Application of Information and Communication Technology in Readymade Garments Industry: A Study on Bangladesh Market

Abstract

The RMG industry is Bangladesh's most visible source of foreign cash, even though the country's economy is mainly dependent on agriculture. Bangladesh's Readymade Garment (RMG) industry has long been recognized as the country's economic "Golden Goose." Its entrance into the RMG sector began in the late 1970s, and it has quickly grown to prominence in the economy. This industry has benefited from export earnings, foreign exchange income, employment development, poverty alleviation, and women's empowerment. Information and communication technology has become an integral part of the textile industry. Employee attendance (clocking in), ERP (Enterprise resource planning) software implementation, computerized cutting machine, CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design)/CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) system for pattern making or plotting, shipment dispatching, online FIT approval, mailing solution, MIS reports preparation, voice chatting, ERP for inventory tracking in manufacturing management, semiautomatic and fully automatic sewing machines, and real-time communication with buyers.

Bangladesh has a lot of potential in terms of achieving operational excellence through the use of

ICT

in a broader sense, but it also has certain potential constraints. In this study, all will be analyzed to understand some revolutionary changes and adaptations of technologies. ICT is seen as a vital instrument for sustainability in the RMG industry rather than a tool for competitive advantage. In the garment sector, the use of ICT for structure, assumptions, process, efficiency, and decision-making leads to improved operational excellence. Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) should move quickly to provide technical assistance in ICT infrastructure and implementation in the garment industry. Because only a few garment companies employ ICT on a wide scale, they will have an advantage in achieving sustainability. This study will aim to investigate the breadth of ICT application, existing ICT usages, significant impediments, and overall ICT application prospects in Bangladesh's RMG sector.