South Korean apparel manufacturer ShinWon Corporation has launched Sphere, a new integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) system built to unify its global manufacturing operations, strengthen data management and create a solid foundation for the broader adoption of artificial intelligence across its business.
What Sphere Brings to ShinWon’s Operations
Sphere brings together several core business systems under one connected platform, including product lifecycle management (PLM), supplier relationship management (SRM), manufacturing execution (MES), e-accounting and SAP Analytics Cloud. The platform spans the full apparel manufacturing cycle — from order management and sample development through costing, sourcing, procurement, production, logistics, shipment and final settlement.
Before Sphere, many of these workflows were handled through a combination of spreadsheets, emails and disconnected standalone applications. By consolidating these into a single system, ShinWon has now standardised its business processes across all operations. This consolidation also improves data consistency and accessibility at the product level, allowing the company to manage bills of materials (BOM) and production processes for individual garment styles far more systematically.
Connecting Headquarters and Overseas Subsidiaries
The integration of sales, product development, procurement, production, logistics and financial data under this ERP system creates a shared operational framework across ShinWon’s headquarters and its overseas manufacturing subsidiaries. Both sides of the business now follow consistent processes and data standards, removing the inconsistencies that come with fragmented, siloed systems.
A particularly notable aspect of this integration is the connection between MES and ERP. This linkage allows ShinWon to track production status and costs more effectively in real time, while also enabling faster identification and resolution of manufacturing issues as they arise.
Strengthening Business Intelligence with SAP Analytics Cloud
Sphere also expands ShinWon’s business intelligence capabilities in a meaningful way. Through SAP Analytics Cloud, the company can analyse operational data — covering orders, production volumes and costs — across subsidiaries, customers and individual product lines. Beyond standard reporting, the system is designed to enable more detailed profitability analysis by both product and customer, supporting better-informed business decisions across the organisation.
Building the Foundation for AI Integration
ShinWon had already been making progress on its AI ambitions ahead of the Sphere launch. The company established a dedicated AI organisation and adopted ChatGPT Enterprise, exploring practical applications in areas such as repetitive task automation and data analytics. The ShinWon Sphere ERP now provides the standardised data infrastructure that these AI applications require to develop further.
A Phased Approach to AI Across Operations
Building on this foundation, ShinWon is pursuing a phased rollout of AI across its operations. Among the initiatives under consideration is an in-house AI-powered demand forecasting system that would draw on sales data from major retailers. The company is also exploring the inclusion of additional variables — such as weather conditions, geographic regions and promotional periods — to improve the accuracy of these forecasts.
In parallel, ShinWon is evaluating the use of ERP data and AI technologies to automate repetitive administrative tasks, including the preparation and verification of export declarations.
Leadership Perspective
JJ Park, CEO of ShinWon Corporation, commented on the launch: “Through Sphere, we have established a unified framework that connects our business operations and data, laying the foundation for AI integration. We will continue to expand AI applications across our operations to enhance global supply chain visibility, improve operational efficiency and strengthen our manufacturing competitiveness through data-driven innovation.”
With the ShinWon Sphere ERP now operational, the company has positioned itself to move progressively toward a more connected, data-driven model of apparel manufacturing — one where AI integration, improved supply chain visibility and enhanced demand forecasting work in step with its global production network.
