Smartsheet - DeSL Integration and Automation

Common Integration Use Cases Between Smartsheet and DeSL

1. Product Development Milestone Tracking from DeSL to Smartsheet

Data flow: DeSL → Smartsheet

Synchronize key product development milestones, sample approvals, material confirmations, and tech pack status from DeSL into Smartsheet project plans. This gives merchandising, sourcing, and leadership teams a simple portfolio view of launch readiness without needing to work directly in PLM.

• DeSL remains the system of record for product development data
• Smartsheet provides cross-functional visibility into launch timelines
• Teams can track delays, dependencies, and critical path items in one place

Business value: Improves launch governance, reduces status-chasing, and helps teams identify schedule risks earlier.

2. Assortment and Seasonal Calendar Planning

Data flow: Bi-directional

Use DeSL to manage product line details, style attributes, and development readiness, while Smartsheet manages seasonal calendars, gate reviews, and cross-team planning. Updates to assortment priorities or launch dates in either system can be reflected in the other to keep planning aligned.

• DeSL holds product and style master data
• Smartsheet manages calendar-based execution and review workflows
• Changes to launch dates or assortment status are shared across teams

Business value: Aligns product development with commercial planning and reduces miscommunication between product, merchandising, and operations teams.

3. Sample Request and Approval Workflow

Data flow: Smartsheet → DeSL and DeSL → Smartsheet

Capture sample requests, review assignments, and approval tasks in Smartsheet, then push approved requests into DeSL for execution. Once samples are received, reviewed, or rejected in DeSL, the status is sent back to Smartsheet for tracking and escalation.

• Smartsheet manages request intake and approval routing
• DeSL manages sample lifecycle and product development records
• Automated status updates reduce manual follow-up

Business value: Speeds up sample turnaround, improves accountability, and creates a clear audit trail for approvals.

4. Exception Management for Product Development Delays

Data flow: DeSL → Smartsheet

When DeSL identifies delays in material sourcing, supplier response, fit approval, or compliance review, those exceptions can automatically create issue records in Smartsheet. Project managers can then assign owners, set due dates, and monitor resolution across teams.

• DeSL flags operational exceptions in PLM workflows
• Smartsheet manages corrective actions and escalation
• Leadership gets visibility into recurring bottlenecks

Business value: Improves issue resolution speed and helps prevent development delays from impacting go-to-market dates.

5. Supplier Collaboration and Task Coordination

Data flow: Bi-directional

Use DeSL for supplier-facing product data and Smartsheet for task coordination, reminders, and internal follow-up. Supplier deliverables such as BOM updates, costing confirmations, and compliance documents can be tracked in DeSL, while Smartsheet manages internal ownership, deadlines, and escalation paths.

• DeSL supports structured supplier product data exchange
• Smartsheet coordinates internal task execution
• Both teams work from synchronized milestones and deliverables

Business value: Strengthens supplier accountability and reduces the risk of missed handoffs between internal teams and external partners.

6. Launch Readiness Dashboard for Fashion and Retail Programs

Data flow: DeSL → Smartsheet

Feed product readiness indicators from DeSL into Smartsheet dashboards to create a launch readiness scorecard. This can include design completion, sample approval, costing sign-off, and supply chain readiness, giving executives a consolidated view of launch health.

• DeSL provides authoritative product development progress data
• Smartsheet aggregates status into dashboards and reports
• Teams can filter by brand, region, category, or launch window

Business value: Enables faster decision-making and better portfolio oversight across multiple product lines.

7. Change Request and Impact Assessment Management

Data flow: Smartsheet → DeSL

When business teams submit change requests in Smartsheet, such as design revisions, material substitutions, or timeline changes, the request can be routed into DeSL for formal product impact assessment. DeSL can then update affected product records and return approval or rejection status to Smartsheet.

• Smartsheet captures change intake and business justification
• DeSL evaluates product, cost, and supply chain impact
• Approved changes are reflected in downstream workflows

Business value: Creates controlled change management and reduces the risk of untracked product revisions.

8. Portfolio Reporting Across Product Development and Execution

Data flow: DeSL → Smartsheet

Combine DeSL product development data with Smartsheet reporting to build portfolio views for leadership teams. This supports analysis of development cycle times, on-time milestone completion, supplier responsiveness, and launch readiness across brands or business units.

• DeSL supplies structured PLM and supply chain data
• Smartsheet provides flexible reporting and executive dashboards
• Metrics can be rolled up across multiple programs and regions

Business value: Improves strategic oversight and helps leadership identify process inefficiencies and capacity constraints.