Garment ERP in Sri Lanka: a guide for CMT and apparel factories
A garment ERP is one system that runs a clothing factory's orders, production, quality, stores and payroll. For a Sri Lankan CMT (cut, make, trim) factory, the right one follows the order from the buyer's PO to the CM invoice — and handles EPF, ETF and local banks without custom work.
Why CMT factories need a different ERP
Most apparel ERPs are built for brands and full-package exporters: they buy fabric, run purchasing and plan materials. A subcontract (tier-2) CMT factory works the other way round. The buyer sends the PO, the tech pack, the fabric and the trims. You cut, sew, finish, pack and deliver — and bill the CM (cost of making).
That changes what matters. You don't need material purchasing or MRP. You do need to prove to the buyer where every metre of their fabric went, hit their dates, and get your CM price right.
What to look for in a garment ERP
- Order and TNA tracking, with warnings before a buyer date slips
- CM costing from SMV, CPM and efficiency — approved before you commit
- Fabric received, issued and consumed, roll by roll, matched to each buyer's order
- Cutting and bundle tracking, ideally with QR scans on the floor
- Hourly line output and efficiency against target
- QC with AQL sampling and DHU, before the buyer's final audit
- Sri Lankan payroll: EPF 8% / 12%, ETF 3%, OT, APIT and bank salary files
- Invoicing per shipment, and a statement of what each buyer owes
Local or global ERP?
Global ERPs such as SAP or Oracle can do almost anything, but a factory has to pay for months of configuration to make them understand CMT work, and local payroll rules are usually a custom project. Generic local ERPs are cheaper, but they are built for any business — a shop, a school or a factory — so garment work (TNA, bundles, AQL, fabric reconciliation) is often thin or missing.
A garment ERP built for Sri Lanka starts with the CMT flow and local rules already in place, so it can go live in weeks instead of months.
What does a garment ERP cost in Sri Lanka?
Large ERP projects run into millions of rupees before they go live. Cloud systems built for smaller factories usually charge a one-time setup fee and a monthly fee based on factory size. Fabriq, for example, starts at LKR 7,500 a month for a factory of up to 50 people, with every module included — see the full price list.
Look closely at what is included: per-user or per-module fees grow quickly as more supervisors and clerks start using the system.
Try it on a real order first
Demos use perfect sample data. The honest test is to take one of your own current orders and run it through the system with your own staff. Ask for a pilot before you sign — Fabriq offers 30 days free, and we recreate one of your POs with you.
Questions factory owners ask
What is a CMT ERP?
An ERP for factories that cut, make and trim garments for a buyer who supplies the material. It focuses on the order, production, quality and the buyer's material — not on purchasing fabric.
Is an apparel ERP the same as a garment ERP?
Yes — the two terms are used for the same kind of system. What matters more is whether it is built for brands and exporters or for subcontract (CMT) factories.
Do we need our own server?
No. Cloud garment ERPs, including Fabriq, are hosted for you. The office needs a normal internet connection.
How long does it take to go live?
For a CMT factory with a system built for this work, a few weeks: set-up, importing employees and current orders, and training.