制造业信息化是我国"十五"发展规划的重点之一。文章首先阐述了信息化的发展趋势、目的和作用，指出信息化的根本目的是减少浪费和提高效益，使我国制造业更加具有竞争力。然后从企业的运作和业务流程的角度探讨了制造业信息化的内涵和主要内容，并就如何在中国制造企业实现信息化，包括它的策略和方法进行了讨论。

Information Technology (IT) in manufacturing is an important item of 10th Five-year Economic Development Program in China. The trends, goals and roles of IT in manufacturing are presented. It points out that reducing waste and improving effectiveness and competency of Chinese manufacturing enterprises are the basic goals. The potential and contents of IT in manufacturing business processes are discussed in detail. Some implementation strategies of IT in Chinese manufacturing enterprises are given in general.