PLMV-VP-009 · Rev. A · Reviewed 2026-10-16
Centric PLM
Centric PLM is a cloud product lifecycle management platform from Centric Software, a Dassault Systèmes subsidiary, built for fashion, retail, footwear, luxury and consumer goods companies.
Overview
Centric Software develops Centric PLM for brands, retailers and manufacturers of fashion, footwear, luxury, home goods, food and beverage, and cosmetics. The core PLM covers line planning, materials and BOM management, tech packs, costing, sampling, supplier collaboration and compliance tracking. Around it, Centric sells adjacent products: Centric PXM for PIM, DAM and syndication, Centric Planning & Pricing, Centric Market Intelligence and Centric Visual Boards for assortment work.
Dassault Systèmes acquired a majority stake in Centric in 2018, and Centric continues to operate as a subsidiary under its own brand, led by CEO Fabrice Canonge. In June 2026 Dassault Systèmes confirmed Centric PLM as its preferred PLM for consumer packaged goods and retail, which positions Centric beside the 3DEXPERIENCE platform for those sectors. Centric reports more than 2,900 customers in over 65 countries (vendor figure, June 2026).
In September 2026 Centric introduced Centric AI, a layer that combines a natural-language companion, an MCP server for connecting external AI systems, task agents such as a BOM and tech pack agent, and generative design applications. Typical customers range from mid-sized brands that want preconfigured fashion processes to global groups running multiple brands and categories. The platform is delivered as SaaS, with mobile and visual board applications for merchandising and design teams.
Recent news
Centric Software presented Centric AI at NRF 2026 in Paris.
The layer includes a natural-language companion, an MCP connection for external AI systems, task agents and Centric AI Studio.
Centric adds sustainability and compliance tools in Centric PLM.
The release adds sustainability profiles, certificate management, and recyclability and circularity information in product development.
Dassault Systèmes named Centric PLM its preferred PLM for consumer goods and retail.
Centric Software, a Dassault Systèmes subsidiary, published the endorsement on 10 June 2026.
Centric Software released Centric AI Studio, linked to Centric PLM.
The tool generates product concepts and visuals from PLM data for fashion and consumer goods teams.
Best fit
Fashion, footwear, luxury, retail and consumer goods companies that want a sector-specific PLM with adjacent planning, PXM and market intelligence products from one supplier.
Presence in Europe
Centric serves European fashion, luxury and CPG groups such as LVMH and Intercos, and its parent Dassault Systèmes is headquartered in France.
Strengths
- Deep vertical functionality for fashion, footwear, luxury and retail, including line planning, tech packs, costing and sampling.
- A broad adjacent portfolio covering PXM, planning, pricing and market intelligence on shared product data.
- Backing from Dassault Systèmes, which confirmed Centric PLM in June 2026 as its preferred PLM for consumer goods and retail.
- A documented AI layer with agents, a companion and MCP connectivity for external AI systems.
Considerations
- The breadth of the portfolio means scope control matters, as licensing several Centric products increases implementation and change effort.
- Discrete engineering processes such as mechanical CAD management are outside the core design focus of the product.
- Long-term roadmap alignment between Centric and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform is worth clarifying for buyers that also run Dassault engineering tools.
Capability assessment
| Bill of materials | Strong |
|---|---|
| Change management | Available |
| CAD data management | Available |
| Formulation and specifications | Available |
| Regulatory compliance | Available |
| Sustainability and LCA data | Available |
| Supplier collaboration | Strong |
| Requirements management | Limited |
| AI assistance | Strong |
Editorial assessment of documented out-of-the-box functionality, reviewed 16 October 2026. Strong, Available, Limited, or Partner (delivered through partners or add-ons). How levels are assigned.
Integrations and ecosystem
Adobe Illustrator3D design tools (CLO, Browzwear)Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCEERP systems (SAP and others)Centric PXMCentric Planning & PricingExternal AI systems via MCP
Sources
- Centric confirmed as Dassault Systèmes' PLM standard for consumer goods and retail
- Centric Software press release on Centric AI at NRF Europe 2026
- Centric Software press release, 10 June 2026
Revision history
| Rev. | Date | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| A | Initial release. |
Outdated or incorrect detail? Send a correction with a source to info@plmvendors.com. See the corrections policy.
Related reading
From the knowledge base
- 008Fashion PLM Software Compared: Centric, FlexPLM, Lectra and More
- 031AI in PLM: Use Cases That Deliver Today
- 024PLM vs PIM: Different Systems, Connected Data
- 007PLM for Food, Beverage and CPG: Formulas and Specifications
- 011PPWR Explained: EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
- 013Digital Product Passport (DPP): Requirements and Timeline
- 016CSRD and Product Data: What Sustainability Reporting Needs
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Listed in register order. The list implies no ranking.
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