Let’s face it; the competitive landscape in apparel manufacturing has changed – forever. New dynamics have been introduced into the equation in the recent past - such as unfavourable exchange rates, competition from whole new countries and higher commodity prices...
One factor that’s common to most of these “field changing” factors is that individual manufacturers have no control over them. That’s globalization and free trade at work!
Given the landscape, manufacturers must simply get smarter. That means getting better throughout from the entire organization. It will be not be sufficient to concentrate on the factory alone; the entire organization must run like a well oiled machine.
That’s where a truly integrated information system that runs across the entire enterprise becomes essential.
The information system must go beyond the traditional data collection & presentation exercise. The organization’s challenges are different; hence the information system – Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) must cater to a large number of ‘unconventional’ requirements.
Let’s consider a few of them:
- The organization of the future will perforce be distributed. To be able to arrive at a competitive quotation will mean collaboration by employees in different geographical locations. My organization must be more empowered. That also means greater focus on accountability.
- Unlike most other products, the ‘high fashion’ nature of apparel means that product changes may occur after an order is confirmed! Will I know what that can do to my estimates?
- Even a 1% tighter fabric marker can save .4% - .5% of my costs. Can I monitor & control this?
- How can the industrial engineering function be integrated into the costing & manufacturing process?
- Can I set and monitor a procurement budget for an order?
- How can I measure throughout in individual departments?
The challenges before the organization are vastly different. How can a run of the mill information system be sufficient? |
