Issues in the design and implementation of a system architecture for computer integrated manufacturing

Abstract

The advent of sophisticated automation equipment and computer hardware and software is changing the way manufacturing is carried out. To be competitive, manufacturing companies must integrate these new technologies into their existing and future factories. In addition, they must integrate the planning, control and data management methodologies needed to make effective use of these technologies. This paper discusses several issues related to the design and implementation of a system architecture which can serve as the basis for integration. The architecture includes separate architectures for production planning and control, data management and data communications.