Internet Will Facilitate a Revolution in Textiles, But When?
August 11, 2000
Bradford, West Yorkshire, (UK) - There is no doubt that the Internet will facilitate a major revolution in the way textile business will be conducted in the future. But for the furnishing fabric sector at least, the Internet is still a big turn-off for most chief executives. E-commerce is considered nothing more than a buzzword, the domain of IT geeks. The textile industry is ripe for restructuring - and quickly.
Home-based on-line sales are driving an electronic revolution in the textiles industry. However, the major area of future online activity will concern business-to-business transactions, according to Chris Stone, formerly managing director of IM Information Services, Bradford, West Yorkshire, U.K.
Speaking at a Textile Institute Weaving Group conference held in Brighouse, U.K., Stone said the Internet was quickly becoming the de facto communications channel. ''But from our experience in implementing information technology in the U.K. textile sector, the true meaning and opportunities afforded by electronic business are not fully understood.
''A number of surveys of senior executives indicate a significant level of acceptance that the nature of traditional inter- and intra-business communication will change, but very few companies have formulated a strategy for adaption.''
He reckoned that senior management in the textiles industry had just a rudimentary understanding of the Internet (i.e.e-mail, and ordering books). While part of this population knows that Websites can be used for Internet selling, product information and services, the full potential of a global standard for communications over a cost-efficient structure has yet to be realized by most organizations in the textile sector, Stone told conference delegates. ''The Internet is not just about Websites. It will facilitate e-commerce, which are business-to-business transactions over the Internet.
''Very few companies are making money from the Internet. Amazon.com, for example, has yet to report an operating profit. But e-mailing lists could have a big revenue-earning potential, as e-mail directories have yet to be published.''
The first step in electronic business usually taken by textile companies is the construction of a ''glossy, coffee table'' Website, complete with corporate image, heritage, products and contacts.
The next step is a functional Website, designed to a pre-defined objective, with facilities for product selling, customer-detail security and encouraging feedback.
The final step in enabling e-commerce is a constructing a Website that is fully integrated with business systems and has the capability to transact electronic business with both suppliers and customers.
There are problems, however, for successfully selling textiles over the Internet. For a start, textiles are tactile products. The accurate representation of color is another problem that needs to be resolved. Finally, much communication in the industry is still very personal.
Stone said many businesses would need to be restructured to maximize the benefits of e-commerce, which include: a reduction in lead time, lower administrative costs, improved communications with suppliers and customers, and extending the scope of a company's activities.
''In order to manage efficiently the business changes brought about by this revolution, organizations should define and implement a policy that is both appropriate and attainable,'' said Stone.
Home-based on-line sales are driving an electronic revolution in the textiles industry. However, the major area of future online activity will concern business-to-business transactions, according to Chris Stone, formerly managing director of IM Information Services, Bradford, West Yorkshire, U.K.
Speaking at a Textile Institute Weaving Group conference held in Brighouse, U.K., Stone said the Internet was quickly becoming the de facto communications channel. ''But from our experience in implementing information technology in the U.K. textile sector, the true meaning and opportunities afforded by electronic business are not fully understood.
While part of this population knows that Websites
can be used for Internet selling, product information
and services, the full potential of a global standard
for communications over a cost-efficient structure
has yet to be realized by most organizations in the
textile sector, Stone told conference delegates.
can be used for Internet selling, product information
and services, the full potential of a global standard
for communications over a cost-efficient structure
has yet to be realized by most organizations in the
textile sector, Stone told conference delegates.
''A number of surveys of senior executives indicate a significant level of acceptance that the nature of traditional inter- and intra-business communication will change, but very few companies have formulated a strategy for adaption.''
He reckoned that senior management in the textiles industry had just a rudimentary understanding of the Internet (i.e.e-mail, and ordering books). While part of this population knows that Websites can be used for Internet selling, product information and services, the full potential of a global standard for communications over a cost-efficient structure has yet to be realized by most organizations in the textile sector, Stone told conference delegates. ''The Internet is not just about Websites. It will facilitate e-commerce, which are business-to-business transactions over the Internet.
''Very few companies are making money from the Internet. Amazon.com, for example, has yet to report an operating profit. But e-mailing lists could have a big revenue-earning potential, as e-mail directories have yet to be published.''
The first step in electronic business usually taken by textile companies is the construction of a ''glossy, coffee table'' Website, complete with corporate image, heritage, products and contacts.
The next step is a functional Website, designed to a pre-defined objective, with facilities for product selling, customer-detail security and encouraging feedback.
The final step in enabling e-commerce is a constructing a Website that is fully integrated with business systems and has the capability to transact electronic business with both suppliers and customers.
There are problems, however, for successfully selling textiles over the Internet. For a start, textiles are tactile products. The accurate representation of color is another problem that needs to be resolved. Finally, much communication in the industry is still very personal.
Stone said many businesses would need to be restructured to maximize the benefits of e-commerce, which include: a reduction in lead time, lower administrative costs, improved communications with suppliers and customers, and extending the scope of a company's activities.
''In order to manage efficiently the business changes brought about by this revolution, organizations should define and implement a policy that is both appropriate and attainable,'' said Stone.
