ANN ARBOR—Success in today’s business world depends on quick and accurate information. And the quickest way to get that necessary information is through the Internet. Yet many smaller manufacturers throughout Michigan assume that getting on or traveling the Internet is too complicated or confusing.

The University of Michigan’s School of Information offers a lifeline to such businesses through its Manufacturing Information Solutions (MIS), a program that simplifies the route to information so vital to success.

The MIS Web site offers three ways to take advantage of the latest manufacturing and business information. Through its listing of resources, MIS guides the traveler through listings that range from the Small Business Administration’s guides to importing and exporting to online employee training opportunities and listings of where to entertain clients.

“MIS really takes away the fear of the unknown that many people have about the Internet,” says Beth Jakub, a member of the U-M team that developed and maintains the Web site. “Users can always come to our site and know that a real person has looked at and evaluated all of these resources.”

Small manufacturers can also take advantage of a discussion area, an opportunity to communicate with others on topics of common interest. Someone having difficulty locating a vendor for a particular item can use the discussion area to ask for recommendations. An inquiry into the successful use of online marketing efforts may bring a plethora of experiences others have had.

When a smaller manufacturer has a question that requires detailed research, MIS connects that person to an information broker who can handle the request. The manufacturer simply posts the research need, and information professionals contact him directly about contracting for the job.

“Businesses that have had frustrating experiences trying to find useful information on the Internet will be pleasantly surprised when they call up MIS,” says Jakub. “Relevant resources are available at the click of the mouse.”

Manufacturing Information Solutions was developed at the U-M as part of the CoNDUIT project, a technology reinvestment program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

University of Michigan