In today’s fashion industry, digital tools are everywhere. From design and development to sourcing, compliance, and logistics, more and more of our work relies on software. But having the right tools is only part of the picture. The real value comes when those tools actually work together. That’s where integrations come in. In this article, we’ll break down what integrations are, what a standard integration really means, and why it matters for fashion brands that want to work smarter, not just with better systems, but with better-connected ones.

From manual work to connected workflows

The word integration is something we hear more and more, but what does it actually mean, and why does it matter for a fashion brand? While fashion and tech might not seem like the most obvious pairing, the truth is that technology has been part of this industry for quite some time. And as the entire industry becomes more data-driven and increasingly digital, it's important to understand how all the different systems work together. Today, there are many different IT solutions built specifically for the fashion industry, covering everything from product development to orders, compliance, and logistics. But having good tools is not enough. These systems need to be connected in order to truly support the way we work with data and to avoid manual tasks where errors easily slip in.

In the tech world, people often refer to this as a tech stack or ecosystem, which can feel a bit abstract in a fashion context. A more relatable way to think about it is like the threads in a garment. On their own, each component might work, but it's the stitching that holds it all together. Integrations are what allow your different systems to communicate, making sure your data flows from one place to another. Without that, things easily fall apart or become double work.

Standard integrations explained

Now that we’ve covered what integrations are and why they matter, it’s time to take a closer look at something more specific: the standard integration. There are many different ways IT systems can share data with each other. A standard integration is one of them, which is especially relevant for fashion, where product data lives in many different systems. This type of integration is built directly between two systems. It connects specific data points in one solution to matching points in another. But this doesn’t happen on its own, it needs to be designed and coded carefully.

Once a standard integration is in place, you don’t need to manually transfer data. When you update something in one system, the same information is reflected in the other, automatically and in real time. There’s no need to press a sync button or send spreadsheets back and forth. That means fewer mistakes, better data quality, and more time saved. So why doesn’t every IT solution have this? The short answer is: it’s not easy. Building a standard integration takes a lot of time, technical skill, and resources on both sides. Many solutions want to offer it, but are not ready for it yet.

When tech gets complex: API, Open API, webhook...

In the world of integrations between IT systems, you’ll come across a lot of different terms. And let’s be honest, they can get pretty technical and hard to understand. So here’s a simple breakdown of a few of the most common ones, explained in a way that makes sense without needing a tech background.

API stands for Application Programming Interface. That sounds complicated, but it basically means a way for two systems to talk to each other. Think of it like a tech pack in product development. Just like a tech pack outlines all the details a supplier needs to create a garment, an API outlines what kind of information another system can request, like product details, sizes, or materials, and how to ask for it. It provides structure, so nothing gets lost or miscommunicated when systems exchange data.

Open API is a version of an API that’s publicly available. You can think of it like a shared supplier portal. Everyone with access can view the same updated spec sheets, pricing, and delivery timelines. It makes collaboration easier and avoids starting from scratch each time a new connection is needed between systems.

Webhook is like a production update notification. Imagine your supplier finishes a style and immediately notifies you without you having to ask. A webhook works the same way. When something changes in one system, like a product spec update, it automatically pushes that update to another system in real time. No need to manually check or request the information.

Your PLM should lead the way

When you’re creating products, the process most often begins in the PLM system. This is where the core product data is first created and structured, which is why PLM plays such a central role in the wider tech ecosystem. Most of the other IT solutions used later in the value chain rely on the data that comes from the PLM. That includes ERP systems, PIM tools, environmental impact platforms, Digital Product Passports solutions, and more. If the information in your PLM is well-structured and accurate, it becomes much easier to pass that data along to the next steps without rework or confusion.

Compliance also plays a big role here. With new requirements demanding more detailed, traceable, and up-to-date product information, it’s no longer enough to have isolated systems. We need tools that talk to each other, and the PLM should be at the center of that conversation. Integrations between the PLM and other systems help improve data quality, reduce manual input, and make it easier to share information across the value chain. Not just for internal teams, but also for partners and stakeholders who depend on accurate product data.

Check out the TechThreads community

On May 15th, Delogue hosted TechThreads, an event created to bring together IT solutions from across the fashion industry. It was a space to share ideas, explore real integrations, and talk about how we can build stronger, more connected tech stacks together. If you’re curious about how others in the industry are working with integration, collaboration, and digital infrastructure, this is a great place to continue the conversation.