We are living in a time of great change and working in an Information Age. Managers
have to assimilate masses of data, convert that data into information, form conclusions
about that information and make decisions leading to the achievement of business
objectives. For an organisation, information is as important resource as money, machinery
and manpower. It is essential for the survival of the enterprise.

Before the widespread use of computers, many organisations found difficulties in
gathering, storing, organising and distributing large amounts of data and information.
Developments in computer technology made possible for managers to select the
information they require, in the form best suited for their needs and in time they want.
This information must be current and in many cases is needed by many people at the same
time. So it have to be accurate, concise, timely, complete, well presented and storable.
Most firms nowadays depend on IT. But personal computers (PCs) themselves will not
improve organisational productivity: this only comes about if they are used efficiently and
effectively.

The information system is the mechanism to ensure that information is available to the
managers in the form they want it and when they need it. It is designed to support their
work through providing relevant information for their decision-making. Computer
systems can clearly aid organisations in the processing of data into accurate, wellpresented, up-to-date and cost-effective information. Weather that information is also concise, relevant, timely and complete will depend largely on the capabilities of the people involved in its processing and selection.


Information Systems in Textile Industry


Computers have been used in the clothing industry since the earliest introduction of IT. In
those days only the very large tailoring companies had the resource to take up this
technology. They used them mainly for business data processing.

During this decade, the textile industry has progressively taken up computerisation. The
application of computers is wide ranging covering almost all activities necessary to run a
textile business: accounting and transaction processing, sales and marketing, production
planning, computer-aided management, real-time management etc. Over time the nature
of computer systems in their implementation has taken several forms: standalone
applications based on one computer; an integrated centralised system where one large
computer handles a range of applications; applications catered for by having ones data
processing distributed over a network of computers.

A lot of clothing companies continued to invest not only in very latest production
technology, but also in design technology and computer systems. They use computers
complete with Intranet so that a lot of people working on PC’s throughout the group could
access and work with data on the main computer. MIS in clothing companies should
include the control of the stock, processing of each individual order, accounting etc. Most
of the tailoring enterprises have a web site and in this way e-commerce is widening. Ecommerce offers a unique opportunity for economic growth, to improve industry’s
competitiveness and to stimulate investment in innovation and the creation of new jobs.
Commercial communications are an essential part of most electronic commerce services.
Electronic commerce is global and requires increased international  coordination. Its
implementation opens not only new markets, but it also changes the way in which business
is made. E-commerce over the World Wide Web is growing at an astronomical pace.
Many of the top e-commerce sites report revenue growth exceeding 100 percent per year.
Electronic commerce will allow the companies of tailoring industry to compete on the
world’s scene, regardless their geographic situation. Europe is late in developing and
implementing of the modern IT . A small number of companies use all
possibilities of IT. (Official publications of the EC, 2000)

The effect of the use of modern IT might have many fold: higher efficiency, increased
productivity, optimised processes, enhanced quality control and thus improved products;
better design; lower cost and shorter lead times.

The development of the IT and the process of globalisation usually has direct influence on
the labour market and leads to the appearance of new flexible tailoring companies. The
implementation of modern MIS improves the production process in the enterprise and
changes the relationship between managers and their subordinate.