By Arun Rao
Audaces, a Brazilian-Italian company, stands as a comprehensive supplier of integrated solutions for the garment industry. From advanced software to cutting room solutions and plotters for printing, Audaces is dedicated to enhancing operational efficiency and productivity. Central to its offerings is Audaces 360, heralded as the most comprehensive multi-solution technology tailored for the evolving demands of the fashion industry in the age of Industry 4.0.
Audaces 360: A Comprehensive Software Solution
Audaces 360 represents an innovative approach to garment production, focusing on the integration of people into both productive and creative stages. This software platform significantly enhances profitability and accuracy within the industry. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, Audaces 360 optimizes resources, integrates critical data, and fosters improved communication across various production areas.
Within the Audaces 360 platform, a suite of different software solutions is available, each catering to specific needs in garment production like Isa, which is a Fashion PLM for real-time collection planning and management; Idea, which is a tool for creating precise vector drawings, tech packs, and automatically estimating design pre-costs; Fashion Studio, which is a garment design software offering full creative control in a 3D environment and Digiflash, which is an easy-to-use digitizer that quickly converts paper patterns into digital format with a simple photo.
Other software within the Audaces 360 platform include; Pattern, which is a 2D CAD system for creating accurate patterns and grading sizes; Marker, a software for automatically generating fabric markers to boost efficiency; Supera, which is a nesting server that optimizes fabric usage and saves time by managing cutting queues; Sofia, which is an AI-driven fashion tool that enhances design optimization and delivers realistic visualizations – add on for Idea and Fashion Studio and finally 3D, a software for stitching patterns and previewing fit with striking realism using 3D avatars;
Cutting Room Solutions: Efficiency Meets Innovation
Audaces offers a range of cutting room solutions, including automatic spreading and cutting machines, alongside specialized tables designed for efficiency and precision. The company’s cutting technology features an integrated software cut plan that provides insight into the fabric cutting ratio, ensuring optimal use of materials. Furthermore, bundling solutions are offered to streamline the post-cutting process.
Mr. Giacomo Nicolini, Business Development at Audaces, highlights a crucial advantage of the company’s offerings: “Apparel manufacturers often face challenges when procuring each solution or technology from different vendors. Integrating technologies from multiple suppliers can be complex and cumbersome. In contrast, we provide all garment-related solutions under one roof, with the exception of those pertaining to stitching.”
A Legacy of Innovation
Established in Brazil in 1992, Audaces initially focused on supplying CAD/CAM solutions. The company marked a significant milestone in 2008 when it became the first in South America to manufacture automatic fabric cutting machines. In 2017, the goal of global expansion led to the opening of a headquarter in Italy, which now serves clients across Asia, Africa, and Europe. Today, Audaces proudly supplies to over 90 countries, reaching 25,000 customers globally.
Commitment to Research and Development
In case of cutting room solutions, the 100 member strong R&D teams are located in both Brazil and Italy. “Having R&D teams in both countries helps us upgrade our cutting room technologies based on feedback received from customers in all four continents. Cutting room customers in Europe, Africa and Asia are supplied from Italy, while the Brazilian office serves the American continent customers,” Mr Nicolini shared.
Audaces employs around 300 professionals across Brazil and Italy, with a dedicated team of 50 software engineers. This team continuously refines and updates the Audaces 360 software, driven by customer feedback. In terms of cutting room solutions, a robust R&D team of 50 members is distributed between Brazil and Italy. This geographical diversity enhances the company’s ability to upgrade its technologies in response to insights gathered from clients across all four continents, while cutting room solution customers in Europe, Africa, and Asia are supplied from Italy, while the Brazilian office caters to clients in the American continent.
Pioneering Sustainable Solutions
Audaces is committed to sustainability, particularly in its cutting room technologies, which traditionally consume substantial electricity. The company continuously strives to reduce energy consumption, aligning with a broader goal of environmental responsibility. Mr. Nicolini notes that a significant portion of time, approximately 75% in the creation of a fashion collection is devoted to product development and design. To combat this, Audaces 360 aids in minimizing sampling time and reducing the need for raw materials by facilitating the use of digital samples instead of physical prototypes.
Moreover, the use of Audaces’ software and hardware technologies also allows for significant savings in fabric and raw materials, for example, through the Supera nesting server and the precision of automatic cutting.
Market Presence and Future Expansion
With an estimated 70% market share in Latin America, Audaces has established a strong foothold in the region. The company is actively expanding its presence in Asia, with existing clients in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Looking ahead, there are plans to penetrate additional markets, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Uzbekistan.
“Our manufacturing unit in Italy is currently facing challenges in keeping up with demand, prompting us to consider expanding our manufacturing infrastructure,” Mr. Nicolini shared. Furthermore, the company aims to enhance its market share by broadening its partner network in Asian countries such as India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, as well as in Poland and Mexico.
Audaces continues to lead the garment industry with innovative, integrated solutions that not only address current challenges but also anticipate future demands. With a strong commitment to sustainability, efficiency, and technological advancement, Audaces is well-positioned to shape the future of the fashion industry on a global scale.
