Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Japan has announced the release of its new subscription-based design software, as well as two other web services to enhance its user experience.

The new set of products and services is intended to aid in the digital transformation of the fashion industry for supporting business in the post-COVID19 era, in which new work styles and methods are being adopted including teleworking and telecommuting.

At the same time, they are working to streamline and improve efficiency to achieve sustainability through reduced waste.

1. APEXFiz

APEXFiz is the latest addition to SHIMA SEIKI's SDS-ONE APEX series design system lineup, but with an unprecedented twist. Whereas previous APEX-series design systems were offered as an all-in-one proprietary hardware/software package, for the first time in its nearly 40-year history of design system development, SHIMA SEIKI has released its new APEXFiz as subscription-based design software that can be installed on customers' individual computers.

Maintaining proven functions that have made the SDS-ONE APEX series so popular with fashion designers, with APEXFiz those strengths are now enhanced with the added versatility to adapt to different work styles and environments of the "new normal."

APEXFiz is furthermore available in 5 different flavors that can be selected according to the customer's needs, from APEXFiz Design Pro to APEXFiz Design Jr.

APEXFiz software supports the creative side of fashion from planning and design to colorway evaluation, realistic fabric simulation and 3D virtual sampling. Virtual sampling on APEXFiz and other APEX series is a communication tool that is not only an accurate representation of the product, but it also digitally bridges the gap between the studio and the factory.

By sending data to the knit manufacturer it can be converted to machine programming data, shortening lead times and allowing the production of items faithful to their design as originally intended by the designer. That accuracy allows virtual samples by SHIMA SEIKI to be used effectively as prototypes, replacing sampling and consequently reducing time, cost and material.

2. yarnbank

yarnbank is the world's first online web service for searching and viewing the latest yarns, developed with cooperation from yarn companies from around the world. Registered users have free access to the yarnbank archive of yarn information and digital yarn data.

Users can also download yarn data for free, for use in fabric simulation and virtual sampling on APEXFiz and SDS-ONE APEX4, avoiding the need to scan yarn on their own.

By using yarn that is used in actual production, knit manufacturers and apparel companies can furthermore rest assured that the simulations created using yarnbank are not merely realistic images but accurate representations using yarn that can actually be purchased and used in production.

yarnbank also serves as a new promotional platform for yarn companies with the opportunity to present their yarns directly to their customers. In that respect, yarn companies can reduce their dependence on traditional sample books as a means to promote their products, saving time, cost and material and doing their part for sustainability.

yarnbank brings together each player in the supply chain—spinner, knit manufacturer and apparel company—and connects them digitally.

3. SHIMANAVI

The SHIMANAVI e-learning system allows APEX series users to experience online training when and where it is convenient, and at their own pace, supporting new work styles and environments such as teleworking and telecommuting. Several courses are available in different languages to suit the needs of individual customers as well.