Efix automates textile processes with Dynamics 365

In the textile industry, where cycles are short and market requirements change quickly, medium sized clothing manufacturers need processes that can keep pace. Manually coordinating suppliers, managing external sewing operations, and maintaining data across separate Excel files had become increasingly inefficient for efix tricot. Moving to an industry-specific cloud solution gave the company a base for production process automation, better transparency, and growth in wholesale without extra admin work.

Four generations of textile know-how in southern Germany

efix tricot GmbH has stood for premium quality and stability for more than 100 years. Instead of relying on mass production in Asia, the owner managed family business has built its value chain entirely within Europe. Around 60 employees develop and cut the garments at the company's site in Hechingen, Germany, while sewing takes place in nearby European Union countries.

This approach helps efix keep high quality standards while short transport routes support both sustainability and the flexibility the company needs to react to changing market requirements.

Manual processes were slowing down sales and production

efix tricot's IT environment relied on an outdated industry solution that was no longer receiving updates. Critical data flows had become highly manual. Processing incoming EDI orders from wholesalers alone required employees to spend up to two days each week checking information and working with Excel lists. The company's multistep production process added another layer of complexity. Cutting takes place in-house, sewing and printing are handled by European partners, and final production steps return to efix. The company previously managed these processes using physical paper bundle cards. As a result, employees lacked reliable data on inventory at external production partners and on supplier lead times. The project focused on one reliable source of data in the cloud, less manual work, and clear visibility across the ERP for textile industry processes. 

Industry functionality made the difference

efix was looking for a cloud platform that could handle the complex size and color matrices used in the textile industry as part of the standard solution. The combination of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and BE-terna Fashion ultimately convinced the company. Business Central provided the modern ERP platform, while BE-terna brought the industry knowledge required to map textile specific processes effectively.

Digital processes provide visibility across every production step

One of the main project challenges was mapping the company's multistep production process accurately without adding unnecessary administrative work. The project also involved a complex data migration. BE-terna digitized the paper-based bundle process and adapted the production logic so that efix can track each step completed by its external manufacturing partners. Felix Eichler, Technical Director at efix and responsible for the company's technological development, independently connected the sales team's order writing application and the webshop using the open application programming interface provided by Business Central. In addition to the core ERP solution, the project integrated Continia Finance, Datev, and BE-terna Print Connect for automated international label printing.

Thorough preparation led to a smooth go-live

The cooperation between efix and BE-terna was characterized by close collaboration and professional communication. The extensive preparation paid off during the go-live, which was completed smoothly and without critical support issues. Employees quickly noticed the improvements in their daily work, contributing to a high level of user satisfaction. Johanna Eichler, who manages the company together with her father, Dr. Franz Xaver Bumiller, sums up what a successful technology project means for efix:

“Innovation is successful when it stays quiet.”

Clear visibility across the European supply chain

With its cloud ERP solution in place, efix has replaced disconnected departmental processes and systems with integrated workflows. Instead of searching for information and manually comparing data, employees now work with automated processes that connect departments and provide consistent information. This reduces repetitive manual tasks and gives the team more time to focus on work that directly supports the business.

The project shows how a medium sized textile manufacturer can simplify complex production processes with an industry-specific cloud solution. It is a clear case of production process automation in the ERP for textile industry. By combining Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central with BE-terna Fashion, efix has reduced manual work, improved transparency across its European supply chain, and built a reliable base for its next digital steps.