Retailing and Merchandising in Textiles and Appare 3(2+1)
Lesson 23 : The Role Of Computers In Revolutionizing The Industry
Cad,Cam&Cim
Computers are dramatically transforming the apparel industry in ways not seen since the invention of the sewing machine. Nearly every aspect of the industry now incorporates some form of computerization. New technology enables the industry to speed up the product development process, preassembly operations, manufacturing processes, and finishing operations while reducing labor time per garment Computers also contribute in these other areas: production planning, marketing sales, financial management, inspection of fabrics, costing, programmable sewing machines, unit production systems that move garments in a conveyor manner from one operation to another during the sewing process, and state-of-the-art automated ware· house facilities. For many companies, the computer makes possible easy communication and transfer of information from one company location to another-even when some facilities are located halfway around the world.
Early computer applications for the industry focused mostly on a single aspect of the product development or production process. Computerization in one activity was not linked to that in others. Data had to be reentered at each stage. Today toe goal is to integrate multiple computerized activities, a concept known as
Computer integrated manufacturing (CIM). Large apparel firms have an advantage over smaller ones in being able to bur and use the range of new technologies. A company must have adequate capital to be able to buy costly equipment and to employ specialists who can operate it.
Participants