Design and implementation of a CIM information system

Information integration is vital for keeping manufacturing operations competitive. A case study approach has been adopted to better understand the role of informatio in integrated manufacturing. Information is now considered a corporate asset. The creation, processing, movement and security of information is therefore as important as the products/services of an enterprise. The case studies have helped in identifying the requirements and issues involved in developing an information system and supporting software framework for a manufacturing enterprise. This paper deseribes a case study dealing with the integrated manufacture of optical fiber products. A phased development and implementation approach was adopted where a small, manageable slice of the system is considered for the case study followed by functional modeling (IDEFO) and data flow modeling (data flow diagrams). This identifies the pieces of information of interest. The information relationships are modeled using extended entity relationship (EER) diagrams which are then mapped to a relational model. The relational tables thus obtained were implemented on a commercial Database Management System (DBMS). The functional constraints and application interfaces were then built using Structured Query Languages (SQL) and commercial application interface tools. Subsequent sections describe the functional models, data flow diagrams (DFDs), EER diagrams, relational database design and user/application interfaces developed for the system. Implementation experiences and observations are discussed along with the applications of the implemented system. The case study has helped in developing a preliminary data model (i.e., a model about data by which a reasonable interpretation of the data can be obtained) for material handling (MH) functions.