Description
Small and Medium Scale Textile Industries are working under intensive market pressure. This pressure forces the textile business to improve their Management Information System (MIS) and reduce expenses (Capex) in IT. IT technology are developing so fast, it is very difficult to keep update with IT by SME. In order to improve their MIS System, new technologies such as cloud computing, mobile computing are suggested.
ISSN: 2277-3754
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Abstract— Small and Medium Scale Textile I ndustries are
working under intensive market pressure. This pressure forces the
textile business to improve their Management I nformation System
(MI S) and reduce expenses (Capex) in I T. I T technology are
developing so fast, it is very difficult to keep update with I T by
SME. I n order to improve their MI S System, new technologies
such as cloud computing, mobile computing are suggested.
Various factors are discussed which will be considered for taking
maximum advantages from latest I T technologies.
I ndex Terms— Management Information System, Cloud
Computing, Mobile Computing.
I. INTRODUCTION
The role of Computers , Internet , Cloud computing and
mobile computing are considerable in MIS without these tool
no one industry can survive or make relevant strategies in cut
thought competition in textile market. In coming future we
can’t think about MIS without Cloud computing and mobile
computing.
Mobile computing:
Mobile computing is a common term used to refer to a
variety of devices that allow people to access data and
information from where ever they are.
Cloud computing:
The Data center hardware & software is called a cloud.
Web services & applications are hosted on cloud & can be
accessed through internet [22].
Cloud computing has been an important computing method
to provide computing as the utility (after water, electricity,
telephony and gas) to meet the everyday needs of the general
business community. Cloud Computing refers to the
applications, the hardware and software delivered as services
over the Internet [21].
Cloud services:
Clouds are four types which are public, private, community
& hybrid. Here we use public or hybrid cloud for information
sharing & low cost MIS working. Cloud Computing provides
three types of service models such as Infrastructure as a
Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) & Software as a
Service (SaaS)[20].
Cloud computing integrates various latest technology such
as data warehousing, mining , knowledge management,
decision support system, mobile computing, wireless
technology, 4G services, high performance computing,
Industrial Robots, Automated Machine , remote sensing,
satellite technology , Web base geographic information
system(GIS), Model-base management system, Spatial
database management system. This system provides
information about production field’s data which helps in
decision making. This system has alert system for any
abnormal situation. This system provide Industrial expert to
textile supervisor for advice through video conferencing on
demand basis. This system increases the profitability of the
textile business & SME by reducing the cost of production. In
the MIS cloud computing provides following universal vales.
1 Initial cost reduction in IT (reducing capex).
2 Resources are available on demand on rent.
3 Up gradation & Maintenance, Scalability are easy on
cloud.
4 Rapid development & integration with other services on
cloud are easy.
5 Best practices are applied in textile scenario.
Factors affecting Implementation of MIS on Cloud:
(1)Management decision making
(2)Service Level Agreement
(3)User training
(4)Change management
(5)Team work
Investment in IT infrastructure is at least 5-10% of the total
investments but it need regular updating that time it’s very
difficult to keep pace with latest technology. In this paper we
are suggesting cloud based technology for MIS and its IT
infrastructure which requires less investment in capex (no
need to purchase latest servers and hardware all facility are
available on rental basis which are easily scalable and global)
Management information systems is important in the textile
business environments, where right management decisions
and strategically important choices require a lot of
information collection & information mix from different
sources. The challenges of information management in the
textile business area can generally be classified into two main
categories such as:
A) Strategic value management
B) Operational value management
The strategic value management challenges are related to
handle long term textile business environment and changes
within it. The investment costs of the textile plants are
relativity high. Based on the case company’s estimation, the
average investment costs in Bhilwara textile environment for
a conventional single plant is approximately 30 Crore. The
life cycle of the textile plant is 20-30 years from the point of
investment. The textile plants that are controlled by
Design of Cloud Computing Based MIS Model
for Textile Industries
Raj Kumar Somani
1
, Dr. Reena Dadhich
2
Research Scholar MJRP University, Jaipur, Professor & Head, Deptt. Of Computer Sc., University of
Kota
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computer-based systems that have shorter life cycle than most
of the ordinary ones. The computer-based textile plant
systems are linked to the MIS as a source of data. For cost
reasons, the system updates are done mostly in 3-5 year
cycles.
These investment decisions for textile business are done by
assessing the financial risk, strategic choices and long term
textile business visions. These business visions include e.g.
longer term support to defining the market share &
profitability. The shorter term business visions can be defined
as the operational management decisions, organizational
performance & expansion of textile markets.
These two different objectives create fundamental area of
challenge for MIS requirements. This study presents a
case-based research with the view to elaborate how these
challenges are approached and managed in today’s real-life
textile business environment. The focus of this study is to
obtain valuable knowledge in MIS and to reflect its empirical
implementation in the area of textile business using cloud
computing.
II. METHODOLOGY
This study is focused on single case company’s
implementation project. Empirical aspects are highlighted
and the implementation was done in the business environment
of textile markets in Bhilwara.
The main research related to this case study was conducted
by interviewing the case company’s Chairman, Managing
Director, Board of Directors, Strategic board members, &
experts behind the technical solutions. During this study, the
case company’s existing documentation was inspected from
earlier versions to the recent implemented solution. This was
done with the objective to gaining better background
knowledge and technical platforms as necessary for
implementing MIS variables by cloud computing.
The inspection concerning the practical implementations of
MIS was done through interviewing the concerning parties,
responsible for running the case company’s textile business.
Results were formed through analysis and synthesis. Future
considerations were approached by interviewing the
management, implementation group and several technical
experts working in the textile area.
III. LITERATURE REVIEW
A. Defining MIS –The term Management Information
Systems was introduced in the year 1968 by Farhoomand [1].
The main purpose was to replace the term Information
Technology [2].
After introducing the term Management Information
System in 1968, science society has tried to find better and
exact definitions to field of information technology that it can
be classified more exactly from other areas [3, 4, 5]. Topic
decision support system versus management information
systems was more clearly presented by an ACM SIGBDP
Conference in January 1977 [6].
Year 1984 Davis & Ohlson [7] addressed that management
information system is an integrated “user-machine” system,
which offers information in organization to support processes,
managements, analyzes and decision supports in the business
environment. The system takes advantages and uses from
different technologies such as:
Computer hardware,
Software and applications
Manual procedures
Design
Databases
Here we are adding following in above technologies
Internet, Web Technologies
Sensor, PDA & IPhone
Cloud Computing
Mobile Computing [23].
An abstract of the management information system is not
possible to implement totally without computer. The
performance offered by the computer and data
communication system gives management information
systems more advantages that can be used to justify its
importance [7].
Management information systems are only computer
based systems which performs middle management’s control
and decision making by offering routine reports from
operation level actions performed and deviations to
production plan given by Laudon in 2000 [8]. Laudon K.C. et
al. have wider the definition later in year 2010 “The study of
information systems focusing on their use in business and
management” [9].
Modern perspective of MI S:
The information position against organization in 1995
Roger Clarke [10] presented a model that maps the
information categories against the organization. Various
categories of information system can be distinguished
according to Clarke. The Clarke’s diagram maps them against
conventional hierarchical structure of an organization.
Management information systems continue development
and present definitions are wide and open. In the present
scenario the term is commonly used larger meaning as
information systems, managing on their use in business and
management [9]. The MIS solutions include all the area of
decision support systems to information systems that are
linked to business and organization [23].
Fig 1. Modified Roger Clarke’s diagram [9].
Figure 1 shows the Modified Roger Clarke’s diagram and
Information system against the conventional structure of an
Structure of
Organization
Operation personal Operative
Supervisory personal Supervision
Middle Management Control
Executive Management Planning
Data Processing Systems
Role of DSS
Information
System
Data
Reductio
n
Reporting
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organization [10].
MI S in textile companies
In the textile field, a Textile Management System (TMS) is
having some of the features needed in the textile business
companies’ management information systems [11].
TMS’s are considered as the data collection and
forecasting systems, which can perform several calculation
and reporting tasks. The TMS system can perform data
exchange between one system to other system using several
protocols [11]. Presently Business intelligence (BI) solutions
are commonly working also in the context of MIS in the
textile area.
IV. CASE COMPANY’S PROFILE
The study as conducted within the case company represents
a medium size textile business actor within Indian countries
that has a market-driven business area; covering textile yarn
production, and Garments manufacturing. The case
company’s annual turnover is Rs 1171cror. The case
company’s textile business area manages textile business
through versatile textile portfolio. This includes several
different types of textile plants and textile productions in the
forms of Ring frames, Sulzar and Simmco looms in textile
production.
The case company also controls various sub type of textile
plants, having different features e.g. from viscous to final
cloths production etc. These textile business people sell the
yarns or gray cloth or finished cloth or garments to the
markets. Internally, this business actor’s textile business
model processes are integrated to the business holders of
other business process, e.g. into the ready made garments in
the automation system level.
V. CASE COMPANY’S MIS SOLUTION
A. Defining the management requirements and approach to
MIS Case Company’s background approach for MIS solution
lies in the definition of some specific areas of the Contingency
theory and MIS variables. The flowchart below presents a
theoretical representation of Contingency theory of MIS,
which was introduced in early 80’s by Weills [12].
Fig 2. Weill’s contingency theory of MIS [12].
From study the case company did not use contingency
theory fully as presented. Instead of trying to solve the
theoretical problems of organization sciences, just defining
the affective MIS variables were seen as more realistic. The
most simplified model was used.
Case Company’s chosen MIS variables
Case company focused to reach primary information to
gain management performance using simplified MIS
variables.
The fundamentals of chosen MIS variables are shown in
Figure 3. Those variables can be briefly elaborated as follows:
Yarn prices in textile market are the most highly
affecting individual factor that defines the productivity and
profitability of the case company’s textile business area.
IT infrastructure & software (ERP) update , training and
learning cost.
Textile plant raw materials procurement costs and timing
of purchasing the raw material .Viscous and other polestars,
cotton and yarns market prices are constantly changing and
timing the purchases and optimizing the size of the raw
material reserve has great effects in cost structures.
Textile market function efficiency set’s competitive
position against the other textile producers. Ability to forecast
future consumption and offer right amount of textile quality in
right time to the textile market is an optimizing component
that highly effects to the profit gained. This gives an
advantage in the situation, where market prices are suitable
for competition of similar type textile plants and are using
same raw materials.
Production unit’s investments costs and secondary
financial components related to that. Average textile plant is
30 crore investments and pay back times are usually 20-30
years, depending on the type of textile plants. Business
owners normally finance the big investment through bank
loans. Loan shortenings, interest rates and profit pay backs
timings to the owners are strategically important in long term
profitability.
Production unit’s maintenance and updating costs are
higher, which also depend on the life cycle of production unit.
Average textile plant can service about 30 years. During its
active use several maintenance and systems updates are
performed to achieve an optimal productivity versus costs.
Optimizing normal maintenance is important from both
textile market functioning and operational productivity point
of view.
Fig 3. Case company’s selected MIS variable
Contingency
Variable
MIS
Variable
MIS
Performance
Organizational
Performance
Strategy
Structure, Size
Environment
Technology
Individual
Task
Management
Implementation
Structure
Development
Satisfaction
Success
Effectiveness
Innovativeness
Financial
Volume
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Human resources costs and optimizing: The human
resources used in textile plants could be the business owners
own personnel or outsourced. This can be applied into
various areas, like operational, maintenance and office
personnel. But from management point of view handling
human recourses and costs in optimal way must be handled in
both situations.
Taxation and other regulative cost components: Various
taxations and other regulative cost component are addressed
to textile production. When combined together, these form a
significant additional cost component that may affect to
business owner’s competitive and strategic position. Taxation
and pollution are focused differently to different type of
textile plants. Optimal handling of this component is
important.
Other fixed cost: This group of cost consists of various
general cost like office, basic infrastructure and
communications, education and learning, etc.
Defining management needs and approach to MI S
The case company has large number of different existing
systems and the management has a clear knowledge vision,
where the data is available and how it could have been
modified more informative form. The case company started a
separate analyzing project, where the exact management
requirements were defined and information sources were
recognized. Figure 4 describes the case company’s systems.
Fig 4. Various System of the case company
The case company’s existing internal system infrastructure
The case company has various existing internal systems
which can be described as follows:
Textile plant automation systems are using computer
technology & engineering to help in running the textile
production process, having automated functions efficiently
and safely. The functionality is programmed to control system
as binary code. Operator uses predefined commands for
controlling processes. Textile plant automation systems
provide several reports and data communication interfaces
[13].
Computerized Maintenance System (CMS): consists of
hardware solution and a software package that allows an
organization to manage the maintenance of equipment and
facilities. Use of a CMS improves productivity, lower
operating costs, and store important information about
maintenance functions in the organization [14].
Human Resource Information System : is a software or
online solution for managing human resources. It includes
functions like personnel data entry, and tracking, basic data
information of the personnel, links or possible integrated
functions to accounting system functions [15].
Finance and accounting system: keeps record of the
financial actions and account transactions [16]. In the textile
plant environments, it is logically linked to human resources
and maintenance systems. The link may be handled manually
or automatically. Accounting and financial systems also are
having link to the banking systems too.
Textile Management System (TMS): The TMS can be
considered as data collection and forecasting systems, which
perform several calculations and reporting tasks [11]. It is
used to monitor, control, and optimize the performance of the
textile production, processing and distribution system. TMS
is focusing to optimize the textile production function [11].
Within the influence of Bhilwara textile market, TMS is
crucial role in daily textile production and trade actions.
VI. TECHNICAL SOLUTION
Case company’s implementation project chose data
warehouse (DWH) as a technical solution to collect and
combine the MIS information sources.
Fig 5. Layered architecture MIS model on the Cloud
A. Brief I ntroduction to data warehouses in textile sector
A data warehouse is used to extract forecast, current and
historical data from business holder’s operational information
Systems. Data warehouse advantage is that it can store and
add external data to data exported from inside organization
without disturbing to the functioning of internal business
systems. [17]
In data warehouse, the data is combined with data from
external sources is reorganized and possibly modified to
supporting the management reporting needs. Data warehouse
enables own specially designed database to management
reporting needs. This database is fully designed or
management reporting, possibly further data modification and
decision supporting analysis.
B. Case Company’s implemented MIS and data warehouse
solution
Figure 6 represents the basic architecture of the case
company’s implemented data warehouse and system links.
SaaS layer
Management Information System, Textile
Management System, HR Information System,
Finance, Tax & Insurance, Purchase & Inventory,
Help desk, CRM, SCM, Maintenance etc.
Data Warehouse & Mining, Knowledge Mgt & DSS
,GPS data processing, Textile processing, Image
processing, Billing, Authentication , Sensor control
etc
PaaS layer
New layer
Database management system, Development
Environment, Operational support etc
IaaS layer
Server, Storage, Network, Operating System,
Sensor etc
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The MIS is basically a reporting system that uses optimized
queries to combine the information from various sources. The
reporting system is able perform basic calculations. The case
company used their Oracle database as a platform to the data
warehouse database.
The selected product for the case was IBM’s Cognos 8 BI
combined to data warehouse. Cognos is IBM's business
intelligence and performance management software suite
[18]. The product is focusing to analyze and reporting and its
design goal has been to design the system easy to use. This
aims to use that support business users without large amount
of technical knowledge.
Cognos is a collection of tens of software products. Cognos
architecture is based on open standards. The software
products can be used with various database suppliers product.
This includes multidimensional data sources and relational
databases. [18]
Fig 6. Case company’s MIS architecture with DWH
MI S reports publication channel
Secure web based hybrid cloud was chosen as publication
channel to the MIS reports. Web-based hybrid cloud is used
for web-based solution that enables accessing to the corporate
internal network from internet.
The chosen hybrid cloud can be accessed from anywhere in
the world. It is an easy to use file or solution which can be
called between authenticated user groups. Cloud allows case
company to distribute information quickly and easily. Users
can send and access files with an internet browser through a
secure connection. User groups can be freely modified to fit
the case company’s needs
Fig 7. Case company’s MIS model on cloud
VII. DISCUSSION
The studied case company represents a textile business
actor, having various textile plants and functioning in Indian
textile market. The MIS implemented has great advantages,
especially, in the improved management information
accuracy and delivery time. The similar system and
information flow is impossible to achieve fully manual
working. Implemented solution addresses solution to set
systems challenges and supports both:
A) Strategic value management
B) Operational value management [22].
The implemented MIS adds value to strategic management
by storing long term trends without the limitations of the
source systems and performs automatically reports to fulfill
the strategic management needs. It also adds value to
operational management by giving more up to date and real
time information from the daily business process.
VIII. STUDY LIMITATIONS
The study examines MIS, specifically from case company’s
implementation projects and fundamentals that are affected to
develop individual MIS. Similar to formal case study
research, technical solutions of the presented case company
may not be technically fully repeatable in other environments.
Keeping in mind, more studies on various case companies
might be helpful to generalize this research approach.
Other limitations of this study were to hide the name and
specifications of the case company’s data and information due
to violation of confidentiality also restricts this study
approach. Depth presentation of the exact calculations or
detailed logic behind valuating the MIS factors may violate
the case company’s business secrets, which was also avoided.
IX. CONCLUSION
The implemented management information system is
useful and functional solution in case company’s
environment. The added value given by the MIS is highly
dependable on the following factors:
? How well the MIS factors are defined and what is
logic behind set value to them?
? How well the actual reports produced to
management can support the real and constantly
changing business problems in longer run?
The main added value from the implementation of MIS
seems to be achieved mainly by innovative ideas and as how
to combine information as a management tools instead of
approaching the challenges through developing the complex
and high end technical solution. The MIS implemented by
using existing commercial data warehouse on cloud and
reporting products seems more cost efficient than specially
programmed solution in this case.
X. FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
It is clear that the role of the MIS is increasing in the textile
business area. This is influenced not only better
interconnecting and data exchange interfaces of the several
MIS As a Service
Using Hybrid Cloud
Web User
Web User
Web User
Encrypted
Connection
Company
Internal
System
Company
Internal
System
Company
Internal
System
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system, but also more common use of cloud based enterprise
architectures in textile companies.
More and wider set of data communication methods in
systems enable faster and cost effective and efficient MIS
implementations. It is likely that in future the need for case by
case specially programmed data import modules will be
reducing when products data exchange methods will become
more standardized or open source software are used. In order
to improve their MIS System, new technologies such as cloud
computing, mobile computing are used. Various factors are
discussed which will be considered for taking maximum
advantages from latest IT technologies.
Future research can be extended to compare this
implementation case to other cases, and also perform a
comparative study among geographically distributed textile
companies. Based on the presented implementation case, the
textile market seems to have significant impact to the cloud
based business model. This would be useful to study
separately.
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[2] J. Aron, “Information Systems in Perspective”, ACM
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Indonesia, vol. 3, p 95-98, April 2011.
[12] P. Weill; Marorethe H. Olson, “An Assessment of the
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Summer 1989.
[13] W. S. Levine, Control system fundamentals, CRC Press, 2000.
[14] Amik Garg, Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering,
Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 12, no. 3, 2006.
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Information Systems: Basics, Applications, and Future
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[16] H. G. Heymann, Robert Bloom, Decision support systems in
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[18] IBM Corporation, Cognos 8, product information, web pages.
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[20] Wang Zhouxiu et al., “A designing and research of future
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[21] Victor Chang, Robert John Walters, Gary Wills, “The
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AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Raj Kumar Somani is Research Scholar in MJRP University, Jaipur and
currently pursing Ph.D. He received the B.E. from Rajasthan University,
Jaipur in 1992 and M.E. in 2007. His area of current interest includes Cloud
Computing, ERP System, and Software Project Management etc.
Dr. Reena Dadhich is Professor and Head, Deptt. Of Computer Sc. and
Informatics, University of Kota, Kota (Raj.). Her area of interest are Wireless
ad-hoc Networks, System Testing, Cloud Computing etc.
doc_291351180.pdf
Small and Medium Scale Textile Industries are working under intensive market pressure. This pressure forces the textile business to improve their Management Information System (MIS) and reduce expenses (Capex) in IT. IT technology are developing so fast, it is very difficult to keep update with IT by SME. In order to improve their MIS System, new technologies such as cloud computing, mobile computing are suggested.
ISSN: 2277-3754
ISO 9001:2008 Certified
International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT)
Volume 2, Issue 11, May 2013
70
Abstract— Small and Medium Scale Textile I ndustries are
working under intensive market pressure. This pressure forces the
textile business to improve their Management I nformation System
(MI S) and reduce expenses (Capex) in I T. I T technology are
developing so fast, it is very difficult to keep update with I T by
SME. I n order to improve their MI S System, new technologies
such as cloud computing, mobile computing are suggested.
Various factors are discussed which will be considered for taking
maximum advantages from latest I T technologies.
I ndex Terms— Management Information System, Cloud
Computing, Mobile Computing.
I. INTRODUCTION
The role of Computers , Internet , Cloud computing and
mobile computing are considerable in MIS without these tool
no one industry can survive or make relevant strategies in cut
thought competition in textile market. In coming future we
can’t think about MIS without Cloud computing and mobile
computing.
Mobile computing:
Mobile computing is a common term used to refer to a
variety of devices that allow people to access data and
information from where ever they are.
Cloud computing:
The Data center hardware & software is called a cloud.
Web services & applications are hosted on cloud & can be
accessed through internet [22].
Cloud computing has been an important computing method
to provide computing as the utility (after water, electricity,
telephony and gas) to meet the everyday needs of the general
business community. Cloud Computing refers to the
applications, the hardware and software delivered as services
over the Internet [21].
Cloud services:
Clouds are four types which are public, private, community
& hybrid. Here we use public or hybrid cloud for information
sharing & low cost MIS working. Cloud Computing provides
three types of service models such as Infrastructure as a
Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) & Software as a
Service (SaaS)[20].
Cloud computing integrates various latest technology such
as data warehousing, mining , knowledge management,
decision support system, mobile computing, wireless
technology, 4G services, high performance computing,
Industrial Robots, Automated Machine , remote sensing,
satellite technology , Web base geographic information
system(GIS), Model-base management system, Spatial
database management system. This system provides
information about production field’s data which helps in
decision making. This system has alert system for any
abnormal situation. This system provide Industrial expert to
textile supervisor for advice through video conferencing on
demand basis. This system increases the profitability of the
textile business & SME by reducing the cost of production. In
the MIS cloud computing provides following universal vales.
1 Initial cost reduction in IT (reducing capex).
2 Resources are available on demand on rent.
3 Up gradation & Maintenance, Scalability are easy on
cloud.
4 Rapid development & integration with other services on
cloud are easy.
5 Best practices are applied in textile scenario.
Factors affecting Implementation of MIS on Cloud:
(1)Management decision making
(2)Service Level Agreement
(3)User training
(4)Change management
(5)Team work
Investment in IT infrastructure is at least 5-10% of the total
investments but it need regular updating that time it’s very
difficult to keep pace with latest technology. In this paper we
are suggesting cloud based technology for MIS and its IT
infrastructure which requires less investment in capex (no
need to purchase latest servers and hardware all facility are
available on rental basis which are easily scalable and global)
Management information systems is important in the textile
business environments, where right management decisions
and strategically important choices require a lot of
information collection & information mix from different
sources. The challenges of information management in the
textile business area can generally be classified into two main
categories such as:
A) Strategic value management
B) Operational value management
The strategic value management challenges are related to
handle long term textile business environment and changes
within it. The investment costs of the textile plants are
relativity high. Based on the case company’s estimation, the
average investment costs in Bhilwara textile environment for
a conventional single plant is approximately 30 Crore. The
life cycle of the textile plant is 20-30 years from the point of
investment. The textile plants that are controlled by
Design of Cloud Computing Based MIS Model
for Textile Industries
Raj Kumar Somani
1
, Dr. Reena Dadhich
2
Research Scholar MJRP University, Jaipur, Professor & Head, Deptt. Of Computer Sc., University of
Kota
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computer-based systems that have shorter life cycle than most
of the ordinary ones. The computer-based textile plant
systems are linked to the MIS as a source of data. For cost
reasons, the system updates are done mostly in 3-5 year
cycles.
These investment decisions for textile business are done by
assessing the financial risk, strategic choices and long term
textile business visions. These business visions include e.g.
longer term support to defining the market share &
profitability. The shorter term business visions can be defined
as the operational management decisions, organizational
performance & expansion of textile markets.
These two different objectives create fundamental area of
challenge for MIS requirements. This study presents a
case-based research with the view to elaborate how these
challenges are approached and managed in today’s real-life
textile business environment. The focus of this study is to
obtain valuable knowledge in MIS and to reflect its empirical
implementation in the area of textile business using cloud
computing.
II. METHODOLOGY
This study is focused on single case company’s
implementation project. Empirical aspects are highlighted
and the implementation was done in the business environment
of textile markets in Bhilwara.
The main research related to this case study was conducted
by interviewing the case company’s Chairman, Managing
Director, Board of Directors, Strategic board members, &
experts behind the technical solutions. During this study, the
case company’s existing documentation was inspected from
earlier versions to the recent implemented solution. This was
done with the objective to gaining better background
knowledge and technical platforms as necessary for
implementing MIS variables by cloud computing.
The inspection concerning the practical implementations of
MIS was done through interviewing the concerning parties,
responsible for running the case company’s textile business.
Results were formed through analysis and synthesis. Future
considerations were approached by interviewing the
management, implementation group and several technical
experts working in the textile area.
III. LITERATURE REVIEW
A. Defining MIS –The term Management Information
Systems was introduced in the year 1968 by Farhoomand [1].
The main purpose was to replace the term Information
Technology [2].
After introducing the term Management Information
System in 1968, science society has tried to find better and
exact definitions to field of information technology that it can
be classified more exactly from other areas [3, 4, 5]. Topic
decision support system versus management information
systems was more clearly presented by an ACM SIGBDP
Conference in January 1977 [6].
Year 1984 Davis & Ohlson [7] addressed that management
information system is an integrated “user-machine” system,
which offers information in organization to support processes,
managements, analyzes and decision supports in the business
environment. The system takes advantages and uses from
different technologies such as:
Computer hardware,
Software and applications
Manual procedures
Design
Databases
Here we are adding following in above technologies
Internet, Web Technologies
Sensor, PDA & IPhone
Cloud Computing
Mobile Computing [23].
An abstract of the management information system is not
possible to implement totally without computer. The
performance offered by the computer and data
communication system gives management information
systems more advantages that can be used to justify its
importance [7].
Management information systems are only computer
based systems which performs middle management’s control
and decision making by offering routine reports from
operation level actions performed and deviations to
production plan given by Laudon in 2000 [8]. Laudon K.C. et
al. have wider the definition later in year 2010 “The study of
information systems focusing on their use in business and
management” [9].
Modern perspective of MI S:
The information position against organization in 1995
Roger Clarke [10] presented a model that maps the
information categories against the organization. Various
categories of information system can be distinguished
according to Clarke. The Clarke’s diagram maps them against
conventional hierarchical structure of an organization.
Management information systems continue development
and present definitions are wide and open. In the present
scenario the term is commonly used larger meaning as
information systems, managing on their use in business and
management [9]. The MIS solutions include all the area of
decision support systems to information systems that are
linked to business and organization [23].
Fig 1. Modified Roger Clarke’s diagram [9].
Figure 1 shows the Modified Roger Clarke’s diagram and
Information system against the conventional structure of an
Structure of
Organization
Operation personal Operative
Supervisory personal Supervision
Middle Management Control
Executive Management Planning
Data Processing Systems
Role of DSS
Information
System
Data
Reductio
n
Reporting
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organization [10].
MI S in textile companies
In the textile field, a Textile Management System (TMS) is
having some of the features needed in the textile business
companies’ management information systems [11].
TMS’s are considered as the data collection and
forecasting systems, which can perform several calculation
and reporting tasks. The TMS system can perform data
exchange between one system to other system using several
protocols [11]. Presently Business intelligence (BI) solutions
are commonly working also in the context of MIS in the
textile area.
IV. CASE COMPANY’S PROFILE
The study as conducted within the case company represents
a medium size textile business actor within Indian countries
that has a market-driven business area; covering textile yarn
production, and Garments manufacturing. The case
company’s annual turnover is Rs 1171cror. The case
company’s textile business area manages textile business
through versatile textile portfolio. This includes several
different types of textile plants and textile productions in the
forms of Ring frames, Sulzar and Simmco looms in textile
production.
The case company also controls various sub type of textile
plants, having different features e.g. from viscous to final
cloths production etc. These textile business people sell the
yarns or gray cloth or finished cloth or garments to the
markets. Internally, this business actor’s textile business
model processes are integrated to the business holders of
other business process, e.g. into the ready made garments in
the automation system level.
V. CASE COMPANY’S MIS SOLUTION
A. Defining the management requirements and approach to
MIS Case Company’s background approach for MIS solution
lies in the definition of some specific areas of the Contingency
theory and MIS variables. The flowchart below presents a
theoretical representation of Contingency theory of MIS,
which was introduced in early 80’s by Weills [12].
Fig 2. Weill’s contingency theory of MIS [12].
From study the case company did not use contingency
theory fully as presented. Instead of trying to solve the
theoretical problems of organization sciences, just defining
the affective MIS variables were seen as more realistic. The
most simplified model was used.
Case Company’s chosen MIS variables
Case company focused to reach primary information to
gain management performance using simplified MIS
variables.
The fundamentals of chosen MIS variables are shown in
Figure 3. Those variables can be briefly elaborated as follows:
Yarn prices in textile market are the most highly
affecting individual factor that defines the productivity and
profitability of the case company’s textile business area.
IT infrastructure & software (ERP) update , training and
learning cost.
Textile plant raw materials procurement costs and timing
of purchasing the raw material .Viscous and other polestars,
cotton and yarns market prices are constantly changing and
timing the purchases and optimizing the size of the raw
material reserve has great effects in cost structures.
Textile market function efficiency set’s competitive
position against the other textile producers. Ability to forecast
future consumption and offer right amount of textile quality in
right time to the textile market is an optimizing component
that highly effects to the profit gained. This gives an
advantage in the situation, where market prices are suitable
for competition of similar type textile plants and are using
same raw materials.
Production unit’s investments costs and secondary
financial components related to that. Average textile plant is
30 crore investments and pay back times are usually 20-30
years, depending on the type of textile plants. Business
owners normally finance the big investment through bank
loans. Loan shortenings, interest rates and profit pay backs
timings to the owners are strategically important in long term
profitability.
Production unit’s maintenance and updating costs are
higher, which also depend on the life cycle of production unit.
Average textile plant can service about 30 years. During its
active use several maintenance and systems updates are
performed to achieve an optimal productivity versus costs.
Optimizing normal maintenance is important from both
textile market functioning and operational productivity point
of view.
Fig 3. Case company’s selected MIS variable
Contingency
Variable
MIS
Variable
MIS
Performance
Organizational
Performance
Strategy
Structure, Size
Environment
Technology
Individual
Task
Management
Implementation
Structure
Development
Satisfaction
Success
Effectiveness
Innovativeness
Financial
Volume
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Human resources costs and optimizing: The human
resources used in textile plants could be the business owners
own personnel or outsourced. This can be applied into
various areas, like operational, maintenance and office
personnel. But from management point of view handling
human recourses and costs in optimal way must be handled in
both situations.
Taxation and other regulative cost components: Various
taxations and other regulative cost component are addressed
to textile production. When combined together, these form a
significant additional cost component that may affect to
business owner’s competitive and strategic position. Taxation
and pollution are focused differently to different type of
textile plants. Optimal handling of this component is
important.
Other fixed cost: This group of cost consists of various
general cost like office, basic infrastructure and
communications, education and learning, etc.
Defining management needs and approach to MI S
The case company has large number of different existing
systems and the management has a clear knowledge vision,
where the data is available and how it could have been
modified more informative form. The case company started a
separate analyzing project, where the exact management
requirements were defined and information sources were
recognized. Figure 4 describes the case company’s systems.
Fig 4. Various System of the case company
The case company’s existing internal system infrastructure
The case company has various existing internal systems
which can be described as follows:
Textile plant automation systems are using computer
technology & engineering to help in running the textile
production process, having automated functions efficiently
and safely. The functionality is programmed to control system
as binary code. Operator uses predefined commands for
controlling processes. Textile plant automation systems
provide several reports and data communication interfaces
[13].
Computerized Maintenance System (CMS): consists of
hardware solution and a software package that allows an
organization to manage the maintenance of equipment and
facilities. Use of a CMS improves productivity, lower
operating costs, and store important information about
maintenance functions in the organization [14].
Human Resource Information System : is a software or
online solution for managing human resources. It includes
functions like personnel data entry, and tracking, basic data
information of the personnel, links or possible integrated
functions to accounting system functions [15].
Finance and accounting system: keeps record of the
financial actions and account transactions [16]. In the textile
plant environments, it is logically linked to human resources
and maintenance systems. The link may be handled manually
or automatically. Accounting and financial systems also are
having link to the banking systems too.
Textile Management System (TMS): The TMS can be
considered as data collection and forecasting systems, which
perform several calculations and reporting tasks [11]. It is
used to monitor, control, and optimize the performance of the
textile production, processing and distribution system. TMS
is focusing to optimize the textile production function [11].
Within the influence of Bhilwara textile market, TMS is
crucial role in daily textile production and trade actions.
VI. TECHNICAL SOLUTION
Case company’s implementation project chose data
warehouse (DWH) as a technical solution to collect and
combine the MIS information sources.
Fig 5. Layered architecture MIS model on the Cloud
A. Brief I ntroduction to data warehouses in textile sector
A data warehouse is used to extract forecast, current and
historical data from business holder’s operational information
Systems. Data warehouse advantage is that it can store and
add external data to data exported from inside organization
without disturbing to the functioning of internal business
systems. [17]
In data warehouse, the data is combined with data from
external sources is reorganized and possibly modified to
supporting the management reporting needs. Data warehouse
enables own specially designed database to management
reporting needs. This database is fully designed or
management reporting, possibly further data modification and
decision supporting analysis.
B. Case Company’s implemented MIS and data warehouse
solution
Figure 6 represents the basic architecture of the case
company’s implemented data warehouse and system links.
SaaS layer
Management Information System, Textile
Management System, HR Information System,
Finance, Tax & Insurance, Purchase & Inventory,
Help desk, CRM, SCM, Maintenance etc.
Data Warehouse & Mining, Knowledge Mgt & DSS
,GPS data processing, Textile processing, Image
processing, Billing, Authentication , Sensor control
etc
PaaS layer
New layer
Database management system, Development
Environment, Operational support etc
IaaS layer
Server, Storage, Network, Operating System,
Sensor etc
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The MIS is basically a reporting system that uses optimized
queries to combine the information from various sources. The
reporting system is able perform basic calculations. The case
company used their Oracle database as a platform to the data
warehouse database.
The selected product for the case was IBM’s Cognos 8 BI
combined to data warehouse. Cognos is IBM's business
intelligence and performance management software suite
[18]. The product is focusing to analyze and reporting and its
design goal has been to design the system easy to use. This
aims to use that support business users without large amount
of technical knowledge.
Cognos is a collection of tens of software products. Cognos
architecture is based on open standards. The software
products can be used with various database suppliers product.
This includes multidimensional data sources and relational
databases. [18]
Fig 6. Case company’s MIS architecture with DWH
MI S reports publication channel
Secure web based hybrid cloud was chosen as publication
channel to the MIS reports. Web-based hybrid cloud is used
for web-based solution that enables accessing to the corporate
internal network from internet.
The chosen hybrid cloud can be accessed from anywhere in
the world. It is an easy to use file or solution which can be
called between authenticated user groups. Cloud allows case
company to distribute information quickly and easily. Users
can send and access files with an internet browser through a
secure connection. User groups can be freely modified to fit
the case company’s needs
Fig 7. Case company’s MIS model on cloud
VII. DISCUSSION
The studied case company represents a textile business
actor, having various textile plants and functioning in Indian
textile market. The MIS implemented has great advantages,
especially, in the improved management information
accuracy and delivery time. The similar system and
information flow is impossible to achieve fully manual
working. Implemented solution addresses solution to set
systems challenges and supports both:
A) Strategic value management
B) Operational value management [22].
The implemented MIS adds value to strategic management
by storing long term trends without the limitations of the
source systems and performs automatically reports to fulfill
the strategic management needs. It also adds value to
operational management by giving more up to date and real
time information from the daily business process.
VIII. STUDY LIMITATIONS
The study examines MIS, specifically from case company’s
implementation projects and fundamentals that are affected to
develop individual MIS. Similar to formal case study
research, technical solutions of the presented case company
may not be technically fully repeatable in other environments.
Keeping in mind, more studies on various case companies
might be helpful to generalize this research approach.
Other limitations of this study were to hide the name and
specifications of the case company’s data and information due
to violation of confidentiality also restricts this study
approach. Depth presentation of the exact calculations or
detailed logic behind valuating the MIS factors may violate
the case company’s business secrets, which was also avoided.
IX. CONCLUSION
The implemented management information system is
useful and functional solution in case company’s
environment. The added value given by the MIS is highly
dependable on the following factors:
? How well the MIS factors are defined and what is
logic behind set value to them?
? How well the actual reports produced to
management can support the real and constantly
changing business problems in longer run?
The main added value from the implementation of MIS
seems to be achieved mainly by innovative ideas and as how
to combine information as a management tools instead of
approaching the challenges through developing the complex
and high end technical solution. The MIS implemented by
using existing commercial data warehouse on cloud and
reporting products seems more cost efficient than specially
programmed solution in this case.
X. FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
It is clear that the role of the MIS is increasing in the textile
business area. This is influenced not only better
interconnecting and data exchange interfaces of the several
MIS As a Service
Using Hybrid Cloud
Web User
Web User
Web User
Encrypted
Connection
Company
Internal
System
Company
Internal
System
Company
Internal
System
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system, but also more common use of cloud based enterprise
architectures in textile companies.
More and wider set of data communication methods in
systems enable faster and cost effective and efficient MIS
implementations. It is likely that in future the need for case by
case specially programmed data import modules will be
reducing when products data exchange methods will become
more standardized or open source software are used. In order
to improve their MIS System, new technologies such as cloud
computing, mobile computing are used. Various factors are
discussed which will be considered for taking maximum
advantages from latest IT technologies.
Future research can be extended to compare this
implementation case to other cases, and also perform a
comparative study among geographically distributed textile
companies. Based on the presented implementation case, the
textile market seems to have significant impact to the cloud
based business model. This would be useful to study
separately.
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AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Raj Kumar Somani is Research Scholar in MJRP University, Jaipur and
currently pursing Ph.D. He received the B.E. from Rajasthan University,
Jaipur in 1992 and M.E. in 2007. His area of current interest includes Cloud
Computing, ERP System, and Software Project Management etc.
Dr. Reena Dadhich is Professor and Head, Deptt. Of Computer Sc. and
Informatics, University of Kota, Kota (Raj.). Her area of interest are Wireless
ad-hoc Networks, System Testing, Cloud Computing etc.
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