Information technology is justifiably considered to offer far reaching solutions to a wide range of manufacturing and management problems encountered in almost every industry. Yet, according to many efforts in the field of technology management, it is evident that in many organizations information technology is not being used effectively, efficiently or economically. This observation seems to hold true for the textile industry. Introducing information technologies and computer based information systems into textile production processes can achieve a substantial increase in productivity and quality of work. The information technologies developed over the last 30 years have been heavily technology based, while decision-making remained a human thinking process.
Information has no use, and therefore no value, until it is utilized by a decision-maker.
A fundamentally unique methodology is being developed for reengineering or rationalizing the data so as to reduce the overload that tends to occur and make it simple for the personnel to make a right decision. Surveys are being conducted with personnel, both on the plant and management level. Data collection and control profiles for the manufacturing processes are being defined. The Information Engineering methodology will be validated and its feasibility gauged by applying to specific areas of the textile manufacturing process as deemed necessary by industry experts and will build on existing partnerships with textile companies. Based on research in knowledge management constructs for defining the decision process have been identified.