BioWorld Merchandising, a manufacturer of licensed and private-label headwear and accessories, has selected NGC's e-PLM and e-SPS software for product lifecycle management and global sourcing.

At stake is the proper management of product design and sourcing for hundreds of licensed brands in music, entertainment and beverages, as well as the company's own private-label business. "For each of our licensed styles, we must manage two processes in parallel-our own product development, as well as providing designs and samples to our licensees for approvals or revisions," says Raj Malik, president of BioWorld. "When you apply this process to hundreds of licensees-each with its own design requirements and multiple SKUs-plus our own private-label brands, it's a very complex business model.

"Time is of the essence," Malik says. "We built our business on being able to quickly turn licensed products from China, usually within 60 days. Our customers have become accustomed to this fast turnaround and now expect it."

Headquartered in Irving, Texas, BioWorld sells products at every level of retailer and to independent customers throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. It offers licensed music products to more than 80 percent of specialty music retailers in the U.S. Bioworld's license categories also include entertainment, beer/beverage and branded properties, as well as private-label merchandise.

Visit www.ngcsoftware.com and www.bioworldmerch.com