From Thread to Tech: Tailor’s Digital Shift Through RemOnline
How RemOnline changed the game for a traditional tailor shop by transforming it into a digitally-driven business
Table of Contents
Growing Operations Need Digital Transformation
Finding the Right Fit for Complex Tailoring Workflows
Boosting Productivity and Efficiency in Tailoring
In the bustling heart of Dubai, 800Tailor, a boutique tailoring service, has been crafting bespoke gowns and performing intricate alterations since its establishment in 2013. Known for its exceptional craftsmanship, the business has grown steadily. However, with growth came operational challenges that manual processes couldn’t handle. That’s when Tandem Partners, a business consulting firm already working with 800Tailor on other areas, referred technology consultant Sreejith Sreenivasan to take up the technology aspect. After a thorough research and validation exercise, Mr Sreenivasan introduced RemOnline tailoring software, which entirely transformed business operations.
800Tailor, Dubai, UAE
Growing Operations Need Digital Transformation
For nearly a decade, 800Tailor operated entirely offline. Every aspect of the workflow — taking measurements, tracking garments, noting alterations, and monitoring orders — was done manually using pen and paper. The shop’s 15 tailors worked tirelessly, but the inefficiencies were glaring. These are some of the challenges faced by 800Tailor due to the traditional tailor shop model:
- Manual Order Tracking. Each garment, often with multiple repair or customisation requirements, was tracked using handwritten notes.
- Lost Items. Items ready for pickup were sometimes misplaced, especially when customers delayed collection.
- Workflow Bottlenecks. The shop faced significant delays in identifying which tailor was handling a particular item or the current status of an order.
- Communication Issues. Staff needed to physically locate garments or speak with tailors to answer customer inquiries, leading to delays and frustration.
The lack of a standardised system led to inefficiencies, uncollected inventory, and missed revenue opportunities. As 800Tailor’s customer base expanded, these inefficiencies became unmanageable. This prompted the business to hire Mr Sreenivasan to spearhead its digital transformation. The tailoring boutique required a robust tailor management system to:
- Track garment status and workflow in real-time
- Organise and manage employee tasks
- Improve communication with customers
- Minimise revenue loss from uncollected items
800Tailor was in a situation where the business was growing obviously, but there was no workflow tracking: how many garments were being altered, who was doing the job, and at what stage? When a customer called requesting a status update, they had to go physically to the assigned tailor. But now with RemOnline, the tracking is happening properly. Overall, the software is easy to understand and implement, and the customer support is also good.
Sreejith Sreenivasan
Technology consultant
Custom tailoring at 800Tailor
Finding the Right Fit for Complex Tailoring Workflows
After evaluating seven to eight off-the-shelf software solutions, Mr Sreenivasan recommended RemOnline. It stood out due to its robust features tailored for service-based businesses with complex workflows like a boutique tailoring service. Other factors that influenced Mr Sreenivasan’s choice included:
- Customizable Workflow Tracking. RemOnline’s flexibility allowed the creation of multiple statuses and transitions within the workflow, ensuring visibility and accessibility across roles.
- Customer Approvals via Public Forms. The ability to send orders for customer approval, including digital signatures, added a layer of professionalism and control.
- Status Time Limits. Overdue notifications helped managers prioritise tasks and monitor performance effectively.
The customer approval feature has been a game-changer for us. It allows our clients — many of whom are high-profile individuals who value control — to review and approve orders remotely, complete with their digital signature. Even with our concierge service where our seamstress visits them, this feature allows us to send the order for final review and approval, ensuring they’re involved in every step.
Sreejith Sreenivasan
Technology consultant
With his guidance, 800Tailor implemented RemOnline to digitalise their daily operations and got their team of 22 employees on board. Here’s how the tailor shop’s processes improved after the digital transformation through RemOnline:
1. Order management has been streamlined. Each garment's journey is now digitally tracked from customer drop-off to final delivery.
Order approval with E-Signature in RemOnline
2. Real-time status checks are available. Managers can instantly view the status of any order in the system, minimising delays and miscommunication.
3. Employee tracking is also in place. Management can monitor each tailor's work efficiency to analyse performance and optimise resource allocation.
4. Inventory control has improved. Uncollected items are systematically tracked, ensuring that nothing gets misplaced.
Tracking order statuses in RemOnline
Boosting Productivity and Efficiency in Tailoring
800Tailor’s transformation with RemOnline demonstrates how technology can revolutionise even the most traditional businesses. By adopting a system tailored to their specific needs, the team has solved longstanding challenges and is now well-positioned for future growth:
Greater Efficiency
Tasks that previously took hours — like tracking down an item or checking its status — can now be completed in mere seconds.
RemOnline’s flexibility in creating multiple statuses and transitions within the workflow was crucial. It allowed us to design processes that matched the 800Tailor's operations perfectly.
Sreejith Sreenivasan
Technology consultant
Enhanced Customer Satisfaction
Real-time updates and digital approvals give customers a sense of control, especially high-profile clients who often use the concierge service.
Minimized Losses
Systematic tracking of uncollected items has eliminated inventory mismanagement and reduced wasted resources.
Valuable Insights
Detailed reports on tailors’ productivity and order timelines provide managers with actionable insights to drive continuous improvement.
For 800Tailor, this digital evolution begins an exciting new chapter. We thank Mr Sreenivasan for sharing his client’s story about the successful adoption of RemOnline in the tailoring business and wish 800Tailor continuous growth and success for years ahead.