Infor M3 Fashion Edition: Style-Color-Size Matrix, PLM Integration, and Seasonal Planning
Infor M3 Fashion edition is purpose-built for apparel, footwear, and textile manufacturers who need style-color-size (SCS) matrix management, seasonal collection planning, and PLM-driven product development. Unlike generic ERP configurations, fashion M3 requires precise setup of style structures, attribute-based ordering, and size-range allocation. This guide covers the configurations that separate functional M3 fashion deployments from the ones buried in workarounds.
Style-Color-Size Matrix and Attribute Management
The foundation of M3 Fashion is the style-color-size matrix in MMS001/MMS002 extended with fashion-specific attributes. Each style is a parent item; colors and sizes are managed through M3's style matrix (STYN, STCO, STSI fields) that generates individual SKUs automatically. Proper matrix setup eliminates the SKU explosion problem that cripples fashion companies on generic ERPs, reducing item master maintenance from thousands of records to manageable style definitions.
- Define style structures in MMS001 with STYN (style number) as the master and STCO/STSI as variant dimensions
- Configure size ranges in MMS016 per product category—apparel (XS-3XL), footwear (36-48), accessories (S/M/L)
- Set up color codes in MMS015 with NRF-standard color mapping for retailer EDI compatibility
- Enable attribute-based ordering in OIS100 so buyers order by style-color with size breakdown grids
- Use MMS077 to manage pre-pack configurations for retail distribution (e.g., S:2/M:4/L:3/XL:1 ratio)
PLM Integration and Seasonal Collection Planning
Fashion product development starts in PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) tools like Infor PLM for Fashion, then flows into M3 for costing, sourcing, and production. Integrating PLM with M3 via ION ensures that tech packs, BOMs, and cost sheets transfer without manual re-entry. Seasonal planning in M3 uses the planning calendar (PPS390) and collection structures to manage pre-season buying, production windows, and delivery milestones.
- Configure ION document flows from PLM to M3: Style creation → MMS001, BOM → MMS070, Routing → MMS040
- Set up seasonal planning calendars in PPS390 aligned with fashion calendar (SS, AW, Pre-Fall, Resort)
- Use CRS065 (Planning Calendar) to define order windows, production cutoffs, and delivery milestones per season
- Enable costing worksheets in PCS200 for landed cost calculation including duty, freight, and agent commissions
- Implement style-level approval workflows via ION process automation before M3 production release
Garment Costing, Sourcing, and Distribution
Fashion profitability lives and dies in the gap between target margin and actual landed cost. M3's garment costing in PCS modules calculates material costs from BOM, labor from routing, and overhead from cost centers. Combined with sourcing management for multi-country production and distribution planning for retail allocation, M3 provides end-to-end visibility from design room to store shelf.
- Configure PCS200 cost components: fabric (65-70% of CMT), trims, labor, packaging, and overhead
- Set up multi-supplier sourcing in PPS200 with country-of-origin tracking for customs documentation
- Use DRS100 distribution planning for pre-allocation of seasonal collections to stores and wholesale accounts
- Enable markdown management in OIS350 for end-of-season clearance with margin floor protection
- Implement size-curve analysis using MMS200MI data extraction for demand-driven size allocation
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