustainability, and ethical compliance in the fashion supply chain. Below are the key compliance standards met by GSDCost:
These benchmarks are widely acknowledged as the de facto standard across the sewn products sector for time-cost analysis.
The tool supports ethical labor practices by integrating fair wage considerations into cost-to-make (CM) calculations, helping businesses meet corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitments.
It helps brands comply with new EU and US regulations mandating stringent sustainability measures, such as fair wages and ethical sourcing.
GSDCost has been recognized as the only globally accepted standard for time-cost benchmarking in garment manufacturing. It has won multiple awards for innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence, further validating its compliance with industry best practices.
