ISSN: 2277-3754 ISO 9001:2008 Certified

International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT) Volume 2, Issue 11, May 2013

Design of Cloud Computing Based MIS Model for Textile Industries

Raj Kumar Somani1, Dr. Reena Dadhich2 Research Scholar MJRP University, Jaipur, Professor & Head, Deptt. Of Computer Sc., University of Kota
Abstract 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. Various factors are discussed which will be considered for taking maximum advantages from latest IT technologies. Index 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 cant 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 fields 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 its 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 companys 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

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International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT) Volume 2, Issue 11, May 2013 computer-based systems that have shorter life cycle than most information system is an integrated user-machine system, of the ordinary ones. The computer-based textile plant which offers information in organization to support processes, systems are linked to the MIS as a source of data. For cost managements, analyzes and decision supports in the business reasons, the system updates are done mostly in 3-5 year environment. The system takes advantages and uses from cycles. different technologies such as: These investment decisions for textile business are done by Computer hardware, assessing the financial risk, strategic choices and long term Software and applications textile business visions. These business visions include e.g. Manual procedures longer term support to defining the market share & Design profitability. The shorter term business visions can be defined Databases as the operational management decisions, organizational Here we are adding following in above technologies performance & expansion of textile markets. Internet, Web Technologies These two different objectives create fundamental area of Sensor, PDA & IPhone challenge for MIS requirements. This study presents a Cloud Computing case-based research with the view to elaborate how these Mobile Computing [23]. challenges are approached and managed in todays real-life An abstract of the management information system is not textile business environment. The focus of this study is to possible to implement totally without computer. The obtain valuable knowledge in MIS and to reflect its empirical performance offered by the computer and data implementation in the area of textile business using cloud communication system gives management information computing. systems more advantages that can be used to justify its importance [7]. Management information systems are only computer II. METHODOLOGY This study is focused on single case companys based systems which performs middle managements control implementation project. Empirical aspects are highlighted and decision making by offering routine reports from and the implementation was done in the business environment operation level actions performed and deviations to of textile markets in Bhilwara. production plan given by Laudon in 2000 [8]. Laudon K.C. et The main research related to this case study was conducted al. have wider the definition later in year 2010 The study of by interviewing the case companys Chairman, Managing information systems focusing on their use in business and Director, Board of Directors, Strategic board members, & management [9]. experts behind the technical solutions. During this study, the Modern perspective of MIS: case companys existing documentation was inspected from The information position against organization in 1995 earlier versions to the recent implemented solution. This was Roger Clarke [10] presented a model that maps the done with the objective to gaining better background information categories against the organization. Various knowledge and technical platforms as necessary for categories of information system can be distinguished implementing MIS variables by cloud computing. according to Clarke. The Clarkes diagram maps them against The inspection concerning the practical implementations of conventional hierarchical structure of an organization. MIS was done through interviewing the concerning parties, Management information systems continue development responsible for running the case companys textile business. and present definitions are wide and open. In the present Results were formed through analysis and synthesis. Future scenario the term is commonly used larger meaning as considerations were approached by interviewing the information systems, managing on their use in business and management, implementation group and several technical management [9]. The MIS solutions include all the area of experts working in the textile area. decision support systems to information systems that are linked to business and organization [23]. Structure of III. LITERATURE REVIEW Role of DSS Organization A. Defining MIS The term Management Information Information System Systems was introduced in the year 1968 by Farhoomand [1]. The main purpose was to replace the term Information Executive Management Planning Data Technology [2]. Reductio Middle Management Control n After introducing the term Management Information Supervisory personal Supervision System in 1968, science society has tried to find better and Reporting Operation personal Operative exact definitions to field of information technology that it can be classified more exactly from other areas [3, 4, 5]. Topic Data Processing Systems decision support system versus management information Fig 1. Modified Roger Clarkes diagram [9]. systems was more clearly presented by an ACM SIGBDP Figure 1 shows the Modified Roger Clarkes diagram and Conference in January 1977 [6]. Information system against the conventional structure of an Year 1984 Davis & Ohlson [7] addressed that management

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International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT) Volume 2, Issue 11, May 2013 organization [10]. Case Companys chosen MIS variables Case company focused to reach primary information to MIS in textile companies In the textile field, a Textile Management System (TMS) is gain management performance using simplified MIS having some of the features needed in the textile business variables. companies management information systems [11]. The fundamentals of chosen MIS variables are shown in TMSs are considered as the data collection and Figure 3. Those variables can be briefly elaborated as follows: forecasting systems, which can perform several calculation Yarn prices in textile market are the most highly and reporting tasks. The TMS system can perform data affecting individual factor that defines the productivity and exchange between one system to other system using several profitability of the case companys textile business area. protocols [11]. Presently Business intelligence (BI) solutions IT infrastructure & software (ERP) update , training and are commonly working also in the context of MIS in the learning cost. textile area. 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 IV. CASE COMPANYS PROFILE The study as conducted within the case company represents timing the purchases and optimizing the size of the raw a medium size textile business actor within Indian countries material reserve has great effects in cost structures. that has a market-driven business area; covering textile yarn  Textile market function efficiency sets competitive production, and Garments manufacturing. The case position against the other textile producers. Ability to forecast companys annual turnover is Rs 1171cror. The case future consumption and offer right amount of textile quality in companys textile business area manages textile business right time to the textile market is an optimizing component through versatile textile portfolio. This includes several that highly effects to the profit gained. This gives an different types of textile plants and textile productions in the advantage in the situation, where market prices are suitable forms of Ring frames, Sulzar and Simmco looms in textile for competition of similar type textile plants and are using production. same raw materials. The case company also controls various sub type of textile  Production units investments costs and secondary plants, having different features e.g. from viscous to final financial components related to that. Average textile plant is cloths production etc. These textile business people sell the 30 crore investments and pay back times are usually 20-30 yarns or gray cloth or finished cloth or garments to the years, depending on the type of textile plants. Business markets. Internally, this business actors textile business owners normally finance the big investment through bank model processes are integrated to the business holders of loans. Loan shortenings, interest rates and profit pay backs other business process, e.g. into the ready made garments in timings to the owners are strategically important in long term the automation system level. profitability.  Production units maintenance and updating costs are V. CASE COMPANYS MIS SOLUTION higher, which also depend on the life cycle of production unit. A. Defining the management requirements and approach to Average textile plant can service about 30 years. During its MIS Case Companys background approach for MIS solution active use several maintenance and systems updates are lies in the definition of some specific areas of the Contingency performed to achieve an optimal productivity versus costs. theory and MIS variables. The flowchart below presents a Optimizing normal maintenance is important from both theoretical representation of Contingency theory of MIS, textile market functioning and operational productivity point which was introduced in early 80s by Weills [12]. of view.
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

Fig 2. Weills 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.
Fig 3. Case companys selected MIS variable

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International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT) Volume 2, Issue 11, May 2013 Human resources costs and optimizing: The human maintenance functions in the organization [14]. resources used in textile plants could be the business owners Human Resource Information System : is a software or own personnel or outsourced. This can be applied into online solution for managing human resources. It includes various areas, like operational, maintenance and office functions like personnel data entry, and tracking, basic data personnel. But from management point of view handling information of the personnel, links or possible integrated human recourses and costs in optimal way must be handled in functions to accounting system functions [15]. both situations. Finance and accounting system: keeps record of the Taxation and other regulative cost components: Various financial actions and account transactions [16]. In the textile taxations and other regulative cost component are addressed plant environments, it is logically linked to human resources to textile production. When combined together, these form a and maintenance systems. The link may be handled manually significant additional cost component that may affect to or automatically. Accounting and financial systems also are business owners competitive and strategic position. Taxation having link to the banking systems too. and pollution are focused differently to different type of Textile Management System (TMS): The TMS can be textile plants. Optimal handling of this component is considered as data collection and forecasting systems, which important. perform several calculations and reporting tasks [11]. It is Other fixed cost: This group of cost consists of various used to monitor, control, and optimize the performance of the general cost like office, basic infrastructure and textile production, processing and distribution system. TMS communications, education and learning, etc. is focusing to optimize the textile production function [11]. Within the influence of Bhilwara textile market, TMS is Defining management needs and approach to MIS The case company has large number of different existing crucial role in daily textile production and trade actions. systems and the management has a clear knowledge vision, where the data is available and how it could have been VI. TECHNICAL SOLUTION modified more informative form. The case company started a Case companys implementation project chose data separate analyzing project, where the exact management warehouse (DWH) as a technical solution to collect and requirements were defined and information sources were combine the MIS information sources. recognized. Figure 4 describes the case companys systems.
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 Database management system, Development Environment, Operational support etc Server, Storage, Network, Operating System, Sensor etc IaaS layer SaaS layer

New layer

PaaS layer

Fig 5. Layered architecture MIS model on the Cloud Fig 4. Various System of the case company

The case companys 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

A. Brief Introduction to data warehouses in textile sector A data warehouse is used to extract forecast, current and historical data from business holders 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 Companys implemented MIS and data warehouse solution Figure 6 represents the basic architecture of the case companys implemented data warehouse and system links.

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International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT) Volume 2, Issue 11, May 2013 The MIS is basically a reporting system that uses optimized VII. DISCUSSION The studied case company represents a textile business queries to combine the information from various sources. The reporting system is able perform basic calculations. The case actor, having various textile plants and functioning in Indian company used their Oracle database as a platform to the data textile market. The MIS implemented has great advantages, especially, in the improved management information warehouse database. The selected product for the case was IBMs Cognos 8 BI accuracy and delivery time. The similar system and combined to data warehouse. Cognos is IBM's business information flow is impossible to achieve fully manual intelligence and performance management software suite working. Implemented solution addresses solution to set [18]. The product is focusing to analyze and reporting and its systems challenges and supports both: A) Strategic value management design goal has been to design the system easy to use. This B) Operational value management [22]. aims to use that support business users without large amount The implemented MIS adds value to strategic management of technical knowledge. Cognos is a collection of tens of software products. Cognos by storing long term trends without the limitations of the architecture is based on open standards. The software source systems and performs automatically reports to fulfill products can be used with various database suppliers product. the strategic management needs. It also adds value to This includes multidimensional data sources and relational operational management by giving more up to date and real time information from the daily business process. databases. [18] VIII. STUDY LIMITATIONS The study examines MIS, specifically from case companys 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 companys 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 companys business secrets, which was also avoided.
Fig 6. Case companys MIS architecture with DWH

MIS 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 companys needs
Web User Encrypted Connection MIS As a Service Using Hybrid Cloud Company Internal System Company Internal System Company Internal System

Web User

IX. CONCLUSION The implemented management information system is useful and functional solution in case companys 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

Web User

Fig 7. Case companys MIS model on cloud

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International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT) Volume 2, Issue 11, May 2013 Journal of Management Information Systems, vol. 6, no 1, system, but also more common use of cloud based enterprise Summer 1989. architectures in textile companies. More and wider set of data communication methods in [13] W. S. Levine, Control system fundamentals, CRC Press, 2000. systems enable faster and cost effective and efficient MIS implementations. It is likely that in future the need for case by [14] Amik Garg, Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 12, no. 3, 2006. case specially programmed data import modules will be reducing when products data exchange methods will become [15] Michael J. Kavanagh, Mohan Thite, Human Resource Information Systems: Basics, Applications, and Future more standardized or open source software are used. In order Directions, Sage, 2008. to improve their MIS System, new technologies such as cloud computing, mobile computing are used. Various factors are [16] H. G. Heymann, Robert Bloom, Decision support systems in finance and accounting, Quorum Books, 1988. discussed which will be considered for taking maximum advantages from latest IT technologies. [17] Vidette Poe, Stephen Brobst, Patricia Klauer, Building a Data Future research can be extended to compare this Warehouse for Decision Support, 2nd version, Prentice-Hall, 1997. implementation case to other cases, and also perform a comparative study among geographically distributed textile [18] IBM Corporation, Cognos 8, product information, web pages. companies. Based on the presented implementation case, the Available:http://www-01.ibm.com/software/data/cognos/prod textile market seems to have significant impact to the cloud ucts/cognos-8-business-intelligence. based business model. This would be useful to study [19] Data care, product information, RemoteSec Technical separately. description v 4.0, EGF Finland, 2010. REFERENCES [1] A. Farhoomand, Scientific Progress of Management
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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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