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Style Samples

The Samples tab is located within the Style module and provides a comprehensive solution for managing sample requests, tracking, and approvals throughout the product development lifecycle. This centralised workspace enables teams to coordinate all aspects of sample handling, from initial colour planning through to detailed reporting and supplier collaboration.

The Samples tab streamlines communication between internal teams and suppliers, ensuring clear requirements are established, progress is monitored, and approvals are documented systematically. It supports efficient workflows for managing multiple samples simultaneously while maintaining detailed records for quality assurance and compliance purposes.

Sections in Samples Tab

The Samples tab is organised into four main sections, each serving a specific purpose in the sample management workflow:

Sample Colours

The Sample Colours section provides a visual overview of colourways designated for sampling. It automatically pulls colour selections from the Style > Colours & Pricing configuration, enabling teams to plan and track expected sample quantities per colourway. This section serves as a planning tool where you can input estimated total units for each colour without requiring additional configuration.

Key Features: - Automatic colour synchronisation from Style configuration - In-line editing for estimated unit quantities - Visual breakdown of colourways for sampling

For detailed information, see Sample Colours.

Sample Requirements

The Sample Requirements section enables you to define precise sample needs including types, sizes, colours, quantities, and deadlines. This structured section supports effective planning and execution of the sampling process, allowing you to manage sample expectations per style, track completion status, and ensure alignment across team members and suppliers.

Key Features: - Define detailed sample requirements with deadlines - Track completion status with visual indicators - Share requirements directly with suppliers - Generate sample reports from requirements - Create sample orders from requirements - Keyboard navigation for efficient data entry

For detailed information, see Sample Requirements.

Sample Reports

The Sample Reports section enables you to generate, track, and manage detailed sample documentation organised by size and colourway. Reports can be created manually or converted from predefined sample requirements, capturing key progress data and serving as a central reference point for teams managing the sample lifecycle.

Key Features: - Create reports manually or from sample requirements - Track report status and progress - Download reports as printable PDFs - Share reports with suppliers for collaboration - Comprehensive documentation of sample details

For detailed information, see Sample Reports.

Edit Sample Report

The Edit Sample Report interface provides comprehensive management of detailed sample data, including measurements, visuals, components, and internal notes. This detailed view allows for thorough documentation and collaboration, with editability and access permissions dependent on report status and site-level configurations.

Key Features: - Manage measurements with tolerance tracking - Upload and annotate images - Track component status and approvals - Add internal and supplier notes - View sketches from style specifications

For detailed information, see Edit Sample Report.

Workflow Overview

The typical sample management workflow follows these stages:

  1. Planning: Use Sample Colours to review and plan colourway sampling quantities
  2. Requirements: Create detailed Sample Requirements with specific types, sizes, colours, and deadlines
  3. Tracking: Monitor requirement completion status and share details with suppliers
  4. Reporting: Generate Sample Reports from requirements or create manually
  5. Documentation: Use Edit Sample Report to capture measurements, images, components, and feedback
  6. Approval: Track status and manage approvals through the reporting interface

Best Practices

To maximise the effectiveness of the Samples tab, consider these best practices:

Practice Description
Regular Updates Update sample statuses and requirements regularly to maintain accurate tracking and ensure timely completion.
Colour Planning Use the colour management tools to ensure accurate and consistent colour approvals before creating requirements.
Clear Requirements Define detailed sample requirements with specific types, sizes, colours, and deadlines to avoid miscommunication.
Timely Reporting Review and edit sample reports promptly to maintain data accuracy and support decision-making processes.
Supplier Collaboration Leverage sharing functionality to keep suppliers informed and enable collaborative editing where appropriate.
Status Monitoring Monitor status indicators to quickly identify samples that need attention or follow-up actions.
Documentation Maintain comprehensive documentation through sample reports, including measurements, images, and notes for future reference.

Configuration Requirements

Before using the Samples tab effectively, ensure the following are configured: - Sample Types in Site Settings > Company > Sample Category - Sample Report Types in Site Settings > Style > General Settings - Status Options in Site Settings > Style > General Settings - Colours & Pricing in Style > Colours & Pricing